Hornady SST's for Game?

mmattockx

mmattockx

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
100   0   0
Location
Done with sheeple
I have an M96 Swede sporter in 6.5x55 that I will be using for hunting this fall. I will be reloading for it and want to get some comments/opinions on bullets for game. The game will be deer, elk and possibly moose. I want to use 140gr. SST's for all, with maybe some 160gr. for the moose. I have seen random comments about the SST's not holding together on game and just want to be sure that my choice will work well. I do not want to have any injured game or sloppy kills due to a bullet that will not do the job properly, especially if some bone gets hit along the way on a front quartering shot or similar situation.

Yes to the SST's or choose a different bullet?

Thanks,
Mark
 
mmattockx said:
I have an M96 Swede sporter in 6.5x55 that I will be using for hunting this fall. I will be reloading for it and want to get some comments/opinions on bullets for game. The game will be deer, elk and possibly moose. I want to use 140gr. SST's for all, with maybe some 160gr. for the moose. I have seen random comments about the SST's not holding together on game and just want to be sure that my choice will work well. I do not want to have any injured game or sloppy kills due to a bullet that will not do the job properly, especially if some bone gets hit along the way on a front quartering shot or similar situation.

Yes to the SST's or choose a different bullet?

Thanks,
Mark
Click to expand...

I've used the 6.5X55 for years as well as other 6.5 cartridges, and really like either the 160 Seirra SMP, or the 140 grain Seirra Game King.
I've used a mess of bullets, and these two give me what I want all day long.
One thing I do not do, however, is usem them in the same rifle at the same time.
if I set up a gun for the 160's , that is all I use in it.
I tend to use the 140 GK more in my long range rifles like the 6.5badcat ( WSM).
in the 6.5X55, a young lad I loaded for dropped a Mule buck at 225 paces with no sweat with the 160, so they will carry to a sufficient distance.
I've shpot lots of SST's, and found no great advantage to them....
Cat
 
I use SST's in almost everything I have. They have a high BC, they shoot very accurate, and they kill what they hit. Other bullets may be better (interbond, GMX), but I think for the money, SST's are great bullets.
 
Im wondering the same just picked up a box of 95gr sst for my .243 .or would the hornady interbond 100gr btsp be a better bullet.i will be using them for whitetail.
 
sst

rembolt said:
Im wondering the same just picked up a box of 95gr sst for my .243 .or would the hornady interbond 100gr btsp be a better bullet.i will be using them for whitetail.
Click to expand...

I have a good friend that shot them in his 257 Weatherby Mag at a big mule buck, completely destroyed the front shoulder. Perhaps they do less damage at lower velocities or when they don't hit bone. FS
 
Fassteel said:
I have a good friend that shot them in his 257 Weatherby Mag at a big mule buck, completely destroyed the front shoulder. Perhaps they do less damage at lower velocities or when they don't hit bone. FS
Click to expand...

How did the bullet fare? 100 pieces, or one lump still? I would be OK with losing the shoulder as long as the bullet got through to drop the animal and not leave it messed up and suffering.

I will be running around 2650-2700fps, so it won't be hitting at hyper velocities like the Weatherby.

Thanks,
Mark
 
Steve's work tells the story well I think. The Hornady Interlock bullets perform pretty much like several of the so-called premiums when pushed at what we might consider to be regular velocities.
 
I've run 7mm SST's at various speeds from 7mm-08 and 7mm rem mag - the odd one DOES shed a core if shot up close on a big critter with the maggie....but I've never EVER lost an animal with one. I'm not one who looks for 98% weight retention after bullet shot though either, as long as I have a good bucket of lung soup - the bullet did it's job WELL for my liking.

Accurate and inexpensive - Hornady SST's allow me to load, and target practice LOTS. when it comes time to drop a critter, I know I won't be let down with them.
 
I've used the SST's in a .270 for a couple years, and theyt work great. Just be sure not to hit the shoulder bone, otherwise they will just detonate. Hit them in the lungs however, and down they go
 
i use sst's for critters up to deer size then just switch and reload interbonds,they both fly the same but the interbonds work better for larger game
 
I use SST's in quite a few calibers, including 6.5x55. I think they are a very good all around bullet, all things considered. I would not hesitate to take a big moose at range with 140's in my 6.5x55.
 
I liked the 130 SST's in a .270 with great results on deer. I have a wicked load that the .284 loves that matches the TSX's ballistically. One for the deer one for the mountains. I'll use them with confidence.
 
I have found the SST's to be tougher than ballistic tips and perhaps even more accurate (if that is possible). They are incredible out of my .338 ultra mag and equally good out of my .30-06. I would shoot anything up to elk with them.
 
SST's are often slagged by people who see the plastic tip and think they are the same as the Nosler Ballistic Tip. They are in fact much tougher. I've shot only bears and deer with them, using 7mm 154 or 139 grain in a .280. Excellent performance. I've yet to recover one from game, though. Hmmm....
They are also very accurate in my rifle. I can shoot MOA groups all day, and the occasional half-MOA on a lucky string.
 
Ive never had real good luck with them on paper, so haven't used them in the field. Im sure they'd be a great deer bullet and at lower speeds/heavier weights ok for bigger stuff
 
I use 250 gr. 45's in my muzzle loader. Shot a 180 pound doe at 40 yds. last year shattered her shoulder & shredded her lung but I couldn't find the bullet. So yes judging by the other testiments here they are a damm fine all around bullet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom