Author Topic: Hornady SSP Expansion (Read 852 times)

cwh · « **on:** March 19, 2004, 03:02:33 AM »

At what velocity range does the 180 gr SSP in 35 Rem seem to expand the best? Thanks.

spinafish · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2004, 04:21:51 AM »

to get the best answer on that question I would recommend you ask the good folks at Hornady by e-mail. They usually have all the answers! :grin:

skb2706 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2004, 09:03:32 AM »

While I did n't ask that exact question I did ask a tech at Hornady what he suggested for my new .357 max and he thought the SSP 180gr was perfect for that. 1300 to 2200 fps.......you're 35 Rem. would be slightly faster. I just got a box from Midway in yesterdays mail.........now if I could just get the barrel to launch them from..........

Dragon31 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2004, 09:25:00 AM »

cwh:

I've taken a number of deer over the last five years with the 180 gr. SSP from a 14 inch contender in .357 max. the Muzzle velocity should be around 1850 with my load. Most of the deer were shot at between 50 to 100 yards. They went down quickly with massive internal destruction in the thorax cavity. About half the time I did not recover the bullet. When I did recover it was completely expanded and had usually hit a bone going in. Longest shot was a practised, 160+ yard shot and the bullet made a complete pass through the lung cavity hitting nothing but lung tissue. Shortest shot was this year at 10 yards or less. Bullet hit a large shoulder bone going in, destroyed the lungs with bone and bullet fragments, no exit wound and no piece large enough to find in the lung cavity. From my experience the bullet does what it was intended to do, but I wished it held to gather just a tad bit better at higher velocity.

Possum · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2004, 04:51:37 PM »

I can tell you the deer I shot with my 35 14" contender ran thirty yards and dropped like a rock. This was at about 25yds. I went to these 180gr SSP's with the hope that expansion would be better than the factory 200gr SP offering. Those barely expanded at close range. The wound channel was very large, however did not have the meat grossly ruined. Seems like the expansion just cut the channel without totally ruining the deer. I have not shot a deer with it over 50 yds, but I would bet out to 125yds expansion would stay the same. Maybe someone else can help at farther distances. I will stay with the bullet - I was happy with the performance.

cwh · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2004, 03:18:16 AM »

Thanks for your responses gentlemen. I appreciate the details. Bullet performance is so critical.

My only experience is with the .30 Herrett and Nosler 125 gr BT. Been playing with other toys the last few years and haven't shot the Contender. Finding this site has renewed my interest.

Now I'm thinking of adding a .35 barrel of some sorts (also for whitetails), but have to admit to concerns about the performance of a heavier bullet. Your experiences are very encouraging. Thanks again.

cwh