Hornady V-MAX 17 Cal (.172 Dia) 20 Grain Flat Base Bullets - Box of 100

The Hornady V-MAX 17 Cal (.172 Dia) 20 Grain Flat Base Bullets deliver everything serious varmint reloaders demand: consistent ballistics, explosive terminal performance, and match-grade concentricity. Built for .17 caliber rifles where precision matters and clean, fast expansion is the goal, these 20-grain flat base bullets excel from short-range pests to medium-distance varmint work. Whether you're loading for prairie dogs, groundhogs, or other small game, the V-MAX design combines aerodynamic profile with controlled fragmentation to put game down reliably.

At the heart of V-MAX performance is Hornady's polymer tip technology—a hard-tipped cavity system that stores energy on impact before driving into the swaged lead core. This engineered collapse initiates rapid, violent fragmentation across a wide velocity range, even at modest terminal speeds around 1600 fps. The flat base design pairs with precise boattail profile and optimized bearing surface to maintain exceptional stability in flight, supporting both short-range accuracy and longer-distance shooting. Match-grade AMP jacket concentricity means each bullet tracks true, round after round, translating to tighter groups and more confidence in field conditions.

Reloaders choosing the V-MAX appreciate consistency in a quality component. Hornady's swaged core process ensures uniform internal geometry—the polymer tip seated in a precisely formed cavity delivers repeatable expansion and fragmentation behavior. The streamlined profile yields a higher ballistic coefficient than traditional designs, flattening your trajectory and reducing wind drift without sacrificing the rapid expansion that makes varmint hunting effective. For handloaders committed to both precision and lethal performance, these .17 caliber bullets are a proven choice.

Key Features

• Polymer tip with hollow cavity for energy buildup and explosive fragmentation on impact
• Swaged lead core precisely formed around tip shaft for controlled expansion
• Match-grade AMP jacket concentricity for superior accuracy at all ranges
• Streamlined, aerodynamic profile for flat trajectory and high ballistic coefficient
• Flat base design with optimized bearing surface for in-flight stability
• Effective expansion even at low terminal velocities (1600 fps and above)

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What rifles are these .17 caliber bullets compatible with?

These bullets are designed for .17 caliber rifles. Confirm your specific rifle's chamber and twist rate specifications before loading to ensure safe and accurate performance.

Do these bullets require special reloading dies?

These are .172 diameter bullets for .17 caliber cartridges. You'll need reloading dies and components appropriate for your specific .17 cartridge (such as .17 HMR, .17 Hornet, or similar). Consult your reloading manual for proper procedures and load data.

What game or shooting applications are these V-MAX bullets best suited for?

The V-MAX design excels for varmint hunting—prairie dogs, groundhogs, coyotes, and similar small to medium game—where rapid expansion and clean kills are priorities. The polymer tip and fragmentation characteristics work across a wide velocity range, making them versatile for various .17 caliber hunting distances.

Will these bullets work at long range?

The streamlined aerodynamic profile and flat base design provide a higher ballistic coefficient, supporting flat trajectories and reduced wind drift. The polymer tip technology delivers reliable expansion from low velocities (1600 fps) upward, so they remain effective at extended ranges when properly loaded and matched to your rifle's capabilities.