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Posted By: southtexas 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/24/20
Anyone have any experience or opinion on the relative terminal performance to be expected on bambi from these bullets launched from a 257R, between 2900 and 3000fps?

I've read a lot of positive comments regarding the BTip. And have read that the SST has been toughened up so that it performs on par with the Interlock. If true that should make them perform similarly. Does that ring true? thanks!!
Posted By: CGPAUL Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/24/20
Have not killed anything with the SST. Have killed more than a few with the 115 BT running them about 2900 out of my 250AI. Depending on where hit, I`ve not had one go more than 80 yrds. Always had an exit on pocket shots, and DRT on high shoulder shots, and exit. Again, depends on where their hit, IME. Woods ranges, 50 - 90 yrds.
SST`s have shot well, push them about same MV, just wasn`t one in the gun when I saw deer.
Posted By: hanco Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/25/20
I’ve always had great performance with the Ballistic tip in my 25-06
Posted By: J23 Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/25/20
115 NBT out of my Roberts at ~2800 fps is a DRT killer. Shoots small groups too.
Originally Posted by J23
115 NBT out of my Roberts at ~2800 fps is a DRT killer. Shoots small groups too.

Mine too, with H-4350.

DF
Posted By: Filaman Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/25/20
I've used the Combined Technonogies 115 grain Ballistic tips in my .250 Savage and my .257 AI. The .257 AI gives me 3000 FPS and the .250 about 2900. That's with a healthy dose of RL-17. The Combined Technologies are some slick dudes.
Good to hear about the BTs guys. But there was this lonely box of SSTs on the shelf at the local Academy, saying, “Try me, try me!” Couldn’t help myself...😉
Posted By: Mule Deer Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/25/20
In my experience, while both were pretty tender when originally introduced years ago, the present versions work very similarly on impact.

Both also tend to be very accurate.
Originally Posted by Filaman
I've used the Combined Technonogies 115 grain Ballistic tips in my .250 Savage and my .257 AI. The .257 AI gives me 3000 FPS and the .250 about 2900. That's with a healthy dose of RL-17. The Combined Technologies are some slick dudes.



Curious how your getting 2900 feet per second velocity from the .250 Savage with a 115 gr bullet. Seems like R-17 is the holy grail of powder for the little savage case.
Thank you, men, for your input. I truly appreciate it.
Posted By: mmgravy Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/26/20
I'd take a 115 BT any day.....
Posted By: OSU_Sig Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/26/20
Originally Posted by doctor_Encore
Originally Posted by Filaman
I've used the Combined Technonogies 115 grain Ballistic tips in my .250 Savage and my .257 AI. The .257 AI gives me 3000 FPS and the .250 about 2900. That's with a healthy dose of RL-17. The Combined Technologies are some slick dudes.



Curious how your getting 2900 feet per second velocity from the .250 Savage with a 115 gr bullet. Seems like R-17 is the holy grail of powder for the little savage case.

I’d like to know also.
Posted By: gunzo Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/26/20
Apologize for playing the BC card, but the fairly new 110 ELD-X has good numbers & could be a tic faster. If there have been multiple complaints about the X's performance on game I've missed them.

Originally Posted by mmgravy
I'd take a 115 BT any day.....

+1

Mine loves H-4350 with this bullet. It's deadly, for sure.

And, don't forget the 100 TTSX with H-100V at 3,250 fps. That's a killer combo.

DF
Posted By: Elvis Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/26/20
I have shot pigs with the 115gn Ballistic Tips at 2800fps from a Roberts and they killed very well. Even on a few good sized boars around the 75kg size with the texas heart shot. That doesn't always happen with 100gn bullets.

I haven't shot a deer with one yet. Based on their performance on pigs I'd aim to put one through the shoulder, especially on a smaller sized meat doe.
I wouldn’t bet on a 100 TTSX not penetrating about as well as a 115 NBT.

I’ve shot both, killed stuff with both but have no side by side penetration comparison.

Maybe someone can answer that question.

DF
Posted By: TATELAW Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/27/20
The 115NBTs are ridiculously accurate from my 25-06AI. They also perform well on whitetails, but I can't remember ever taking a deer with them inside 300yds. Not sure how they would hold together at close range, but my AI is a bean field rifle.
Are the 115 ballistic tips/SSTs tougher than the SGK 117btsp? I've killed a bunch of deer/hogs with them and they do it with authority. However, they make a pretty good mess and often don't exit. Would the btips be a worthwhile step up or would I need to go to something like an accubond?
Posted By: Mule Deer Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/27/20
TxHunter80,

A few years ago my wife killed a whitetail buck with her NULA .257 Roberts at the vast range of about 15 yards, using a handload that pushed the 115 Ballistic Tip at around 2950 fps. The bullet landed in the shoulder muscle just behind the big joint, and exited just about the same spot on the other side.
Thanks, that's more inline with what I'm looking for
Posted By: ol_mike Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/27/20
Midsouth SS Nos 115bt 37cent each ,, Hor. 117sst 28cents each .

Agree with Mule Deer - they're about the same - the SST drops hogs where they stand - never had one take a step .

I shot a young coyote facing me a couple of years ago w/a 117sst - went through it lengthwise chest to ham - elongated golfball size wound . Same size wound when shooting a hog through the neck .
Posted By: Tejano Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/29/20
I had bad experiences with both the early BT and SST, now it is whichever has a higher BC or is cheaper. I have complete faith in the Nosler but still getting comfortable with the SST. I am also using the ELD-Xs which are a sort of second generation SST crossed with an A-Max and so far so good. For deer I don't think it matters too much.
Originally Posted by Tejano
I had bad experiences with both the early BT and SST, now it is whichever has a higher BC or is cheaper. I have complete faith in the Nosler but still getting comfortable with the SST. I am also using the ELD-Xs which are a sort of second generation SST crossed with an A-Max and so far so good. For deer I don't think it matters too much.

That mirrors my experience with those two.

I'm back with the NBT with good results. Haven't yet gotten back to the SST, but probably need to.

Both are very accurate, were also back in the day when they blew up.

DF
Posted By: bigbuck77 Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/29/20
The SSTs are the real deal out of my Roberts
Posted By: Tejano Re: 115 gr BTip vs 117gr SST - 05/29/20
Not sure but I believe the SSTs will perform to a lower velocity threshold than the BT, not a big difference maybe 100 fps.
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