sierra game king hollow points

29736 Views 65 Replies 30 Participants Last post by shane256, Dec 3, 2010

smokinfz1

Discussion Starter · Oct 20, 2010

several of my rifles love these bullets. I have not put one through an animal so I have no idea on bullet performance. I would like to hear your opinion of these bullets.

.257 90gr HPBT approx. 3580fps
.277 140gr HPBT approx. 3000fps
.284 160gr HPBT approx. 2900fps

21 - 40 of 66 Posts

Perferator

· #21 · Nov 5, 2010

I use the GameKing 100gr in my .257wby mag. It works just fine for me. Last year I hit a doe at 40yds and as you know, that little weatherby really zips 'em along. The doe dropped on the spot. The bullet hit ribs going in and ribs going out. The doe died almost instantly. Cant ask for more than that.

Some guys like to take an anchor shot. I'm not one of them. I go with the time honored adage, "one shot, one kill" on whitetails. Picked up that habit from dad long ago.

If it were my choice I'd drop the hollowpoint and use the standard Gameking. And really, you cant beat the accuracy. Shoot small groups at 100yds and your groups wont be so big at 400.

264WM

· #22 · Nov 6, 2010

Why would having more than one bullet weight be ridiculous? I always have a varity with me. 95gr Vmax, 100gr balistic tip, and yes sierra 100gr varminter HP, and 140gr core lok in 264WM. The 100gr HP has taken a lot of whitetail and mule deer it penitrates the rib cage and destroyes the lungs with no meat damage and deer drops in his tracks and same results with head or neck shots. I am sure that the 72grs of H4831 helps the light bullets reach terminal velocity.

broom_jm

· #23 · Nov 6, 2010

You always carry cartridges with 4 different bullets loaded in them, for your 264WM? Like, you're walking around, hunting deer or something, and you've got 4 different loads with you? Do you have a gun-bearer along with you, toting all that ammo?

Saskshooter

· #24 · Nov 6, 2010

264WM said:
Why would having more than one bullet weight be ridiculous?.

Because I can't find any two loads that shoot to the same point of impact. Different bullets of the same weight are often fairly close, but switching from light to heavy bullets often changes POI at 100 yards by several inches. It makes switching loads in the middle of a hunt ridiculous for me.

264WM

· #25 · Nov 7, 2010 (Edited)

broom_jm said:
You always carry cartridges with 4 different bullets loaded in them, for your 264WM? Like, you're walking around, hunting deer or something, and you've got 4 different loads with you? Do you have a gun-bearer along with you, toting all that ammo?

I have a ammo belt that holds 30 rounds and a fanny pack with rain coat, extra gloves, wool hat, rope, t.p., matches, plastic bags, food, two water bottles and 20 rounds of 140gr bullets. You never know when you will make contact with the enemy. When deer season is open bear season and cougar is also open plus varmints.

264WM

· #26 · Nov 7, 2010

Saskshooter said:
Because I can't find any two loads that shoot to the same point of impact. Different bullets of the same weight are often fairly close, but switching from light to heavy bullets often changes POI at 100 yards by several inches. It makes switching loads in the middle of a hunt ridiculous for me.

Maybe you should try the 264wm. The 95gr and 100gr hit so close to each other at 139 yards that for hunting they work and its only a couple inches different with the 140gr which if you shoot and see the difference there is no problem adjusting your shot. I realize most hunters are not that aware of how there rifles handle different bullets and only use factory ammo. I have been shooting mine sinse 1963 and started reloading for it in 1969 so I am very capable with differentbullet weights.

broom_jm

· #27 · Nov 7, 2010

264WM said:
I have a ammo belt that holds 30 rounds and a fanny pack with rain coat, extra gloves, wool hat, rope, t.p., matches, plastic bags, food, two water bottles and 20 rounds of 140gr bullets. You never know when you will make contact with the enemy. When deer season is open bear season and cougar is also open plus varmints.

So, you carry 50 rounds of 264WM ammo, on any given hunt? And you sight in for 95-100gr bullets, and use Kentucky windage when using the 140gr bullets, for shots on big game? Do you have drop charts for each ammo type, with allowances made for differences in how your rifle is sighted in?

