.17 Magnum (Ackley) / .17-222 Magnum (P.O. Ackley Data)

.17 Magnum (Ackley) / .17-222 Magnum (P.O. Ackley Data)

The .17 Magnum, Also Known As The .17-222 Magnum, Was Developed By P.O. Ackley As Part Of His Ongoing Work To Explore The Potential Of Small-Caliber, High-Velocity Cartridges. Based On The .222 Remington Magnum Case Necked Down To Accept A .172-Inch Bullet, This Wildcat Round Embodied Ackley’s Philosophy Of Creating Efficient, High-Speed Cartridges With Minimal Recoil And Maximum Terminal Effect On Small Game.

The Case Design Maintains A Generous Powder Capacity, Allowing Shooters To Push Lightweight Bullets At Speeds In Excess Of 4,000 Feet Per Second. This Results In Remarkably Flat Trajectories And Rapid Energy Transfer — Ideal For Varmint Hunting And Long-Range Target Applications. The Cartridge Also Offers Good Barrel Life Relative To Other .17-Caliber Magnums, Making It A Practical Choice For Volume Shooters.

While Never Commercially Standardized, The .17-222 Magnum Gained A Devoted Following Among Reloaders And Wildcat Enthusiasts. Its Efficient Burn Characteristics, Paired With Ackley’s Innovative Shoulder Design, Make It Capable Of Impressive Accuracy When Properly Handloaded.

The Cartridge Stands As A Testament To Ackley’s Influence On Modern Reloading — A High-Velocity .17-Caliber Option That Bridges The Gap Between The Smaller Hornet-Based Rounds And The More Overbore Centerfire Magnums. It Remains A Rare But Respected Part Of Wildcat History.

Source: Wolfe Publishing