Trying GameKings. Need advice.

[Swamp Hunter 38]

I have been loading for my 300WSM A-bolt with strickly Nosler AB's for years at a OAL of 2.860 . This is all my mag can handle and it's exactly what Nosler reccomends .This year I will be trying Sierra 165 gn HPBT GameKings. I have just bought all of the equipment to measure at the ogive for OAL to improve my consistancy . Does any one have a measurement that I could start with ? Would it be best to just fit the mag ? Also ,does anyone have an opinion on the GameKing vs the AB or NBT. I will be at 3150 fps and some shots will be under 100yds.
Thanks for any advice!

 

[JD338]

The Sierra is a great target bullet but I won't use them on game. I would stick with the AB.

For the sierra, I would start at the Magazine max length, provided it is off the lands and see what you have for accuracy.

JD338

 

[Elkman]

I am wondering why you are going to a non-premimum bullet for hunting. My experience has shown that there are several other bullets out there that are superior to the Game King for both accuracy and performance on big game.
The AccuBond is accurate and works well on game, the Barnes TSX shoots sub min of angle groups in one of my rifles and is proven performer on big game. The Nosler Partition is certainaly one of the best performing hunting bullet every made and I use it in three rifles.
that's my 02 because you asked. In additon there is the Swift A frame, Woodliegh and probably a couple of more that I missed.

If elk are one of the intended targets I would use 180's

 

[Swamp Hunter 38]

I bought the Sierras for my Dads M1A ,so I thought I would try them in my 300WSM. Your opinions are what I needed to push me back to the ABs. I value any info on this site. I've been following all post for the last two years and nay thing that JD and POP have to say I take as reloading gospel .No offence Elkman, your post was very helpful too. Im going to stick with Nosler!! Thanks to both of you. :grin:

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

IN my experience the Gamekings are an adequate bullet for deer. On the other hand, the BT is an excellent deer bullet, and the AB is an excellent all round bullet.

But when it comes to competition bullets, Sierra is still king.

 

[Swamp Hunter 38]

I am so envious of all of you who can go out and shoot in the open terrain at 400,500 plus yards. I would be a reloading, long range, goat killin, prairie dog shootin junkie .I'm stuck fighting bugs and humidity with 200 yard shots and ranges 30 minutes away that are only open to the public Fri -Sat. On the other hand, there is something special about sitting up in a cypress tree filled with Spanish moss while watching, ducks, nutria, otter, bobcats and deer trampling through the swamps and marsh below. I do leave the state to experience other types of terrain and dry ground. I think my point is that I will have to skip on the sierra bullets because target shooting is not any fun with my limited access to stretch out my guns.http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3525408008/PictureID=118087391008/a=46058622_46058622/
[url=http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=3525408008/PictureID=118087391008/a=46058622_46058622/]http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slide ... _46058622/[/url]

 

[FOTIS]

Unless I was competing I would stick with the Ab.

 

[1Shot]

It all depends on what you are going to hunt. If it is deer size game the 165 HPBT Game King Sierra will do the job. I used to use the 165 HPBT in a 30-06 and it killed really well on deer. I would not push it over 3000 fps though. If elk are in the picture stick with the AB. That 165 Sierra HPBT Game King is about as accurate as the 168 Match King but is designed as a hunting bullet.

 

[JD338]

Swamp Hunter 38

That is some thick cover!
The comment you made about less than 100 yd shots and 3150 fps MV is why I suggested the AB. The BT is designed for impact velocities below 3000 fps. The AB will hold together, even through bone and will most likely give you an exit from any angle. I would think you would want an exit just in case you have to do a short tracking job in that jungle you are hunting. :wink:

You should check with Nosler's Shooters Pro Shop (800 285 3701) for factory seconds. They have a big sale going on right now, you can shoot the AB for less money than the Sierra bullets. Factory seconds is just about all I shoot. They are accurate and on game performance is predictable.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

I've shot a bunch of Sierra Game Kings over the years. Typically it's very easy to get them to shoot well. Sierra has a well deserved reputation for building an accurate bullet - and they work well on deer. That 165 HPBT Game King is a very good bullet for hunting, and accurate.

