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Old 12-28-2014, 01:00 AM
Eric Mayer Eric Mayer is offline
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Default 17 Hornady Hornet NTX Lead Free Ammo Review Includes a Bobcat Hunt on Video

When we decided to make a move to Boise (we leave CA in 2016), I decided that I was pretty much done with writing about lead free ammunition, because it wasn't going to be my problem anymore. Well, I have since rethought that decision and figured that I would dedicate even more time trying to get information on factory lead free ammo out there to the California hunters as much possible by hunting with, and reviewing as much lead free ammunition I can get my hands on.

So, recently, I received word that Hornady released their lead free option for the .17 Hornady Hornet. It is the same 15.5 grain NTX bullet that is found in their lead free rimfire loads, but is now being pushed at a listed 3870fps in the .17 Hornet. I took it out to do some testing, as well as to try and kill a predator with it. I didn't kill a predator, but my cameraman did and I was behind the camera to capture it on video!

Full review article is here (with more detailed pictures of the bullet performance): 17 Hornady Hornet NTX Lead Free Ammo Review with Bobcat Hunt

Here is the video, including the bobcat hunt towards the end:
YouTube Video - 17 Hornady Hornet NTX Lead Free Ammo Review including a Bobcat Hunt

There is a cold front coming in this week, so I will be out again trying to get more predators with this round.

Eric
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Old 12-28-2014, 02:21 AM
Stan from Pa. Stan from Pa. is offline
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Default Nice!

Eric,
very nice article and video.
Stan
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  #3  
Old 12-28-2014, 05:08 AM
Cajun Blake Cajun Blake is offline
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very well done Eric

always enjoy your stuff brother
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Old 12-28-2014, 05:30 AM
Nelson Nelson is offline
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Thank you for posting that, I don't shoot lead free but sure glad the option is their for the folks that have to. Keep up the great work. Nelson
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Old 12-28-2014, 01:55 PM
GLWenzl GLWenzl is offline
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Nice job Eric!! I really like it, AND a very impressive clean kill on a cat! Not tooo shabby for a little pill like that 👍
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Old 12-28-2014, 02:24 PM
260Ackley 260Ackley is offline
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Would this bullet stabilize in a faster 17 like the fireball or 17 rem? If it would hold together it would be crazy flat at 4500 fps. If you kept shots under 250 I would think it wouldn't be awful in the wind?
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Old 12-28-2014, 02:54 PM
Eagle_view Eagle_view is offline
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very nice Eric, great video, surprising effective bullet/

Lowell
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Old 12-28-2014, 04:19 PM
Eric Mayer Eric Mayer is offline
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Thanks guys!

As far as this bullet stabilizing in a faster .17 caliber, I know for a fact that it will. I sent some blems that were acquired by someone on here to my buddy Mic, who was shooting them at 4300fps out of a .17 Hornet. He had some concerns about them stabilizing in a 10 twist rifle.

Eric
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Old 12-28-2014, 09:41 PM
17varminter 17varminter is offline
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Well done Eric, Quality article and Video. Surprised to see that 3,870fps is what they can squeeze out of a 15gr.
I've used some loads from McPherson and I'm getting well over 4,000fps with W296 and V120.
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  #10  
Old 12-29-2014, 04:32 PM
Daryl Daryl is offline
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The 15 gr. Berger HP stabilized at 4,400fps in my .17AB, and (from someone here's) .17Rem at over 4,500fps. The Berger has a lower BC than the NTX, I'm sure, due to it's HP, not a plastic top - thus the NTX should be just fine in the faster guns- if the jacket is up to it. By the exit wounds, it appears that way. This is merely an observation.
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