Question about .40 caliber SST VS XTP

[artjr338wm]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I have read that the SST ML bullet is basically nothing more than the XTP with a polymer tip added to give it a slightly better BC. Is this true or not. I have edited my original post to specify my request pertains to 40 caliber 200 grain SST's VS 40 caliber 200 grain SST'S.

Thanks,
Arthur.

[hunter]

They may be close but are different in the tip area.
The bearing surface looks the same but the nose is longer on the sst.

[jims]

Depending how far you shoot the XTPs have done very well in accuracy and to anchor deer, just do not use the magnum variety as some have said they do not open up as well.

[artjr338wm]

Thanks to all for your replies so far. I realize now my original question was not as specific as it should have been. I should have specified the .40 caliber 200 grain XTP VS the .40 caliber 200 grain SST. I'm asking because I am in the process of buying a 45 caliber Disk Extreme from a member here, with the conversion that eliminates the need for the red disk, and can not find .40/200 XTP's anywhere and I have looked everywhere the net will take me as well as every OTC source I know of and NOBODY has any. So I am wondering if the 40 cal 200 grain SSTs will perform as well in terms of accuracy and on deer performance as do the XTP's. I have shot enough paper as well as deer with 250 and 300 grain .452" XTPs out of both my Encore and my 10Ml-II, to know they are superb performers in all respects and would like to know if the SST in .40 cal 200 grain will perform in terms of accuracy and killing deer at the same excellent level as does the XTP.

Thanks again,
Arthur.

[artjr338wm]

Well researching on my own has turned up eight separate threads who's topic was XTP VS SST ML bullets and all said with out a doubt the XTP was a far better performer on deer (elk, moose and bear for that matter) than the SST ML bullet. This was from sources such as "Chuckhawks" and other hunter dedicated websites. So I would like someone here if they know for certain to settle this subject for me. I do not want to hunt with the SST's but if I can't find any .40/200 XTP's I am left with using either Barnes Expanders, SST's or some other .40 cal bullet. Of the ones I can buy now, the Barnes Expanders have the best rep for killing deer IF your gun likes them, and as much as I love to shoot, the Barnes will get expensive and I usually only practice with what I hunt with.

I strongly prefer the XTP as I know the XTP stands the best chance of giving me the accuracy and deer killing performance I am looking for.

[hunter]

I think the 200 gr .40 sst will work fine on deer.
I have used them on deer in my smokeless 45 at 2500 and they did OK.
Never shot one at close range with that load.
With that said I have trouble with them keyholing in a 1/28 twist Remington 45
when shooting them fast, the xtp's do fine.

[Deleted]

Don't believe everything you read on the net

Most of the bashings I have read are on the .452 250 SST. I personally don't have an issue with them.

The .40cal 200gr SST does great on whitetails. If you want to step it up a notch go with the Barnes 195MZ. Eds Gun Shop in Vass NC sells each in bulk 50 packs w/o sabots and has Harvester blue sabots for sale. They won't rip you off in shipping. If it will fit in a USPS flat rate box that's what you pay. If you call ask for Carlos or you can PM mcgowen45 on here.

[artjr338wm]

Thanks for the heads up Omega. I plan on giving the 195MZ a try, but want to have the 200/XTP as a back up in case my rifles doesn't like them.

[ronlaughlin]

Apr 18, 2014 16:54:01 GMT -5 artjr338wm said:

.....I strongly prefer the XTP as I know the XTP stands the best chance of giving me the accuracy and deer killing performance I am looking for.

Read more: dougsmessageboards.proboards.com/thread/15190/question-40-caliber-sst-xtp?page=1&scrollTo=151165#ixzz2zIA63Lw8

Hmm, i don't understand how you would 'know' what you wrote you 'know'. Myself, i have killed a few deer, and an antelope using the 40 caliber SST. The 40 caliber SST killed them critters dead.    The pronghorn was killed at well over 300 yard with one shot; it never moved from the spot.   Also, i have played around some using the 40 caliber SST, and i guess i have never shot a more accurate bullet. Once upon a time i 'kilt' a water filled milk jug over 1/4 mile away, with one shot. This was done with no 'practice'; the one, and only time i ever shot my 45 Omega that far.

Please don't think i believe it is the best available bullet, but please understand,  it works just fine.

[artjr338wm]

Thanks Ron, for the in site and for sharing your experience with the SST. I based my assumptions on the .40/200 XTP on the fact that I don't ever recall reading a bad post about the XTP's all around performance, regardless if it's a .452-300/250 XTP or .40/200 XTP when used in in line ML's. I can not give you a exact accounting of how many of each of the 250 and 300 grain .452 XTP's I have shot, but it's safe to say it's around 1600 out of my Encore and 230+/- out of my 10ML-II. I have also killed one bull elk and 7 deer with the 300 grain .452/XTP and 3 deer with the 250/XTP .452. My best friend and hunting partner also used a 300 grain .452 XTP to kill a fine NM bull elk that grossed in the high 330's. In all instances the XTP performed superbly, giving quick clean 1 shot kills.

Thanks to your first hand information on the 40 cal 200/SST I will definitely give it a try. Could you please tell me what sabot you favor most for use with .40 cal bullets in your .45 Omega?

Thanks,
Arthur.

[ronlaughlin]

The sabot i had the best luck with in both, the Knight, and the Omega, is the Harvester H4540 B. They are a pretty color too. Never have tried the crush rib.  The tan sabot that came with some of the SST i used, didn't work as good as the baby blue Harvester.  These days, i try to purchase the SST bulk without sabot.

