Any experience?

Yep... 1500fps muzzle velocity, 140yds, dead deer. Large doe went about 10 yards and fell. They hold nice groups ~2 in. at 100yds. Good deer bullet in my opinion. BTW, that bullet made a complete pass thru and blew the heart to shreds

BUT, as I forgot to add, the 240gr XTP delivers the same performance AND B.C. Ever wonder why SST's don't advertise their BC??? Cuz it's no better than a standard XTP. I've also got the data, and range experience to substantiate that claim.

quote:

Ever wonder why SST's don't advertise their BC???

There is no "240 SST" for muzzleloaders.

Comparing a .452 250 or 300 gr. SST to the equivalent SST-- yes, the SST flies flatter, and Hornady certainly does publish BC's for the SST.

Whew.

My apologies... Hornady hasn't always published the BC's for the SST bullet. When I first started working with the SST's, no BC data could be found.

Anyway, what I use now is the 240gr XTP, BC=.205, as compared to the 250gr SST which has a BC=.210. At muzzleloader ranges, they're ballistically identical. The XTP zero'd at 100yds and fired at 1750fps is 15.7" low at 200yds. The SST zero'd at 100yds and fired at 1750fps is 15.5" low at 200yds.

The 240gr .429 XTP has a sectional density of 0.186. The 250gr .452 SST has a sectional density of 0.175. This tells me the penetration should be almost identical, but leaning more towards the XTP.

The cost? From MidwayUSA, SST's are $10.79 per 20. XTP's and sabots would cost $5.35 per 20.

To recap, the XTP's are ballistically identical at muzzeloader ranges, they have better sectional density, and are half the price. How again are SST's better

You are off a couple of calibers, comparing a .429 bullet to a .452 diameter bullet.

Comparing a .452 250 or 300 grain XTP to a .452 250 or 300 grain SST is the only reasonable comparison.

quote:

Comparing a .452 250 or 300 grain XTP to a .452 250 or 300 grain SST is the only reasonable comparison.

What data do you have that substantiates this claim?

What claim?

Changing bullet calibers and attempting a valid comparison just makes no sense--

A 200 grain Shockwave flies better than ALL of them with 100 grains of Triple 7 FFg. It is sold as a .50 caliber sabot with a BC of .265, but that also is no apples to apples study. It is a .40 caliber SST in a .50 caliber sabot.

Believe what you want to believe... It's not my money you're wasting. Enjoy shooting your SST's

I really can't help you measure a bullet's outside diameter.

As for XTP's: http://www.chuckhawks.com/underrated_hornady_XTP.htm

You guys are absolutely right. It is a 250 SST. Not a 240. Sorry for the confusion. I found SST's on sale at the end of the season at the local Wal mart. I can't remeber what I paid but it was half off or better. I have been using them in my Savage MLII with the sabots that came with the SST's. (Grouping about 3 inches at a hundred). I understand they do a bit better with MMP's sabots, they are on order. Is that your experience? Also I wondered about the SST staying together on impact on deer sized game. I think the SST is the lighter constructed of the two bullets, right?

quote:

understand they do a bit better with MMP's sabots, they are on order. Is that your experience? Also I wondered about the SST staying together on impact on deer sized game. I think the SST is the lighter constructed of the two bullets, right?

You are correct on all counts.

So Randy are you saying that I should be concerned about bullet break up with the 250?

I like a bit tougher bullet for higher terminal velocities and raking shots-- but, the endless bullet debates (if nothing else) are endless.

The "Best" Muzzleloading Bullet

quote:

BUT, as I forgot to add, the 240gr XTP delivers the same performance AND B.C. Ever wonder why SST's don't advertise their BC??? Cuz it's no better than a standard XTP. I've also got the data, and range experience to substantiate that claim.

Not true in my experiences w/ them. I've shot piles of each in my Savage w/ Smokeless powder and the SST is definitely flatter out at 200 by several inches regardless of what the ballistic calculator says. I also have differing data from what you stated on the BCs. something like .14 for the XTP and .21 for the SST. I Tried the SSTs in a Knight w/ 2 pellets and the SST was much flatter at 200 as well (something close to 6" if I remember correctly).

200 is a long poke for a MLer but, if you intend on shooting that far, the SST is definitely the better choice. At all ranges closer say sub 125 bullet trajectory is irrelevant under most circumstances.

If you really wanted a good trajectory for a MLer, the DCs would probably be the best route.


D Hunter, The 250 SSTs work great on deer, I've taken several w/ them from broadside to straight on and ranges from 30 yards to 155 yards and they performed flawlessly. I'm pushing them at close to 2400 from the muzzle which is a true test for any MLer bullet Even shot one buck on a strong quarter and busted through his ham bone.

I've taken two 9s and an 8 w/ the 250SST and can't complain at all about the performance on them, the heaviest was 225.

I consider them to be a tad better in close range performance than the regular XTP due to their thicker jacket and IL ring.

I forgot to mention they are the most accurate bullets I've tried out of several MLers from smokeless to pyrodex.

Try em', I don't think you'll be let down.

Good Luck

Reloader

They are printing about 3 inches at 100 in my Savage. I am also looking into the 290 gr Barnes TMZ. They seem to shoot a bit better. Preliminary tests group them at about an inch with some groups to about two on my worst groups. I have some scope issues and as soon as I get those ironed out I will be back at the range and see about different loadings. Reloader thanks for the replies. I was hoping to get some "field trial" data. Looks like you got the bucks. So to speak.

