I bought a new scope this past spring for my old 1989 vintage model 70 .30-06. I haven't had a chance to mount it & zero it until this past weekend. I have been using Remington Core-Lokt ammunition for the last 20 years. I like it, it's inexpensive & it just plain works. So with current conditions I went to buy some core-lokts to zero my rifle & I was unable to find any. I did get the 165 grain Hornady SST's zeroed. I bought them because they were what Academy had in stock at a semi reasonable price. They don't seem to group as well from my rifle as the core lokt's did (under an inch at 100 yards) but they did well enough (less than 1 1/2" at 100 yards). My question is what is ya'alls experience with these bullets on deer. I have known some folks that say ballistic tip bullets don't do as well in the thick as the core lokts & I always seem to wind up hunting in thick stuff. Sorry for the long post just to ask a question.
Hornady Superformance SST?
- Thread starter Mike J
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HarcyPervin
Member
They shoot ok, not great out of my tikka t3 in .30-06. This year I'll be switching away from them to a lead solid. I hunt the woods too, and although I see what the ballistic tips are good for, I don't think they're worth the extra money if they don't shoot well.
Skylerbone
Member
Personal experience, helping my father sight in not one but two .300 Win. Mags with SuperFormance, it was the least accurate by a wide margin. So bad was the accuracy from the first rifle, dad sprung for a second, then a trip to the smith who experienced a case head separation. Final 4 boxes were shipped to Hornady and exchanged for Custom.
I load everything for my -06s so no experience with the exact SuperFormance load you have.
I load everything for my -06s so no experience with the exact SuperFormance load you have.
Combatcomm
Member
I shoot their 139g in my A-bolt .280 and all 8 deer I have shot with them were DRT.
The SST is a good deer bullet. It expands rapidly and may not be the best choice for larger game unless careful shot placement is practiced.
I've tried the Superformance ammo in both my 30-06 and 308. The 165's in my 30-06 were no where near as fast as advertised. About 2900 fps and 1.5-2" groups were about the best I could do with my rifles. I can get the same 2900 fps and .5" groups with my handloads.
The 308 was a bit better. Still slower than advertised, but faster than I've been able to get with any of my handloads. Accuracy was acceptable, around 1". I can still get better accuracy with my handloads, but cannot match the speed.
I've tried the Superformance ammo in both my 30-06 and 308. The 165's in my 30-06 were no where near as fast as advertised. About 2900 fps and 1.5-2" groups were about the best I could do with my rifles. I can get the same 2900 fps and .5" groups with my handloads.
The 308 was a bit better. Still slower than advertised, but faster than I've been able to get with any of my handloads. Accuracy was acceptable, around 1". I can still get better accuracy with my handloads, but cannot match the speed.
ssyoumans
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I took a 150 lb buck with a 95gr SST from my 243. As mentioned above, they are a bit explosive, lots of damage, but no exit. Deer went less than 20 yards though. Lots of shrapnel. I've read reports of the same with the 6.8 SPC, drops hogs and deer, but won't exit. Not exactly what I am looking for.
Can't comment on the 30 caliber bullets. I have some of the 150's loaded for my 308, but have not taken game with them yet. Maybe this fall.
Can't comment on the 30 caliber bullets. I have some of the 150's loaded for my 308, but have not taken game with them yet. Maybe this fall.
Craigman
Member
Ive never had the Superformance ammo shoot well in any of my rifles.
I do handload the SST and I think the bullets are just fine for deer. Ive shot a small buck through the vitals at 50yds with 25-06/approx3000fps/117gn SST. Bullet did NOT blow up and was complete passthrough destroying half the heart and not any type of crazy big exit wound that most seem to believe will happen.
Also, last season two does were taken with my .308/150gnSST/2700fps. One doe at 120yds, she ran about 20yds and the other was toppled while running from about 75yds. Dead, normal damage, NOT explodng bullets again.
I do handload the SST and I think the bullets are just fine for deer. Ive shot a small buck through the vitals at 50yds with 25-06/approx3000fps/117gn SST. Bullet did NOT blow up and was complete passthrough destroying half the heart and not any type of crazy big exit wound that most seem to believe will happen.
Also, last season two does were taken with my .308/150gnSST/2700fps. One doe at 120yds, she ran about 20yds and the other was toppled while running from about 75yds. Dead, normal damage, NOT explodng bullets again.
hardluk1
member
If 3" at 400 yards for 139gr supermag 7mm RM is good enough then yes there accurate. Like others said very very deadly with heart /lung shots. Come out of recoil and the deer already on the ground. I have used that same bullet back in the heavy mag years going on around 16 years and never had a deer take more than a couple steps. 2" at 400 yards with that ammo.
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