Hornady SST

[trigger7mm]

For anybody who has used Hornady SST bullets, what do you think of them?

[elkhunter11]

They are very soft, very much like the early Ballistic Tip. I would not use them at higher velocities, on larger game.

[Smokinyotes]

I use Hornady sst’s in my wife’s 270win. She has shot whitetail, mule deer and a calf moose with them. For elk or mature moose I would use a tougher bullet like a accubond.

[rem338win]

I used them in a .270 on about a 1/2 dozen deer. They open up easy and worked wrlm on them. Shots were all in the 150 to 550yd range. I wouldn't use them fast and up close.

[Andrzej]

I am using them as plinking bullet as BC is very close to my hunting bullet choice of Barnes TTSX in most cartridges.
IMO every bullet can be used as hunting bullet if you know limitations of their design.
SST I would use for perfect broad standing shot behind the shoulder if a lead fragments would not be any of my concern.

There.

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

They are very soft, very much like the early Ballistic Tip. I would not use them at higher velocities, on larger game.

That pretty much says it all right there. Tried them in a couple calibers, did not like them much. I do like the SST sabots in my .50 cal muzzle loader though.

[Beeman3]

Like most on here I found them to soft/explosive. Farther out I did have good results with them. Shot them out of a 7mm Mag and a 25-06AI. Have had better luck with Bergers as a all around bullet in most of my guns.

[West O'5]

SSTs.....they are what they are,a fast expanding cup n core that’s devastating on WT and other thin skinned game.
No worries about lack of expansion,they’re gonna do the job they are designed for and inflict maximum shock and damage putting animals down fast.
Guys here that are complaining about meat damage are nitpicking imho....how much meat is on a WT’s shoulder anyway....who cares.....and if you shoot through ribs as you should you can measure the meat loss in ounces.
Then there’s the crowd that complains they’re too explosive up close or they wouldn’t want to hit a moose/elk shoulder with SST etc etc...
Well first of all,they are not designed for up close impacts at magnum velocities,but are outstanding in standard velocity cartridges at all practical ranges and magnums at extended range.
Next,they would not be my first choice for moose/elk to begin with although no doubt would do a great job on a broadside rib shot,but in my experience I want a tougher bone splitting bullet that can hold together and reach the vitals from “ less then ideal” angle shots on moose/elk.

[Dick284]

Super
Shock
Tip

The name says it all.

If you keep them below 2700fps, they are not so bad.

Drive them above 2700fps, and expect some “interesting” results.

The poly carb tip draws lotsa neophytes in, as it looks modern or something......

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by Bushleague

That pretty much says it all right there. Tried them in a couple calibers, did not like them much. I do like the SST sabots in my .50 cal muzzle loader though.

I'm getting wicked groups on paper with the 140gr out of my Tikka 6.5 Swede. Have'nt killed anything yet, but have taken plenty Wainwright deer with the 250gr SST from my TC Endeavour. This year I'm using my new to me TC Omega with same SST/Sabot. 3 pellets and I'm shooting bulls-eyes at 100 & 200yds.
(The Hornady 240gr XTP has never let me down either with my muzzleloader)

[vic1]

Perfect 308 / 30-06 bullet.

[trigger7mm]

I used 130 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips in my .270 for many years and shot many deer and a couple black bears with them. They worked great. I sold that gun, and haven’t had that caliber for quite a while. I just recently got a new .270, and thought I’d give the Hornady a try. They have been a wonderful bullet in all the other guns that I have. Hornadys have been very accurate and reliable for me in the past. That’s why I decided to try them in this new rifle.

[3blade]

I’ve seen them make big holes, lots of meat damage, deer usually drops straight down. Not what I use, I can’t stand losing meat, but I can see why some guys do when property lines are in play.

[trigger7mm]

Sounds like they are pretty much the same as the Ballistic Tips, which I liked because of the damage they did. Awesome blood trails. I don’t shoot as many deer as I once did. Not really a meat hunter anymore. Thanks for the replies everyone. Your experiance in this matter is much appreciated.

[amosfella]

If you're hunting for paper, I hear Staples has a lot of the stuff... Might be easier for you...
lol

[spinningchain1]

I use them in my 243 running a 95gr in a hand load and they park anything i have shot with them, the only reason im not going to use them anymore is my 243 likes the 100gr interlock a bit better and im going to be trying the 105gr bthp now too

[trigger7mm]

Originally Posted by amosfella

If you're hunting for paper, I hear Staples has a lot of the stuff... Might be easier for you...
lol

I don’t do much paper hunting. Lol. I’m looking for that needle in a haystack that all hunters dream of. Spend at least half the season waiting for him to show up. Still waiting......!

[1Heavyhitr]

Originally Posted by 3blade

I’ve seen them make big holes, lots of meat damage, deer usually drops straight down. Not what I use, I can’t stand losing meat, but I can see why some guys do when property lines are in play.

x2. I shot a Whitetail with a 6.5 Creed at 100 yards Broadside and behind the shoulder last year. DRT, devastating damage, big exit, and lots of bloodshot meat. Would not use them again if I didn't have to. Great for yotes if you dont want hides lol. Probably not a bad bullet for LR hunting though..

[ghostguy6]

They are great bullets, until you try putting one through the shoulder, then they tend to explode causing lots of damage to the meat. They do perform great when you put them through the ribcage.

[CanuckShooter]

I've had nothing bad to say about SST superperformance 200gr 338 win mag, knocking bull elk and moose over left and right....and some black bears and a couple of wolves to boot.

[Bearbreath]

Originally Posted by ghostguy6

They are great bullets, until you try putting one through the shoulder, then they tend to explode causing lots of damage to the meat. They do perform great when you put them through the ribcage.

Pretty much. I used 180 sst out of my 300 win for a while. They loose all of their mass most of the time. Much happier with the ttsx I’m using now.