Has anybody experience wiht Hornady 200 gr SST bullets in a 338-06 at 2700 ft/s (or in a 8,5x63 Reb, that is the cartdge I intend to own), for deer size game? Do these bullets expand in a reliable way for this type of animals?

Thank you in advace for your comments and suggestions.

6-5x57...I havent used the 200gr SST but I have used the hornady 200gr interlock in my 338-06ai running at 2400fps in fireforming loads to hunt whitetail deer and had reliable expansion even at that lower velocity.

I have also used the 180gr nosler accubond at 2700 to 2930fps in my 338-06ai and that bullet works great on deer sized game at least up thru red stag in my experience.

Z

zee,

the AI case offers lower operating pressures in this round if it is loaded the same as the standard 338-06, right? I ask because it calls to mind the 338 Sabi which, if I recall, is mostly a 9.3x62 necked down to 338 designed to shoot a 250 grain bullet at 2350 fps for bushveld application with low operating pressure.

Bluefish..I would think that is correct.. I run my hunting loads a hair faster than the reloading manuals list for the standard 338-06..but that said I have had good luck using my fire forming loads for hunting deer...those loads run 2300-2400fps using 200gr bullets..either hornady or speer.

That Sabi would be an interesting round for sure..

Z

The SSTs are a very fast expanding bullet.
They would be the ones to use if you were shooting a light animal at extreme long range.
I shoot both the .338-06, and the AI version.
I use 250s in both however and use a lighter caliber for the lighter bullets.

For Deer sized game it should work just fine.

At 338-06 velocities Hornady bullets will perform like super premium slugs. Flat based (and cheap) Interlocks are easy to make shoot and work just fine.