[jims]

My numbers are not great in total with the .40 SSTs but that is what I use in my .40 sabotless and on occasion with sabots in the .45. They have always worked very well. sw I think has used them extensively with good results except I "think" his son on one shot to the shoulder bone may have had some difficulties.
You could check with him but just one trouble does not mean a bad bullet. I would endorse them heartedly.
I also find they are a bit more accurate than the 195 Barnes but that also is a fine bullet. You could not go wrong with either in my opinion.

[artjr338wm]

Thanks to all for educating me by detailing your personal experiences with the .40 cal 200/SST as well as the 195 Barnes. I will give both a try and use what performs best.

Be well,
Arthur.

[spaniel]

One cannot extrapolate between different bullets with the same brand label, ie "SST" or "XTP". They are each their own animal and need to be treated as such.

For example, the 240 XTP is a 44Mag bullet. It works great in that platform. It is also good in my Ruger Deerhunter Carbine, but at the higher velocities produced by the longer barrel, it's reaching its limits. Driven hard in a 26" smokeless ML, you are going to see explosive bullets at close ranges. You are driving it outside the design envelope.

The 200 XTP is in its prime in the 10mm Auto, max velocity around 1200 fps. So when you are driving it far over that out of a smokeless ML, expect fragmentation (especially on bone) at close ranges.

The 200 SST was originally designed for standard BP muzzle velocities. Expect explosive characteristics as smokeless velocities under 100-150 yards. I love this bullet and have taken dozens of dozens of deer with it. But I carry the Ruger Deerhunter for 100 yard shots and under, and reserve the smokeless ML for longer shots. This after shooting a couple deer within 100 yards and observing the results. The deer were very dead but I dreaded the scenario where I hit the shoulder blade or needed real penetration.

[sourdough44]

www.midwayusa.com/product/678084/hornady-xtp-bullets-40-s-and-w-10mm-auto-400-diameter-200-grain-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-100?cm_vc=ProductFinding


In stock with Midway at the moment, 200 grain 40 cal Hornady bullet.

[10ga]

Dittos to spaniel post. He is right on for my experience too.

Since I got my 45 cal SMLs I've shot both 40 cal X 200 gr. XTP and SST. Killed deer with both but haven't had any "long range" kills, all under 100 yds.

I've found the 40X200 XTP performs like any pistol bullet, at modest loads and very close range it killed real good but would blow up as you'd expect a pistol bullet to do at 2300fps. At ranges under 20 yds on a broadside shot the bullet would exit with a large wound on medium and smaller deer and on lungs on larger deer but no exit but lots damage on shoulder shots on large deer. I shot one buck, 11 yards at downward angle with base of neck shot and pulverized the spine at 1st rib but no exit wound and bullet extremely fragmented. At longer ranges ie slower speed had typical pistol bullet performance.

I have recently used the SST and found it to be slightly more accurate or equal to the XTP at close ranges and easily more accurate at extended range but that's all paper shooting.

For SST terminal performance I've killed 6 deer with it last 2 years and it has performed very well. Much better penetration at close ranges and good at longer range too. All shots with it at any angle of entry have been entry + exit wounds and good damage through, no bullets recovered.

I have used the bullets in my Encore conversion, 700ML boltnose/savage plug upgrade but original 45 remmy barrel, and in my 50 cal MLII using the 50X40 sabot with a subbase. Most loads I shoot are in the 2000 to 2400 fps range. At the current kill ranges, all under 100 yds., all guns give 1.5 to .5 moa off the bench so that is easily way better than minute of deer. This is with the 40 cal X 200 grain bullets in sabots. I also lightly knurl all my bullets that are shot in sabots.


Personally, because I like longer wound channels and exit wounds, I only use the SST when hunting deer with my 45 rifles now.

If this were for 45 cal saboted bullets in 50 cal rifles or 45 sabotless my results would certainly be different.

These are my results and yours may be different. 10 ga

[mtns2hunt]

This is my first post on this site but I really like what I have been reading - some very useful information. As such, I would like to comment on the 40 cal SST. I have been shooting this bullet for several years and have killed probably 80 deer with it from a few yards out to around 200 plus.

This bullet can and will fragment at close range 75 yards and under when shot into the shoulder. It may pass through when shooting for the lungs with little expansion and a weak blood trail. However, the bullet is extremely accurate which gives great opportunity to place the bullet exactly where one wants it out to 300 yards and farther. I limit my hunting shots to 250 yards.

I normally shoot most of my deer in the chest under one hundred yards unless I am next to a thicket. I then go for an off shoulder shot - just do not plan on eating that shoulder. I shoot all my deer in the shoulder over 100 yards. At this range my bullet penetrates well and the destruction while severe is acceptable without too much damage.

At closer ranges I like the chest shot for the complete pass through but shoot low for the best blood trail - a high chest shot will not generally leave a good blood trail.

I have read and responded to several posts about poor SST performance. How someone can expect a gut shot or any other poorly placed shot to always drop an animal on the spot beats me. I practice shooting all year and anyone carefully placing their shots with the SST 40 cal will have no problem dropping their deer. But poorly shooting two deer and declaring the SST to be an inferior bullet astounds me.

I only shoot the yellow tip SST 40 cal. (Harvester sabot) out of a 50 cal TC Pro hunter with 110 grains of BH 209 and an Ultimate slam scope. We have a two deer limit per day in my area (three bucks, unlimited does) of the state and I killed 17 last year - 8 of which were with a muzzle loader - the SST 40 cal works great. Hope this post helps.