I've gotta be honest with you, here...the logistics of what you're describing would make the whole endeavor a lot more work than I am willing to undertake, when all I really wanted to do was go huntin'. Couldn't you just carry 10 rounds of the 140gr bullets, sight in for such, and use those for any shot that presents itself? I'm just askin'...

264WM

· #28 · Nov 7, 2010

broom_jm said:
So, you carry 50 rounds of 264WM ammo, on any given hunt? And you sight in for 95-100gr bullets, and use Kentucky windage when using the 140gr bullets, for shots on big game? Do you have drop charts for each ammo type, with allowances made for differences in how your rifle is sighted in?

I've gotta be honest with you, here...the logistics of what you're describing would make the whole endeavor a lot more work than I am willing to undertake, when all I really wanted to do was go huntin'. Couldn't you just carry 10 rounds of the 140gr bullets, sight in for such, and use those for any shot that presents itself? I'm just askin'...

I do have a Nikon 6-18 Buckmasters scope with BDC on the 264wm. Maybe it is over kill but haven't you ever had a situation where you said to yourself if only. The reason for sighting with the lighter bullets is I use them more often than the 140gr bullets. Have you ever had a scope get bumped or fell and had it get so far off that 10 rounds may not be enough to re-zero and still have a few rounds left to hunt with? Yes no two hunters think alike and each of us have our own habits that cause others to scratch there heads or just laugh and maybe roll on the floor in fits.

mattsbox99

· #29 · Nov 7, 2010

You guys are drifting woefully off topic...

Anyway, the .257" 90 grain bullet the OP asked about is a varmint bullet, says so right in Sierra's 5th edition manual. They have a very large hollow point and the jacket is very thin, which contributes to accuracy, but makes them quite fragile.

Sierra is quite a bit behind the times in bullet development, they don't even make a true tapered jacket bullet let along a bonded core bullet or partition type bullet and have neglected the all copper market. Not a good sign for them. They do make good plinking and match bullets, and they tend to shoot well from my tests, but I don't think I'd use them on game.

BKeith

· #30 · Nov 7, 2010

I've shot nothing but Sierra 85gr BTHP's in my old 6mm, pushing them approx 3,300fps for a touch over 40 years. That one is on it's third barrel and is still my one of my favorite rifles to shoot, and favorite bullet for white tail deer and smaller game. It's very accurate and I've never had anything I've shot with it move any direction but down from the spot it was standing.

I just wished they made it in a 6.5mm 130gr.

broom_jm

· #31 · Nov 8, 2010

mattsbox99 said:
You guys are drifting woefully off topic...

Anyway, the .257" 90 grain bullet the OP asked about is a varmint bullet, says so right in Sierra's 5th edition manual. They have a very large hollow point and the jacket is very thin, which contributes to accuracy, but makes them quite fragile.

Sierra is quite a bit behind the times in bullet development, they don't even make a true tapered jacket bullet let along a bonded core bullet or partition type bullet and have neglected the all copper market. Not a good sign for them. They do make good plinking and match bullets, and they tend to shoot well from my tests, but I don't think I'd use them on game.

You're 100% correct on all counts, Matt. I was basically yanking 264's chain and for that I have been duly chastised. If Sierra found a way to make new bullets that are just as accurate as their current line-up, but with more reliable and consistent terminal performance, they would give Nosler a run for their money. I don't know how long they can hang on as primarily a plinking, varmint and target bullet manufacturer, but I remember a time when they were THE bullet company, with everyone else chasing them. Seems like they've been caught, passed and just about LAPPED, at this point.

264WM

· #32 · Nov 8, 2010

mattsbox99 said:
You guys are drifting woefully off topic...

Anyway, the .257" 90 grain bullet the OP asked about is a varmint bullet, says so right in Sierra's 5th edition manual. They have a very large hollow point and the jacket is very thin, which contributes to accuracy, but makes them quite fragile.

Sierra is quite a bit behind the times in bullet development, they don't even make a true tapered jacket bullet let along a bonded core bullet or partition type bullet and have neglected the all copper market. Not a good sign for them. They do make good plinking and match bullets, and they tend to shoot well from my tests, but I don't think I'd use them on game.

