Hornady 26173 SST .264 123 Grain Super Shock Tip Bullets: The Ultimate Choice for Versatile Hunting Performance

For discerning hunters and precision reloaders, the quest for a bullet that combines exceptional accuracy, devastating terminal performance, and broad versatility often leads to the Hornady Super Shock Tip (SST) series. Specifically, the Hornady .264 123 grain SST bullet (part number 26173) stands as a testament to advanced ballistic engineering, offering a solution for a wide array of North American and even select African plains game. This meticulously crafted bullet, designed for cartridges like the immensely popular 6.5 Creedmoor, answers the critical need for a flat-shooting, highly efficient projectile that delivers tremendous energy on impact, ensuring clean, ethical harvests.

Are you a hunter looking for a single, reliable bullet that can confidently take down everything from agile whitetail deer to robust elk, all while maintaining pinpoint accuracy over extended distances? Or perhaps you're a reloader who demands consistency, superior ballistic performance, and proven on-game results from your handloads? The Hornady 123 grain SST is engineered precisely for these scenarios, addressing common challenges such as inconsistent expansion, poor energy transfer, and inadequate penetration that can plague less advanced bullet designs. This deep dive will explore why the Hornady 123 grain SST is not just a bullet, but a comprehensive solution for your hunting and reloading needs, available now at DEGuns.

Unpacking the Engineering Excellence of the Hornady SST Bullet

The Hornady SST is far more than just a lead core encased in copper. It's a culmination of innovative design features meticulously integrated to achieve a specific, high-performance outcome. Understanding these features is key to appreciating why this bullet consistently outperforms in the field:

1. The Revolutionary Polymer Tip: Boosting Ballistics and Initiating Expansion

• Aerodynamic Efficiency: At the forefront of the SST’s design is its signature red polymer tip. This isn't just for aesthetics; it's a critical component for ballistic performance. The sharp, pointed profile of the tip dramatically reduces aerodynamic drag, leading to a significantly higher ballistic coefficient (BC). For the 123 grain .264 SST, this translates to an impressive BC of .510, meaning the bullet retains more velocity and energy downrange, crucial for long-distance engagements.
• Instantaneous Expansion: Beyond aerodynamics, the polymer tip serves a vital role in terminal ballistics. Upon impact, the tip is driven back into the bullet's core, acting as a wedge to initiate rapid and reliable expansion, even at varying impact velocities. This ensures that the bullet begins to transfer its kinetic energy almost immediately upon striking the target, creating a devastating wound channel.

2. The Secant Ogive Boat-Tail Profile: Precision and Downrange Energy

• Optimized Flight Path: The secant ogive is a carefully calculated bullet profile that results in a flatter trajectory and reduced wind drift compared to traditional tangent ogive designs. This design minimizes drag along the entire bullet body, enhancing flight stability and overall accuracy, especially over longer distances.
• Energy Retention: Coupled with the secant ogive, the boat-tail design further reduces base drag. This aerodynamic efficiency allows the 123 grain SST to retain more of its initial velocity and kinetic energy as it travels downrange. What does this mean for the hunter? More knockdown power where it counts, ensuring clean and humane kills, even when shots are stretched.

3. The InterLock Ring: Controlled Expansion and Uncompromised Weight Retention

• Core-Jacket Integrity: One of Hornady’s most revered technologies, the InterLock Ring, is central to the SST’s effectiveness. This internal ring, molded into the bullet’s lead core, physically locks the core to the copper jacket. Unlike some bullets where the core can separate from the jacket upon heavy impact, the InterLock Ring ensures that the core and jacket remain unified.
• Controlled Expansion: This structural integrity facilitates controlled, predictable expansion. The bullet expands reliably into a mushroom shape, typically retaining a high percentage of its original weight. This weight retention is paramount for achieving adequate penetration through vital organs, even after encountering bone or tough hide, leading to maximum energy transfer and effective stopping power.

