OK, you'll laugh, but I just opened a box of SST's

[sniper5]

Usually load A-Max for my 6.5 x 55 Mauser and they've been. . .well, you know how the market is. Anyway so I picked up some SST's because they looked as close in the specs as I could get. When I opened the box today, I kind of did a hmmmm. After all the advertising hyperbole, isn't this just an A-max with a cannelure? After you all get done ROTF laughing and going "you mean he didn't know?" Let me know what you think.

 

[WV_Vizsla]

A-max - sst - ib - il

My understanding from the techs at Hornady:
AMax has a diffent jacket inside. concentric jacket /lead core and then tested in the range to verify manufacturing. Made for paper not flesh.

SST made to mushroom at wide speed range, plastic tip looks cool

Interbond - made to mushroom, but not explode. I have used with great results. Including a poor racking rib hit. Do not crimp these ever. Cool red tip, really neat when black moly coated and the red poking out.

Interlock - the classic bullet ~50+ years, killed ~30+ deer with these and am back to using them again due to 1000 bullet rebate.

Yes I like the red team.

 

[Fumbler]

I don't think the SST is made to the same tolerances as the Amax.

At least in my experience with a 308, the SSTs suck for accuracy
...well, they're ok, they just aren't up to SMK or AMax quality.

 

[sniper5]

Thanks guys. So it's just me. Good. They just LOOK similar. I guess I was expecting some glowing little neon thing flashing "I'm different" or a purple jacket or blue flashing tip or something. Now we'll have to see how they do in the accuracy department when I get a chance to go to the range. Of course I probably won't be able to tell the difference anyway with my old tired eyes and iron sights. See, I'm all over the paper even with the good stuff.

 

[NCsmitty]

Now we'll have to see how they do in the accuracy department when I get a chance to go to the range.

Absolutely, you need to try them and see how they work. You may be pleasantly surprised or not.
As you mentioned, old eyes and iron sights will generally not be able to tell the difference between an A-max and SST bullets. There's little reason to shoot the more expensive bullets.
I've had good luck with less costly bullets in my own 6.5x55. Core-lokts, Hot-Cors and prvi-partizan soft points, that was with a scope for my old eyes.


NCsmitty

 

[WV_Vizsla]

I thought of something else the Hornady techs said:
Do not crimp any bullet outside of the cannalur area or accuracy will suffer. No cannalur = No crimp. And in general folks over crimp.

I have gone to not crimping my 300Wby & 243 by undersizing expander .307"
Still use a little in the 3006.

 

[sniper5]

Yeah, I can see that. No issue with that at all. I usually only crimp when I have a reason to, like heavy magnums in a revolver where I worry about the bullet backing out under recoil and jamming up the cylinder. Otherwise, no. Or at least, very lightly.

 

[NCsmitty]

WV_Vizsla, did the tech mention that it was not necessary to crimp most bolt action rounds with normal recoil levels?

I never crimp my bolt action rounds as I rely on neck tension, and bullet shifting has not been an issue for me in the calibers that I load.


NCsmitty

 

[WV_Vizsla]

Yes the tech did mention that normally no crimp was needed. I was loading for 3006 garand, rem 742 and 300Wby lite weight using Lee "factory crimp die". Good tool by the way, still use in the autos. 300Wby needed 307 expander to stop magazine setback.

 

[RSVP2RIP]

If you look in the catalog or on the website the p[lastic insert is WAY different. The SST has a cylindrical short polastic tip and the A-max has a HUGE, hourglass-like insert. Also the jackets on the A-max are noticably thinner and the boattail is longer in general. I think you will find the BC on the A-max is better also.