Hornady SST
10-20-2005, 01:53 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 900
Hornady SST
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the SSTs on deer sized game. Right now I use core-lock factory loads (i'm thinkin about having my future father-in-law make up some hand loads for me) Are the SSTs a rapid expansion bullet a high penetration bullet or somewhere in between. I'm from West Virginia so a lot of my shot are close up...but then when you get in a field they can be 200-250 yards. Also do you think the boat tails make a big difference. Thanks
Shep
by the way, i'm shooting a 7mm-08 (and possibly start loading my 06 also)
Shep
by the way, i'm shooting a 7mm-08 (and possibly start loading my 06 also)
10-20-2005, 06:15 PM
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 395
RE: Hornady SST
I use the Spire Point Interloks. I like them better than all of thebullets that I have shot. They are a good all around bullet and I have put everything down that I have shot at with them, from deer to oryx.
They are cheap and very reliable. I use them in all of my guns. I dont know much about the new SST's becouse I have no reason to change what I am shooting now. Group is great and cost is low.
Hope it helps.
hunter338
They are cheap and very reliable. I use them in all of my guns. I dont know much about the new SST's becouse I have no reason to change what I am shooting now. Group is great and cost is low.
Hope it helps.
hunter338
10-20-2005, 08:37 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: MB.
Posts: 2,984
RE: Hornady SST
I can’t comment on the performance of the bullet on game but I just tried some 139 gr., 154 gr., and some 162 gr. SSt for my 7mm-08. They didn’t shoot very well in that the groups were larger then I liked at 100 yards. All three bullets were loaded with the same powder so I will have to try something else but I did get the velocity that was printed in the book. I’m going to experiment next year with the SST bullets.... I was getting good groups with the 160 gr. Sierra Game King but would rather go with a lighter bullet so I’ll try the 140 gr. Nosler Accubond for this year.
10-20-2005, 08:54 PM
#4
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: houston texas
Posts: 298
RE: Hornady SST
The SST is pretty much the hornady "version" of the ballistic tip. It is primarly for deer sized game. Im loading up with 165 grain SST's in my 06 for this upcoming deer season. They are shooting nice groups out of my gun. The Interbond is pretty much the hornady "version" of the accubond. It is a bonded bullet with a polymer tip and suitible for game such as elk and moose.
10-20-2005, 09:13 PM
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 4,127
RE: Hornady SST
I have killed three animals with the .270 130 gr. SST: antelope, deer, and elk. The load is going 3370 fps out of my .270 Ackely Improved.
The antelope was about 250 yards broadside and the bullet hit his ribs and passed through. Buck ran about 50 yards and piled up.
The deer was a 180 class whitetail buck at a ranged 411 yards - looking at me from the other side of an alfalfa field. Bullet hit the front of his chest, penetrated through one lung, went through the diaphram, and wound up just under the hide in the flank. It had lost almost all its core and just the jacket remained.
Elk was a mature cow elk broadside at about 150 yards. Shot hit her in the shoulder and the bullet came apart without making it into the chest. Had to shoot her again in the neck.
Based on these results, I don't think they hold together quite as well as the regular Interlock. I have not tried the Interbond yet on game - theygroupedpoorly out of my rifle.
The antelope was about 250 yards broadside and the bullet hit his ribs and passed through. Buck ran about 50 yards and piled up.
The deer was a 180 class whitetail buck at a ranged 411 yards - looking at me from the other side of an alfalfa field. Bullet hit the front of his chest, penetrated through one lung, went through the diaphram, and wound up just under the hide in the flank. It had lost almost all its core and just the jacket remained.
Elk was a mature cow elk broadside at about 150 yards. Shot hit her in the shoulder and the bullet came apart without making it into the chest. Had to shoot her again in the neck.
Based on these results, I don't think they hold together quite as well as the regular Interlock. I have not tried the Interbond yet on game - theygroupedpoorly out of my rifle.
10-20-2005, 11:39 PM
#6
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Saskatchewan Canada
Posts: 6,921
RE: Hornady SST
ORIGINAL: Roskoe
I have killed three animals with the .270 130 gr. SST: antelope, deer, and elk. The load is going 3370 fps out of my .270 Ackely Improved.
The antelope was about 250 yards broadside and the bullet hit his ribs and passed through. Buck ran about 50 yards and piled up.
The deer was a 180 class whitetail buck at a ranged 411 yards - looking at me from the other side of an alfalfa field. Bullet hit the front of his chest, penetrated through one lung, went through the diaphram, and wound up just under the hide in the flank. It had lost almost all its core and just the jacket remained.
