Hornady 117 grain 25/06 bullets

[Dr Ray]

Australian hunters have you any experience with the above with SST tips?
I’m trying to find some but no gun shop appears to have any.
These are Hornady factory loads ave I’d like to use on fallow deer.

 

[deewayne2003]

Dr. Ray

Pardon me for not being an Aussie hunter, but I have experienced with the 117gr SST on fallow deer, whitetail deer & pigs.

My opinion is the SST is a capable bullet but I’ve noticed accuracy issues - For Some unexplainable reason I’ve seen several rifles simply not like the SST bullet and refused to produce decent groups with it, especially Kimber and Ruger rifles.

We then switched out to Hornady 117gr BTSP or 117gr RNSP and the same rifles would shoot clover leaf groups.

 

[Nevada Mike]

This is a fast opening bullet that is good for smaller animals.

 

[Graham Hunter]

Have used the SST on Deer in 6.5 Creed & 25-06. Open to quickly for me!

 

[meigsbucks]

Dr. Ray

Pardon me for not being an Aussie hunter, but I have experienced with the 117gr SST on fallow deer, whitetail deer & pigs.

My opinion is the SST is a capable bullet but I’ve noticed accuracy issues - For Some unexplainable reason I’ve seen several rifles simply not like the SST bullet and refused to produce decent groups with it, especially Kimber and Ruger rifles.

We then switched out to Hornady 117gr BTSP or 117gr RNSP and the same rifles would shoot clover leaf groups.

I concur. My .25/06 that would group most bullets within an inch or much less… Not the SST. A tight group would be 1.5”. Similar results with this bullet in the .257 Roberts except a good group would be 2”.

 

[Tbitty]

Another non-aussie here, but I've had great success with the 117 gr SST in my 25-06 (Browning X-Bolt). Using factory Superformance ammo, it groups very well for me and has taken deer, feral hogs, and antelope out to 440 yards. In my experience, it is a "violent" bullet with rapid expansion, so not always the best selection especially for meat hunting or thicker skinned game. Also including use of the 150gr Superformance SST in .308, most game drops immediately or has gone less than 50 yards.

 

[Dr Ray]

Dr. Ray

Pardon me for not being an Aussie hunter, but I have experienced with the 117gr SST on fallow deer, whitetail deer & pigs.

My opinion is the SST is a capable bullet but I’ve noticed accuracy issues - For Some unexplainable reason I’ve seen several rifles simply not like the SST bullet and refused to produce decent groups with it, especially Kimber and Ruger rifles.

We then switched out to Hornady 117gr BTSP or 117gr RNSP and the same rifles would shoot clover leaf groups.

Many thanks for the info
I meant if oz hunters could get the ammo actually

 

[Dr Ray]

I was wondering about the extra velocity on fallow deer.
Anyway I cannot find the ammo.
Off to the rifle range Sunday week to practise.
I bought the Ruger 25/06 off a friend and had the stock shortened to put a new thick recoil pad and bought a 3-10 Nightforce scope.
Baz used a fixed 8 power Kahles.
He could put 5 shots into a matchbox at 300 m.
Baz has health issues and selling off his entire rifle collection.
I’m going to Tasmania on April to hunt the lovely fallow.
So I was aSako g about the Hornady SST factory ammo that travels at 200 fps faster.

 

[Dr Ray]

Anyone on Oz able to acquire the ammo??

 

[Dr Ray]

I concur. My .25/06 that would group most bullets within an inch or much less… Not the SST. A tight group would be 1.5”. Similar results with this bullet in the .257 Roberts except a good group would be 2”.

Thanks - I think I’ll skip those

 

[CoElkHunter]

Anyone on Oz able to acquire the ammo??

Townsend @Bob Nelson 35Whelen has told me several times he has used and likes the 117gr. SSTs in his .25-06. He must have bought them somewhere in OZ?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Australian hunters have you any experience with the above with SST tips?
I’m trying to find some but no gun shop appears to have any.
These are Hornady factory loads ave I’d like to use on fallow deer.

