25-06 Hornady 117 SST Question

[Arrow Slinger88]

I was wondering if anyone else are using this ammo? I've killed two deer with them so far and there has been no blood trail. Both of them dropped just a few yards from where I shot them but there was no blood. A buddy used my rifle the other evening and shot a doe and could not find any blood at all. Is anyone else having these issues? Any recommendations on another choice of 25-06 ammo that performs well? So far I've tried Remington corelok and it was all over the paper could not get it to group. Any input would be appreciated.

[jmac19]

I don't use that ammo anymore either. Same thing happened to me using the same ammo and caliber. It did a number on her on the inside, but no blood either

[Arrow Slinger88]

I don't use that ammo anymore either. Same thing happened to me using the same ammo and caliber. It did a number on her on the inside, but no blood either

Yea I've killed two good size body bucks and devastated the inside but didn't bleed til I put them in the truck.

[Avezorak]

Its like a hand grenade going off inside. They wont be going far. Who needs a blood trail to track 15 yards?

[Winman]

I shot a good buck at about 165_175 yards,last year...entry was lung high on the left side...it was early in the morning and with the muzzle flash I couldn't see him run....he didn't go 30 yards but left absolutely no blood trail...the bullet blew up the lungs but didn't exit...luck and persistence by my son resulted in a great trophy but I switched rifles...to a 300 Win mag.....it goes thru!!

[Arrow Slinger88]

Its like a hand grenade going off inside. They wont be going far. Who needs a blood trail to track 15 yards?

I was fortunate for my to drop close but my buddy never found his.

[jeffpg]

I have only used that particular caliber & ammo on one hunt, on which I used a friends rifle and put a big Aoudad down on the spot pronto. Didn't need a blood trail.

Sometimes you do need a blood trail though.

That's why I own and use larger calibers and heavier bullets, but I have killed many animals with Hornady SST's and I love these bullets, especially using heavy ones in magnum calibers.

[tx10pt]

I have used the same ammo and had the same problem. I am going to use Remington Core locked this weekend to see how it works. Luckily my gun likes those as well.

[Arrowthreat]

Its like a hand grenade going off inside. They wont be going far. Who needs a blood trail to track 15 yards?

x2

My brother has killed 3 deer with those loads. The buck he shot two weeks ago only ran 80 yards and there was blood everywhere. However I shoot the SST out of my .308 and .270 and have never lost an animal but i would agree the blood trail at times has been weak.

Try the Federal Premium with the Nosler Partitions, way better than those junk core-lokt bullets.

[meltingfeather]

Its like a hand grenade going off inside. They wont be going far. Who needs a blood trail to track 15 yards?

this... I use them in my 25 and the accuracy in my Kimber as well as terminal performance mean I don't do any tracking to speak of.
I took an auodad outside of Marfa last December at 335 yds. with it and there was no blood... he fell to a stop 20 yds. down the slope from where I hit him.

[Arrow Slinger88]

I have only used that particular caliber & ammo on one hunt, on which I used a friends rifle and put a big Aoudad down on the spot pronto. Didn't need a blood trail.

Sometimes you do need a blood trail though.

That's why I own and use larger calibers and heavier bullets, but I have killed many animals with Hornady SST's and I love these bullets, especially using heavy ones in magnum calibers.

I have had great luck with the 139 SST out of my 7mag because they all hit the ground. I was hoping for some success with the 25 as well.

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

Brother shot a doe at 504yards 139gr sst out of a 7mm-08 no blood at all but was DRT so no big issue. They shoot great and he has shot accurately out to 1k killed several animals however no blood on any.

[In-Yo-Grill]

I read another thread, can't remember where, of people complaining about this ammo. Same problems as you described.

I've always shot Federal Premium Vital Shok w/ Sierra GameKing bullets. Super accurate ammo right out of the box and deadly penetration and expansion.

I use the 117gr for my 25-06 and the 130gr for my .270

[stx tomcat]

barnes bullet for me

[drwilliams]

I switched over to the hornady 117 sst when I was hunting in south Texas brush country it dropped them where they stood. I never have liked chasing deer in that brush down there