Duck-Slayer
Well-known member
Just a heads up. I tend to be quite opinionated. These are my opinions only.
Begin Rant
I have not opened up a critter shot with a 130SST, but a few years ago I did run into a really odd situation with a Mule Deer and a 150SST out of a .300WSM. The deer was shot initially at approx 40yds. Placement was on the back of the shoulder from broadside. The bullet completely fragged on the skin. We could not find a shard of bullet that penetrated the rib cage, it also did not deflate the lungs or perforate the pleural cavity. We tracked that deer between 400-500yds. The second shot was placed on the skull between the ear and the eye. It killed the deer, but would not even penetrate through the skull. Shot distance was within 10yds. Impact velocities on both impacts would have been in excess of 3150fps. I have no qualms with SST's at impact velocities below 2850-2900fps. For me, Its not JUST SST's, I have seen similar results with Nosler Ballistic Tips and Speer Hot Cor's. I have no qualms about bonded slugs for impacts up to 3100-3200fps. I know of similar experiences from close friends with bonded bullets fragging at impacts beyond 3150.
understood, this is my opinion also, I love having a complete conversation like this with another individual without them getting all mad... this is great.....
I see, you must have been using factory loads? we load our SST's, the factory loads are faster than what we reload, we actually use less powder than the factory loads, our bullets go slower, I think in the 130 gr. they go about 3200 fps, we estimate ours go 2900 - 3000 fps, 2 grains less powder I believe, I think the 150 gr. 300 win mag is going quite a bit faster, so I can see how you had problems with penetration at close range, I bet you would love them if you loaded them too 3000 fps in the 150 gr., great conversation,
Matt