Hornady SST Bullet: Rapid Expansion Polymer-Tip for Deer and Medium Game

Discover the Hornady SST bullet, a top choice for hunters seeking rapid expansion and high ballistic efficiency for medium to large game.

Published: 2024 | Last updated: June 2026


Introduction

Hornady introduced the SST (Super Shock Tip) in 1997, making it one of the earlier polymer-tipped hunting bullets commercially available to handloaders. The design predates the Sierra Tipped GameKing by over two decades and the Hornady ELD-X by nearly twenty years. At the time of its introduction, the SST represented a meaningful step forward from the conventional exposed-lead soft-points that dominated hunting bullet shelves – the polymer tip offered better aerodynamic consistency, a sharper meplat, and more reliable expansion initiation at lower impact velocities than a plain soft-point nose could deliver.

The SST’s defining characteristic is aggressive expansion. Hornady engineered this bullet to open rapidly on impact, producing a large diameter mushroom quickly after the bullet enters tissue. On deer-sized game at normal hunting ranges, this produces dramatic wound channels, reliable energy transfer, and fast kills. That same aggressiveness is also the SST’s primary limitation: at very high impact velocities from close-range magnum shots, the rapid expansion can cross over into over-expansion or fragmentation, and weight retention on heavy bone is lower than bonded designs designed to limit expansion rate.

One important clarification before going further: the SST is not a bonded bullet. The red polymer tip and the InterLock ring mechanical interlock retain the core better than a plain cup-and-core design, but the lead core and copper jacket are not chemically fused. Weight retention under normal hunting conditions is typically 70 to 85% – meaningful, but notably lower than bonded designs like the Hornady InterBond at 90%+ or the Federal Trophy Bonded at 95%+. For deer hunting where rapid expansion is an asset and core retention under extreme stress is not a primary concern, this is a reasonable tradeoff. For elk and moose at close range from magnum cartridges, the bonded designs are a more conservative choice.

The caliber range runs from .224-inch to .338-inch, covering 223 Remington through 338 Winchester Magnum. Weights span 55 to 180 grains. Hornady publishes SST-specific load data in their manual and online, which makes load development more straightforward than with some competing bullets that lack manufacturer data for component use.


Technical Characteristics

The SST’s construction combines three elements that work together to produce its characteristic expansion behavior.

The red polymer tip is seated in a hollow-point cavity at the bullet’s nose. On impact, the tip is driven rearward into the cavity, which forces the jacket to peel back from the inside rather than waiting for lead deformation alone to initiate expansion. The result is faster, more consistent expansion initiation compared to a conventional soft-point – especially at lower impact velocities near the 1,800 fps threshold where an exposed lead tip might not deform reliably against tissue. The polymer tip also eliminates the BC variation inherent in exposed lead meplats: every SST in a box has the same sharp, consistent nose profile, which contributes to the bullet’s accuracy performance.

The InterLock ring is a circumferential ridge pressed into the interior of the copper jacket. As the bullet is manufactured, the lead core is pressed into the jacket and flows around this ring, creating a mechanical interlock that resists core-jacket separation during expansion. This is the same mechanism used in the non-tipped Hornady InterLock hunting bullets, and it provides better core retention than a plain pressure-fit jacket while stopping short of the chemical bonding used in the Hornady InterBond. The InterLock ring produces 70 to 85% weight retention under typical hunting impact conditions.

The boat-tail base reduces base drag and contributes to the SST’s competitive G1 BCs of 0.300 to 0.530. The combination of boat-tail, polymer tip, and Hornady’s jacket profile produces aerodynamic performance that places the SST competitive with the Nosler Ballistic Tip and Sierra Tipped GameKing across the lineup.

The jacket wall thickness is graduated – thinner toward the tip to facilitate rapid expansion initiation, thicker through the shank to provide some resistance to over-expansion. However, the SST is notably thinner-walled than bonded designs across its bearing surface, which is why the expansion is more aggressive and weight retention lower. This is a deliberate design choice: Hornady optimized the SST for the rapid energy transfer that produces fast kills on deer-sized game, accepting the tradeoff of reduced margin on heavy-boned large game at extreme velocities.

