Hornady SST 7mm .284 162 Grain Bullet: Precision Performance for North American & African Game

For serious hunters and precision reloaders who demand consistent performance, devastating terminal ballistics, and exceptional accuracy, the Hornady SST (Super Shock Tip) 7mm .284 162 grain bullet stands as a definitive choice. This isn't just another bullet; it's a meticulously engineered projectile designed to solve the critical challenges hunters face in the field: achieving rapid, humane kills, ensuring dependable expansion across a wide velocity range, and delivering pin-point accuracy from various rifle platforms.

When embarking on a hunt for diverse game ranging from a whitetail deer in the dense woods of Pennsylvania to a massive moose in the Alaskan wilderness, or even the challenging plains game of Africa, hunters frequently ask: "What is the most reliable bullet for medium to large game?" or "How can I ensure my bullet performs flawlessly at both short and extended ranges?" The Hornady SST 162 grain 7mm answers these questions with a resounding capability, offering a unique blend of aerodynamic efficiency and terminal effectiveness that puts ethical harvesting within reach.

Unpacking the Engineering Excellence of the SST

The Hornady SST bullet is a testament to advanced projectile design, combining several proprietary technologies to deliver its signature "Super Shock Tip" performance. Every component, from its distinctive polymer tip to its internal InterLock® ring, is optimized for a specific role in enhancing accuracy, trajectory, and terminal ballistics.

The Iconic Polymer Tip: Aerodynamics Meets Aggressive Expansion

At the forefront of the SST's design is its sleek, red polymer tip. This isn't merely a cosmetic feature; it's a cornerstone of the bullet's performance.

• Enhanced Ballistic Coefficient (BC): The sharply pointed polymer tip dramatically reduces air drag, resulting in a higher ballistic coefficient (BC). For the 162 grain 7mm SST, this BC is an impressive .550, which translates directly to a flatter trajectory and superior energy retention downrange. This is crucial for hunters who frequently take shots at varying distances, as it minimizes bullet drop and wind deflection, making long-range precision more attainable.
• Initiating Rapid Expansion: Upon impact, the polymer tip is driven back into the bullet's core, acting as a wedge. This mechanism initiates rapid and violent expansion, even at lower impact velocities. This is vital for delivering immediate hydrostatic shock, which contributes to quick incapacitation and minimal tracking.
• Protecting the Meplat: Beyond its ballistic advantages, the polymer tip also protects the bullet's delicate lead meplat (tip) from deformation during recoil in the magazine or during rough handling. This preservation of the tip ensures consistent ballistic performance from shot to shot, which is critical for accuracy.

The Secant Ogive Boat-Tail: Speed and Stability

The SST features Hornady's renowned secant ogive profile, seamlessly combined with a boat-tail base. This combination is meticulously crafted for optimal flight characteristics.

• Aerodynamic Efficiency: A secant ogive, where the curve of the bullet's nose is derived from two radii, is engineered to provide the lowest drag for a given bullet length, resulting in exceptional ballistic efficiency. This design allows the bullet to retain velocity more effectively, leading to higher impact energy at extended distances.
• Reduced Drag and Flatter Trajectories: The boat-tail design, tapering towards the rear, further reduces base drag, allowing the bullet to maintain speed and stability through its flight path. This contributes significantly to the SST's reputation as a "flat shooting" bullet, simplifying holdover calculations for hunters.
• Superior Accuracy: The balanced design of the secant ogive and boat-tail promotes stable flight, minimizing yaw and pitch, which directly translates to tighter groups on target. For the discerning hunter, this means greater confidence in shot placement when it counts most.

The InterLock® Ring: Core and Jacket Integrity

One of the most critical elements distinguishing Hornady bullets, including the SST, is the legendary InterLock® ring. This patented feature is engineered to solve a common problem in hunting bullets: core-jacket separation.

• Ensured Weight Retention: The InterLock® ring is an integral part of the bullet's jacket, designed to mechanically lock the lead core to the copper jacket. This bond ensures that the core and jacket remain together during the violent forces of expansion and penetration through hide, muscle, and bone.
• Controlled Expansion: By preventing premature jacket separation, the InterLock® ring promotes controlled, predictable expansion. This means the bullet expands to a large diameter to create a wide wound channel while still retaining enough mass and momentum to achieve sufficient penetration for a clean pass-through, especially on larger game.
• Devastating Terminal Performance: The combination of rapid initial expansion and maintained weight retention results in massive energy transfer within the animal, creating a devastating wound channel that quickly incapacitates the game, ensuring an ethical harvest.

Optimizing for the Hunt: Real-World Applications and Caliber Versatility

The 162 grain .284 diameter Hornady SST bullet is a versatile powerhouse, ideally suited for a broad spectrum of hunting scenarios and popular 7mm rifle cartridges. Hunters constantly seek insights into "what bullet performs best on elk" or "which reloading components are ideal for long-range deer hunting." The answer often points directly to this exceptional projectile.

