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Federal · Rifle

Varmint & Predator, 17 Hornet, 20 Grain, Tipped Varmint, 3610 fps

0.185BC (G1)
20.0gr1.30 g
1100m/s3610 fps
784J579 ft·lb
ManufacturerFederal
Calibre4.37 mm (.172")
Bullet weight20.0 gr  ·  1.30 g
Ballistic coefficient G10.185
Ballistic coefficient G7not published
Drag model usedG1
Muzzle velocity1100.3 m/s  ·  3610 fps
Muzzle energy784 J  ·  579 ft·lb
Sectional density0.097
Form factori1 0.522
CategoryRifle
SourceFederal website 2026-07-02 (verified)

Reading these numbers

Only a G1 ballistic coefficient is published for this load, so BallisticApp solves it against the G1 drag table. G1 BC drifts with velocity — the figure below is valid near the muzzle and drops off as the bullet slows.

Muzzle energy of 784 J (579 ft·lb) is computed from the bullet weight and muzzle velocity above, not quoted from the catalogue. Sectional density 0.097 describes weight per unit of frontal area; divided by the ballistic coefficient it gives the form factor, which is how much drag the shape adds over the standard projectile.

Among the 19 loads of this bore diameter in the database, this one's G1 BC of 0.185 is higher than 17 of them.

Similar 4.37 mm (.172") loads

Turn this into a drop table for your rifle.

These figures are the bullet's starting point. What you actually dial depends on your rifle's zero, the air you're shooting in and the wind on the day — BallisticApp solves that on the phone, offline, using the same G1/G7 tables and this database.

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