Neck tension requirements are standard: 0.002 to 0.004 inches of interference fit. The SST’s polymer tip requires the same seating die consideration as other tipped designs – ensure the seating plug contacts the bullet’s ogive below the tip rather than bearing directly on the tip, to avoid deformation. Hornady seating dies include a tip-protection plug for this purpose.

Disclaimer: Reloading is an inherently dangerous activity. Always consult current published load data from reputable sources (Hornady, Hodgdon, Sierra, Lyman) before loading any cartridge. Start at minimum charges and work up carefully while watching for pressure signs. Never exceed maximum published loads. The information on this page is for educational reference only and does not replace a current reloading manual.


Ballistics and Performance

G1 BCs from 0.300 to 0.530 cover a range that, at the high end, is competitive with dedicated long-range hunting designs. Two variants stand out for their aerodynamic performance.

The 123-grain .264-inch SST at BC 0.510 and SD 0.252 is one of the more capable 6.5mm hunting bullets available at its price point. BC 0.510 is essentially matching the Sierra Tipped GameKing 130-grain 6.5mm at BC 0.510, and approaching the TGK 140-grain at BC 0.535, while the SST achieves this at 123 grains – a lighter bullet that will be pushed faster by any given powder charge. From 6.5 Creedmoor at approximately 2,850 fps, the 123-grain SST retains nearly 2,200 fps at 400 yards, well above the 1,800 fps expansion threshold. SD 0.252 provides adequate penetration on deer and lighter elk at those velocities. This combination has become popular with hunters who want a fast, flat-shooting 6.5mm load without paying premium prices.

The 180-grain .338-inch SST at BC 0.530 is the highest-BC entry in the entire SST lineup and a capable long-range hunting option for 338 Winchester Magnum hunters. BC 0.530 is competitive with many bonded designs at this weight, and the aggressive expansion characteristic at range – where impact velocity is lower and conventional soft-points sometimes struggle to open consistently – is an advantage rather than a liability. At 400 yards from a 338 Winchester Magnum, the 180-grain SST arrives above the expansion threshold and expands reliably. The tradeoff is SD 0.225, which is modest for a .338-inch bullet and limits penetration depth on heavy-boned large game compared to the 200-grain Hornady InterBond at SD 0.250.

The 55-grain .224-inch at BC 0.300 is worth noting as the varmint/light deer end of the lineup. BC 0.300 is meaningfully higher than conventional .224-inch soft-points – the Sierra Pro-Hunter 55-grain sits at BC 0.185 and the Remington Core-Lokt 55-grain at BC 0.200. The SST’s polymer tip drives that aerodynamic advantage, producing a .224-inch hunting bullet that holds velocity better at distance than any conventional soft-point in the same weight. At SD 0.157, this bullet is a varmint and light deer option rather than a heavy game choice.

Accuracy consistently reaches 0.5 to 0.8 MOA in well-tuned bolt rifles – equivalent to the Hornady InterBond despite the SST’s lower price, and better than most conventional soft-points.

Expert Ballistics Table – Hornady SST Variants

Data from Hornady specifications. BCs are G1 values. Verify current figures on Hornady’s website before load development.

Diameter (inches)Weight (grains)BC (G1)Sectional DensityApplication
.224550.3000.157Varmints, light deer in 223 Remington and 22-250 Remington
.243950.3550.230Deer, antelope in 243 Winchester
.2641230.5100.252Deer, elk in 6.5 Creedmoor and 260 Remington
.2771300.4150.242Deer, antelope in 270 Winchester and 270 WSM
.2841400.4860.248Deer, elk in 7mm-08 Remington and 7mm Remington Magnum
.3081500.4150.226Deer in 308 Winchester
.3081650.4470.248Deer, elk in 308 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield
.3081800.4800.271Elk in 300 Winchester Magnum – bonded preferred at close range
.3381800.5300.225Deer, lighter elk in 338 Winchester Magnum

Comparison Bullets

The SST competes in the mid-tier polymer-tipped non-bonded hunting bullet category. At this price and construction level, BC, accuracy, and terminal behavior are the primary differentiators.