4. Premium Materials: Lead Core and Copper Jacket

• Consistent Performance: The combination of a high-quality lead core and a robust copper jacket is the foundation for the SST's consistent performance. Hornady’s stringent manufacturing processes ensure uniform bullet construction, leading to repeatable accuracy and dependable terminal performance from one shot to the next, and from one box to the next.
• Optimized Sectional Density: With a sectional density (SD) of .252, the 123 grain SST possesses an excellent ratio of weight to bullet diameter. A higher sectional density generally indicates a bullet’s ability to penetrate deeply, which is a critical factor for hunting medium to larger game animals where reaching vital organs is essential.

The Hornady SST in Action: Who Benefits Most from This Bullet?

The Hornady 123 grain .264 SST bullet is a versatile performer, making it an ideal choice for a diverse group of shooting enthusiasts and hunters. Its design caters to specific needs and common hunting scenarios:

For the Dedicated Deer Hunter: Whitetail, Mule Deer, and Beyond

Are you asking, "What's the best bullet for whitetail deer hunting in a 6.5 Creedmoor?" The Hornady 123 grain SST is a top contender. Its rapid, devastating expansion and significant energy transfer make it exceptionally effective on medium-sized game like deer. The controlled expansion ensures minimal meat damage while delivering the necessary shock to humanely dispatch the animal. Its flat trajectory means less holdover at typical deer hunting ranges, increasing your confidence in making precise shots in varied terrain.

Tackling North American Big Game: Elk, Moose, and Antelope

For hunters pursuing larger North American species such as elk or moose, questions like, "Can a 6.5 Creedmoor take down an elk?" are common. While shot placement is always paramount, the 123 grain SST, with its robust construction and high sectional density, provides the penetration and controlled expansion needed for these tougher animals. For antelope, its high BC and flat trajectory make it perfect for the often-longer shots encountered in open plains. The bullet's ability to retain weight and penetrate deeply ensures it reaches vital organs, even through heavier bone or muscle.

Venturing to African Plains Game

Beyond North America, the Hornady SST .264 123 grain is also well-suited for many similar-sized African plains game species. Its proven terminal performance and reliability make it a solid choice for animals where rapid incapacitation and ethical takes are paramount. Always consult local regulations and outfitters for specific recommendations, but the SST’s capabilities often align with the requirements for such hunts.

The Precision Handloader’s Dream Bullet

For reloaders who meticulously craft their ammunition, the Hornady 123 grain SST offers unparalleled consistency and reliable performance. "How do I achieve maximum accuracy with my 6.5 Creedmoor handloads?" The uniform construction, precise manufacturing tolerances, and consistent ballistic properties of Hornady bullets make them ideal for developing highly accurate custom loads. Reloaders can fine-tune powder charges, seating depths, and primers to unlock the full potential of their rifle with this exceptional component bullet. It's a cornerstone for building ammunition that performs precisely as intended, every time.

Key Performance Metrics and Their Impact

Understanding the numbers behind the Hornady 123 grain SST helps illustrate its performance advantages:

• Bullet Weight: 123 grains. This weight is often considered a sweet spot for the 6.5 Creedmoor, balancing velocity, energy, and trajectory. It provides enough mass for effective energy transfer while allowing for high muzzle velocities.
• Bullet Diameter: .264 inches (6.5mm). This standard diameter for 6.5mm cartridges ensures compatibility with rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .260 Remington, and others.
• Ballistic Coefficient (BC): .510 (G1). A high BC like .510 means less bullet drop and wind deflection downrange. This is crucial for hunters engaging targets at extended distances, as it simplifies shot placement and increases the effective range of the cartridge.
• Sectional Density (SD): .252. This metric indicates a bullet's ability to penetrate. A higher SD generally means better penetration, and the .252 SD of the 123 grain SST is excellent for a bullet of its caliber and weight, ensuring it can reach vital organs effectively.

