Hornady 7mm .284 139 Grain SST Super Shock Tip Bullets: The Hunter's Choice for Unrivaled Performance and Precision

For serious hunters and precision handloaders, selecting the right projectile is paramount. It's the critical link between firearm and target, dictating accuracy, terminal performance, and ultimately, a successful hunt. The Hornady 7mm .284 139 grain SST Super Shock Tip bullet, identified by its part number 28202 and UPC 090255282023, stands out as a pinnacle of modern bullet design, engineered to deliver devastating on-target energy, exceptional accuracy, and reliable expansion across a broad spectrum of velocities and game animals.

Have you ever wondered what makes a bullet truly effective for medium to large game? Or how to achieve that perfect blend of flat trajectory and controlled expansion? The Hornady SST is the answer many seasoned hunters turn to. This specific 139-grain bullet, designed for 7mm cartridges with a .284-inch bullet diameter, offers an ideal balance of weight, speed, and ballistic efficiency, making it an indispensable component for reloading cartridges such as the 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm-08 Remington, .280 Remington, 7mm PRC, and many other popular 7mm chamberings.

The Super Shock Tip (SST) Advantage: Engineering for Ethical Harvest

The name "Super Shock Tip" isn't just a marketing slogan; it defines a design philosophy centered on rapid, yet controlled, energy transfer upon impact. This bullet is meticulously crafted to ensure a humane and ethical harvest, minimizing tracking and maximizing the chance of a clean, one-shot takedown. But what specific features contribute to this superior performance?

• Aerodynamic Polymer Tip: At the forefront of the SST bullet is its distinctive red polymer tip. This tip serves multiple critical functions:
  • Enhanced Ballistic Coefficient: The sharp, pointed polymer tip significantly reduces aerodynamic drag, leading to a higher ballistic coefficient (BC). For the 139-grain 7mm SST, the BC is an impressive .486. This high BC means the bullet retains more velocity and energy downrange, resulting in flatter trajectories and less susceptibility to wind drift.
  • Initiation of Expansion: Unlike traditional lead tips, the polymer tip acts as a wedge upon impact, driving back into the lead core to initiate immediate and dramatic expansion, even at extended ranges where velocities might be lower.
• Secant Ogive Profile with Boat-Tail Design: The SST bullet incorporates an advanced secant ogive geometry, a design Hornady has perfected for optimal aerodynamic efficiency. Coupled with a precision boat-tail, this profile ensures:
  • Reduced Drag: The tapered boat-tail minimizes base drag, further contributing to the bullet's excellent ballistic coefficient and helping it maintain higher velocities over longer distances.
  • Flatter Trajectories: The combination of the polymer tip, secant ogive, and boat-tail results in a bullet that shoots exceptionally flat, simplifying range estimation and shot placement, especially crucial for those longer shots often encountered in open country hunting.
  • Greater Downrange Energy: By retaining more velocity, the SST delivers more kinetic energy to the target, ensuring profound terminal performance.

The InterLock Ring: The Core of Reliability

Perhaps the most crucial innovation within the SST design, and a hallmark of Hornady's bullet engineering, is the patented InterLock Ring. This internal ring is integrally molded into the bullet's lead core, mechanically locking the core to the copper jacket. Why is this so important for hunters?

• Core-Jacket Integrity: The InterLock ring ensures that the core and jacket remain locked solid during the violent forces of expansion. This prevents jacket-core separation, a common failure point in lesser bullet designs.
• Controlled, Predictable Expansion: While the polymer tip initiates rapid expansion, the InterLock ring ensures that this expansion is controlled. The bullet mushrooms consistently, creating a wide wound channel without fragmenting excessively.
• High Weight Retention: By preventing core-jacket separation, the SST retains a significant portion of its original weight, which is vital for deep penetration through bone and vital organs, ensuring a clean pass-through or maximum energy dump within the animal.
• Reliable Performance Across Velocities: This design ensures reliable expansion not just at high muzzle velocities, but also at lower impact velocities encountered at extended ranges, providing consistent performance no matter the shot distance.

Versatility in the Field: Where Does the 139 gr 7mm SST Excel?

The Hornady 139 grain 7mm (.284) SST is renowned for its exceptional versatility, making it a top choice for a wide array of hunting scenarios.