The Nosler Ballistic Tip is the SST’s closest competition and the most instructive comparison. Both are polymer-tipped, boat-tail, non-bonded designs with competitive BCs (Ballistic Tip 0.310-0.531) and aggressive expansion characteristics. The primary differences are nuanced. The Ballistic Tip is known for slightly more explosive expansion – it can fragment rather than mushroom on very high-velocity hits on deer, producing devastating effect on chest tissue but occasionally insufficient penetration on shoulder-forward shots. The SST’s InterLock ring provides marginally better core retention than the Ballistic Tip’s plain pressure-fit, which gives the SST a slight edge in penetration consistency on tougher shots. Both bullets have earned significant criticism in the field at close-range magnum velocities on large deer and elk, where fragmentation rather than controlled mushrooming is a documented failure mode. Neither is the recommended choice for hunting elk or moose from a 300 Winchester Magnum at close range.

The Sierra Tipped GameKing is a direct comparison that consistently comes up among handloaders choosing between the two. BC figures are broadly comparable at equivalent weights. The TGK’s expansion is somewhat more controlled than the SST’s – Sierra designed it specifically to avoid the over-expansion that the SST and Ballistic Tip occasionally exhibit. In field terms, the TGK tends to produce larger exit wounds but retain more total weight, while the SST tends to produce more dramatic entry wound channels. For strictly deer hunting, the SST’s aggressive expansion is rarely a liability. For mixed deer and elk hunting, the TGK’s more controlled expansion is a safer choice.

Against the Hornady ELD-X, the SST’s competitive position has weakened since 2016. The ELD-X uses a heat-resistant polymer tip and Hornady’s AMP jacket for better BC at most weights, a wider reliable expansion velocity range, and more consistent long-range performance. The ELD-X costs somewhat more, but for hunters who regularly shoot past 400 yards, the ELD-X’s aerodynamic and terminal advantages justify the price difference. The SST remains the stronger value choice for hunters who shoot inside 400 yards and prioritize rapid expansion on deer.

Against the Hornady InterBond, the SST is the faster-expanding, lower-cost alternative from the same manufacturer. The InterBond’s chemical bonding plus InterLock ring produces 90%+ weight retention versus the SST’s 70-85%, which matters when elk and moose at close range from magnum cartridges are involved. The SST’s BC figures at comparable weights are similar to or slightly lower than the InterBond. For deer hunting, both produce adequate terminal performance and the SST’s lower price is a genuine argument in its favor. For elk and bear at any range, the InterBond’s core retention is the more appropriate choice.

Comparison Table – Polymer-Tipped Non-Bonded Hunting Bullets

BulletDiameter RangeWeight RangeBC RangeCore RetentionExpansion CharacterRelative Cost
Hornady SST.224-.33855-180 gr0.300-0.53070-85% (InterLock)Rapid, aggressiveMid
Nosler Ballistic Tip.224-.33855-180 gr0.310-0.53160-75% (pressure fit)Explosive, max expansionMid
Sierra Tipped GameKing.224-.30864-180 gr0.323-0.54570-80% (pressure fit)Controlled, moderateMid-high
Hornady ELD-X.224-.33885-285 gr0.390-0.620Standard (AMP jacket)Controlled, wide rangePremium
Hornady InterBond.243-.33890-200 gr0.365-0.54790%+ (chemical + InterLock)Controlled, consistentPremium

Applications and Practical Aspects

The SST is a deer bullet first. Everything else – antelope, black bear, lighter elk at moderate range – is secondary to that core application. Here is how the weights and diameters map to practical hunting use, with honest guidance on where the SST’s aggressive expansion is an asset and where it becomes a liability.

Varmints and light deer (.224-inch, 55 grains): The 55-grain SST at BC 0.300 is a significant aerodynamic step up from conventional .224-inch hunting bullets. From 223 Remington at 3,200 fps or 22-250 Remington at 3,700 fps, rapid expansion at these velocities produces devastating terminal effect on varmints and coyotes. For deer where legal, the 55-grain requires either very close range or fast cartridges to maintain expansion reliability, and SD 0.157 limits penetration – this is not an elk or bear weight. Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon CFE 223, and Hodgdon H335 work well in 223 Remington with this weight.