D Hunter, try some 300-gr. SSTs and see how they shoot. I have shot both the 250s and 300s out of my scoped .504 Whites, and both will shoot to 1-1/2" at 100, with 100-grain volume equiv. of Triple Seven and a #11 cap...

FWIW, I have held 3" at 200 with my own cast Maxis and the same powder charge, without weighing bullets, and using a powder measure (i.e., not weighing powder charges).

And lastly, a guy who posts on here now and then as "Blank", is a personal friend. He has shot pronghorns at lazered distances of 284 and 322 yds. with his .504 White Whitetail. He uses Triple Seven and saboted 300-grain XTPs...

quote:

They are printing about 3 inches at 100 in my Savage.

That's a bummer for sure Dhunter, I've tried them out of a pile of MLers and they've been the most consistently accurate bullets I've tried. Mine shoot better w/ the HPH sabots than they do w/ the MMP Short sabots.

What powder were you pushing them w/? Have you tried a sub-base to see if the accuracy improves?

Reloader

Have used the sst and sw since they came out 200 gr and 250 gr,took deer with both and for me they are more accurate than the xtp's after you get past 100 yds as far as tiny groups go.
The 250 I use in the savage and have taken 7 deer with them from 50 to 234 yds,all of them dropped where they stood except a big 8 pointer I shot running and he went guessing about 75 yds.All were complete pass throughs,one went through the center of both shoulders at 65 yds.
Let 3 brothers and a friend use my rifle and shots were 100 to 225 yds,they were pass throughs and only one ran about 35 yds before pilling up.
Have killed a lot of deer with the xtp's over the years and if I could get groups like I do with the sst's at 300 yds I would use them.

Owensby,

Have you been able to get the 200SWs to shoot reliably?

Are you using the blue sabots supplied w/ them?

Sub-base?

Thanks

I've got a couple of boxes of them, just haven't tried them in anything but a regular MLer w/ 777.

Reloader

Never did get them to shoot out of the savage with smokless but they shoot very good out of the encore,with 100 to 120 grs of pyro-select,just the sabot and cci reg primers,couldn't get the t-7 to group good enough to suit me.
I have been meaning to try them in the savage with pyro and see how they did with the 1:24 twist but never did get around to it.

Not bad at all from the Encore. I may just save them and try them out of my Knight.

Tried them out of a 700ML and couldn't get them to group.

Reloader

Reloader, I have some of the XTP's in 300 and 250. The 300's are grouping right about 2 inches for three shots. Two through one hole and the other at a bit off. That is with 5744 and with N-120, using MMP 24 sabots. I have the short black sabots and the 3 petal ez load sabots on order. They should be here tomorrow. I hope to see if they will group better. I don't expect much past 100 yards for a shot anyway. I can't hold much better than 2 inches in field positions. Good hunting.

quote:

Reloader, I have some of the XTP's in 300 and 250. The 300's are grouping right about 2 inches for three shots. Two through one hole and the other at a bit off. That is with 5744 and with N-120, using MMP 24 sabots. I have the short black sabots and the 3 petal ez load sabots on order. They should be here tomorrow. I hope to see if they will group better. I don't expect much past 100 yards for a shot anyway. I can't hold much better than 2 inches in field positions. Good hunting.

Hey D,

There isn't a dang thing wrong w/ a 2" Group from a Mler. They load I hunt w/ in my Savage will only do about 1.5-2" on paper but, it holds plenty tight out to 200 to work for deer. My Savage will shoot less than an inch w/ some loads but, I just keep using my 44/4759/250SST load because it's consistent and it just flat out works in the field

Good Luck this season

Reloader

In my savage, DO NOT TRY THIS WITH ANY OTHER ML,,,I'm using 42 grains of SR4759, mmp HPH12 sabot trimed to just over the bearing surface of the bullet with the 250SST and a mmp sub base and getting just over 2350fps with way under moa groups, you MUST wait between shots for your barrel to cool or your groups will be wayyyyy out there. This is a mild easy shooting tack driver of a load. I wait an hour or so between shots when checking my poi and have some 2 and 3 shot one holers to show for it.

Without the sub base I was blowing every 10th sabot or so in warmer weather

The 7 pointer I took last year was hit through the top of the shoulder at 90 yards and lost 4 inches of spine and the bullet exited through a 1 inch hole in the other shoulder.

The only problems I have heard with the 250SST is that when pushed to over 2500fps impact speed they can expand rather quickly.

And the SST blows the other ML bullets out of the water with BC,when I switched from xtps and speer flat points my poi at 200-300 yards came up

quote:

Originally posted by ManCannon:
Believe what you want to believe... It's not my money you're wasting. Enjoy shooting your SST's

I am glad the XTP's work for you.

I have killed two deer with SST's. One at 76 yards, the other at 170 or so yards. Both DRT. The 250 SST sabot shoots very well in my ML ( about 1.5 MOA). I go with what works and this works for me. The money "wasted" on bullets is miniscule in comparison to everything else associated with hunting.

If I wanted to save money, I would read library books for a hobby.

I settled on a 300 gr XTP and 57 gr of N-120(Not for use in a conventional ML, Savage only). Grouped about 2 inches at 100. Two through one hole and one about 2 inches away. The deer I killed last weekend didn't run far. It was a bit further back on the hit than I planned. The deer was quartering away and I read it as a straight broadside stance. I had to aim and shoot quickly, as the deer crossed a logging road at about 70 yards. As stated I hit him a bit far back but the exit wound was just behind the shoulder. Not a lot of expansion. Entrance wound was about the same size as the exit. Very dead deer. Ran about 25 yards. Looks like a good combo with the MMP 24 Sabot. Good hunting.