I'm looking for input of on game performance of the Hornady 129 grain SST in 6.5 mm. I did a little search on here and it appears most of the comments are on speeds around 2800-2900 fps. I'll be running it in the 6.5x68mm which should push this bullet to around 3200-3300 fps. I'm concerned about the additional speed and bullet construction holding together. Targeted species will be whitetails, mule deer and antelope. Shots from 25 yards to 300+.

Thanks

You know my thoughts!

Well that's a sound approach for the 6.5 and that bullet up to your personal range efficiency. I would call it a 300 yard round for myself and based on its killing ability, and if one is up to the chore and honest with ones self..but IMO this applies to any caliber or combination of bullets..

IMHO at ranges under 200 yds. that you are going to get a lot of bloodshot meat.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Well that's a sound approach for the 6.5 and that bullet up to your personal range efficiency. I would call it a 300 yard round for myself and based on its killing ability, and if one is up to the chore and honest with ones self..but IMO this applies to any caliber or combination of bullets..

blah blah blah, so what is your experience with this particular bullet, not my shooting ability.

I ask this question, because I've seen the performance of this bullet on game both here in the U.S. and in South Africa on similar sized species; however, in a different caliber. So, looking for some experiences with this particular bullet on game performance.

friends don't let friends shoot SST's

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
friends don't let friends shoot SST's

Bwahahahahahaha!!!! I know!!!!

Fill a gallon milk jug with water.
Place it at 50 -110 yards with a piece of cardboard (24X24 oughta do) at least 5 feet behind it. Take more than some of these in case 5 feet is too close

Shoot the milk jug.

Look at what is left of the back side of the milk jug, look at the hole(s) in the cardboard.

You may want to try other bullets of interest to compare results.

Once you do it the results become self explanatory.

Graybird I have a 6.5x68 and used it on deer and antelope in Montana.The 129 gr SST shot very well in my rifle so I thought I would try it. Shot one antelope @ about 100yds. Destroyed most of meat on the front end. (that really isn't that much meat). The other antelope was shot at close to 300 yds and there was no issues. If I was to use the 129 gr SST again I would not shoot at game closer than 150 to 200 yds. I have since developed loads with Barnes TTSX and the 125 gr Partition. Most 6.5x68 have a slow twist and will not shoot heavy bullets well. The 125 gr Partition is the best compromise in MY rifle. Hope that helps.

quote:

Originally posted by snowman:
Graybird I have a 6.5x68 and used it on deer and antelope in Montana.The 129 gr SST shot very well in my rifle so I thought I would try it. Shot one antelope @ about 100yds. Destroyed most of meat on the front end. (that really isn't that much meat). The other antelope was shot at close to 300 yds and there was no issues. If I was to use the 129 gr SST again I would not shoot at game closer than 150 to 200 yds. I have since developed loads with Barnes TTSX and the 125 gr Partition. Most 6.5x68 have a slow twist and will not shoot heavy bullets well. The 125 gr Partition is the best compromise in MY rifle. Hope that helps.

Thanks snowman

I think your statements above reflect what I've seen out of the SST. Pretty explosive results and one needs to be a good distance away before the bullet will hold together. I believe you confirmed my thoughts.

In addition to the SST bullets on hand, I'll be developing a load using the 129 gr Accubond LR bullet and the 127 gr Barnes LRX bullet. I'm sure one of these should give me what I'm looking for.

Thanks again,

You might want to look at one of the bonded bullets, or better, an all copper one.

The issue is that the SST is, at its heart, a classic cup and lead core bullet with a plastic tip added. This class of bullet starts to over expand as impact velocities exceed 2850 to 2950 fps. They seem to explode at velocities above 3000 - 3100 fps.

I have used a 6.5 Rem Mag for many years. I would say the 6.5 Mag is comparable to your rifle in capacity a speeds. I loaded some 129 SSTs about 10 years ago and they grouped better than other bullets up to then. A week later I shot a Bobcat at about 150yds and when I saw the damage I couldn't believe the destruction. Cat was almost cut in half with only about a 2" piece of skin holding it together. Have used 125gr Partitions since to great satisfaction. still have a few SSTs that I use for foulers. An example of one but one was enough for me.
George

So a bullet designed to be used at extended distances opens too fast up close? Not surprising at all. Use something out of it's performance window and it fails then blame the bullet! Perfect sense to me.

Graybird,
Not sure what your post is referring to, I never said a word about your shooting ability!

I think the SST is too soft for a hunting bullet.
probably okay for antelope and coyotes and Marmots.

I have a couple more comments about the 129 gr Hornady 6.5cal bullet and a couple of the comments that have been made. I hope everyone can understand I am NOT trying to start a pissing contest. I have used that bullet in a couple 6.5x55 rifles on whitetail deer and have not had a problem. Yes they open up, I would suggest much like a 130 gr bullet in a 270. The 6.5x68 case is a large case very similar in capacity to the 264 Win and capable of similar velocities. The 6.5 Rem is one of the original short belted magnum cartridges and its capacity and velocities are very close to the 6.5-06 . Before condeming a bullet as not suitable take a look at what it was designed for. Those little plastic wedges were designed to limit bullet deformation in the magazine and to promote bullet expansion. The Nosler BT is the same type of construction and there has been many people complain about them opening too quickly. If a bullet opens too quick don't drive it so fast or go to a tougher bullet. It shouldn't be too hard to understand that a bullet designed to open quickly at 6.5x55 velocity is NOT going to hold together @ 264 win velocities.

I use the lapua 155 grain mega tip in all my 6.5 rifles from the 6.5 hap ,260 Remington ,264 win mag it's awesome.I shot pronghorns at 350 yards flipped them their tracks .I shot a 300 pound whitetail at 15 yards made a fist sized hole .I have shot 1.5 inch groups out of my 264 win.mag with it at 300 yards .My 260 shoots it into tiny clover leafs at 100yards and under an inch at 250 yards .It has a bc of .377 looks like asemipointed bullet but works awesome.The Swedes use it on moose .It's my number one bullet for my 6.5 rifles I have had others blow to pieces with the 264 and the lighter bullets burn your barrel out quicker .The 142 grain nosler accubonds should do good out further not sure about up close .I am glad I tried these lapua 155 grain they are awesome!

If you are looking for a very accurate cup and core from right next to you, out to 300+ yards the Sierra 130 grain HPBT Gameking is fantastic in a Creedmoor, 260, swede size case. they are cheap, very accurate and tough enough to give even, consistant expansion with impact velocities from 2700 to 1800 Fps. I have killed a few decent sized deer from 45 to 200 yards from a 260rem with minimal bruising and great penetration.

quote:

.I shot a 300 pound whitetail at 15 yards made a fist sized hole

I would like to see a picture.

That is a monster.

Use the 129gr .264 Interbond. That's a 139gr .284 Interbond in my avatar. Impact velocity @ 20yds >3000 fps on the scapula. Penetrated diagonally to the off side hindquarter hide on a 170# (dressed weight) Whitetail. SSTs were prone to jacket shedding when the hit the creek behind my target (high bank on the far side for a back stop) I found empty jackets lying on the stone bottom in the 1' deep water. That was at a distance of about 75yds.

I really tried to like the 129gr SST, but it did way too much meat damage with behind the shoulder shots on small blacktails, and always had penetration problems on shoulder shot pigs. Sucks because they shoot so damn accurate in most 6.5s.

After trying several others, I finally settled on the 127gr LRX and have been very happy with it.