Hornady SST?

[jmad_81]

Anybody use them?

I have been having real fits with my 338 WM and the 225 AB. I have put over 300 225 ABs down the pipe and I can't get a load that will shoot the same twice. I have had some great looking groups .4"-1", but I can never get it that close again.

I bought a box of 225 SST to try something different. Of the first three loads best one went .963" in a 10-15 mph wind. I'll play with COAL and see if I can get it better, but I'd be happy if it just stayed the same. I'll take 1" all day long over .4" one day and 2.5" the next with the exact same laod.

I have heard that they are really tough on meat, but that was out of a 7 mag with 160 gr, and a 300 WM with a 150 gr. Both on elk. If I can get them to shoot consistent I'll try them out on bears this spring. Just looking for some more info on them. Likes, dislikes, ect.

 

[Guest]

I've had some good luck with the SST's and the Interbonds (Hornady's bonded core analogous to the AccuBond) flying the same over the same powder charge. Obviously you'd want to work up both in parallel to be safe and sure. If it bears out for you, you could practice with the SST's and shoot the Interbonds (which are supposed to retain something like 80-90% of their weight). It doesn't always work out that way, but it might.

 

[corbin9191]

I used them in my 25-06 when I had it and they were great bullets. But I would not use them on anything bigger than a Antelope because they did not hold together for me very good. They are very accurate though. I also have used them in my brothers 7mm rem mag with great results.

 

[FOTIS]

Used them on antelope and they did ok. Too soft for my taste.

 

[jmad_81]

That is kind of what I have been hearing. I didn't know if they would be a bit tougher in the bigger calibers or not.

Think I have some 225 PTs laying around I might have to try as well.

 

[JD338]

Jake,

Go with the 225 gr PT. :wink:

JD338

 

[jmad_81]

If I can get them to shoot I think I will. I can use the 225 SST to practice with.

 

[338winmag]

When I read jmad_81's first sentences I had to check twice to make sure that wasn't a post written by me!!

"I have been having real fits with my 338 WM and the 225 AB. I have put over 300 225 ABs down the pipe and I can't get a load that will shoot the same twice. I have had some great looking groups .4"-1", but I can never get it that close again."

With my Weatherby Vanguard, I tried all different seating depths, powder charges and powders, primers and even humoring it all had to do with the cases and purchased some Nosler Custom cases. At least as far as the 225 AB are concerned, over 222 for me. (over 4 1/2 boxes - way too much money thrown out the window) My rifle just doesn't like them. Same went for the SSTs as well but the Hornady Interlocks shot lots of 4 shot groups at 200 yards under 1.5".

...but, but, but... decided to try the Barnes Tipped TSX 225 bullets. I tested per Barnes advice between .050 and .080 off the lands. Still only 1.5" at 100 yards but always consistent at that grouping I might add. I decided to test at .095, .110 and .125. The latter two again were the consistent 1.5 at 100 but the magic came thru for the .095. Not one, not two, not three but four groups of 4 between .638 and .495. Also tested with different powder and primers. Still same .638 groups at 100. Have not tested at 200 yet.


Okay so long story short, try the Barnes TTSX and test at .015 intervals starting at .050 and go to .125 or .140. Let us know if you decide to test.

Winchester Cases
CCI 250 Primers ----- Winchester mag primers
Barnes TTSX 225 gr
RL 19 - 72 grains ----- H4350 - 70 grains
FPS - 2832 avg ----- FPS 2802 avg
Seating - .095 off lands
60 degrees that day

 

[jmad_81]

I can't remember if it is 73 or 73.5 gr of RL-19, but it gives me five shot groups under around 3/4". I was wanting to shoot a bulet with some lead in it (and cheaper), it appears that I would have been better off buying a several hundred 225 TSXs instead of pulling my hair out trying to make something work that didn't want to.

Guess I'll have to go back to them.

 

[338winmag]

Yeah I learned the hardway as well. I paid about $37.xx with tax per box. Add all the other component costs and a lesson well learned. You can't force a square peg through a round hole.

For the TTSX I can get a box of 50 for about $44.00 Kinda expensive but now I don't have to test and experiment any longer. Just practice. The Interlock is a proven lead bullet and shoots great with the same loads and seating depth. About $34.00 for 100. They are FB though and will loose a bit more energy than the BTs after 250-300 yds but will still take down your bull.

What is your FPS and bullet seating depth. I bet with a little tweaking you can get it closer to the halve mark. Your rifle doesn't happen to be a Vangaurd?

Thanks
338winmag

 

[Scott Spencer]

Jake - I'm using 225 SST as practice and barrel break-in bullets myself. I wouldn't hunt with them, they are just too soft as others hand said, but I don't think you'll go wrong shooting them for practice. I hope you get a hunting bullet you like for your 338WM!

 

[SJB358]

Jake, I had the same issue as you and tried the SST's out and they shot fantastic. I think they are a little soft and maybe not my choice of an elk bullet, but I can't see any black bear waling away from them.

I tend to go with Jim's advice and would try the PT's out. I know you have an excellent load with the TSX's, but being as the great folks at Nosler have been so good to me, and their PT's are second to none for big game, I am sticking with them.

If you would like to try out some 250's, let me know, as I have several hundred 2nds I would be more than willing to send you a sample to try out. I do like the TSX's and think they are great game bullets, but honestly, I really trust the PT's much more as I really believe that front core causes some awesome destruction and I know it will penetrate anything. Plus, a 250 at 2700+ isn't an issue and really not very far behind the 225.

Steve (glad to see you back), I am glad you got your load squared away. I had the same kinda issues with the AB. Just weren't as consistent as I would have liked. Every other bullet (225gr PT, 275gr Speer, 225gr TBBC, 230gr FS, and 225gr SST) have all grouped very well and consistent out to 400. Sounds like your 338 is very happy now and glad you got it. Scotty

 

[jmad_81]

Well I'm hoping that I can get out this weekend. I'll get the fine tuning group with the SSt shot, resize all my brass and try the 225 PT. They are pretty old ones but they still should shoot the same as the new ones right?

 

[SJB358]

I would think as long as they were made in the last ten years or so, they should be the same, but maybe give a ring to Justin or SPS and ask them. I know the 225gr PT was always the workhorse of the Federal line of ammo, so I can't imagine them changing it too much since so many folks were shooting them. Hard tellin though. Good luck, looking forward to your results. Scotty

 

[jmad_81]

I think these might be older than that as the canalure ring looks cut into the bulllet, not crimped like the most bulllets seem to be today.

 

[SJB358]

The 250's I just got looks like they are cut into the shanks also, so maybe they are just different. I know some of the pictures of the 338 and bigger bullets look cut instead of rolled? Hard telling. Wished I had one to take a picture of for you, but I am still away from my loading bench. Scotty

 

[jmad_81]

I know what your talking about, it is very different than the rolled kind. It is a deep groove.

 

[SJB358]

Is it like the 260gr 375 PT's? Either way, I can't see them being too much different. I would give them a whirl and take my chances. There too good not to try! Scotty

 

[Jimbeaux82]

I have used the SST´s in 6.5 mm 140 gr (6.5 x 55) and 7 mm 154 gr and 162 gr ( 7 Rem and 7 Wea Mag) with great success for whitetail deer. They shoot well in the 3 rifles that I have tried them in and are devestating in the damage they do.