Unlock Unrivaled Hunting Performance with Hornady SST .308 180 Grain Super Shock Tip Bullets

For serious hunters and precision reloaders, the choice of bullet is paramount to achieving consistent accuracy, devastating terminal performance, and ultimately, an ethical harvest. The Hornady 30702 SST .30 Caliber .308 180 Grain Super Shock Tip bullet stands as a testament to Hornady's commitment to ballistic excellence, offering a superior solution for a wide array of North American and similarly sized African plains game. This projectile is meticulously engineered to address the critical needs of hunters who demand reliability, deep penetration, and rapid energy transfer upon impact.

Are you a hunter seeking to maximize your rifle's potential for medium to large game? Do you reload your own ammunition and look for components that offer both precision and predictable on-game performance? Or perhaps you're researching the best bullet technologies for ethical hunting shots, wondering "What makes a bullet truly effective for deer or elk?" The Hornady SST bullet, specifically the 180-grain .308 diameter variant, is designed to answer these questions with its advanced features and proven track record.

Engineered for Excellence: The Core Technologies of the Hornady SST

The effectiveness of any hunting bullet hinges on its design. The Hornady Super Shock Tip (SST) is not just a bullet; it's a precisely crafted instrument of ballistic science. Each feature contributes synergistically to its outstanding performance in the field.

The Polymer Tip: Aerodynamics and Initiated Expansion

At the forefront of the Hornady SST bullet is its distinctive red polymer tip. This isn't merely a cosmetic detail; it's a critical component that serves multiple vital functions:

• Enhanced Ballistic Coefficient (BC): The sleek, pointed polymer tip significantly increases the bullet's ballistic coefficient. A higher BC means less aerodynamic drag, allowing the bullet to maintain its velocity and energy more efficiently over longer distances. For hunters, this translates into a flatter trajectory, reduced wind drift, and more predictable shot placement, especially when engaging targets at extended ranges.
• Initiated Expansion: Upon impact, the polymer tip acts as a wedge, driving into the bullet's core. This action initiates rapid, dramatic expansion even at lower velocities commonly encountered at greater distances. This ensures that the bullet begins to mushroom almost immediately upon striking game, creating a devastating wound channel for quick, humane kills.

Secant Ogive Boat-Tail Profile: Stability and Energy Retention

The Hornady SST bullet incorporates a secant ogive profile combined with a boat-tail design, elements typically found in high-performance match bullets. This sophisticated shaping optimizes the bullet's flight characteristics:

• Reduced Drag: The secant ogive, an aggressively pointed nose section, minimizes air resistance, further contributing to a high ballistic coefficient. This design, pioneered by Hornady, is proven to be one of the most aerodynamically efficient profiles.
• Improved Stability: The boat-tail design, characterized by a tapered base, significantly reduces drag as the bullet travels through the air. This enhances downrange velocity and kinetic energy, ensuring that the bullet hits with maximum authority. Furthermore, the boat-tail contributes to superior stability during flight, leading to tighter groups and greater accuracy from your rifle.

The InterLock Ring: Core-Jacket Integrity for Deep Penetration

One of the most innovative and crucial features of the Hornady SST is its proprietary InterLock Ring. This internal ring is integrally molded into the bullet's lead core, locking it mechanically to the copper jacket.

• Controlled Expansion and Weight Retention: The InterLock Ring ensures that the core and jacket remain "locked solid" during the violent forces of expansion. This prevents premature core-jacket separation, a common issue with less advanced bullet designs that can lead to bullet fragmentation and reduced penetration. By maintaining structural integrity, the Hornady SST delivers controlled, yet profound, expansion while retaining a high percentage of its original weight.
• Reliable Penetration: The exceptional weight retention, facilitated by the InterLock ring, ensures that the bullet drives deep through muscle and bone, reaching vital organs for swift, ethical kills. This reliability is paramount when hunting larger, tougher game where adequate penetration is non-negotiable.

Ideal Applications: Where the Hornady SST Excels

The Hornady 180 grain .308 SST bullet is a versatile projectile, making it a favorite among hunters targeting a diverse range of animals. Its design philosophy — delivering tremendous shock and reliable expansion — makes it suitable for:

• Whitetail and Mule Deer: Without question, this bullet is a premier choice for North America's most popular big game. Its rapid expansion and deep penetration ensure quick, clean harvests on deer, even through heavy bone.
• Elk and Moose: For larger, more robust animals like elk and moose, the 180-grain weight combined with the InterLock feature provides the necessary momentum and integrity to penetrate effectively and create devastating wound channels. Many seasoned elk hunters trust the SST for its consistent performance.
• Antelope: While antelope are smaller, their speed and often long engagement distances benefit from the SST's high ballistic coefficient and flat trajectory, ensuring precise shot placement.
• Wild Hogs: With their thick hides and often aggressive nature, wild hogs require a bullet that can penetrate tough tissue and deliver decisive stopping power. The SST's rapid energy transfer is highly effective on these resilient animals.
• Black Bear: Similar to wild hogs, black bears possess thick muscle and bone. The 180-grain SST offers the robust construction needed for reliable performance on these formidable creatures.
• African Plains Game: The Hornady SST is also an excellent choice for a variety of medium to large African plains game, including species like Kudu, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, and Impala. Its balanced characteristics of expansion and penetration make it a reliable performer across diverse African hunting scenarios.

