30 cal 125gr Ballistic tip vs Hornady SST question

[GrapeApe]

Are they comparable in performance? I've normally used the NBTs in the wife's reduced 308 loads. At ~2400 the Noslers have performed well. Unfortunately, they're currently being made of "unobtanium"

Last season, I subbed some Sierra TMKs and while they've worked well from my 300BO, they're a little "soft" for the added velocity. Though they're HELL on neck shots

Found some 125gr SSTs in stock and am thinking about trying them.

If any of you have tried them both, are the SSTs tougher than the NBT? Softer? Similar performance?

[CPJ 2.0]

I’ve used both in the 7-08, both are pretty splody. Which is why I quit using them.
For slower speeds, they may be just fine.
Granted, deer dropped. Just too splody for my tastes. And weren’t great on bone.

[GrapeApe]

Thanks

[Zee]

I run 125gr SST in my .308 Wins. Taken quite a few deer and pigs with them.
I like soft bullets that penetrate.
Learn to shoot where you should aim and they are amazing. At least, I like them.
Others with lesser skill may disagree. Each their own.
I want damage in the right place. In excess. These do that.
If you suck ass. Don’t blame the bullet. Many do.

[Zee]

If you want bonded performance. Buy bonded. If you want tipped cup/core performance, buy tipped cup/core.

Seems simple to my midget mind.

[fisheadgib]

I never understood why you don't just put your wife behind a 7-08 or a .243 instead of castrating a .308.

[Chiro1989]

Simplifying reloading logistics I would assume, I made a decision early on to keep it simple on my bench, a lot of .30 cal in my house

[Bigslug]

The notable thing about the Barnes TTSX line is that it penetrates above its weight class. Barnes makes .308's all the way down to 110 grains.

2022 Buck Heart.jpeg (79.15 KiB) Viewed 2084 times

The popped deer heart at the bottom left of that photo was the result of the 130 grain version. Entered between the front legs; exited behind the right shoulder. Impact speed would have been a bit above 2600 fps. I came out of recoil to the sight of twitching legs on the ground. I don't LIKE having to hunt with all copper in CA, but I can't complain about not having something that works.

[GrapeApe]

Interseting pic "slug, though not interested in the Barneses.

Wife pretty much only takes neck shots, and since we, for now, live in "Free America" I can stil use lead bullets

[Bigslug]

Consider it a modern performance enhancement option for your re-branded .32-20.

If a grenade effect on neck shots is more your thing, the lighter Speers might be an available choice.

[CPJ 2.0]

https://www.speer.com/bullets/rifle-bul ... -2005.html



I’m curious what these would do at black out speeds.

[Chiro1989]

I wonder if those would give some better penetration at that lower speed before mushrooming

[GrapeApe]

I have a couple of boxes of these
https://www.sierrabullets.com/product/3 ... varminter/
Haven't loaded any of them
This is from the above link...

For 300 Blackout and reduced recoil loads, this new offering adds another excellent hunting bullet option.

Another issue with a LOT of the monolithic HPs is their need for speed. Hornady says theirs need a MINIMUM of 2000fps to expand. At BO MVs that's roughly 100 yards. The SCHP that I use for my avatar was fired into gel from my BO at 5 yards. At 100yds, expansion was non-existent

[Zee]

I did some testing with Hornady on this ammo out to 400 yrds a couple weeks ago.

https://www.hornadyle.com/rifle-ammunit ... b-x-tap#!/

I’m not a BO fan. But, the results swayed me to where I wouldn’t kick it out of bed if it went home with me.

[CPJ 2.0]

I did some testing with Hornady on this ammo out to 400 yrds a couple weeks ago.

https://www.hornadyle.com/rifle-ammunit ... b-x-tap#!/

I’m not a BO fan. But, the results swayed me to where I wouldn’t kick it out of bed if it went home with me.

[Zee]

The above bullet is designed to expand at sub velocities out to approximately 400 yrds, +\-

[GrapeApe]

If you want bonded performance. Buy bonded. If you want tipped cup/core performance, buy tipped cup/core.

Seems simple to my midget mind.

Where did the whole "if you want bonded performance..." come from?
They're both tipped cup & core

[Zee]

If you want bonded performance. Buy bonded. If you want tipped cup/core performance, buy tipped cup/core.

Seems simple to my midget mind.

Where did the whole "if you want bonded performance..." come from?
They're both tipped cup & core

Yes. Cup/core. If you want more penetration, a bonded/mono bullet is the way to go. Even tipped.
Cup core/tipped tends to be soft. In general.