Sorry about the drift but it is fun to play tag with broom_JM. I have taken many deer with the sierra 100gr varminter HP droping them in there tracks. I tried the 85gr HP and it did state on the box not for high velocity. So I loaded 5 rounds to max (72gr H4831) and they were right as they were all over a 10foot circle at 100 yards. They settled down at 65gr of H4831 and were just as accurate as the 100gr HP. They need to design the 85gr for high velocity as it is smoken fast at max load. The impact and shock factor is extreme with the 65gr of H4831. We tested the 264wm 85grHP against a 300 wm with 200 gr soft point loaded to max at a 2" thick piece of boiler plate at 100 yrds hanging on a chain. The friend with the 300wm was shocked that the tiny 85gr HP had penetrated within 1/8" of the 200gr bullet. The 200gr bullet created cracks in the back side that you could see through and the 85gr bulged the back to the point of cracking.

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mattsbox99

· #33 · Nov 8, 2010

That has much more to do with sectional density than velocity or cartridge... a .22 LR will out penetrate a .44 Magnum day in and day out.

---

Since I'm just as bad at dragging things off topic, I can't fault you guys too much!

SMK

· #34 · Nov 8, 2010

broom_jm said:
You're 100% correct on all counts, Matt. I was basically yanking 264's chain and for that I have been duly chastised. If Sierra found a way to make new bullets that are just as accurate as their current line-up, but with more reliable and consistent terminal performance, they would give Nosler a run for their money. I don't know how long they can hang on as primarily a plinking, varmint and target bullet manufacturer, but I remember a time when they were THE bullet company, with everyone else chasing them. Seems like they've been caught, passed and just about LAPPED, at this point.

Sorry for this reply being off topic. I don't have any idea how many bullets are sold each year for hunting vs target shooting, but I know I hunt and shoot competitively and I shoot nothing but Sierras in competition and if you go to a High Power or Silhouette match from what I have seen Sierra totally dominates all other brands. I shoot probably 10x as many Sierra bullets for match shooting as I do for all other brands of bullets combined that I use for hunting. One 3 hr silhouette match can easily consume 100 bullets. I don't ever buy Sierra Matchkings in anything but the 500 count boxes. I do use Sierras a little for hunting as well and have found them to work just fine for deer. All I'm saying is that I am not sure they are in such dire straits as you suggest. I think there will always be a market for an affordable, accurate bullet and target and varmint shooters put a LOT more rounds down range than a guy who just hunts big game.

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broom_jm

· #35 · Nov 8, 2010

SMK said:
Sorry for this reply being off topic. I don't have any idea how many bullets are sold each year for hunting vs target shooting, but I know I hunt and shoot competitively and I shoot nothing but Sierras in competition and if you go to a High Power or Silhouette match from what I have seen Sierra totally dominates all other brands. I shoot probably 10x as many Sierra bullets for match shooting as I do for all other brands of bullets combined that I use for hunting. One 3 hr silhouette match can easily consume 100 bullets. I don't ever buy Sierra Matchkings in anything but the 500 count boxes. I do use Sierras a little for hunting as well and have found them to work just fine for deer. All I'm saying is that I am not sure they are in such dire straits as you suggest. I think there will always be a market for an affordable, accurate bullet and target and varmint shooters put a LOT more rounds down range than a guy who just hunts big game.

You are undoubtedly correct about the target crowd using a lot of bullets, but where there are tens of millions of big-game hunters, there are relatively few shooting target competitions. Any company whose product line is gradually reduced to just a few profitable items risks going out of business with just a small change in legislation or consumer sentiment. If the anti's get their way, the entire nation will follow Kalifornia on this absurd track of lead-free bullets, and if that happens, Sierra is a thing of the past. If they were part of a larger corporation they might survive, but being a privately owned company, they are potentially at risk if the market changes.

Perhaps more on-topic, I love Sierra bullets and will always use them for some of the shooting I do. They were the first bullets I handloaded and gave the kind of accuracy I had only read about, previously! Also, they used to be much more commonly used by other companies who were making ammo. To a lesser extent, they still are, but I really wish they would take what they know about making accurate projectiles and combine that with the modern technology used for making tough bullets. That way, they could offer a product with better terminal performance to compete with the likes of Nosler, Speer, Hornady and Barnes.