Deer, antelope (.243-inch, 95 grains): The 95-grain SST at BC 0.355 and SD 0.230 in 243 Winchester is a capable deer and antelope bullet out to 350 yards. The InterLock ring provides marginally better weight retention than the Nosler Ballistic Tip at comparable velocity, giving the SST slightly better penetration on shoulder-forward shots. Both expand aggressively enough that close-range hits at 243 Winchester peak velocity occasionally produce less penetration than expected – if your hunting involves shots inside 75 yards at 243 Winchester velocities, the Sierra Tipped GameKing or Sierra GameKing offer more controlled expansion. Hodgdon Varget, IMR 4064, and Hodgdon H4350 are standard powders for 243 Winchester with the 95-grain.

Deer, lighter elk (6.5mm, 123 grains): The 123-grain SST in 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Remington, 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser, or 6.5 PRC is one of the standout weights in the SST lineup. BC 0.510 is exceptional for a 123-grain non-bonded hunting bullet and directly competes with purpose-built long-range designs. SD 0.252 gives adequate penetration for deer from any angle and borderline elk on broadside shots. For hunters who want a lighter, faster 6.5mm load that shoots flat and hits hard on deer with some elk utility at moderate ranges, the 123-grain SST with Hodgdon H4350 or Alliant Reloder 16 is a well-validated combination. For dedicated elk hunting with 6.5mm cartridges, the heavier 129-grain Hornady InterBond or 140-grain Sierra Tipped GameKing provide better SD and more controlled expansion on heavy bone. Note that the 123-grain SST requires 1:8 twist to stabilize at its length – confirm your barrel before ordering.

Deer, antelope (.277-inch, 130 grains): The 130-grain SST at BC 0.415 and SD 0.242 in 270 Winchester is a classic deer and antelope load. It is slightly more aerodynamically capable than the Remington Core-Lokt 130-grain .277-inch at BC 0.242 and comparable to the Sierra GameKing 130-grain at BC 0.373. For deer inside 350 yards, the rapid expansion produces reliable kills. For elk in 270 Winchester – which is a common scenario given the cartridge’s popularity – step up to the Sierra Tipped GameKing 140-grain or Hornady InterBond 130-grain for more controlled expansion on heavier game. Hodgdon H4350, IMR 4350, and Alliant Reloder 19 are standard powder choices.

Deer, elk (7mm, 140 grains): The 140-grain .284-inch SST at BC 0.486 and SD 0.248 in 7mm-08 Remington, 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm PRC, or 7mm WSM is one of the most widely loaded SST variants. In 7mm-08 Remington at moderate velocity, rapid expansion is an asset on deer and adequate for elk on broadside shots. In 7mm Remington Magnum at close range, the higher impact velocity on a shoulder blade can test the SST’s core retention – the Hornady InterBond 140-grain is the more conservative choice for magnum elk hunting at close range. Alliant Reloder 22, Hodgdon H4831SC, and IMR 7828 are appropriate for magnum 7mm applications.

Deer, elk (.308-inch, 150-180 grains): The three .308-inch SST weights cover 308 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield, and 300 Winchester Magnum applications. The 150-grain is a deer bullet. The 165-grain at SD 0.248 handles deer reliably and provides adequate penetration on broadside elk. The 180-grain at SD 0.271 from a 300 Winchester Magnum is a capable elk load at ranges where impact velocity drops toward the moderate range – past 200 yards – where the SST expands more controllably. At 50 to 100 yards from a 300 Winchester Magnum on a bull elk shoulder, the SST 180-grain may not provide the core retention that a Hornady InterBond or Nosler AccuBond would. That caveat noted, for elk inside 300 yards on broadside or slightly quartering shots, the 180-grain SST has a solid field record. Hodgdon Varget, IMR 4064, and Alliant Reloder 15 work well for 308 Winchester 165-grain loads. For 300 Winchester Magnum 180-grain loads, Hodgdon H4831SC, Alliant Reloder 22, and Alliant Reloder 26 are appropriate.

