Barnes expanders vs the new SST

[jeff223]

i have been shooting the barnes expanders since they came out with  muzzle loaders and also out of a 20ga sluggun.the barnes expanders perform real good on paper and on game.we cut up of own game so i see the size of the exit holes and i have recovered a few bullets also.i have recovered a few expanderes shot out of the 20ga but never out of the muzz loader.here is a pic of how they perform,i have more but i must download a new pic sometime

these are all 20ga slugs but the expanders out of the muzzle loader allways work the same way from the looks of the exit hole,about the size of a 50 cent piece or a little smaller.

i here some good things about the SST muzz loader bullet but have never tried them.those of you that have please tell me how they perform on game.
i also have used XTP bullets and a few other pistol bullets,killed deer with all but i feel they dont expand much.they just punch a hole,the enterance hole is about the same as the exit.
are these SST bullets any better than the XTPs
thanks jeff

[RandyWakeman]

Jeff,

I guess that whatever groups best comes first. Barnes has some new (Spitfire) muzzleloading bullets coming out, that I've not seen yet.

Has anybody?

[sheephunterab]

are these SST bullets any better than the XTPs

For long-range shooting they definately are because of the superior ballistic coefficient. As for performance at the range and in hunting situations, I think they are both great bullets.

[jeff223]

thanks guys.
i do feel the XTP is one poor performer on game.i have killed a number of deer with it and i never saw a good exit hole from a XTP.i would never use one hunting again.i was just thinking about trying the sst out because they are a little less money than the Barnes.the XTPs do shoot good on paper out of my gun.

one more question.is the SST a new bullet from Hornady or just a modified XTP with a polymer tip?

i will keep on eye open for the Spitfire bullets from Barnes

[sheephunterab]

one more question.is the SST a new bullet from Hornady or just a modified XTP with a polymer tip?

No.!

Not a good performer. 201 yards on a whitetail buck



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[jeff223]

sheephunterab,i dont see your picture but would like to.now dont get me wrong here when i say XTPs dont perform on game.like i said in my first post i have used them and have taken a good number of deer with them but they dont expand like they should.the enterance hole is the same size as the exit hole.the expanders do just what their name says they do "EXPAND" have you shot the SST bullets on game?if so how is the exit hole size wise?have you recovered any out of an animal?if so will you post a picture of the bullet?

also those dead center bullets look good to me from precision rifle.have you used them?or anyone else out there?how do the open up on game?

[sheephunterab]

This one, like most that I've recovered performed perfectly. Shooting 150 grains of powder, I typically get pass-throughs at anything less than 150 yards on a deer. The SST is definately designed for deeper penetration but the big advantage is the better ballistic coefficient. I've never had a problem that I can blame on poor bullet performance with an XTP and I've killed everything from mice to moose with them but the SST is sexier looking for shure and shoots flatter.

Omega has some great SST pics. He's away for a few days but I'm certain he'll post them when he gets back.

Here is the address for the pictures.

http://community.webshots.com/s/image4/7/82/0/99178200pNyvFI_ph.jpg

http://community.webshots.com/s/image7/7/82/87/99178287NLXnfS_ph.jpg

[sheephunterab]

Actually, Rich has some SST photos at http://www.outdoormessageboard.com/main.htm under the rifle forum

[RandyWakeman]

also those dead center bullets look good to me from precision rifle.have you used them?or anyone else out there?how do the open up on game?

The 300 gr. .44 / 50 DC recovered from a Russian Boar at approx. 117 yards had 210 grains of retained weight and 76% expansion.

[jeff223]

sheephunter,the address to you pictures says it is private so i cant look at it.

Randy,are you useing the dead centers?how do you like them out of your gun?



these are my big game shooten irons :grin:
well all but one,the thunb hole wolverine i gave to my son.the Knight Big horn is a great shooter.with a 220gr Knight Red hot over 150gr pyrodex its will shoot at 1.75inch at 100yds.with the 250 or 300 gr expander it will put them in there at an inch or just under.never have worked with it past that off the bench

[RandyWakeman]

Randy,are you useing the dead centers?how do you like them out of your gun?

http://www.prbullet.com/dcenter.wmv is a video clip of a 220 gr. 40 / 50 Dead Center on caribou out of an Encore.


http://www.bpbullets.com/dcboar.wmv is a clip of the boar taken with a 300 grain .44 / 50 out of a Knight Elite.


If I say any more positive things about Dead Centers, people will believe I'm Cecil Epp's brother, or something.

[sheephunterab]

If I say any more positive things about Dead Centers, people will believe I'm Cecil Epp's brother, or something.

Maybe cousin!

[jeff223]

thanks randy,i think those 220gr dead centers would make a great whitetail bullet.i will be tring some.the 220 red hots shoot good for me and im sure the 220 dead centers will shoot the same.

[RandyWakeman]

the 220 dead centers will shoot the same.

They've shot well out of my Knights, especially the Knight Elite. They are easier to load than Barnes bullets, and fly a LOT flatter. The limitation is that the groups open up after 2100 fps.

[TOGO]

Hey Randy,

   Saw that russian boar click, great shot. I've hunted Doug's ranch a few times and have taken a couple nice sized boar, Doug and his ranch manager Butch are nice folks and have always treated my hunting party great.

[RandyWakeman]

Unfortunately, there are more than a few that bow-hunters have just wounded, and are still going strong.

[TOGO]

Mr. Miller gets a fair share of bow hunters, I have seen more than one
 run out of arrows and see a boar go by looking like something out of my wifes sewing cabinet.