• Ideal for Medium to Large Game: As stated, this bullet is perfectly suited for common North American game like whitetail and mule deer, antelope, and black bear. Its robust construction and reliable expansion also make it an excellent choice for larger animals such as elk, moose, and even caribou. Beyond North America, its capabilities extend to similar-sized African plains game, offering consistent performance on species like Kudu, Oryx, and Wildebeest.
• Compatibility with Popular 7mm Cartridges: The .284 bullet diameter means this projectile can be handloaded into a wide array of popular and effective 7mm rifle cartridges. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • 7mm-08 Remington: A favorite for its mild recoil and excellent accuracy, the 162 grain SST provides superb energy for deer and even elk at moderate ranges.
  • .280 Remington & .280 Ackley Improved: These cartridges gain significant flat-shooting and hard-hitting capabilities with the 162 grain SST.
  • 7x57mm Mauser: A classic cartridge that is revitalized with modern bullet technology, offering impressive performance for its class.
  • 7mm Remington Magnum: One of the most popular magnum cartridges, the 162 grain SST truly shines here, leveraging the cartridge's high velocity potential for extended range performance on large game.
  • 7mm Weatherby Magnum, 7mm WSM (Winchester Short Magnum), and 7mm STW (Shooting Times Westerner): For those seeking maximum velocity and long-range knockdown power, these cartridges pair exceptionally well with the 162 grain SST, maximizing its high ballistic coefficient and terminal effectiveness.

Choosing the 162 grain weight in 7mm offers an optimal balance. It's heavy enough to provide excellent sectional density (.287 for this bullet) for deep penetration on larger animals, yet light enough to be driven at impressive velocities by common 7mm cartridges, contributing to its flat trajectory.

Why Choose Hornady SST for Your Next Hunt?

When considering reloading components, trust and proven performance are paramount. Hornady has a long-standing reputation for innovation, precision, and quality control, making their products a top choice for discerning hunters and competitive shooters worldwide.

• Proven Performance: The SST bullet family has been a staple for hunters for decades, consistently delivering reliable expansion and ethical kills. Its design principles are born from extensive research and real-world testing.
• Commitment to Quality: Hornady manufactures its bullets to exacting standards, ensuring consistency in weight, diameter, and concentricity. This attention to detail is what translates to superior accuracy at the reloading bench and in the field.
• Ethical Hunting: The rapid and devastating terminal performance of the SST contributes directly to ethical hunting practices, minimizing animal suffering by ensuring quick, humane incapacitation.
• Value for Reloaders: Available in convenient 100-count boxes, these bullets provide excellent value for handloaders looking to craft custom ammunition tailored to their specific rifle and hunting conditions. The uniformity of these bullets simplifies the reloading process, allowing for consistent results.

Understanding Key Ballistic Terms: What Do They Mean for You?

Beyond marketing claims, understanding the underlying ballistic data helps illuminate why the Hornady SST 162 grain 7mm bullet is so effective.

• Ballistic Coefficient (BC): At .550, this is a measure of how aerodynamically efficient the bullet is. A higher BC means the bullet sheds less velocity over distance, leading to flatter trajectories and more energy delivered downrange. For hunters, this translates to less bullet drop and wind drift, simplifying aiming solutions, especially at longer ranges.
• Sectional Density (SD): At .287, SD is the ratio of a bullet's mass to its cross-sectional area. A higher SD generally indicates better penetration for a given bullet material and design. The 162 grain weight in 7mm (.284 diameter) offers a very favorable sectional density, allowing the bullet to penetrate deeply through muscle and bone to reach vital organs, even on large, robust game animals.
• Weight (162 grains): This specific weight is often considered a sweet spot for 7mm cartridges, offering a balance of velocity, energy, and penetration capabilities. It's heavy enough for larger game like elk but still allows for high velocities necessary for flat shooting and effective expansion on deer-sized animals.

In conclusion, for those who demand the utmost in terminal performance, long-range accuracy, and reliable expansion across a broad range of hunting scenarios and game animals, the Hornady SST 7mm .284 162 grain bullet is an unparalleled choice. Its innovative design, incorporating the polymer tip, secant ogive boat-tail, and the InterLock® ring, ensures that every shot delivers maximum impact and confidence. When you load your custom ammunition with Hornady SST bullets, you’re not just preparing for a hunt; you’re optimizing for success and ethical harvesting. This premium reloading component is available for purchase at DEGuns.com, your trusted source for quality ammunition and hunting supplies.

Hornady SST 7mm .284 162 Grain Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	SST
Caliber	7mm (.284)
Bullet Weight	162 grains
Bullet Type	Super Shock Tip
Tip Material	Polymer
Core Material	Lead
Jacket Material	Copper
Ballistic Coeff.	.550
Sectional Density	.287
Application	Medium-Large Game
Rounds Per Box	100
Boxes Per Case	15
UPC	090255284522
MPN	28452
SKU	87674