The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Guns, Politics, Gunsmithing & Reloading Reloading Nosler BT vs Hornady SST >>> moreGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| Nosler BT vs Hornady SST >>> more | Login/Join |
| one of us |
is there any real difference in accuracy or weight retention between these two bullets? i've shot NBTs out of my .260 rem the past two years, and have been pleased with its accuracy. i'm aware that this bullet is not designed with weight retention in mind (my cousin shot a hog in the head at 30 yards with a .30-06 Ballistic Silvertip and the bullet didn't exit). is the Hornady SST designed with more weight retention capability? does Swift make a scirroco in .264? i've not seen anyone selling scirrocos in smaller than .277 ... from what i've read, this bullet seems to be a good all-around bullet, with similar accuracy to the NBTs and SSTs, along with a bonded core and good weight retention. if there are no scirroco in .264, what bullets would you guys recommend for weight retention? barnes x or x-coateds? trophy-bondeds? nosler partitions? i'll be reloading for both my wife's new .260 and my new 6.5x284 . . . | ||
|
| <.> |
Ya just gotta load some in YOUR rifle and see what they do. Bore dimensions, rifling, and the way you work up your load are going to be variables we can't predict with a bullet choice. Concensus in here is a huge thumbs down for Barnes bullets. ------------------ | ||
|
| one of us |
i guess i'm mostly asking "what is the difference btw the SST and NBT?" is the SST actually constructed more stoutly than the NBT? and does swift make sciroccos in .264? i understand working up loads that work, gun vs gun, and all that. i'm looking more at bullet construction questions ... | |||
|
| one of us |
The SST IS DEFINITELY constructed stouter than the BT. In addition to using a slightly harder lead core, the SST uses Hornady's Interlock ring to insure the bullet does not seperate under most conditions. The SST falls somewhere between the BT and the Partition.....but actually closer to the later under high impact velocities. As far as accuracy, some rifles might favor one or the other, but I've not seen or heard of any rifle (especially a 6.5) that didn't like the BT. My 280 Rem. will put either bullet under .75" at 100 yds. Good luck. Gary. | |||
|
| one of us |
Consensus is thumbs-down on Barnes Bullets???Not my thumbs! Sic 'em, Stick!! BigIron | |||
|
| one of us |
what is the complaint on barnes x or xlc (coated bullets). i'm relatively new on this forum, and haven't read threads giving them the thumbs down. the press/specs on them sounds good . . . my only personal concern is that i like a boat tail and high BC on a bullet. | |||
|
| one of us |
In the FWIW dept: As it happened, I went to the range today doing some work with a new .257 Bob. Loads were ordinary 120gr Hornady Interlock, and Nosler 115gr BT. Test loads were identical except for the bullet. The nod went to the Noslers, by a small margin. Best group for either was about the same (slightly over an inch) but the BT's printed better groups overall. (Federal Premimum, loaded with 120 Nosler Partition, shot as a test/control, went into 1/2"! Gonna be hard to beat!) I don't think Hornady makes the SST in .257-at least I haven't been able to find any... Anybody have any first hand info on the 115BT's on deer? | |||
|
one of us |
I have used Nosler BT in my .257 Roberts and really like them. But, I also used that combo in a situation where I could be very choosey about shot placement. I loaded 100gr. Barnes X's and have complete confidence in them. They don't print as small a group as BT's but they are still well within what I consider acceptable. The BT's into the Heart /Lung area is incredibly effective. I believe even more destuctive of the vitals than other bullets. When hunting in some situations where the prime oppritunity is not so relaxed I went to the X's. If I had that chance of a lifetime and there was no time to wait for a perfect broadside shot they would offer what I feel is about as good as performance will get. I have also loaded X's in my .338 WM but only taken one elk with them. That shot was so close anything would have worked! (within reason) My rifles do show preference for other bullets than X's but the groups are still good enough for most anything you'll ever need. I also have purchased 200gr. Nosler BT's for the .338 but have yet to get any loaded up. I hope I live long enough to get to try out all my options on real hunts. A man can never hunt enough! | |||
|
one of us |
Pedestal, There are 117 grain .257 SSTs available. I had good luck with the CT 115 BST outta my Roby. Tcencore260, The .264 129 grain SSTs should be awesome out of both you and your wife's gun. Last time I checked there were no .264 Scirrocos. If you are going to shoot the Barnes definately go with the XLCs ohterwise you will be spending more time scrubbing copper than shooting. You may have to play with the seating depth but Barnes suggests .050" off. If you can get them to shoot to your satisfaction they will out penetrate coventional jacketed bullets of equal or greater weight. Is your 6.5-284 an encore barrel? If so I would like to exchage some emails with you. To both of you Ive found that www.midsouthshootersupply.com has some of the best prices and selection for the SSTs and Barnes XLCs. Good Luck, | |||
|
| one of us |
my 6.5-284 will be an encore barrel - but i haven't gotten it yet. i'm a teacher, and the day it is confirmed that i'm teaching a summer school class (for that extra pay) is the day the order goes in! my wife's .260 is about 2-3 weeks out . . . it will be a 22" .70 taper custom from bullberry. i've been shooting a factory .260 encore barrel for two years now. after buying a 22" custom 22 WMR contender barrel and the first group out of the box easily under 1/2", i decided to go custom barrels - my wife wanted a .260, and i figured there was no real sense in duplicating the gun - might as well get something different. i plan on getting the 6.5-284 this summer, and possibly a 300 wsm or win mag for xmas. right now i want to know everything i can about what i'm getting into with a wildcat round that i'll have to reload for. my dad's reloaded for 30+ years, so i've got lots of help and experience on hand. anyway, if you want to visit with me about the barrel, my email is alterna@flash.net | |||
|
one of us |
quote: Actually, I'd say closer to the former. I shot a doe this last year from about 110-120 yards out in the on-side shoulder with a 130-grain SST from my .270 Win. There was no visible entrance (normal) or exit wound (not normal). After all the articles I'd read about double-shoulder shots on hogs, etc. with these bullets, I was truly surprised to see no blood whatsoever. Now, the key word here is "surprised" not "disappointed," because she went down like someone had thrown a switch, and never moved again. If she had trotted off, though, I would have been hard-pressed to track her. And that would have been no bueno. Maybe I just got a bad batch. I hope so. I like Hornady as a company and their products, in general. In theory it's the "perfect bullet." Maybe that title belongs to the Swift Scirroco, instead. Even if it does, I'm not going to pay the $$$ for the Swifts...I shoot too much. I guess maybe I should just stick with my old tried-and-true partner...the 140-grain InterLock. RSY | |||
|
| one of us |
quote: I really like the way the Interlocks perform. I've had good luck with them. My last deer was shot with the 140gr, 6.5x55. Range was short, about 40 yds. No visable entrance wound and small exit wound-until we got the hide off... Minced the innards, busted 2 ribs on exit. The deer collapsed at the point of impact. | |||
|
| one of us |
Sorry, I so not have any information on the BT vs SST but I do have input on the Bullberry Barrels. They are excellent. My first was a 300 WM and I am now waiting for the 338-06 I ordered in March and have to wait four months Same trigger same feel same results | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Guns, Politics, Gunsmithing & Reloading Reloading Nosler BT vs Hornady SST >>> more
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia
I am also unsure of projectile reliability, but I may try the BT 185gr. I have always had good luck with Seirra Game King and may go that direction. Oh, Bullberry also will smooth out your trigger. My trigger went from a hard 5lb to a crisp 2.75