Developed by Hornady and introduced in 2002, the 17 Hornady Hornet differs significantly from Parker Otto (P. O.) Ackley’s original version (dating to the early 1950s). Hornady shortened the case so loaded rounds using its V-Max bullets would not exceed SAAMI 22-Hornet overall length. This allows the 17 Hornet to be easily adapted to any repeating gun chambered for the 22 Hornet. Compared to the 22 Hornet, Hornady incorporated a reasonably sharp shoulder and minimal body taper, to increase useable capacity and improve headspace control; and, a reasonably long case neck, which improves barrel life. With the best modern propellant and bullets, Hornady’s version of the 17 Hornet does things Ackley would never have dreamed possible. It is no trick to launch the 20-grain V-Max at 3750 fps from a 24-inch barrel using moly-plated bullets and Hodgdon BLK propellant, the same propellant used in Hornady’s factory load. As such, the 17 Hornet shoots flatter than the original 222 Remington load and is entirely effective against smaller species of vermin for shots past 300 yards! The 17 Hornet is a fantastic choice for varmint hunters who enjoy getting the job done with a gun that generates modest noise, little recoil, almost meaningless barrel heating, and will have accurate barrel life for 10,000 rounds or longer.