@Dr Ray
The 117grain SST is a brilliant bullet for the faster 25s.
I have used them in my 25 at over 3,300fps and they kill fallow deer and pigs like a lightening bolt hit them. I have never recovered one so can't send a pic. Everything I have shot with them it has exited and done massive damage on the way thru. At closer ranges under 150 yards the are not meat friendly on neck or shoulder shots.
You could try the 80gn or 100gn TTSX they would be fine on fallow when the 100gn TTSX is driven at 3,400 fps.
The 117grain SST are available but you have to make a lot of phone calls and they are now at the rip off price of 92 dollars a hundred.
The 100gn and 115gn nosler balistic tips are available at less than 50 bucks for 50.
The 117grain SST and 115gn nosler both group under an inch at 200 yards in my rifle.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Dr. Ray

Pardon me for not being an Aussie hunter, but I have experienced with the 117gr SST on fallow deer, whitetail deer & pigs.

My opinion is the SST is a capable bullet but I’ve noticed accuracy issues - For Some unexplainable reason I’ve seen several rifles simply not like the SST bullet and refused to produce decent groups with it, especially Kimber and Ruger rifles.

We then switched out to Hornady 117gr BTSP or 117gr RNSP and the same rifles would shoot clover leaf groups.

@deewayne2003
Unusual I have no accuracy issues with the 117grain SST in my 25.

200 yards with the 117grain SST
Bob

 

[Dr Ray]

Thanks for everyone’s contributions
Really appreciate

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Have used the SST on Deer in 6.5 Creed & 25-06. Open to quickly for me!

@Graham Hunter
The SST is designed to open quickly. SST stands for super shock tip. After opening I find it holds together well and drives deep.
I have never recovered one from a pig or deer out of my 25
The only one I have recovered I'd a 150gn SST from an 80kg pig my son shot. Thru the onside fighting pad and scapula, made mush of the internals, Thu the off side fighting pad and lodged just under the skin on the off side. Range 80 odd yards and muzzle velocity of 2,900fps.
My son won't use any other bullet, .75 inch 100 yard groups.
Bob

150gn. 308 SST, they hold together better than most think, retained weight 117grains, so ends up the same weight as the 25 cal starts at.

 

[Dr Ray]

@Graham Hunter
The SST is designed to open quickly. SST stands for super shock tip. After opening I find it holds together well and drives deep.
I have never recovered one from a pig or deer out of my 25
The only one I have recovered I'd a 150gn SST from an 80kg pig my son shot. Thru the onside fighting pad and scapula, made mush of the internals, Thu the off side fighting pad and lodged just under the skin on the off side. Range 80 odd yards and muzzle velocity of 2,900fps.
My son won't use any other bullet, .75 inch 100 yard groups.
Bob
View attachment 498438View attachment 498439
150gn. 308 SST, they hold together better than most think, retained weight 117grains, so ends up the same weight as the 25 cal starts at.

That’s great

I’m trying to buy factory Hornady
No luck

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Townsend @Bob Nelson 35Whelen has told me several times he has used and likes the 117gr. SSTs in his .25-06. He must have bought them somewhere in OZ?

@CoElkHunter
Mate I ain't got a 25-06. Mine is faster and my own design on a 303 case.

The oly thing in common is both are 25 cal.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

That’s great

I’m trying to buy factory Hornady
No luck

@Dr Ray
I can send you up some 117grain SST projectiles to load If'n y'all need them.
Bob

 

[CoElkHunter]

@CoElkHunter
Mate I ain't got a 25-06. Mine is faster and my own design on a 303 case.
View attachment 498447
The oly thing in common is both are 25 cal.
Bob

Sorry Bob, I misunderstood you. Nice looking cartridge! The 120gr Noslers I bought have the cannelure forward as they were meant for the .257 Roberts, so I’ll have to taper crimp them below the cannelure like the bullet in your photo.
CEH

 

[Dr Ray]

@Dr Ray
I can send you up some 117grain SST projectiles to load If'n y'all need them.
Bob

That would be nice
Pm me pls