Technical Specifications and Performance Metrics

Understanding the technical specifications of the Hornady 30702 SST bullet provides deeper insight into its capabilities:

• Bullet Diameter: .308 inches: This is the standard diameter for numerous popular .30 caliber rifle cartridges, making this bullet component incredibly versatile for reloaders.
• Bullet Weight: 180 Grains: A 180-grain projectile is considered a heavier option for .30 caliber rifles, offering increased sectional density and momentum. This translates to better energy retention downrange and superior penetration, especially beneficial for larger game animals.
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .480: This impressive BC indicates exceptional aerodynamic efficiency. For practical purposes, a .480 BC means less bullet drop and wind drift at longer ranges compared to bullets with lower BCs, simplifying trajectory compensation for the hunter.
• Sectional Density (SD): .271: Sectional density is a measure of a bullet's mass divided by its cross-sectional area. A higher SD generally correlates with better penetration. The .271 SD of the 180-grain .308 SST ensures deep, vital organ penetration necessary for quick and humane kills on even the largest game animals it's designed for.

How do these specifications translate to real-world performance?

• Flatter Trajectory: The high BC minimizes bullet drop, allowing for more forgiving aim at varying distances.
• Reduced Wind Drift: A streamlined design resists crosswinds better, increasing accuracy in challenging conditions.
• Superior Downrange Energy: By retaining velocity, the 180-grain SST delivers significant kinetic energy to the target, ensuring maximum impact and energy transfer.
• Reliable Expansion: The polymer tip and InterLock ring work in concert to deliver controlled yet rapid expansion, creating a wide wound channel that leads to swift incapacitation.
• Deep Penetration: The combination of weight, sectional density, and core-jacket integrity allows the bullet to drive deep, reaching vital organs even on angled shots or through heavy bone.

For the Discerning Handloader: Crafting Custom Ammunition

The Hornady 30702 SST 180 grain .308 bullet is a prime component for handloaders who seek to optimize their rifle's performance and tailor ammunition to specific hunting conditions or firearms. This bulk pack of 100 bullets provides an economical and consistent supply for those who enjoy the meticulous process of reloading.

Why Reload with Hornady SST?

• Consistency: Hornady's stringent quality control ensures lot-to-lot consistency in bullet weight, diameter, and concentricity, which is crucial for achieving sub-MOA accuracy.
• Versatility: The .308 diameter bullet can be loaded into a multitude of popular .30 caliber cartridges, including but not limited to:
  • .308 Winchester
  • .30-06 Springfield
  • .300 Winchester Magnum
  • .300 RUM (Remington Ultra Magnum)
  • .300 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge)
  • .300 WSM (Winchester Short Magnum)
  • 7.62x54R (in specific instances where .308 bullets are suitable for the bore)

  This versatility allows reloaders to use one premium bullet design across several rifles or for various applications simply by changing the cartridge it's loaded into.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Purchasing bullets in bulk for reloading is often more economical than buying factory-loaded ammunition, especially for premium hunting projectiles.
• Performance Tuning: Handloaders can meticulously select powder types, charge weights, primer types, and seating depths to fine-tune the ammunition's performance for their specific rifle, barrel length, and desired velocity, thereby maximizing accuracy and terminal effectiveness.

A Legacy of Innovation and Trust: Why Choose Hornady?

Hornady has been at the forefront of ammunition and component manufacturing for decades, earning a reputation built on innovation, precision, and a deep understanding of ballistics. When you choose Hornady SST bullets, you're not just buying a component; you're investing in:

• Proven Technology: The SST design is the culmination of extensive research and development, utilizing cutting-edge manufacturing processes.
• Field-Tested Reliability: These bullets are rigorously tested in both laboratory settings and real-world hunting scenarios to ensure they perform flawlessly when it matters most.
• Ethical Hunting: Hornady's commitment to creating bullets that deliver quick, clean kills reflects a dedication to responsible and ethical hunting practices. The "Super Shock Tip" name isn't just marketing; it describes a bullet designed to deliver profound, rapid energy transfer, minimizing animal suffering.

For hunters and reloaders who demand precision, reliability, and devastating terminal performance from their .30 caliber rifle, the Hornady 30702 SST .30 Caliber .308 180 Grain Super Shock Tip bullet is an unparalleled choice. It represents the pinnacle of hunting bullet design, ensuring that every shot counts. Experience the confidence that comes with loading a bullet engineered for success.

This exceptional product, UPC 090255307023, is available for purchase at trusted retailers like DEGuns. When you're ready to elevate your hunting game or enhance your reloading setup with premium components, consider the Hornady SST – the ultimate bullet for maximizing your success in the field.

Hornady SST .30 Caliber .308 180 Grain Bullet Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	SST (Super Shock Tip)
Caliber	.30 Cal
Bullet Weight	180 Grains
Bullet Diameter	.308 Inches
Quantity	100 Per Box
Tip Material	Polymer
Core Material	Lead
Jacket Material	Copper
Ballistic Coefficient (G1)	.480
Sectional Density	.271
Application	Medium-Large Game
UPC	090255307023