Lighter elk, deer (.338-inch, 180 grains): The 180-grain .338-inch SST at BC 0.530 and SD 0.225 is aerodynamically the strongest variant in the lineup, but SD 0.225 is modest for a .338-inch bullet used on large game. Compare it to the Hornady InterBond 200-grain .338-inch at SD 0.250 – the SST is lighter and faster, which helps trajectory, but penetration depth is less. For 338 Winchester Magnum hunters targeting large bull elk or moose, the 200-grain InterBond or Nosler Partition 210-grain provide meaningfully deeper penetration. The 180-grain SST is a better fit for hunters using 338 Winchester Magnum primarily on deer and lighter elk where the trajectory advantage and rapid expansion are assets rather than liabilities. Slow powders including Hodgdon H4831SC, Alliant Reloder 22, and Alliant Reloder 25 are appropriate for 180-grain loads in 338 Winchester Magnum.


Reloading

The SST is well-supported for handloaders – Hornady publishes SST-specific data in their manual and on their website, which removes the guesswork associated with bonded bullets that lack manufacturer component data.

Primers: Standard primers cover all SST applications. For larger cartridges in 30-caliber and above, CCI 200, Federal 210, Winchester WLR, and Remington 9-1/2 are reliable choices. For smaller cartridges in .243 and 6.5mm range using standard large rifle primer pockets, the same options apply. For 223 Remington in AR-platform rifles, the CCI No. 41 mil-spec primer with its harder cup prevents slam-fire. For magnum cartridges with slow powders – 300 Winchester Magnum, 338 Winchester Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum – use magnum primers CCI 250, Federal 215, or Remington 9-1/2M for consistent ignition.

Cases: Standard brass from Hornady, Federal, Winchester, Lapua, and Remington all work well. Hornady brass is a natural complement to Hornady bullets. Lapua brass provides maximum case consistency for precision loads in 6.5 Creedmoor and 308 Winchester. Full-length resize hunting loads for reliable chambering in field conditions.

Seating Depth: Start at 0.020 to 0.040 inches off the lands. The SST’s polymer tip requires a seating die with adequate nose clearance – use the Hornady tip-protection seating plug to avoid deforming the tip during the seating stroke. Many rifles show strong accuracy preferences in a specific seating depth range with tipped bullets; a 0.010-inch ladder test across three to five increments is worthwhile if accuracy is a priority.

Crimp: A light roll crimp at the cannelure is appropriate for semi-automatic platforms, tubular-magazine rifles, and heavy-recoiling magnums where bullet setback under feeding is a concern. For bolt-action hunting rifles, proper neck tension without a crimp is sufficient.

Barrel Twist: The 123-grain .264-inch SST requires 1:8 twist minimum to stabilize its length. The 55-grain .224-inch requires 1:9 or faster; a 1:12 twist barrel common in older 223 Remington rifles may not stabilize this bullet reliably at all velocities. All heavier SST weights in standard calibers are accommodated by each caliber’s typical 1:10 twist.

Powder Selection by Application:

ApplicationCaliberBullet WeightRecommended Powders
Varmints/deer223 Rem55 grHodgdon Varget, Hodgdon CFE 223, Hodgdon H335
Deer/antelope243 Win95 grHodgdon Varget, IMR 4064, Hodgdon H4350
Deer/elk6.5 Creedmoor123 grHodgdon H4350, Alliant Reloder 16, Alliant Reloder 23
Deer270 Win130 grHodgdon H4350, IMR 4350, Alliant Reloder 19
Deer/elk7mm-08 Rem140 grHodgdon Varget, IMR 4064, Alliant Reloder 15
Deer/elk7mm Rem Mag140 grAlliant Reloder 22, Hodgdon H4831SC, IMR 7828
Deer/elk308 Win150-165 grHodgdon Varget, IMR 4064, Alliant Reloder 15
Elk/moose30-06 Sprg180 grHodgdon H4350, IMR 4350, Alliant Reloder 19
Elk/deer300 Win Mag165-180 grHodgdon H4831SC, Alliant Reloder 22, Alliant Reloder 26
Deer/elk338 Win Mag180 grHodgdon H4831SC, Alliant Reloder 22, Alliant Reloder 25

Reloading Parameters Summary:

