New Hornady 125 gr .308 Cal SST

[BobinNC]

Has anyone: got their hot little hands on, or found, or loaded or shot any of the new Hornady 308 125 gr SST's yet??

[300Blk]

They are about the same as the Nosler 125 BT but a flat base and maybe a bit more optimal for feeding.

[BobinNC]

They are about the same as the Nosler 125 BT but a flat base and maybe a bit more optimal for feeding.

That much I do know, thanks Robert. What I'm trying to ascertain is the following: OA Bullet length and base to cannelure length, without me actually buying some, as none of my usual sources have any yet. Maybe I'll just give Hornady a call in the AM.

Thanks again,

Bob

[NordicG3K]

Does anyone know the expansion threshold on these bullets? I checked Hornady's website, but there's no specifics.

[Redbear]

This could be interesting. But to my understanding SST's have been a A-MAX shape with a thicker jacket and inter lock ring to stand up to hunting with "standard" high power. I very much wish Hornaday would come out with one or two 300BLK pills for us. One basically a improved V-MAX, and one with more penetration.

[Ben B.]

Hornady told me these were based on 1800 to 2600 fps, IIRC. I didn't write it down, but it was fine for 300 BLK.

[Ben B.]

Hornady told me these were based on 1800 to 2600 fps, IIRC. I didn't write it down, but it was fine for 300 BLK.

I have been meaning to check this for a while, and just got off the phone with Doug at Hornady, who reports that the factory listed minimum impact velocity for expansion of the .308 125 gr SST is 1,600+ fps. So for MV of 2100 fps, it should be fine out to 200 yds.

ETA: minimum

[Setxwarrior]

I have a box of these on my bench patiently waiting their turn for a trial batch. I've been trying to see if anyone has found a sweet spot using how much H110 and COL. Anyone? I only have so many primers left!

[certifiable]

I scored a few hundred of these when Midway had stock. Worked up a nice load with LilGun.
LC formed case, not annealed
CCI 400 SRP
16.6g lilgun
125g SST
2.100" oal
light crimp using Lee FCD

Avg. Vel: 2128 fps - 16" barreled AR
ES: 26
SD: 9

So far I have shot roughly 140 of these with no issues

[RAPR]

I just finished testing out some loads with the Hornady 125 SST bullets and they worked out nicely.

Custom built mutt AR
16" Noveske 1:7, pistol gas w/ adjustable gas
Magpul magazine
Horandy 125 SST bullets
H-110 powder
CCI400 primers
COL: 2.118" (allows use of provided cannelure)
Brass: LC brass from Bradswarehouse (avg measured fired volume 24.1gr of water)
Used Lee Factory Crimping Die

My QuickLOAD program produced the below estimated values:

Powder Load (gr) est. muz velocity (fps) est. max pressure (psi)
15.6----------------1875---------------------32910
16.0----------------1920---------------------35284
16.4----------------1966---------------------37835
16.8----------------2011---------------------40579
17.0----------------2033---------------------42028
17.2----------------2056---------------------42531
17.4----------------2078---------------------45092
17.6----------------2100---------------------46712
17.8----------------2123---------------------48395
18.0----------------2145---------------------50142

Actual measured velocities at 45F outside, at a distance of approx 5yds from chrony. Each loading was done with 4 rounds. Chrony being used was a Cabela's Beta Chrono.

Powder Load (gr) velocity (fps)
15.6----------------1870, 1998, 1877, 1880
16.0----------------1878, 1911, 1936, 1960
16.4----------------1943, error, 2060, 2007
16.8----------------2054, 2011, 2024, 2011
17.0----------------2096, 2115, 2085, 2061
17.2----------------2052, 2066, 2059, 2138
17.4----------------2048, 2128, error, error
17.6----------------2155, 2062, 2085, 2192
17.8----------------2107, 2120, error, 2110
18.0----------------2100, 2114, 2159, 2148

I saw no visible pressure signed in any of these loadings.