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nomosendero

· #36 · Nov 8, 2010

beartracker said:
I used for the last 28yrs the Sierra G/K 165gr HPBT in my 300Wby, 30-06, 300Win mag. for everything from coyote, hogs, deer, antelope and Black Bear and that included one Elk that I shot at 80yds with a heart and lung shot that exited and at 90 yards dropped in his track the last bear I shot. The bullet was also a heart lung shot and took the heart and lungs out the other side through a tennis ball size hole, we know this because when we cleaned the bear there was no heart or lungs in his chest cavity.

Now, because it is a HP don't think it is not a tough bullet. It is the toughest bullet Sierra makes in the Game King line for 150 to 165gr bullets that they make and you can call them and they will tell you it is so. I have in my testing put one of these HPBT Game/Kings at 3320fps out of a 300Wby through an 8" laminated beam at 25 yards and was still able to dig what was left of the bullet out of an earth embankment 75yrds further down range. To say they are only good for long shots tells me someone has not used or knows what these bullets will do in the field. Frankly, they don't know what they are talking about. I culled deer and hogs with the state of Mississippi for two years and all the deer and hogs dropped where they were shot and all exits. Closest being 30yds furthest of these shots was 230 while culling.

I have shot a lot of deer, don't remember how many hogs with this bullet and the kills were devastating and all exits. It is an accurate, very accurate bullet and is a real sleeper.

Five shot group 100yds

It's allways good to read actual results.

It appears to me that most here are lumping the entire SGK line into one performance pile & I question that reasoning. I have seen the same with the Nosler BT, many feeling all are bombs & not realizing that there are different jacket thicknesses of the BT & yes I am talking about the hunting BT line (not varmit) & within a caliber. Section a 30 cal. 165BT & a 168 BT & you will see what I mean. By the same token, Sierra for years has tried to let people know that the HP version of the SGK is a much tougher bullet than the soft pt. version. I tend to think they may know. I know for a fact that the SGK 165 Boattail spitzer is quite soft & quit using them in my '06 because of it, but that has nothing to do with a HPBT version.

I have a box of 140gr. .277 HPBT that I acquired from a friend when he sold me all of his 270 stuff. I havn't used them because the Nos 130 Part. & 140 Accubond have done so well. The only reservation I have on the HPBT is the blunt tip reduces the BC. But I doubt I can get over a 300yd. shot on the place this year in the local AR Deer hunt, so I might use them up, I have no doubt they will work.

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264WM

· #37 · Nov 9, 2010

mattsbox99 said:
That has much more to do with sectional density than velocity or cartridge... a .22 LR will out penetrate a .44 Magnum day in and day out.

---

Since I'm just as bad at dragging things off topic, I can't fault you guys too much!

Sorry but I dont buy that. Neither will so much as scratch the boiler plate. The heat generated at the high velocity impact create the penetration of boiler plate

.

Chief RID

· #38 · Nov 9, 2010 (Edited)

I shot a small deer last weekend with the .308 Game King 165 gr. with muzzle vel. 2500 fps. Entrance hole small and high in chest. Exit hole Quarter size and about at same level. 50 yd recovery. It did have to wait till morning. None of us can see a thing in the dark anymore. So far this has been a great, inexpensive deer bullet.

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broom_jm

· #39 · Nov 9, 2010

Don't take this personally Chief Rid, but any 22 centerfire would have dispatched a deer that size, in roughly the same distance. What was it, 8" across? Deer aren't the best means for testing penetration of a big game bullet, because of how thin-skinned and lightly boned they are. In fact, well-constructed bullets often don't expand much at all on a deer, though they surely kill them just as dead.

Were you shooting a 30-'06 or a 308 Win for that hunt? He looks like he'll be great table fare for the winter! Good job putting him down quickly.

beartracker

· #40 · Nov 9, 2010 (Edited)

Those who lump the SMK with the G/K don't know what they are talking about and neither do those who say the game king is for match, targets or plinking. They simply don't know what they are talking about period. They just keep beating a dead horse while we who use the G/K keep collecting the game we kill. Denial of the fact that the G/K especially the HPBT is an outstanding hunting bullet, reminds me of how Obama just can't get it and neither do those who don't know what they are talking about when it comes the the Sierra Game King HPBT. The reason they don't is because they are theorist and they have no real accumulative knowledge do to practical experience, while implying that those who do don't know that the bullet is no good. It just defies logic, reasoning and reality. Of course the pride filled will not admit when they are wrong, they will just stick with their beliefs even thought they have both feet planted in mid air.

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