I have a friend that used a Hornady 165 grain SST in their .30-06 light magnum for elk last year. He did get a cow but I commented that he's be better served by a heavier jacketed bullet.

What's the opinions?

I'm emailing this thread to "Otis" so he can follow along.

My very limited experience with SSTs (two feral goats shot with 150 grain .308 out of a .308) indicates that there are far better bullets. Both SSTs I shot into game acted like big V-maxes - little hole in, explosion, minimal penetration. Great for broadside shots on small thin-skinned critters, but definitely not what I'd want for elk.

I just used 225 grain .338 Interbonds in South Africa and was pretty pleased with the results. Four shots, four animals, three pass-throughs.

SST, NBT, SMK, let's not go there.

I loaded some 140 sst's for a couple guys win .270's. The lot of H4831 I had was evidently really slow cause they only clocked about 2725 but they were accurate and our shots at deer are usually under 100 yds. RESULTS on broadside whitetails---huge holes...miniature hand grenades. Funny thing is the reaction from the 2 friends....one guy loves that performance...doesn't want his deer running to another huter. The other says no way again--loaded him with 150 grain interlocks and he is very happy now.

IMHO---definately not an elk bullet.

Hey otis.....are you paying attention?

We tested them on Whitetails for a few years and came to the conclusion that they are far too fragile for deer sized game. Alot of them Blew the jacket on Entry and didn't exit. However, on further distances when nothing but ribs were hit, they were ok. The NBTs are much stronger from my experience.

I wouldn't even think about an SST on a Elk.

Reloader

Another vote against SST's. I tried 180's in a 300WSM vs. NBT's and in 4 deer, 2 with each bullet, all clean through the lungs, and the SST was noticably more fragile. They are fine for whitetail sized using heavy for caliber versions, but I can't recommend them for anything heavier based on my experience.

Man, I can hardly think of another bullet that would be a worse choice for elk hunting.

My own personal experience with the SST bullet is rather limited, but enough to tell me it is way too fragile.

My dad shot two deer here in CA with the 117 grain version in a 257 Wby Mag. Both were lung shots and both went down as if struck by lightning. But, the blood shot area on these bucks was pretty impressive.

Then he tried the 139 grain version in a 7mm Rem Mag. He shot a couple of hogs with this and the results were pretty dismal. Large surface wounds and hogs that had to be tracked down and shot with something else. These were sows about 200 pounds, not large boars!

The SST shows me nothing at all. The plain old Hornady Interlock is a WAY better bullet!

The last two elk I shot were killed with Nosler Partitions. Believe me, if I go elk hunting again that is the bullet I am taking!

Just my experience, R F

I used 165 grain SST's on 2 deer last year. Both were hsot through the lungs at lees tha n100 yards. The exit holes were no different than I get with any other bullet (even at 3200 fps from my 300 WM).

I used the 165 Interbond on elk with good results. I got a 2" exit hole and complete pentration at 33 yards.

I bought 2 boxes of SST's in .270. I bought them for one purpose only. Barrel break in.

It is certainly not a bullet I'd use on an elk. Your friend, IMO, got lucky.

For a tenth of a nano-second, I considered taking the SST to WY for antelope because it does shoot very well. But the thought passed.

As of today, I have a 5/8" grouping 130 Scirocco for the task over 59.0 Re22. I loaded up 3 more sets of 3 with different seating depths just to see what happens tomorrow evening.

Tell your friend that the Interbond is a better choice if he likes Hornady. But I'd sway him to a TSX or Partition for "better insurance."

No doubt, the SST will not hold together as well as the "Interlokt" bullet or the Interbond to be sure, thats why when a co-worker asked me to pick the bullet for his elk hunt, I chose the 165IB, said it before, say it again, 4 shots, 4 elk. If thats all I had was an SST, I'd take the shot, but it would be a carefully placed shot. Jay

SSTs will work on elk - I'd rather use a 180 gr., but a well placed 165 gr. in the vitals will drop an elk, just as fast as any other bullet - maybe faster than most.

The problem with SST'S, as I see it is they don't group well. I have shot them in 270,&264 with dismal results. Finally threw um out! I thought they would group like ballistic tips, not so.

I can't comment on SST'S on game but I can on balistic tips. I used a 225 grain ballistic tip on a cow elk out of my 35 Whelen, and it went right down. The recovered bullet weighed 206, of the original 225 grains. Velocity was about 2675fps.

Jerry

Jerry, I like NBTs as well. They work for me - accurate and rapid, humane killers.

The thought wouldn't even cross my mind. Why people like to screw around with such things when so many other legitimate options are available is beyond me. It's the mark of a hunter with a etics shortage IMO or just pig headed and likes to go against common sense.

Ackey Improved

You have your opinion, I mine. Now I could have resorted to childish games and tried to ignite a mini flame war over this with quoting opinions and offering witty insults I disagree with or highlite typos but I'll simply post my opinion and let it stand at that. If you don't like it toughen up BUTTERCUP.

dempsey, you're the one who came up insults first - lack "etics" (what red-neck word that is) and pig headed. Not me. If you want to FLAME - let go!!!! I'm getting fed up with jerks like you insulting people for just posting their opinion. I just saw opinions, until you posted! I suggest you think a bit before you post your insults. If you ATTACK expect to get ATTACKED!

I've offered my opinion and you've illustrated the type of person I was describing perfectly. My work is done here.

OK, well the question was are SST's good for elk.

IMO they are fine for side on lung shots on cows, for late season cull hunts, when they are standing around in the wheat stubble or what ever. That's based on the only data I have, from some friends I reloaded some for in 270 and 06 that used them on cow elk in the above conditions.

I've used SST and Interlocks on big mule deer and antelope and the SST's work perfectly from ALMOST any angle or situation. Except head on, still kill but penitration was not as good as with Interlocks. I did not get complete penitration on a shoulder shot at 300 yds. last year, the buck still dropped like a wet tissue.I will probably go back to Interlocks in the future. Accuracy has always been excellent in my rifles with both Interlocks and SST's.

Would I like to wack a bull in heavy timber at under 75 yards head on or quartering away, probably not. Then again I've had such good luck with Partitions on elk why would I change?

Thanks for starting this Vapo. I just got back from a Mini Vacation, so just read this post. I chose the SST based on the groups I got bench shooting. The cow I killed last year was at 80 yards and well placed. Most anything would have killed her. I'm not going this fall but before I go again, I will find a better choice. In the mean time, I'll use up my SST's on WI whitetail. Thanks for all your comments and opinions.

I'll load them for ya next time!!!!

Switch to the 30 caliber 165 grain Hornady Interbond. Problem solved!
Interesting thread on 30 caliber 165 grain Hornady Interbond in the 30-06

north forks and nos parts if you want an expaning bullet . read the posts and if you dont aggree let me know

p.s. that is a great offer from vapo...he is a genious when it comes to this stuff. i would pay him to load mine

I'll take you up on the Vapo. Looks like I need to empty some brass...

otis, go to http://www.midsouthshooterssupply and get 100 nickel brass either remington or winchester...no difference...also get 50 bullets .308 180 grain nosler partition or Swift A-Frame...your choice...(the nosler is about half the price), then go to Gander or Scheels there in Eau Claire and get a box of 100 federal magnum primers and a pound of either H-414 or Win 760. I'll supply sight in bullets from my stock and we'll make that M-70 sing with some true big game bullets worthy of a trophy bull elk.
Vapo

Woodleighs are half price at Midway .308 180gr. Nate