I dunno, for 15 mortal wounds it seems like a pretty huge investment when terradons or salamanders are gonna do the same job, just better.
It's not the end-all, be-all damage dealing mechanic. But the flexibilty of 40 bodies shooting away at 18" is unmatched and offers another vector to deal damage. Terradons are suicide bombers that are not going to survive for long, and maximum unit size for Hunting Packs is too small to warrant using buffs on them. Very nice damage too, but also another tactical role. Same with Saurus Warriors. All options, all viable.
Just for comparison, max. Salamander hunting pack is 240 points, same as 40 Skinks.
Starpriest Serpent Staff + Skink Priest Herald of the Old Ones active:
Salamanders:
12 attacks
10 hits, 2 6s for 4 MW, rolling to wound with 8 hits
5.33 wounds
14.22 damage vs 4+ armor save (4.44 x 2 damage + 4 MW + 1.33 MW)
Skinks (see page 391):
13.34 damage vs armor save 4+, option to double the output for 1 CP
Salamanders are viable without external buffs and scale better against better defenses, but Skinks beat them easily with buffs (and have ridiculous output against bad saves). End of the line, both are effin' amazing.
Isn't that great?