ParameterGuideline
Neck tension0.002-0.004 inch interference
Seating depth0.020-0.040 inch off lands
CrimpLight roll crimp for magnums and semi-auto; optional for bolt-action
Minimum expansion velocity1,800 fps at target distance
Extreme spread targetUnder 15 fps for hunting accuracy
Seating dieUse tip-protection plug to avoid deforming polymer tip
Twist – 55 gr .2241:9 minimum; 1:12 may not stabilize
Twist – 123 gr .2641:8 minimum

Load data note: Hornady publishes SST-specific data in their reloading manual and at hornady.com. Use this as your primary source. Data is comprehensive across the lineup and removes the approximation uncertainty present with bullets that lack manufacturer component data. Always start at the published minimum and work up in 0.5-grain increments while monitoring for pressure signs.


Conclusion

The Hornady SST is a well-designed polymer-tipped hunting bullet that delivers genuine value for deer hunters who want better aerodynamics and more reliable expansion than a conventional soft-point provides, without paying bonded-bullet prices. The InterLock ring provides better core retention than competing designs like the Nosler Ballistic Tip that rely on pressure-fit alone, while the polymer tip produces more consistent BCs and expansion initiation than exposed-lead soft-points.

The SST’s limitations are honest and should guide application choices: it is not a bonded bullet, weight retention of 70-85% is real but not 90%+, and the aggressive expansion that makes it effective on deer can become a liability on very large or heavy-boned game at close-range magnum velocities. Within its designed application – deer, antelope, and lighter elk at hunting ranges inside 400 yards – it performs reliably and provides excellent value per bullet.

Choose the SST if: you primarily hunt deer, antelope, or black bear inside 400 yards and want a polymer-tipped design with good BC, rapid expansion, and Hornady-published load data at a mid-range price. The 123-grain 6.5mm and 140-grain 7mm variants in particular offer an exceptional balance of BC, accuracy, and price for hunters running 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Remington, or 7mm Remington Magnum.

Choose something else if: your hunting involves elk or moose at close range from magnum cartridges where core retention under high-velocity impact on heavy bone is the primary performance requirement – the Hornady InterBond, Nosler AccuBond, or Federal Trophy Bonded provide better protection against that failure mode. If you consistently shoot past 400 yards and want the best available aerodynamics from Hornady, the Hornady ELD-X outperforms the SST at those distances. If you need a lead-free option, you need a monolithic like the Barnes TSX or Barnes TTSX.

For deer hunting inside 400 yards with common hunting cartridges, the SST is one of the best combinations of BC, accuracy, and terminal performance available at its price point.


Disclaimer: Reloading involves inherent risks. Always use current load data from published manuals. Start below maximum charges and increase gradually. Wear eye protection at all times. The author and myreloading.com are not responsible for injuries or property damage resulting from reloading or shooting handloaded ammunition. The SST is not a bonded bullet – hunters using magnum cartridges on elk, moose, or bear at close range should consider bonded alternatives where core retention under extreme impact conditions is a priority.

Have you hunted with the Hornady SST? Leave a comment with the specifics: weight, cartridge, game, range, and shot angle. Did the rapid expansion produce the clean, fast kill the SST is designed for, or did you experience any issues with penetration or fragmentation on tougher shots? Direct comparisons with the Hornady ELD-X, Nosler Ballistic Tip, or Sierra Tipped GameKing in the same rifle or on the same game are especially useful for other hunters trying to decide between these designs.


Editorial note: Originally published 2024, revised June 2026. The update expanded the introduction with the 1997 market context and explicit clarification that the SST is not a bonded bullet – a common misconception given the InterLock ring and the bonded Hornady InterBond being from the same manufacturer, added specific weight-retention figures (70-85%) with context on when this matters versus when it does not, highlighted the 123-grain 6.5mm SST’s unusually high BC of 0.510 as a standout combination, added the 1:8 twist requirement for the 123-grain .264 and 1:9 minimum for the 55-grain .224, expanded the comparison section to include the Hornady ELD-X and InterBond in the in-house comparison alongside the original Ballistic Tip and TGK comparisons, added per-application commentary on where the SST’s aggressive expansion is an asset versus a liability, added a full powder selection table by cartridge and application, and applied full internal linking throughout.