6.5 CM 130gr bullet test, Part 4 - Sierra 130gr GKHP

[bdbrown66]

This bullet was a bit frustrating for me. Thru several different load workups with a couple different powders, about 1" or maybe a little less was the best I was able to get it to shoot in my rifle. Certainly good enough for deer hunting at reasonable ranges. I just wanted it to do better.

Load data: 130gr Sierra GKHP, 43.3gr StaBall 6.5, Starline brass, WLR primer, 2793 fps



The aftermath:



This bullet produced considerably more initial energy dump than either the SST or the TGK. Half of the first jug is laying in the weeds on the other side of the road, nearly 10 yards from where the jugs are.



1st jug was just shredded:



2nd jug was split top to bottom:



Small fragments of jacket and core found in the bottom of the 2nd jug:



3rd jug punctured and bottom split:



Larger pieces of core and the jacket found in the bottom of the 3rd jug:

 

[bdbrown66]

The recovered pieces of jacket and core weighed 83.0gr:



The largest piece of core measured .521":



The jacket measured .562" at its widest:

 

[DrMike]

Wicked, devastating performance if you can keep it off of bone.

 

[Hunter26]

That was certainly violent. Almost more of a Varmint bullet than a big game bullet. Can't imagine that thing in a 6.5 PRC or similar with another 250+ fps.

 

[bdbrown66]

That was certainly violent. Almost more of a Varmint bullet than a big game bullet. Can't imagine that thing in a 6.5 PRC or similar with another 250+ fps.

Sierra says that it is not a varmint bullet, and was designed for medium game. I've killed a buck with the 85gr version in .243. They have similar bullets in 7mm and probably .30 cal, as well.

 

[rjm158]

Sierra Makes Gamechangers in calibers from 22 to 30. They have a 145 gr 6.5mm made specifically for 6.5 PRC, etc. I and my family have used the 130's and 140's from Creedmoors to kill multiple deer with no issues.

Ron

 

[Hunter26]

Sierra says that it is not a varmint bullet, and was designed for medium game. I've killed a buck with the 85gr version in .243. They have similar bullets in 7mm and probably .30 cal, as well.

I know it's not designed as a Varmint bullet, was remarking how with such violent expansion it reminds me of one. They've been killing deer for decades.