• North American Game Animals:
  • Whitetail Deer: For many, the SST is the definitive whitetail bullet. Its rapid expansion and energy transfer lead to quick, humane kills, often dropping deer in their tracks.
  • Mule Deer & Antelope: The flat trajectory and excellent downrange energy are invaluable for these typically open-country hunts where longer shots are common.
  • Elk, Black Bear, and Moose: While traditionally considered heavier game, the 139 grain SST's robust construction with the InterLock ring allows for reliable penetration and expansion on the vitals of these larger animals, particularly when precise shot placement is maintained. Its ability to retain weight ensures it can drive deep enough to reach critical organs.
• African Plains Game: The SST's design makes it suitable for many similar-sized plains game species encountered in Africa, such as Kudu, Gemsbok, Wildebeest, and Springbok. Hunters seeking a single, reliable bullet for a diverse plains game safari will find the 139 grain SST a highly capable option. Its balance of expansion and penetration is well-suited for these species, which can range from delicate to quite resilient.

When hunters ask, "What's the best bullet for ethical deer hunting that also has the versatility for larger game like elk?", the Hornady 139 grain 7mm SST is frequently recommended due to its proven track record and advanced design features. Its ability to combine rapid energy transfer with deep, controlled penetration means less tracking and more confidence in the field.

Optimizing Your Reloads: A Handloader's Perspective

For the dedicated handloader, the Hornady 139 grain 7mm SST offers unparalleled consistency and precision, allowing for the optimization of custom loads tailored to specific firearms and hunting conditions.

• Consistent Manufacturing: Hornady's reputation for tight manufacturing tolerances means each 139-grain SST bullet is remarkably consistent in weight, diameter (.284 inch), and concentricity. This uniformity is crucial for achieving sub-MOA accuracy from your rifle.
• Component for Popular 7mm Cartridges: This bullet is an excellent component for a variety of 7mm (.284 caliber) cartridges.
  • 7mm Remington Magnum: Leveraging the SST's high BC, reloaders can push this bullet to impressive velocities, extending its effective range for magnum performance.
  • 7mm-08 Remington: The 139 grain weight is often considered a sweet spot for the 7mm-08, providing a balance of velocity, energy, and manageable recoil for both hunting and target shooting.
  • .280 Remington & .280 Ackley Improved: These cartridges benefit immensely from the SST's ballistic efficiency, allowing them to shine in the field with flat trajectories and strong terminal performance.
  • 7mm PRC: As a modern, high-performance cartridge, the 7mm PRC truly maximizes the potential of the 139-grain SST, driving it at high velocities for extreme long-range effectiveness while maintaining its lethal terminal performance.
• Understanding Ballistic Data: Handloaders meticulously analyze ballistic data to craft perfect loads. The Hornady 139 gr 7mm SST's key specifications are invaluable:
  • Ballistic Coefficient (BC): .486 (G1) - This high BC indicates excellent aerodynamic efficiency, crucial for predicting drop and wind drift at various ranges. A higher BC means less energy loss and a flatter trajectory.
  • Sectional Density (SD): .246 - Sectional density is a measure of a bullet's mass in relation to its diameter. A higher SD generally correlates with better penetration. The .246 SD of the 139 gr SST, combined with its robust InterLock construction, ensures adequate penetration for medium to large game.

By choosing Hornady SST bullets, handloaders can confidently craft ammunition that performs reliably, shot after shot, season after season. The predictable expansion and deep penetration ensure that every round loaded contributes to an ethical and successful hunt.

Why Hornady SST is a Trusted Name in Ammunition

Hornady has built a legacy on innovation, precision, and a deep understanding of what hunters and shooters need. Their commitment to manufacturing excellence ensures that every SST bullet meets stringent quality standards. When you choose Hornady, you're not just getting a bullet; you're investing in decades of ballistic research and a proven track record of performance in the field. The Hornady 7mm .284 139 grain SST is a testament to this commitment, offering a unique combination of speed, accuracy, and terminal effectiveness that few other projectiles can match. It's truly optimized for hunters who demand the best possible outcome from every shot.

For anyone seeking a reliable, high-performance hunting bullet that delivers consistent results on a wide range of game, the Hornady 139 grain 7mm (.284) SST Super Shock Tip is an outstanding choice. Its advanced design, featuring the aerodynamic polymer tip, secant ogive boat-tail, and the critical InterLock ring, makes it a truly superior projectile for ethical hunting and precision reloading.

Product Specifications: Hornady 28202 SST 7mm .284 139 gr Super Shock Tip 100

Feature	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	SST
Caliber	7mm (.284)
Bullet Weight	139 Grains
Bullet Type	Super Shock Tip
Bullet Tip Material	Polymer
Core Material	Lead
Jacket Material	Copper
Application	Medium-Large Game
Ballistic Coefficient	.486 (G1)
Sectional Density	.246
Rounds Per Box	100
Boxes Per Case	15
Manufacturer Part No.	28202
UPC	090255282023
SKU	61192