3400fps hornady SST on big game

[duckmen1]

So in test of hand loading I've been trying to develop a deadly accurate hunting round. The thing is I did so in result of extreme speed. Using a 300wsm and 150 gr SST bullets I've got this gun shooting .5 inch or less at 100 consistently. 200 yards I shot a .4 inch group. 300 to 500 was deadly accurate too. The best I've ever shot with a higher caliber. My question is how do you guys feel this bullet combo will do on deer and bear from really close to long range? My bears have been as close as 6 steps out to 70 yards. And that is where my big concern is with a bullet like this going so fast. Thanks for opinions.

[mountainman]

With good placement, which should be easy with an accurate load like that, you will be just fine. Just expect some bloodshot steaks!  👍

[syoungs]

I'd be wary of performance, seems awful fast for close up work. Maybe try it on some water jugs or wet phone books? I'm sure someone with more practical data can shed more light though

[duckmen1]

If the performance is on the devastating side in a bit of meat loss I can deal with that because tracking in the area I'm at is tough due to such thick cover you can't see 5 feet in front of you. And it is really deep underbrush to where you can't see the ground whatsoever being several feet deep and times being over your head, So stopping them quick is what I want. I just don't want to loose an animal. I can say all my bears have been straight on to quartering strongly at me.

[high country]

It's gonna make a MESS up close. Your penetration at 3400 will be dang near as wide as it is deep. If you want to shove it that fast I'd be looking at a scirocco or similar construction bullets.

[duckmen1]

I don't necessarily want it that fast but my groups with accubonds are over 2" at 100 and partitions are around 1.25. That is average with 165 and 180s in each with several powders. And the sst 150s aren't as accurate going slower. 

[bobcat]

Why not try a Barnes bullet? May not be quite as accurate but it would be worth trying. For your shots 300 yards and closer it would be much better. You're concerned about tracking animals being difficult - well with a Barnes bullet you're much more likely to have an exit hole. Two holes are better than one in leaving a good blood trail. You might consider using one bullet for closer shots and another bullet for longer shots.

[Limhangerslayer]

1.25 seams like a plenty good want group if you are shooting all your shots under 100.  Bullet weight and performance trumps speed anyday in my mind.  Especially frontal to heavy quartering shots.

[duckmen1]

I suppose for bears I could leave my dial the way it is and carry both sighting in for 300 yards and in with my partitions. And if I am presented with a long shot hit the dial with the sst. Or if I am deer hunting just straight use the sst.

[duckmen1]

That's the problem with my hunting areas. They go from 5 yard shot areas to 400 plus in a matter of minutes.

[high country]

If that rifle will shoot a heavier pill, I'd be looking that way. If you can push a similar sleek bullet around 2900 you will get better wind resistance and similar downrange performance without the worry. If you choose to stick with the high speed, be conscious of your shots as penetration will be either shotgun like or simply non existent in some scenarios.

[theleo]

Your performance with that bullet going that fast will be like shooting Berger's it'll penetrate a few inches and come unglued. I personally wouldn't go that route if you are having to bust shoulders to get to the vitals and quartering shots. You're asking a lot from a bullet in that situation, so I'd go with something a little more stout. Siroccos, A-frames, X-bullets, E-tips, Interbonds, and GMX's would all be worth a try before I personally would settle on using the SST's.

[kentrek]

I would keep that load for rock chucks and keep looking for a big game load...or try the bobs advice and try a barns bullet...might look up cutting edge bullets aswell if your gun only shoots light stuff

[CaNINE]

The SST performs best at approximately 2700 fps. I wouldn't advise shooting critters with it at close range at the velocity your running. For close range work I'd go with the Barnes. Keep your SST load for moderate ranges beyond 300 yards.

[Biggerhammer]

I watched a friend of mine shoot a Muley at about 30 feet with one of my handloads and a 7mm Magnum. A 139gr SST just shy of 3200 fps. When he lifted the rifle to shoot I told him to shoot it in the center of the ribs because I knew at that range what it was going to do, like others have posted. It was a MESS! It flat crushed the buck but I'm glad he held for the ribs, if that bullet would have been anywhere near the front shoulders there would have been allot of blood shot meat. We opened that buck up and literally poured what was inside out.

Then again, at 300 yards and out that same load performs exellent.

The 139 SST in my 7x57 at lower velocities is a real performer in close and at distance. The 162 Hornady interlock in the 7x57 is magical at taking game quick and clean.