Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Hornady SST Bullets?

I have been thinking about trying the SST in my 7mm-08 and maybe my 6.5-06 Ackley. i'm wondering if anyone has used them on deer, and how they hold togather.

I have used them in .257, 7mm and .308 calibers. In my experience, they perform just about like Nosler Ballistic Tips at similar velocities. We don't use them any more (except for shooting coyotes with the .257 AI). They hold together on deer and pronghorns, but ruin more meat than AccuBonds or Partitions.

We had our best terminal performance in 7mm-08s and .308s at moderate velocities. Using them in the the .257 AI, .280 and .280 AI just resulted in too much bloodshot meat with anything but high neck shots. On the other hand, everything we took with them dropped like it was pole-axed.

I would recommend that you try them in the 7mm-08 and use something a little stouter in the 6.5-06. FWIW.

Goodshot,

I have taken Deer, Antelope and Caribou with my 6.5-06 using 129 grain SSTs at 2995 fps (muzzle velocity) with no complaints. If you are concerned move up to the Interbonds or Accubonds.

8mmwapiti

I've killed five deer from 40-220 yards with the 139gr SSTs out of my 280 Rem (2994fps chronographed). No deer went over 20 yards after being hit, all bullets exited, and anything in between was trashed. I have had some big exit holes on close range shots but that was expected. They have worked fine for me in the above posted experience.

My 7-08 loves them and deer hate'm.

Never had one yet that wasn't DRT. But i've only killed 2 deer with them. One high shoulder shot at 150 yds and one shot in the back of the head about 15 yards, the last was not pretty, but wasted no meat either.

MO

I've loaded the 165s and 150s in 30-06, 300WM, and 308Win. The 165s in the 308 Win are just right for deer, they give good expansion and penetration.

In the other two, they are like varmint bullets. Exits about 50% of the time, but alot of them turned to shrapnel and a few didn't even reach the off side on broad side small whitetail. If you like explosive bullets, these are a great choice. I've had better luck with NBTs as they have exited 98% of the time and when they didn't, they were nicely mushroomed on the off side.

If you don't push them over 2800 you should be ok.

They shoot great from most of the rifles I've ran them through.

Good Luck

Reloader7RM

I've used the 130 SST in 270WSM on deer out to 200 yds and had all deer DRT. No penetration at all, just shrapnel and lots of ruined and gut impregnated meat. Excellent accuracy in the 270WSM, but very quick expansion in the 270WSM.
I use the 150SST in a 308 Win Encore with 15" barrel. Muzzle velocity is around 2400fps. With center chest hits out to 150yds the expansion and penetration are great. I would think that in non magnum calibers and at 100 yds or better they would work great.

I have taken both deer and antelope with 150 SST out of my 30-06. Shots have ranged from 100-350 yards. They have been super with all one-shot kills and no bullets recovered. They are devestating.

I've had similar experiences to others.

I load 165s in my '06 and they shoot WONDERFULLY. I hit a 170 lb sow where the skull meets the spine from about 50 yards and got an exit, LOTS of blood which is really something for a pig.

I wouldn't deer hunt with 'em unless you're looking for head shots on slicksters. Just too explosive.

Next time I head South for oinkers I'd like to nail one head-on with one of these just to see if I can recover something.

Just as a contrast, my hunting partner nailed a HUGE 280 lb boar in the on-side shoulder with a 140 gr AB from his 270 WSM at a similar range. I mean he hit that thing RIGHT in the shoulder knuckle... dropped that heavy mug right there, and we found a sizable chunk of the bullet under the hide near the off-shoulder. Amazing.

maybe im wrong here, but isnt a sst an interlock bullet with a plastic tip??

you are correct. But the plastic tip seems to make it open faster than the classic interlock.

im confused on how plastic can make metal open faster. ive shot elk with both interlocts and ssts, cant see any differnce in performance. also havnt been able to recover either as they have all been pass throughs.

My one experience is with 150 308 ssts in a 308. I agree they are a "softer" bullet than the hornady 150 sp I shot in the past.

I would be curious as to how the heavier 30 cal ssts work, like 308-180g or the 338 ssts.

very simple ... when the bullet impacts the animal, the plastic tip gets shoved back into the hollow of the cavity under it ... plastic might be softer than metal, but it's strong enough to push that tip open instantly, and enough so that it's quickly peeling back on it's peeling back on it's own from penetration thru the animal ...

don't be afraid of plastic tips ... (grin)

check this out from hornady
1) PREMIUM POLYMER TIP
The sharp point increases the SST��s ballistic coefficient,
making it faster and flatter shooting. On impact, the
tip also initiates controlled expansion at all velocities.
F E A T U R E S
2) SECANT OGIVE,
BOATTAIL SPIRE POINT PROFILE
It�s a fact: bullets that travel faster hit harder. The
Hornady secant ogive, boattail spire point profile gives
hunters the incredible speed and downrange energy
they�re looking for.
3) THE INTERLOCK RING
Ensures the core and jacket remain locked solid during
expansion, so the SST� retains the mass and energy
needed for dramatic wound channels. Perfected in
the famous Hornady InterLock� hunting bullet.
When Hornady engineers set out to design a bullet that
combined deadly terminal performance with a high
ballistic coefficient, they found the answer to both in the
SST� design.
They started with the proven design of our InterLock�
bullet, and added a sharp, pointed tip to cut through
the air for faster, flatter shooting. Hornady engineers
then tackled the problem of too-rapid expansion that
plagues many tipped bullets and by combining a
one-piece core and strengthening the jacket in
critical areas, the SST� became a bullet that delivers
controlled expansion, superior weight retention, and
massive shock for a clean, quick kill.
In the field, you�ll soon come to realize that every
single detail of our Hornady SST� was engineered to
shoot flatter, fly straighter, and hit harder!

www.hornady.com
R I F L E B U L L E T S
SST�
SST� and InterLock� are trademarks of Hornady Manufacturing Co.

I'm confused now ... you supporting my position, or arguing against it?

i wasnt arguing or supporting just giving facts from hornadys site.it does not say anywhere in the site that the plastic tip opens faster. it does state that with its higher coeffient it is faster and flatter shooting. i am not arguing with anyone just giving my opinion that i think these are an excellent bullet.

this is a quote from what you posted, directly off Hornady's site ...

I'll also give you 3 guesses as to HOW and WHY the tip "initiates controlled expansion" ... (grin)

hornady also states that thet have "tackled the problem of to rapid expansion that plaques many bullets by combining a one piece core and strengthenin the jacket in critical areas. the quote states the tip initiates "controled expansion" not rapid or fast expansion.



GRIN HAR HAR