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The Traditions Smackdown SST takes a bullet plenty of muzzleloader hunters already trust, the Hornady 250-grain SST in .45 diameter, and pairs it with a sabot that makes loading a whole lot easier. You get a yellow spire point polymer tip that boosts the ballistic coefficient for flatter flight, along with a tapered copper jacket that's interlocked with a lead core so the bullet mushrooms in a controlled, predictable way instead of coming apart. It's a design Hornady built specifically to open up at muzzleloader velocities, which is exactly where a lot of centerfire bullets fall short.
The real story here is the EZ Load 3-petal sabot. Anyone who's fought a stubborn bullet halfway down a fouled bore knows how much a good sabot matters. This one seats smoothly, prevents petal overlap when it grabs the rifling, and keeps a tight gas seal so you're getting the most out of your powder charge. That combination is why folks report easy seating and consistent groups even after a few shots without swabbing.
Hunters running these behind Blackhorn 209 or 777 pellets regularly print groups in the 1.5-inch range at 100 yards out of rifles like the CVA Wolf, Traditions Pursuit, and TC Pro Hunter. The 250-grain weight is a sweet spot for whitetail and similar medium game, giving you a good balance of flat trajectory and knockdown at typical woods and field ranges. It's worth burning a few rounds at the bench to find the powder charge your particular barrel likes best, since every muzzleloader has its own preferences.
This is the load that earned Field and Stream's Best-of-the-Best nod back in 2010, and it's stuck around because it flat-out works. Fifteen bullets and fifteen sabots come in the box, ready to sight in and hunt. If you want a dependable, easy-loading projectile that shoots tight and expands the way it should, the Smackdown SST is a solid pick that won't have you second-guessing your setup on the stand.
Yes, the projectile itself is the Hornady 250-grain .45 caliber SST, a bullet Hornady engineered specifically to expand reliably at muzzleloader velocities. Traditions pairs it with their own yellow polymer tip and EZ Load 3-petal sabot. If you've had good luck with the old TC Shockwave, this is a very similar bullet.
Many hunters run two 50-grain pellets of 777 or around 100 grains of Blackhorn 209 and get tight groups. There's no single right answer since every barrel is different, so plan to test a couple charges at the bench. Start moderate and work up until you find the load your rifle groups best with.
The EZ Load 3-petal sabot is designed to seat smoothly and prevent petal overlap when it engages the rifling. That's the main reason shooters like this setup, since you can usually run a few shots between swabs without a stubborn seat. A good short-starter and ramrod still make the job easier.
The 250-grain weight is a popular choice for whitetail deer and similar medium-sized game at typical muzzleloader ranges. The copper-jacketed lead core is built for controlled expansion, and hunters report clean, effective performance on deer inside 150 yards. For larger game like elk or moose, you may want to look at a heavier or bonded option.
| UPC | 040589014074 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | A1824 |
| Caliber/Gauge | .50 Caliber |
| Grains | 250 |
| Length | 5 |
| Package Height | 1.5 |
| Package Width | 3.5 |
| Product Type | Accessory-Ammunition |
| Shipping Weight | 0.7000000000000001 |
| Style | Polymer Tip |
| Units per Box | 15 |
| Cost per Round | 1.13 |
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