Sorry if you read this elswhere.I am looking for experince here, not conjuction or opinions, for those using 165 grain SSTs and BTSPs. How do these perform on deer? I am basically a behind the shoulder shooter. I also shoot relatively small deer weighing 80-150lbs field dressed. Most weigh about 90-100. I'll be shooting these out of a 308 and 30-06 at between 2650-2750fps at shots to 300yds, but most under 200yds. thanks, and emember I want experience not opinions capt david

I shot two deer with 165 grain SST's out of my 300 WM last year. Both shots were close range (50-100 yards) and they worked well, velocity was approximately 3000-3100 fps. Both deer were shot through both lungs. I got a small entrance hole and a 1 to 1/5" exit hole. Both deer ran about 30 yards before dropping. I did not hit the shoulder or any heavy bone, but broke a rib on both sides.

They performed about the same as a standard Interlock bullet but they have a much higher BC. They were also very accurate in my rifle.

captdavid,
I used a 30-06, 59gr. IMR 4831 and 165gr. BTSP's for 2 deer.
One a quartering away shot at 80 yards. Pretty much destroyed the off shoulder. One broadside at 100 yards, behind the shoulder but high next to the spine.
Both were bang flops and both exited.

Also I'll add that the MV was around 2850fps...as best as I can remember....

I've used the 150 gr. SST's in my .308 and they work a charm on deer size game, would expect the 165's to do the same. I've also found them to be very accurate.

I used the Hornady 165 grain Interlocks (loaded in Hornady's ammo) in 30-06 for deer and hogs several years ago. No complaints.

I have shot a buck with the 165 gr. SP Hornady (Flat Base) in my 30-06, and penetration was superb. It was a "going away" shot and it traveled from the tail into the lungs. It sure did stop him.

I believe velocity was about mid 2600's and within 50 yds.

captdavid,

Sir, you should be fine with these bullets.

Use them and have a great hunt!

I've used the 165 BTSP in my 308 for many seasons. I've killed many PA deer from 325 yards to as close as 20 yards. This bullet performed excellent with a moderate velocity of 2500 to 2600 from my 20 inch barreled Rem700. Some shots at running deer were less than desireable placement but they anchored the deer with one shot. Most deer dropped on the spot. This bullet also has a black bear to its credit for me, about a 70 yard shot.
I have no complains with the Hornady 165 from the 308.

I have used the 165 gr SST with my .308 Win, and got good results. I now mainly use 150 gr because that pill seems to be a tad more accurate in my rifle.

I have had more instant kills with hornady 165gr.BTSP light magnum and match grade and reloads in 308win, and 30-06 than with any other bullet.Once shot a big doe that literlly flipped when the bullet hit,all i saw was white in the scope after the shot,there was blood thrown 10ft.up the pine tree she was standing beside.Awsome bullet for deer.never had one fail on deer or hog in over 28years!I Highly recommend them to anyone!They always tend to explode/wreck havoc inside the vitals like a grenade and the insides are like jello,nothing can take that kind of Damage!Bang /Down what else would we want?I allways try for the broadside shot anyway if at all possible...Good Luck!

I have used a lot hornady 165 gr bullets in my 30-06 and in my 300 WBY. In my 30-06 worked fine in medium size game at normal speeds for this caliber (2850 ft/s at muzzle). Most of the animals I took (boars and red deers) showed exit holes in broadside shoots if you don't reach any heavy bone. The animals (unless you touch a heavy bone) run 20-50 m till they fall down.

When I used it at higer speeds (300 WBY, 3300 ft/s at muzzle), the bullets showed to be soft, most of the animals (the same before mentioned) didn't showed exit holes, meat damage was tremendous and most of them dropped in its tracks. It was useful for drive hunting of medium game if you don't pay attention to meat damage.

For what it is worth, I had nothing but bad luck with the 165 in '06.

After switching, 12 consecutive 1 shot kills with the 150 Speer on Texas deer.

I did some performance tests with Hornady, Sierra, & Speer. The Speer was the only one that did not separate the jacket from the core.

For what it is worth.

I think Sendero and I have used the same 165 grain .30-06 load. Works like a lightening bolt! IMO it is too much power for a lil Texas Whitetail deer, so I have opted for lesser power cartridges that still knock the critters down. Just had excellent results Saturday with factory .260 Remington ammo, two shots, two deer. But, Yes, the 165 grain Speer, Hornaday, or Sierra slugs can be horrifically deady on Whitetails!
LLS
Mannlicher Collecter

I've used the 165 gr BTSP in my 308 since 1981 every animal from coyotes, to deer, to cow elk have died with one shot. I haven't shot any other bullet in this gun since then.

I have 1 1/2 boxes left from the original 5 boxes I bought 24 years ago and I shoot a couple of bullets a year to check the scope, couple more when I swap scopes and a couple at medium game every year.

My hunting partner took a very nice mule deer buck many years ago with his 30,06. and a load I did for him with a 165 grain hornady interlock. Dropped hime like a stone !
...tj3006

Not Hornady.

But I've been using the Speer 165 BT SP for years in my 22" barrel M70 '06. 58 IMR 4831 gives ~ 2,750 and has killed a lot of Mulies and Blacktails. Very reliable load on Deer.

That load gives me .75 moa @ 100 yds now that I've put a scope on it. Before it was more like 1.25" with a receiver sight.

Having said that, I'm thinking of moving to 150 gr for Deer. The 165 was a compromise to hunt both Deer and Elk with one rifle/load and I now take the .300 WM for Elk, with a 7mm RM as a backup rifle.

I've been using 165 grain ballistic tips in my '06 since they first came out and before that I used the solid base. In my opinion they're now better than ever, especially in calibres heavier than .30. I've taken whities, mulies, and antelope, and have never felt the need for anything heavier.