Elk was a mature cow elk broadside at about 150 yards. Shot hit her in the shoulder and the bullet came apart without making it into the chest. Had to shoot her again in the neck.
Based on these results, I don't think they hold together quite as well as the regular Interlock. I have not tried the Interbond yet on game - theygroupedpoorly out of my rifle.
I have killed three animals with the .270 130 gr. SST: antelope, deer, and elk. The load is going 3370 fps out of my .270 Ackely Improved.
The antelope was about 250 yards broadside and the bullet hit his ribs and passed through. Buck ran about 50 yards and piled up.
The deer was a 180 class whitetail buck at a ranged 411 yards - looking at me from the other side of an alfalfa field. Bullet hit the front of his chest, penetrated through one lung, went through the diaphram, and wound up just under the hide in the flank. It had lost almost all its core and just the jacket remained.
Elk was a mature cow elk broadside at about 150 yards. Shot hit her in the shoulder and the bullet came apart without making it into the chest. Had to shoot her again in the neck.
Based on these results, I don't think they hold together quite as well as the regular Interlock. I have not tried the Interbond yet on game - theygroupedpoorly out of my rifle.
My gosh fellas do your homework and understand the design/purpose of the bullet.
It'll get the job done if you do yours. I personally prefer the NBT, it is more accuratenor has it ever failed me on many deer and antelope harvests.
10-21-2005, 06:17 AM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Salem VA Salem, VA
Posts: 753
RE: Hornady SST
I started using the Hornady 150 grain SST's in my .308 last year. They shoot great in my T/C 24" barrel. I shot two deer with them last year and the bullet performed excellent. The 8 pointer ran about 40 yards, broadside double lung shot, both lungs were destroyed. The doe just fell over with a quartering shot.
10-21-2005, 08:10 AM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Olive Branch MS USA
Posts: 1,032
RE: Hornady SST
The 165 gr. SST shot very well in my .300 Weatherby with H1000 and I shot one deer with this load 2 or 3 years ago. The load was not a full charge, velocity at the muzzle was only around 3,050 fps instead of the 3,300 fps I usually get with a 165 gr. bullet. The deer I shot was about 20 yards away and I shot it right through the rib cage. The exit wound was about 1.5" in diameter. The deer stumbled around and fell about 10 yards from where I shot him and blood covered the ground all around. I haven't used this bullet since then, though, and to be honest I don't have a real good reason why. I guess I just have more peace of mind using a more heavily constructed bullet in this particular rifle.
BTW, I never could get the SST to shoot very well in the other rifle I tried it in, my 7mm Rem Mag.
BTW, I never could get the SST to shoot very well in the other rifle I tried it in, my 7mm Rem Mag.
10-21-2005, 08:13 AM
#9
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 4,127
RE: Hornady SST
I was not necessarily knocking the SST. The amount of expansion I got at over 400 yards was considerable on that deer - kinda left me wondering what would have happened at 40 yards. And I have used the regular interlocks in this caliber and found them to be a little tougher. Not a lot. I never really expected the SST to be able to shoot clear through both shoulders of an elk - was actually aiming for the lungs.
But these three scenarios will give someone an idea of what this bullet will and won't do, I believe. The Hornady Interlock, according to Hornady, is designed for animals up to the size of zebra. I would say the SST is for critters up to the size of a deer.
But these three scenarios will give someone an idea of what this bullet will and won't do, I believe. The Hornady Interlock, according to Hornady, is designed for animals up to the size of zebra. I would say the SST is for critters up to the size of a deer.
10-21-2005, 06:25 PM
#10
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 154
RE: Hornady SST
I used the 150gr SST's in my 300 Win Mag last year. I shot a good size whitetail buck quartering towards me through the shoulder at only 40 yards. It blew the shoulder apart, baseball size hole through the ribs, took out both lungs, severed the heart. 3 fragments went through the ribs on the far side and the biggest was the base of the jacket. I was impressed with it's performance and it was a quick kill but I know it wasn't designed for that scenario. It isn't the most accurate bullet in my rifle either (tried it again today and got a 1.5", 4 shot group at 100yds).
I tried the 165gr Interbonds today and the groups and trajectory are much better; under an inch at 100yds, 2.5" at 300yds and only 6" low with a 200yd zero. I'm VERY impressed...and this is just Hornady factory ammo.
Anyway, hope the SST info helps!
I tried the 165gr Interbonds today and the groups and trajectory are much better; under an inch at 100yds, 2.5" at 300yds and only 6" low with a 200yd zero. I'm VERY impressed...and this is just Hornady factory ammo.
Anyway, hope the SST info helps!