Any problems with Hornady SST bullets fragmenting at under 150 yards?

[Lee_Enfield_Lover]

I'd like to hunt this year for mules and white tails with some self-reloaded Hornady 165gr SSTs in 3006 and a friend of mine just mentioned last night that he's seen them fragment somewhat often in deer at under 150 yards, spoiling more meat than you'd typically expect.

Other than the obvious of smashing a shoulder bone, has anyone had this happen with any consistency? Or is this a one off comment?

- T

 

[sheephunter]

I'd expect fragmentation with any cup and core bullet.

 

[caramel]

Very hard hitting bullet, i recommend... JP.

 

[stubblejumper]

The SST is quite soft, so fragmentation is very common.

 

[Freyr_255]

Cup and core bullets are generally not designed to impact at over 2500fps and stay together. If you do some research on your choice of bullet you should be able to find the manufacturer's recommended impact velocities as a max and min.

 

[Diablo7101]

My buddy shot a moose last year at 50 / 60 yds with his 30.06, 180gn sst. It was neck shot and the recovered bullet looked good and held together....I was surprised. I still don't trust them for my .300 though. I think close shots at mag. Vellocities requires a bonded bullet....especially in grizzly bear country.

 

[caramel]

In all of my 308 the SST 165 gr is a bullet of choice, last year i tried the Nosler Accubond 165 gr in i was impress by the knockdown power... JP.

 

[Lee_Enfield_Lover]

Sweet guys. Thanks. I'll stay with it this year then and maybe try some noslers or game kings next year.

-T

 

[caramel]

You will never be undergun with those SST... JP.

 

[sheephunter]

Sweet guys. Thanks. I'll stay with it this year then and maybe try some noslers or game kings next year.

-T

Going to a different brand of cup and core bullet won't change things in the fragmentation department.

 

[sheephunter]

In all of my 308 the SST 165 gr is a bullet of choice, last year i tried the Nosler Accubond 165 gr in i was impress by the knockdown power... JP.

For a bonded bullet, the Accubond in my mind seems to fragment excessively but you are right, it does kill.

 

[crazy_davey]

Very hard hitting bullet, i recommend... JP.

You do mean very explosive, correct?

 

[Deerdr]

The Accubonds is a wonderful bullet, very accurate, and midway between a Ballistic tip, and a Partition. Jim

 

[Why not?]

A lot of guys that have used them call them Accubombs.

Ted

 

[crazy_davey]

A lot of guys that have used them call them Accubombs.

Ted

Yup, cup and core performance at the price of a premium bullet.

 

[sheephunter]

A lot of guys that have used them call them Accubombs.

Ted

They are definitely an accurate bullet but for a bonded bullet, they do fragment a lot.

 

[Why not?]

sheephunter, have you used them much on game? I have been reluctant to use them, in spite of their accuracy, because of their frangibility.

Ted

 

[sheephunter]

Yes, I've killed a few sheep and deer with them. Big holes with lots of fragments but everything died quickly.

 

[Eagleye]

If you are using Accubonds, it's a good idea to use heavy for caliber bullets....eg, 200 grain in .308.
I believe some of the earlier Accubonds were quite fragile, but Nosler has beefed them up a bit of late.
I actually prefer the Swift Scirocco II, it is a plenty tough bullet that expands dependably without disintegrating.
But not all rifles shoot them well, either.
However, I am still a Partition fan, and use them when They shoot decent groups in a rifle.
Regards, Eagleye.

 

[07blackwater]

I'm a big partition fan but I'm trying some accubonds this year because they group so nice in my rifle.

I bought them this year so hopefully they are the newer ones.