Author Topic: 180gr hornady SSP (Read 1293 times)

Possum · « **on:** October 06, 2003, 12:15:22 PM »

Has anyone used the 180gr Hornady SSP in .35 for whitetail deer? I'm curious as to the expansion you get on Southern whitetails?

Dragon31 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2003, 03:09:54 PM »

Possum

I use the 180 SSP in the .357 Max. I've shot several deer at less than 100 yard with the 180's and have always experienced complete pass through. The exit holes always indicate excellant expansion and the deer went down in eye sight of my tree stand. The 180 SSP's do shoot to a much different point of impact in my pistol than other bullets, which is not a problem but did suprise me.

Possum · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2003, 05:21:44 PM »

Thanks, last year I was using Rem SP 200gr factory loads and was not getting really good expansion and penetration. The blood trails were hard to follow since the bullets were not passing through. The deer were running 100yds with a lung shot and they were hard to find. I was just wondering how these bullets expanded. I am pushing 180gr about 1935 fps. I was wondering if this was fast enough for this bullet to properly expand.

Dragon31 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 07, 2003, 04:25:51 AM »

Possum:

I spend a week each year hunting south of Walterboro in SC. The deer are plentiful but smaller in size than either in KY, MI, IN. (I assume these are the same deer that you refer to as southern deer). The 180 grain SSP at over 1900 ft per sec should do a real number on them. I also use 180 grain Remington HP. They expand more in my .357 Max but at 1900 ft per sec the core will probably separate from the jacket. The 180 SSP should do well for you.

MF · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2003, 04:35:22 AM »

I use the 180 sspb as in my .357 max as well. I've only had the chance to shoot one pig with it though. 50 yard shot, passthru shot through the lungs. Pig went about 20-30 yards and piled up. It left a blood trail like it was hit with a 12 gauge slug. :eek: Mike

Possum · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2003, 02:33:14 PM »

Well, I got my question answered Friday evening. I shot a young deer about 110lbs. from a treestand in the shoulder. The exit point was below the opposite leg. The bullet expanded very well and left a large wound channel. In fact, the ball joint of the entry shoulder was found below the shoulder of the opposite leg. The deer ran about 20yds and dropped dead. I am very happy with the performance and expansion of the 180 Hornady SSP. Thanks guys for the input.

cbagman · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2003, 05:50:05 PM »

My buddy and I have been using the 180grain Hornady XTP in .35 Remington Marlin Rifle and in my 14 in T/C in .357 Herrett. He shot a large 8 pt and a very large doe ( 140) at about 25 yards.. Neither had pass thru and the buck went 50 yards. I shot a medium doe with the T/C .357 Herrett and got passthru that was excessive.. Not the same bullet but very similar. Cbagman