Ammo Reports Team
| Official Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Fiocchi |
| Cartridge | 308 Winchester |
| Product Line | Hyperformance Hunt Rifle |
| Bullet Name / Type | Hornady SST Polymer Boat-Tail |
| Bullet Weight | 180 gr |
| SKU / Part Number | 308HSC |
| UPC | 762344704296 – retailer-listed |
| Rounds per Box | 20 |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,570 fps |
| Muzzle Energy | 2,640 ft-lbs |
| Ballistic Coefficient G1 | 0.480 |
| Ballistic Coefficient G7 | Not found |
| Case Material | Brass – retailer-listed |
| Primer | Boxer – retailer-listed |
| Reloadable | Yes – retailer-listed |
| Test Barrel Length | Not found |
| Zero Distance | 200 yd |
| Sight Height | 1.5 in |
| Intended Use | Big game hunting |
| Product Status | Discontinued |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady American Whitetail 308 Win, Federal Power-Shok 308 Win, Winchester Super-X 308 Win, Hornady Precision Hunter 308 Win, Federal Trophy Bonded 308 Win, Remington Core-Lokt 308 Win |
Data is based on official manufacturer sources. Found an error? Send us the source link.
Values labeled retailer-listed are retained only where the manufacturer does not publish the identifier or packaging detail.
Ballistics Table
Fiocchi manufacturer data. No calculated wind values are mixed into this table.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) | Wind Drift at 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2,570 | 2,640 | Not published | 0 |
| 100 | 2,390 | 2,282 | +2.3 | 0.7 |
| 200 | 2,217 | 1,965 | 0 | 3.1 |
| 300 | 2,052 | 1,682 | -9.4 | 7.4 |
| 400 | 1,893 | 1,432 | -26.8 | 13.4 |
| 500 | 1,743 | 1,215 | -54.4 | 22.1 |
The Hornady SST Bullet in Fiocchi’s Line
The Hornady Super Shock Tip (SST) is a purpose-designed hunting projectile that Hornady licenses to other ammunition manufacturers, including Fiocchi. The red polymer tip serves two functions: it protects the hollow point cavity from deformation during feeding and magazine cycling, and it initiates rapid, consistent expansion on impact by driving rearward into the lead core. The InterLock ring — a mechanical feature molded into the jacket — anchors the core and jacket together under stress, promoting controlled expansion and limiting fragmentation. This is not a bonded bullet in the traditional sense, but the InterLock system provides meaningful weight retention compared to conventional cup-and-core designs. For hunters, this means the SST is engineered to expand reliably across a broad velocity range, which is particularly relevant for 308 Winchester loads used at both close and extended distances. Fiocchi’s Hyperformance line positions this component bullet inside a quality-controlled brass case with consistent powder charges, aiming to deliver match-adjacent accuracy alongside terminal performance.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- White-tailed deer hunting at ranges from 50 to 300 yards
- Mule deer and pronghorn in open terrain where shots may extend past 200 yards
- Black bear hunting where moderate penetration and controlled expansion are appropriate
- Hunters who need a single load that performs reliably across a wide velocity window
- Bolt-action and semi-automatic platforms chambered in 308 Winchester (7.62×51 NATO)
- Hunters prioritizing weight retention and mushroom consistency over deep penetration
Not the right tool for:
- Elk, moose, or large bear where deep, controlled penetration is a priority — a bonded or monolithic bullet is a stronger choice at this weight
- Shots through heavy shoulder bone on large-bodied animals where jacket separation is a concern
- States or units with lead-free ammunition regulations — the SST contains a lead core
- Target shooting or precision long-range competition — premium match bullets are better suited
- Varmint hunting — the 180 gr weight and construction are not optimized for small, thin-skinned animals
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source product information: Fiocchi’s Hyperformance line is described as a premium tier within their hunting ammunition catalog, with emphasis on consistent primer seating, uniform powder charges, and tight dimensional tolerances. The SST projectile is a commercially proven bullet component with an extensive track record across multiple ammunition brands. Hunters who have used SST-loaded ammunition from other manufacturers commonly report clean mushrooming and moderate weight retention on deer-sized game. No specific failure modes, lot-related inconsistencies, or reliability concerns for this Fiocchi load appear in publicly available sources as of the time of writing. All notes here derive from manufacturer claims or open-source commentary — not structured chronograph or terminal performance data collected under controlled conditions.
