Rifle · Wildcat
.17 Ackley Hornet
Tiny wildcat with extreme velocity.
- Caliber
- 0.172″ · 4.369 mm
- Introduced
- 1952
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .22 Hornet
- Primary use
- Varmint, Target
- Status
- Limited
- Introduced
- 1952
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- P.O. Ackley
- Manufacturer
- P.O. Ackley
- Standard
- Wildcat
- Status
- Limited
- Availability
- Collector Only
- Case capacity
- 12 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:9
- Primer
- Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 46,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 250 yd
- Max range
- 1800 yd
- Recoil
- 3.5–5.5 ft·lb
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .17 Ackley Hornet, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- .22 Hornet
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 4.37 | 0.172 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 4.90 | 0.193 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 7.32 | 0.288 | · |
| Shoulder angle | 30° | — | ~ |
| Base ⌀ | 7.59 | 0.299 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 8.89 | 0.350 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.65 | 0.065 | · |
| Neck length | 5.72 | 0.225 | ≈ |
| Case length | 35.56 | 1.400 | ~ |
| Overall length | 43.76 | 1.723 | ~ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .17 Ackley Hornet is highlighted below.
Suitable powders
2 reloading powders listed for .17 Ackley Hornet, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Created by P.O. Ackley in the early 1950s by necking down .22 K-Hornet to .17 caliber. One of the earliest successful .17 caliber wildcats. Extremely difficult to form brass and load. Demonstrated viability of .17 caliber centerfire cartridges. Largely forgotten after Hornady introduced commercial .17 Hornet in 2012. Historical significance as a precursor to modern .17 caliber cartridges.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .17 Ackley Hornet use?
- .17 Ackley Hornet typically uses a 1:9 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .17 Ackley Hornet?
- .17 Ackley Hornet uses a 0.172″ (4.369 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .17 Ackley Hornet still in production?
- .17 Ackley Hornet is limited; typical availability is collector only.
- What is .17 Ackley Hornet used for?
- .17 Ackley Hornet is primarily used for varmint, target.
- What is .17 Ackley Hornet based on?
- .17 Ackley Hornet is derived from the .22 Hornet case.
- What are the best powders for .17 Ackley Hornet?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .17 Ackley Hornet include IMR 4227, N120.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →