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Hornady Superformance 6.5 Creedmoor 129 Grain SST

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Ammo Reports Team 6 6.5 Creedmoor

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Official Specs

All data verified against Hornady’s official ballistics chart (PDF, two independent sources). Real-world velocity confirmed by two independent tests.

BC note: Most sources list the Hornady SST 129 gr at BC G1 ~0.527. Gun Mart’s independent test recorded 0.485 from Doppler-style measurement. This discrepancy is consistent with the known issue of BC varying significantly with velocity — Hornady’s value is likely measured at higher velocities typical of Superformance’s 2,950 fps launch. The ballistics table uses Hornady’s official velocity data directly rather than a BC model, so trajectory figures are independent of this BC uncertainty.

Real-world velocity: Gun Mart recorded 3,010 fps from a 24″ Bergara barrel — 60 fps above the published 2,950 fps. This is an unusual result (most real-world tests run under spec); it may reflect barrel condition, lot variation, or atmospheric conditions. The Hornady-published 2,950 fps is used as the baseline on this page.

Ballistics Table

From Hornady’s official ballistics chart (SKU 81496, 24″ barrel). Zero: 100 yards. Sight height: 1.5″.

Key takeaway: at 2,950 fps the Superformance SST is 130 fps faster than Hornady’s American Whitetail 129 gr InterLock (2,820 fps), translating to 162 fps more retained velocity and 214 ft-lbs more energy at 300 yards. At 300 yards: 18.7 inches of drop — flatter than any SST-loaded competing load at this weight. At 500 yards 1,214 ft-lbs retained. The Superformance propellant technology delivers real-world velocity gains with no increase in felt recoil.

Superformance Technology — What It Actually Means

Superformance is Hornady’s proprietary propellant system that achieves 100–200 fps higher velocity than conventional powder charges within SAAMI pressure limits. Hornady’s claim is that this is accomplished through progressive-burning propellant formulation — not by increasing peak pressure, but by managing the pressure curve more efficiently throughout the bullet’s travel down the barrel. The result is higher exit velocity without higher chamber pressure, felt recoil, muzzle blast, or temperature sensitivity.

This claim is meaningful in context: the Hornady American Whitetail 129 gr InterLock loads the same caliber bullet (different design) at 2,820 fps. The Superformance version loads the superior SST at 2,950 fps — 130 fps more velocity from the same case, within SAAMI limits. Hornady is explicit that gas-operated semi-automatic rifles are safe with Superformance, but notes that “some systems work far better than others” — testing in your specific semi-auto is recommended before field use.

Hornady Superformance 6.5 Creedmoor 129 Grain SST (Box)

$44.99

in stock

The SST Bullet — Reliable Expansion at All Ranges

The SST (Super Shock Tip) has been in production for over two decades and is one of the most field-documented hunting bullets available in factory loads. Key design elements:

Polymer tip: drives rearward on impact to initiate immediate, consistent expansion even at reduced velocities — reliable from close-range 2,950 fps impacts through 400-yard reduced-velocity hits. InterLock ring: a raised ring inside the jacket that mechanically interlocks with the lead core — prevents jacket/core separation, providing weight retention and consistent penetration depth. Secant ogive: the SST’s pointed profile achieves higher BC than a round-nose or flat-point soft point. Combined with Superformance velocity, this produces the flattest factory SST trajectory available for 6.5 Creedmoor.

Best Uses

Good fit:

• Whitetail and mule deer at 100–400 yards — SST’s immediate, reliable expansion and InterLock retention deliver clean kills across the deer hunter’s typical distance range
• Elk at 100–300 yards with good shot placement — 2,950 fps provides the velocity for reliable SST expansion on elk-sized game; the InterLock ring keeps the bullet together through heavy bone
• Hunters who want the fastest standard-pressure SST load in 6.5 CM — Superformance is the highest-velocity Hornady hunting load in this caliber
• Open-country hunting where flat trajectory reduces holdover corrections

Not the right tool for:

• Lead-free requirements — SST has a lead core; see Hornady Outfitter CX for California
• Budget hunting — Hornady American Whitetail 129 gr InterLock delivers adequate deer performance at $0.65/round less
• Precision match competition — SST is a hunting bullet, not a match design
• Semi-automatic platforms without verified cycling — test Superformance loads in your specific semi-auto before hunting season

Reliability Notes

No structured submissions yet.

Gun Mart tested the Superformance 129 gr SST from a 24″ Bergara B14 BMP and recorded 3,010 fps average with a 0.75″ group — exceptional accuracy for a hunting load. The velocity exceeded Hornady’s published spec by 60 fps, which may reflect barrel-specific characteristics. Hornady states Superformance propellants are temperature-stable — consistent performance from cold mornings to warm afternoons is a documented design goal. All notes reflect open-source test reports and manufacturer claims, not structured community data.

Competitors

Key comparison — Fiocchi Hyperformance SST: Fiocchi loads the same Hornady SST 129 gr bullet at 2,820 fps for $35–38/box — $8/box less than Superformance. The Superformance advantage is 130 fps more velocity for that $8 premium. At 300 yards this translates to 162 fps more retained velocity and 2 fewer inches of drop. Whether that’s worth $8/box is the central buying question for this load.

Price Reality

• Typical retail range: $43–48 per box of 20 (~$2.15–2.40/round)
• vs. Fiocchi Hyperformance 129 gr SST (same bullet): Superformance runs $8/box more for 130 fps additional velocity — the Superformance propellant premium is the only difference
• vs. Hornady American Whitetail 129 gr: Superformance runs $13/box more for the SST bullet upgrade and 130 fps additional velocity — strong value case for open-country hunting
• Under $46/box is competitive; the load is priced appropriately for Hornady’s own premium hunting tier

Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.

Where to Buy

Hornady Superformance 6.5 Creedmoor 129 Grain SST (Box)

Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor 129 Grain SST - 20 Round BoxSPECIFICATIONS: Manufacturer:HornadyItem #:81496Category:AMMO CENTERFIRECaliber:6.5 CreedmoorBullet Type:SSTBullet Weight:120 GrMuzzle Energy:2493 ft lbsMuzzle Velocity:2950 fpsRounds per Box:20 Rounds per Box / 10 Boxes per Case

$44.99 at Ammunitiondepot.com

Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.

FAQ

Is Superformance safe in semi-automatic rifles? Hornady explicitly states that Superformance is safely within SAAMI pressure guidelines and that gas-operated firearms are safe to use with it. However, Hornady also notes from their testing that “some systems work far better than others” — meaning cycling reliability varies by platform. The load is safe from a pressure standpoint, but some semi-automatic actions may not cycle reliably with Superformance’s specific powder burn rate. Test at least one box in your rifle before hunting season.

Superformance vs standard SST loads — is the extra speed worth it? The 130 fps advantage (2,950 vs 2,820 fps for Fiocchi Hyperformance SST) produces real but modest trajectory improvements — approximately 2 fewer inches of drop at 300 yards and slightly more retained energy. For hunting inside 250 yards, the difference is essentially irrelevant. For 300–400 yard shots in open country, the flatter trajectory is a genuine practical advantage that reduces holdover estimation error. Whether it’s worth $8/box over Fiocchi’s SST load depends on the distance range you actually hunt.

How does the InterLock ring prevent core-jacket separation? The InterLock ring is a raised internal ring machined into the copper jacket that embeds into the lead core during manufacturing. Unlike a chemically bonded bullet where core and jacket are fused, the InterLock uses mechanical interlocking — the ring physically prevents the core from sliding forward out of the jacket during expansion. This provides reliable weight retention (typically 65–75%) without the cost premium of fully bonded construction. On elk-sized game, the InterLock’s retention is sufficient for broadside shots; for difficult angles, fully bonded options like AccuBond or Terminal Ascent provide a larger safety margin.

Superformance SST vs Precision Hunter ELD-X for elk — which is better? For elk, the Precision Hunter 143 gr ELD-X is the stronger choice in most situations. The ELD-X’s BC of 0.623 far exceeds the SST’s ~0.527, providing better long-range performance. The ELD-X’s dual expansion mechanism (50–60% retention at close range, 85–90% at long range) is specifically engineered for consistent elk performance across all distances. The Superformance SST is adequate for elk inside 250 yards with good shot placement, but the ELD-X’s engineering is more specifically optimized for the task. The Superformance SST is the better choice when velocity and flat trajectory for deer-size game is the priority.

Submit Your Data · Real-World Results

Manufacturer velocity figures are measured under controlled lab conditions — barrel length, temperature, and lot number all affect real-world performance. The data below comes from community submissions tied to specific test conditions and reviewed before publishing.

Once this page reaches 3 approved submissions, aggregate velocity and confidence level will appear here automatically.

Shot this load? Share your results — firearm type, barrel length, average velocity, shots fired, temperature. No account required.

All submissions are manually reviewed before appearing on this page.

Results vary by firearm, barrel condition, ammunition lot, and environmental factors. Submitted data is for reference only. AmmoReports does not guarantee accuracy of user-submitted results.

Hornady Superformance 6.5 Creedmoor 129 Grain SST (Box)

$44.99

in stock