Competitors
The complete comparison set from the original report is preserved below. Internal links appear only where an exact published Ammo Reports review exists.
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Advertised Velocity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady American Whitetail 308 Win | 180 gr | InterLock SP | Not verified | 2,620 fps | Budget alternative; same caliber/weight; flat-base SP vs. polymer tip |
| Federal Power-Shok 308 Win | 180 gr | Soft Point | Not verified | 2,570 fps | Budget option; proven cup-and-core; no polymer tip |
| Winchester Super-X 308 Win | 180 gr | Power-Point | Not verified | 2,620 fps | Classic design; controlled expansion; widely available |
| Hornady Precision Hunter 308 Win | 178 gr | ELD-X | 0.552 | 2,600 fps | Premium alternative; higher BC; bonded-style design; better for longer ranges |
| Federal Trophy Bonded 308 Win | 180 gr | Trophy Bonded Tip | Not verified | 2,570 fps | Premium; fully bonded; superior penetration for large game |
| Remington Core-Lokt 308 Win | 180 gr | Core-Lokt PSP | Not verified | 2,620 fps | Budget alternative; legendary terminal performance; lower BC than SST |
Price and Availability
Retail availability changes by seller, location, and lot. Use the retailer links above to check current stock and checkout totals.
Where to Buy
FAQ
Does the Fiocchi Hyperformance 308 Win 180 gr SST use the same bullet as Hornady’s own ammunition?
Yes – the Hornady SST (Super Shock Tip) projectile used in this load is the same component bullet that Hornady loads in its own hunting lines. Hornady manufactures and licenses the SST to other ammunition producers, including Fiocchi. The bullet design, including the red polymer tip and InterLock ring, is identical. What differs between brands is the powder charge, primer selection, and case quality – all of which affect velocity, pressure consistency, and accuracy from a given rifle.
Is 180 grains the right bullet weight for deer hunting with a 308 Winchester?
The 180 gr weight is at the heavier end of the practical range for .308 Winchester on deer-sized game. It delivers excellent downrange energy retention and is well-suited for larger-bodied deer, black bear, and medium-to-large game where deeper penetration is beneficial. Hunters shooting in dense timber at close range often prefer 150–165 gr loads for a flatter trajectory, while those hunting open country at extended distances may appreciate the higher sectional density of the 180 gr for wind resistance and retained velocity. Neither weight is wrong – the choice depends on terrain, typical shot distance, and target species.
How does the SST’s InterLock system compare to a fully bonded bullet for large game?
The InterLock ring is a mechanical feature – a raised band inside the jacket that interlocks with the lead core to resist separation under high-velocity impact. It provides meaningful improvement over plain cup-and-core bullets in weight retention, but it is not equivalent to chemically bonded designs like the Federal Trophy Bonded Tip or Nosler Partition. For deer, hogs, and black bear, the SST’s performance is generally sufficient. For elk, moose, or large bear where shots through heavy bone or quartering angles are common, a fully bonded bullet offers greater confidence in consistent penetration and weight retention.
Will this ammunition function reliably in semi-automatic 308 platforms like the AR-10 or M1A?
The 308 Winchester cartridge is dimensionally compatible with rifles chambered in 7.62×51 NATO, though shooters should confirm their specific rifle’s chamber specifications. The Fiocchi Hyperformance line is loaded to SAAMI 308 Winchester standards. Brass-cased, Boxer-primed ammunition of this type generally feeds reliably in semi-automatic platforms designed for the cartridge. The SST’s polymer tip is robust enough to withstand the feeding dynamics of semi-auto actions without deforming the tip or compromising terminal performance.
Why doesn’t Fiocchi publish muzzle velocity for this load?
This is a common gap in mid-tier and even some premium factory ammunition lines. Some manufacturers publish velocity only for select SKUs, or list data that reflects a specific test barrel length (typically 24″) without making that information easy to find on retail product pages. For the Fiocchi Hyperformance line specifically, velocity data does not appear in widely available product documentation. Hunters who need confirmed velocity data – particularly for extended-range shooting or ballistic solver inputs – should chronograph the load from their own rifle. A 22″ hunting barrel will typically produce 40–80 fps less than a 24″ test barrel, which has a measurable effect on trajectory and terminal velocity at distance.
