250gr SST M/L vs 250gr FTX - ->

[SAWMAN]

Got a friend sending me some 250gr SST M/L bullets that are designed for,and come with a sabot.
He has miked the bullet only and came out with .451-.452" base/bearing surface.
My question/concern is this. - ->
* How does this bullet compare to the 250gr FTX ??
* How would the terminal performance be,given the same speed ?? ( The speeds out of my 16" single shot will NOT be hot. Probably middle of the road vels.)
* Wondering jacket thickness. Jacket taper. Poly tip size and makeup compaired to the FTX. Air cavity under the poly tip.
I have heard that these SST M/L bullets are designed for the faster vels from a M/L so my vels should be about the same from my 450.
Your thoughts please gentlemen ?? --- SAWMAN

[Al in Mi]

it's the same bullet as is the TC Shockwave on the left.

[SAWMAN]

I see yellow and blue tips. NO RED. ( ON THE SHOCKWAVE SITE)
How can they be the same ?? Pls forgive me If I am missing something. --- SAWMAN

[Al in Mi]

hornady makes for TC.

the blue tips are bonded, about the only FTX I trust on game.

[Hoot]

The only difference I noticed between the 250 FTX and the 250 SST/ML was that the tip on the SST/ML was more rigid. The two shot to the same POA.

Hoot

[Al in Mi]

Hoot, the ML's use to be hard tipped like the blue tipped one in the pic.

About the same time the 450B came along they changed them all to the spongy flex tip

[SAWMAN]

IMO - -> these poly tips main purpose is,on initial impact,to push into the soft lead and promote quick expansion.
The manufacturers try to make us believe that the poly tips add to the B.C. of the bullet which they would do over a Hornady XTP design. But how much and is it really necessary at the "normal" ranges that these bullets are used at ??
They look good. They are pretty. That sells them. The average shooter/hunter/reloader has no technical knowledge of the "added" performance (??) of these pretty poly tips.
Me - -> if they suite my needs as far as killing the bigger Fla hogs and the tiny NW Fla deer,at the ranges that is applicable to my style of hunting,that is fine with me. If they shoot good groups,which the 200gr FTX do for me that is great.
The two groups that I shot a few days ago stacked the bullets into one ragged hole measuring about .850" at 50yds. This,using both Trail Boss and AA5744. The "cat fart" TB load and the med/hot AA load shot to the exact POI using the same POA. Great fun load and hunting load the same POI.
Now to expierament with some 250gr FTX M/L bullets that I got from a buddy in Maine. He sent me 80 of them. --- SAWMAN

[SAWMAN]

Sorry for the ramble gents but just trying to get people uh postin'.
I am still learning about the 450B and enjoy talking about it. --- SAWMAN

[Al in Mi]

those 225 and 250gr FTX has been one of the consistently accurate bullets I have shot in various 450's. I'll punch paper with them, but for deer here I'll stick to something stouter.

[SAWMAN]

Our deer down ere are extremely small. 150lbs will be a "nice" buck.
A doe - -> 90lbs. Not much fat on them. I have killed many with my LWRC 223/5.56 using a 55gr Barnes TSX. Always a pass thru. I target bone going in. Gonna kill several this year using the 200 FTX at med vels. --- SAWMAN