Hornady 139 GR SST LIGHT MAGNUM - 7mm-08 -question / confusion

[scootrd]

Ok I'm confused.
Can someone explain to me the difference in application when they would use a 7mm-08 SP in Lieu of a SST Bullet?
1.Why does Hornady offer Both? What am I missing? Can someone help me understand this Better?
2. How does Hornady's  Light magnum cartridge differ from their standard 139gr SST cartridge. (aside from the $3.00 markup)  ?


Cartridge/Type/Bullet                             100      200     300      400     500
Hornady 139 GR SST LIGHT MAGNUM         1.5     Zero    -6.5     -19.0  -38.2   BC=.486 SD= .246   $29.49/BX
Hornady 139 GR SP  LIGHT MAGNUM          1.5     Zero    -7.0     -20.5  -41.9   BC=.392 SD= .246   $29.49/BX
Hornady 139 GR SST                               1.7     Zero    -7.4     -21.5  -43.2   BC=.486 SD= .246   $26.49/BX

[Graybeard]

Generally speaking the SP will prove to be the most accurate. In fact as much as I like Hornady bullets and Nosler BTs for me at least the SSTs are just not that accurate. Dunno why since BTs are super accurate and they do look for all the world like a BT and the V-Max bullets Hornady makes are accurate.

So bottom line they offer both so folks have a choice of which they want and I'd say chose the one most accurate in your firearm. For me that has always been the SP.

Now what I'd really like to see them do is offer the IB as a light mag but for some reason they don't.

[scootrd]

Thanks for the info -  I learn something new every day
I was always under the false impression the whole reason spitzer BT's were created
was to improve accuracy and provide less drag/drift over flat based Spitzer bullets beyond 200yrds.

Would it be an inaccuracy to state an SP bullet out to 200yrds would be inherently more accurate than a BT.
200 yards or more a BT comes into it's own?

Also would a BT perform better on windy days?
(I think I'm still a bit confused, but trying to learn)

Hornady 139 GR SST LIGHT MAGNUM         1.5     Zero    -6.5     -19.0  -38.2   BC=.486 SD= .246   $29.49/BX (200 yds or more?
Hornady 139 GR SP  LIGHT MAGNUM          1.5     Zero    -7.0     -20.5  -41.9   BC=.392 SD= .246   $29.49/BX (inside 200yrds ?
 

[Graybeard]

You should make NO assumptions regarding accuracy. Just try them and let the load and gun tell you what's accurate. I learned long ago not to assume what would and would not be most accurate in my guns. I shoot them and let them tell me what they like.

[scootrd]

Thanks Bill ,
That sounds like the best advice I've been given .

[jro45]

I use the 139gr bullet by Hornady as a 140gr bullet. I haven't shot this rifle scence last summer. Its to cold now .4 degrees.

[Zachary]

I own a couple of 7mm-08s, and, at least in my guns, the Hornady 139 SP light Magnums are the most accurate.  As far as performance on game is concerned, those 139s did an excellent job on dropping one doe and one big buck.  Distances were about 100 to 110 yards on both shots.  One shot on the doe in the base of her neck dropped her in her tracks.  As for the buck, it was shot in the traditional "right behind the shoulder" and it ran about 50 to 75 yards, jumped up, and then dropped.  I don't think that, in terms of terminal performance, the use of an SST would have made much of a difference, if any, in those 2 shots.  But again, as for accuracy, my guns seem to prefer the 139 SP LMs more than any other factory load, whether Hornady, Federal, or Remington.

Zachary

[Bigeasy]

I have taken a few heads of big game with a Ruger 7mm/08, and a few thoughts come to mind.  Don't worry about getting that last 100 fps out of the round.  No deer, black bear, or pronghorn is going to know the difference.  What is more important is bullet construction.  You want a bullet that is going to hold together well, expand, and penitrate.  I would rather have a good game bullet that shoots 1 inch groups then a super sleek boat tail with a fancy plastic tip that shoots 1/2 inch, and drops a few inches less at 300 yards, but comes apart in game...

 A boat tail does not make a bullet more accurate, it just reduces drag, same as a plastic tip, meaning an inch or two less drop at long range.  Big game animals are not prarie dogs, and really should not be shot at ranges past were you can keep your shots on a paper plate, while breathing a little hard, while shooting from a half ass rest.  Throw a little wind in as well...

A few years ago, I was in elk camp.  Everyone was using some kind of a magnum, 7mm and up, including me.  One guy had a Remington model 7 in 7mm/08.  He was the only one to drop an elk in its tracks, using a 140 grain Remington Factory load with Noslers.   My 338 mag kicked a lot more, and my elk ran about 75 yards, down hilll.  Bought that Ruger when I got home..

[Prophet]

I've been shooting the LM 139 SP for years. I tried a box of the LM SST and I just did not like them and neither did my Model 7 Rem. I've had several kills and usually if I do my job they fall where they stood. I love the bullet. Try them both you gun will tell you which one  to use.

[scootrd]

I've been shooting the LM 139 SP for years. I tried a box of the LM SST and I just did not like them and neither did my Model 7 Rem. I've had several kills and usually if I do my job they fall where they stood. I love the bullet. Try them both you gun will tell you which one  to use.

For us non re-loader laymen  - what is the bullet difference between a SP and an SST?
And what is the difference between LM Loads and standard loads? Type of powder used? amount of powder used?
Please educate me so I may learn.

[Bigeasy]

Scootrd-

SP stands for "soft point", usually pointed, with an exposed lead tip.  SST is a term Hornady uses to describe their pointed bullet with a plastic tip, and boat tail base.

The plastic tip, and boat tail base serve to make the bullet a little "sleeker" when it travels thru the air, a little less wind resistance.  This means the bullet will drop an inch or two less at long range.  It does NOT mean the bullet is more accurate.  Each rifle is a law unto its self when it comes to what shoots good, and many rifles shoot best with round nose, flat base bullets.  Thats why I said before find a good controled expansion hunting bullet that shoots well, and be happy.

Now, if you are not a hunter, and enjoy shooting little groups from a bench rest, then concentrate instead on loads that deliver maximum accuracy, and don't be concerned with good game performance.  You might be suprised what is the most accurate load in your rifle, you just have to test and experiment.  Don't worry about maximum velocity either, usually the most accurate load is a little less then max, and like I said, a buck can't tell the difference, within reason.

The "Light Magnum" load is just a load that Hornady sells that is loaded to about 100 / 150 feet per second faster then normal factory loads with the same weight bullet.  Its done by the use of specialy blended powders I believe, so that pressures stay within industry limits.  It's really a sales pitch, as the slight increase in velocity does not make a difference in the real world, and accuracy is often no better then any other normal factory load.  It does cost a few bucks more...

Larry

[saltydog]

In general SST for light skinned mid-weight and lower animals you don't want to necessarily shoot through without expansion - think Antelope - small whitetails. The poly tip promotes rapid expansion. The ones in 30 cal and 244 have been accurate for me. The SP (softpoints) use - think mule deer and larger whitetails in particular if you hit a large bone. However it in confusing as both the SST and SP's will work (kill) equally well for most game if you place the shot in a vital area. SP's are generally less expensive than SST's as the bullet component is less. Both SP's and SST's shoot accurate in my loads - SP's are perhaps a bit more accurate. If that is clear then you can move to the interlokt vs interbond considerations. Bottom line is we are lucky to have such a broad range of overlapping performing bullets that were designed for niche situations but still perform well when used out of their design application area.