Has anyone of you guys used the SST for big game ? Just bought me a box of 7mm 162gr for my 7mmRM. Any load info available ?

Regards

Myself and two friends used Hornady SST bullets this past season deer hunting and the results were impresssive. I use a 7mm-08 and my friends both shoot 270 WCF. Very few recovered bullets (most ranges are less than 100 yds) with most going thru and thru. I have been very pleased with the SST. My friends switched from Nosler Ballistic Tips as they have had several bullet failures over the last several years shooting their 270's.

I have used SST bullets in 6.5 140 gr. and .30 cal 150gr with good success on deer.

I've had good success with them also. Most of what I have read indicates that they are only a little better than Nosler Ballsitic Tips. My experience is this:

139gr SST in a 280:
4 deer with double lungs shots, DRT (dead right there)good exit hole
3 hogs DRT (did not find an exit hole but did not look too hard, hogs are varmints and are shot on site).

117 SST in 257AI:
one hog DRT

154 SST in 7Mag
1 mature buck DRT
1 big Hog DRT

140 SST in 264 Mag
1 mature buck quartering, 50 yards, DRT, bullet entered right shoulder(shattered it), traveled through lungs and exited on right side behind last rib

I have been very impressed with the terminal ballistics and the accuracy. I personnaly would be happy to use them on deer. (I'd be much more comfortable with them than with Ballistic Tips) Have never shot an on elk but would prefer a Partition, or other premium for them.

There are some reports of the SSTs prematurely expanding, and then there are others, like the reports shown in this thread, that posit great penetration and great terminal ballistics. Right now I use SSTs ($17) to practice with. When I go on a hunt I'll use the Interbonds ($25), which have the same B.C. I have heard nothing but great things about the interbond. Shooting a 300 WSM, I would feel better shooting interbonds at the close encounter shots to prevent over expansion that I "MIGHT" get with a SST.

Thanks for the inputs guys.

Regards

I used the SST for the first time last year in my 06. 150 GR 59GR of H4350. My son shot a mule doe at about 100 yards and the bullet hit in the front shoulder and exited the opposite side. It penetrated completely and blew out two ribs.

The Deer dropped immediately, the shot blew out the bottom of its heart, and slumped over. In 20 years of hunting, I don't know that I have seen a quicker kill.

For deer I have always preferred the lighter side, 150/165 Hornady interlocks, and with elk I use 200 GR Grand Slams.

I shot 2 deer last year with 180 SST, 2 with 180 Nosler BT, both equally loaded from a 300WSM, ranges from 70 to 200 yards.

4 devastating 1 shot kills. 4 exit wounds. 1 neck shot.

SST expanded more, leaving larger wound channel.

Out of 8 possible, only 3 intact shoulders (2 from the neck shot deer) to use, only 1 bullet hit bone heavier than a rib on entry, so meat loss due to shock damage was large.

I was a big fan of the BT/SST type bullet in my .280, but am going to a tougher bullet for my 300WSM.