Cnkhunting
Well-Known Member
How are these bullets? Do they hold up good? Thinking of trying for elk this fall
SST bullets
- Thread starter Cnkhunting
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I have not used them in years since I shot a deer head on the bullet traveled down the backbone, where I found the jacket and no lead at all.
levers4life
Well-Known Member
I use the 123gr in my 6.5 grendel, very accurate, has taken hog & deer out to about 300yds. I run a 125gr very fast out of a .308, it works great for close in shots as it acts more like a frangible bullet at this range and speed, I have yet to recover one or have an exit. I run a 140gr in my 6.5X55, took an antelope at 560yds 2 years ago with this combo. I will be running the 162gr in my 7mm mag this year for mule deer & antelope but have only put it on paper so far. I think it's the best bullet going for the price, it allows me to shoot my hunting rifles all year at an affordable price and I've had nothing but success on game so far. I am a fan! That being said, I've never shot an animal past 600 or so yards with them.
codyadams
Well-Known Member
They are essentially the standard hornady interlock spire point with a slightly different geometry and a polymer tip. Not the greatest bc, but a decent mid range bullet. In other words, if you don't intend to run them too fast, they work fine. Impact speeds above 3000ish are pretty violent in my experience. Also, if significant heavy bone is hit, like spine or an elk shoulder joint, they tend to come apart, as most standard non-bonded cup and core bullets do. They have still done the job for me in those occasions, just messy.
Keep impact speeds above 1800ish and below 2800, and off heavy bone, and you will likely be happy. They aren't anything fancy, just think of them like a standard spire point bullet with a colorful tip that you can't write with to fill out your tag.
Keep impact speeds above 1800ish and below 2800, and off heavy bone, and you will likely be happy. They aren't anything fancy, just think of them like a standard spire point bullet with a colorful tip that you can't write with to fill out your tag.
W
Wyo37
Guest
My friend's mature 6 point bull sure died quickly from a .308 sst bullet at 200yds.
Heavy for caliber SST bullets for elk work great. I used to load the 162gr SST for my dad in his 7 SAUM and he took a few bulls with it. Go through the shoulder no problem, they hold together pretty well.
I use the 139gr in my 7mm-08 and it works great, but I would not load it on a 7SAUM or 7mm Rem Mag, too light, too fast and end up in bullet blow up at close range, but the 162gr is a great bullet for 7mm magnum cartridges. On 30 cal I would use the 180gr for magnum velocities.
I use the 139gr in my 7mm-08 and it works great, but I would not load it on a 7SAUM or 7mm Rem Mag, too light, too fast and end up in bullet blow up at close range, but the 162gr is a great bullet for 7mm magnum cartridges. On 30 cal I would use the 180gr for magnum velocities.
What he said. They are great for smaller deer then Elk. Will they kill a Elk -Yes ,but they are very explosive. IMO.
W
Wyo37
Guest
Explosive? They detonate?
Forgot to mention, Nathan Foster at Ballistic Studies has done tons of research on bullet performance on animals, I am sure you will find what you are looking for here. If you are shooting a 7mm magnum cartridge, here is a link that will be informative:
7mm Remington Magnum
7mm Remington Magnum bullet selection and performance on game
www.ballisticstudies.com
You need to be more specific on caliber, weight, cartridge, and distances. Not all of the same bullet brand acts the same across the board, whether that's different calibers or different weights in the same caliber. A 225 grain SST from a .338 WinMag is not the same as a 150 gr SST from a .300 WinMag. Also a 162 gr in 7mm will act differently than a 139 gr. I'd shoot elk with a 7 mag loaded with the 162, but would not with the 139. I have loaded both for over 20 years. I've never seen a 139 hold together on a deer, even at somewhat reduced velocity. I've also never seen a 162 fail to fully penetrate from 40 yards to 450, even when put through a deer shoulder. Both will expand rather quickly, however the 162 has a much longer shank that holds the cup & core together.
Cnkhunting
Well-Known Member
162 7 mag
Austin_Michael
Well-Known Member
225gr SST from a 338WM anchored the bull I shot. Complete pass through even after breaking the nearside shoulder bones.
Internal tissue damage was significant and effective.
Internal tissue damage was significant and effective.
The 162g SST out of a Weatherby 7 STW at 3150 proved to kill all six of the African Plains game, including Eland and Kudu, one shot each DRT.
From this, I would surmise that the 162 is plenty for elk.
One thing that to me is common sense is to stay off of elk shoulders.
From this, I would surmise that the 162 is plenty for elk.
One thing that to me is common sense is to stay off of elk shoulders.