Why Choose Hornady and DEGuns for Your Reloading Components?

When selecting components for your handloads, the brand behind the product matters immensely. Hornady has been a leader in ammunition and component manufacturing for decades, synonymous with innovation, quality, and performance. Their commitment to research and development ensures that products like the SST bullet are at the cutting edge of ballistic technology. Choosing Hornady means choosing a legacy of trust and proven results in the field.

At DEGuns, we understand the needs of serious hunters and reloaders. We proudly offer Hornady products, including the 26173 SST .264 123 grain Super Shock Tip bullets, because we believe in providing our customers with only the best. Our extensive inventory, competitive pricing, and commitment to customer service make DEGuns the ideal destination for all your shooting and reloading supplies. When you're ready to elevate your hunting performance or precision reloading projects, trust DEGuns to provide the quality Hornady components you need.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hornady SST Bullets for Hunting and Reloading

Here are some common questions hunters and reloaders ask about the Hornady SST, along with answers demonstrating its suitability:

• "Is the Hornady SST an ethical hunting bullet?" Absolutely. Its rapid expansion and consistent weight retention, thanks to the polymer tip and InterLock ring, ensure a wide, devastating wound channel and deep penetration, leading to quick and humane incapacitation of game when shot placement is accurate.
• "How does the SST compare to other hunting bullets for long range?" The SST's high ballistic coefficient (.510 for the 123 grain .264) significantly reduces drag, resulting in a flatter trajectory and less wind deflection. This makes it an excellent choice for long-range hunting where every milliradian of precision counts.
• "Can I use the 123 grain SST for different game sizes?" Yes, its versatility is a key selling point. While exceptional for medium game like deer and antelope, its robust construction and reliable expansion also make it suitable for larger animals such as elk and even certain African plains game, provided shot placement is judicious.
• "Is the SST good for reloading?" The SST is an outstanding component bullet for reloaders. Its consistent weight, concentricity, and uniform jacket thickness contribute to highly precise handloads. Reloaders appreciate its predictable performance, allowing them to fine-tune their ammunition for optimal rifle accuracy and specific hunting scenarios.
• "What kind of powders work best with the 123 grain 6.5mm SST?" While specific load data should always come from verified sources like Hornady's reloading manuals, many medium-burn rate powders commonly used for 6.5 Creedmoor, such as H4350, IMR 4350, and RL-17, are popular choices that yield excellent results with the 123 grain SST.

In conclusion, the Hornady 26173 SST .264 123 grain Super Shock Tip bullet represents the pinnacle of hunting bullet design. It blends cutting-edge aerodynamics with devastating terminal performance, making it the go-to choice for hunters seeking reliability and precision across a broad spectrum of game animals. For reloaders, it offers the consistent quality and performance needed to craft superior ammunition. Equip your 6.5 Creedmoor with the proven power of Hornady SST bullets, available now at DEGuns, and experience the difference that true engineering excellence makes in the field.

Hornady 123 Grain SST .264 Bullets: Specifications Overview

Attribute	Detail	Value
Brand	Manufacturer	Hornady
Model Name	Product Line	SST (Super Shock Tip)
Caliber / Diameter	Bullet Caliber	6.5mm / .264 inches
Bullet Weight	Mass (Grains)	123 gr
Bullet Type	Design Category	Super Shock Tip
Bullet Tip Material	Tip Composition	Polymer
Core Material	Internal Composition	Lead
Jacket Material	External Layer	Copper
Ballistic Coefficient (G1)	Aerodynamic Efficiency	.510
Sectional Density	Penetration Indicator	.252
Application Focus	Intended Use	Medium to Large Game
Units Per Box	Quantity	100 Bullets
Boxes Per Case	Case Quantity	25 Boxes
Manufacturer Part Number	MPN	26173
SKU	Stock Keeping Unit	84976
Universal Product Code	UPC	090255261738