Confused About 250 FTX and 250 SST

[ET]

Just thought I would look at some bullet designs to pass time. The FTX caught my attention and has info on the bullet design. For years I used the 250SST, 2300fps, producing 1-shot kills and yes there was different degrees of fragmentation. Using the boiler room shot any fragmentation was localized in the lung area that really deflated them. Never had to track any deer as they quickly expired.

Now looking at the 250 FTX bullet and what Hornady claims: This design and construction intrigues me.
Hornady 45 cal 250 gr. .452’’ (450 Bushmaster) FTX Bullets
H45201

Features:

1. Patented Flex Tip® Bullet Technology
Upon impact, the soft tip compresses into the bullet, initiated immediate expansion across a wide range of velocities. Safe to shoot in tubular magazines as well as any other firearm.

2. InterLock® Ring
Mechanically locks the core and jacket together for maximum weight retention and deep penetration.

3. Ballistically Efficient Secant Ogive
Pioneered by Hornady® the secant ogive profile delivers stability, flat trajectories and amazing accuracy.

4. Specially Engineered Jacket
The heavy jacket over the shank of the bullet combined with our proven InterLock® design controls expansion and enhances accuracy. 

Now supposedly they have also incorporated this design into their 200gr and 225gr FTX..
I’ve also read that the FTX is just an SST with a soft tip added. Who to believe?

[dannoboone]

If someone did a side by side gel test, it may reveal the true
story for the layman whether or not the FTX's are actually
made tougher than the SST's.

[ET]

Dannoboone

Over the years I have read reviews and promotions of different products. After finding some that didn’t live up to expectations, I now sort of remain suspicious of what is being promoted until I test it firsthand.
Now if the 250FTX is what it claims I should be able to boost the velocity to 2400fps and get excellent results. Ideally for bush hunting and if needed for a 200yd shot if I encounter deer in an open field.
I still want a faster 250 mono bullet if my hunting is longer field shot and for larger game.
Most shooters want one do it all bullet. I guess I’m a little fussier for bullet choice depending on conditions, chuckle.

[reloader22]

I am a mono bullets guy if they can shoot.   I would look at the 250 monoflex in .458.  I will be testing this .458 bullet before fall in my savage.  

[reloader22]

If a mono can be made to shoot, there is almost no need to test in gel or anything else.  They just work.

[ET]

Apr 1, 2021 20:19:13 GMT -5 reloader22 said:

I am a mono bullets guy if they can shoot.   I would look at the 250 monoflex in .458.  I will be testing this .458 bullet before fall in my savage.  

I look forward to reading your evaluation and results on bullet performance.
For that matter I would enjoy reading others results as I've never really worked with 250 mono bullets, yet.
I'm still stuck on trying to get the 200xpb to shoot. I'm not going to hold my breath with this endeavor but need to see it through.

[reloader22]

I am thinking good things.  Potential for high speed (2,800+ fps)  .458 cal instead of 250's in .451 cal.  Nice and tight in a Harv CR.  All .458 bullets shoot very well in my savage over the years.  No frags up close.  It's not a stubby bullet.  Standing next to a .325 FTX it's almost the same height.  I may start with a load I used to use back in the day.  78 gr H4198, no wad, FED209A primer.

When the SST's are driven this fast, deer up close will be mangled.  A perfect pocket shot is not always possible on the big one when he trots in to your area and stops head on or quartering to.  You want to be able to take and make the shot right now and with confidence.

Just my thoughts

[ET]

Reloader22

I know what you mean about taking a shot with confidence and limit my shot angle dead on the boiler room or a slight angle that still allows both lungs to get hit. One shot one kill has been the results and instills confidence for me.

Eventually getting 2800fps with a 250gr bullet I don’t believe that will be an issue. The issue for me will be handling the recoil for an accurate shot. I might have to settle for less velocity to maintain an accurate shot. To me accuracy always takes priority.

You will more than likely being doing a hair test before me and look forward to reading your results.

[mike.dawson]

I will follow this discussion as looking for another bullet other than the BO 458 300gr. Just worry about a grenade at smokeless speeds

Mike

[reloader22]

No grenades with a mono.  If the 300 TTSX ever becomes available again, that would be another one I would love to have.  The smokeless velocities are great for stretching the distance but very few bullets do want we want at the typical smokeless speeds when the big one runs in at 30 yds and gives you a split second to shoot head on or pass the shot.  In all honesty, these guns and the bullets we use will usually all do the job in that case but some really make a mess.  Mono's break bones and keep going in one piece.  Trisects the vitals and exits.  Expands too. 

I would still use an SST if it shot way better but the Barnes, and other mono's usually can be shot at deer MOA.  I would use a Barnes or other mono all day long that shot 2 MOA over and SST that shot 1 MOA.  At 2 MOA you are still hitting within 1" of your POA. (@100 yds)  If you think 200-300 yds are the norm, everything changes and you want the most accurate bullet that you can shoot.  At those ranges, the impact speeds have dropped off a lot and the jackets bullets will hold together better.


Just want to be ready for any range shot