hornady sst

[dpete]

Anyone else load these? I just started reloading and heard good reviews on these bullets so i tried some 129 gr for my 6.5x55 swe and some 162 gr for my 7mm both shooting very accurately. My question is are these bullets good for anything bigger than a deer? Ive heard a couple bad reviews for using these bullets on elk or other thick skinned game. -dsp-

[Ash]

I can't really answer your question, yet! I just received 200 165gr SSTs that I'll be loading for my Ruger GSR. If accuracy is good I will be using them for Deer and Elk this year. This will be my first year hunting Deer and Elk, so I may or may not have some feed back for you later in the year 

[fremont]

Yes, many stories on the 'net about SSTs, e.g., "I was very disappointed in its performance.  I shot a 700 lb. elk that died like it had been hit by an alien laser and subsequently discovered bullet jacket separation.  I'll never use them again."

 

[CP]

I punch holes in paper with them.  They make nice holes, right where I aim.

[Woodchuck]

I shoot em out of my .338, 225gr. They always seem to do the job for me. 

[Firing Pin]

SST are Hornady's answer to Noslers ballistic tip, they are ok on deer, but in my opinion not the best for elk, bear, or big mule deer.  Try the Hornady interbond, a much better bullet for the tougher game.

[Woodchuck]

The last elk I killed was with sst's and it made big holes through both shoulders with one shot. That spike was plenty dead for me. 

[dpete]

thanks i agree dead is dead as they seem to shoot very accurate. imay load some 175gr nps for my bear hunt though.

[wildmanoutdoors]

I did a pillar and bedding job on a buddies 270 last year and i then loaded a few different bullets and one of the best shooters was the SST. He shot his Deer last year with them and it blew its leg right off just above the knee. (He shakes bad when he gets an animal in his scope). Took another shot after he slowed it down and it died nicely.

So they work good for slowing game down also as well as killing!

[Gutpile]

The problem with the SST and the B-tip are the "what ifs". They kill like the animal was struck by lightening but "if" you hit bone it can and will splash and not penetrate. I've seen it twice. once with a 165 grn .308 SST and once with a 130? grn B-tip from a .260.

The .260 was absolutely gruesome and the animal suffered. It was a shot that a bonded bullet or a partition would have been absolutely lethal.
 
Concerning the post by Woodchuck with the .338. I think that the .338's are a thicker jacket to stand up the the win mag velocities so they are tougher than the smaller cals. We're essentially comparing apples and oranges. I could be wrong but I think I remember reading that somewhere about the jacket thickness.

So for whatever it's worth thats my take. I think they are a great bullet if your in a blind or you know your going to get that standing still broadside shot. But in my hunting experience thats not always the case. If your married to Hornady just use the interbond. Its far superior.

[HardCorpsHuntr]

I used Hornady's light magnum SST through my 280 in 139 grains.  They grouped great, just under MOA.  Here are my 3 examples all in 2005.  

1 of 3.  My first field experience was a Muley buck in Wyoming.  I unintentionally tried to punch the bullet through the feathery tops of some Indian Ricegrass about 80 yards in front of me with the buck standing broadside another twenty yards further.  The buck took off and I noticed a gray cloud appear and vanish at the Ricegrass???  I went over to find my buck...no buck...no blood...followed his tracks in the sand for about 200 yards and dropped him in his tracks from about 200 yards out.  Broadside double lung, rib was struck, no exit wound.  First shot had been a miss.

2 of 3.  Wyoming Antelope buck.  He was broadside at 75 yards and I pancaked him.  No exit wound.

Should have learned my lesson. TIME though........

3 of 3.  My wife, Washington Muley.  Bedded broadside buck 300 plus yards.  The bullet struck his humerus, in line with his chest, and shattered it.  He jumped up and luckily ran towards us.  My wife shot twice more from a quickly modified position at my instruction and missed.  We moved deeper into the draw and she spined him from a steep angle from about 150 yards.  Pancaked him.  Some very small jackets entered through the chest from her first shot.  On her fourth shot, which was 10 minutes later, he appeared lively and not mortally affected?

Indefinite storage on the SST's.

Since, I have used Federal Premium trophy bonded tip - bear claw in 160 grains, and have had great results in the field and on paper.  They are a bit heavy for a 280, but group great.  I do want to try Horady's GMX bullets this year...

[GEARHEAD]

My rifle is set up for the SST's, but i only shoot them to over 300 yards. not the best round for close up. i hunt with a soft boattail ontop, for under 300 work. i love the bulet, very accuate, just not friendly at close range.

[bhylton]

ive put holes through both shoulders on washington blacktail and big idaho whitetail with 165gr nosler balistic tips.. if you say the SST is similar it sounds good to me. but for elk, probibly would step up to nos accubond or the hornady interbond. if your asking yourself if u think its "OK" to use the SST on elk... why not just shoot a little tougher bullet.. why risk it. "not saying the SST wont kill and elk"