That said, for hunting, I'm still a Nosler fan! :grin:

 

[rick smith]

I have used the 165gr Sierra HPBT Gameking out of a variety of rifles over the years and have loaded them for a lot of friends. The have killed ELK, Whitetails, Mulies, hogs and a variety of other game. Also have used the in 7mm and 25cal. Never failed to perform. Speeds have been from 2800-3500FPS. Ranges have varied from feet to over 500yds. Never a problem. About a month ago I loaded them in a 7mmWSM, 160gr. Friend shot through both shoulders of a 200lb sow hog at about 70yds, DRT. Largest hog I have killed with them was over 400lbs, one shot,DRT. They flat work. Speculation is nice but real experience trumps.Rick.

 

[TBASTIAN]

Everyone has the right to their point of view for sure...That being said the 165 Sierra Gameking is quite the bullet in my opinion.

After hunting with the 165 Partition in my .30-06 for years I wanted something more accurate in my .30-06 A-Bolt. On a good day, I was getting 1"-1.25" three shot groups at 100 yards.

Reverting back to the bullet my dad and grand-dad shot, I purchased some 165 grain Gamekings...accuracy went to around 0.5" at 100 yards and bullet performance on Oregon Blacktails has been second to none...not even the premium Partition.

Here are two pictures from bullets that I've recovered from deer over the last few years. The two on the left are Gamekings, the one on the right is a Partition. As you can see the frontal area on the Gamekings is quite a bit larger, and they've retained more bullet integrity than the Partition...again, it's hard to beat accuracy and experience.

Long story short, don't discount the Gamekings until you've had a chance to try them in your rifle, and had a chance to see how quickly they dispatch game. Their accuracy is hard to beat!

 

[Alaska]

Imr 4831@ 69.0. Ww brass fed 215gm primer col:2.80" very good bullet in the 300 wam

 

[big rifle man]

have to agree with Rick and the other fellows in regards to gamekings and the 165Gr HPBT. The HPBT is a "hard" bullet and penetrates a bit better than the gameking. That being said I've shot an untold number of deer with the 165 gameking and it works great. I've nailed two elk with the HBPT and they didn't go anywhere after the shot. On another note I shot my last Elk with a .338 caliber 225 Grain sierra pro hunter. (they can be found occasionally at Grafs reloading) Shot was roughly 60 yards. Retained weight was 84 percent. The mushroom was picture perfect. Better yet, the Elk dropped at the shot. (nothing like an ultramag)

 

[SJB358]

I have had pretty decent success with Sierra's. I load the 200gr Gameking in my 300 Win Mag at 2940FPS and they are accurate and seem to handle game pretty well. Never stuffed one in an elk yet, but have taken black bear with complete penetration. I think the HPBT Sierra Gamekings are harder bullets, two being the 165gr HPBT .308 and the 160gr HPBT 7mm.

JD does bring up a really valid point of buying Nosler 2nds. They are very cheap, and have always been just as accurate for me. I like the Sierras, but Nosler wins out in cost most of the time. I would think the 165HPBT would smash any deer with enough mass in a 300WSM. Scotty

 

[bullet]

Now let me see, I have killed hogs, coyotes, whitetail deer, black bear, Mule deer and a cow elk with the Seirra Game King 165gr HPBT out of my 30-06 and deer using a 300WSM A-Bolt. Devastating to say the least. Shot deer with Mississippi Game wardens in a culling effort and killed 32 from as close as 60yds and the longest shot was 230yds and they all (I mean ALL) dropped where they were shot.

I have tested this bullet out of a 300Wby shooting a laminated beam that was 8 1/2" thick, hitting it at 25 yards and it went through the beam and I dug the bullet out of a dirt mound 75yds down range and it did not loose it's jacket. I call Seirra and ask them why was I getting pass throughs with a hollow point bullet (went clean through a black bear at 90yds) and they said that it was their toughest bullet and I believe it from my experience with it in the field.

I hit a 221 pound hog at 101yds and it was a quartering shot. I hit it in the back rib on the right side and it went out the front shoulder on the left side. This bullet is a sleeper and most who use this bullet know what I am talking about.

 

[ACLakey]

My experience with the 165gr HPBT Gameking has mirrored others on this post. I have found them to be a great performer out of my 30-06 and they have been one of the more accurate bullets for me as well. They seem to be tougher in construction than other gamekings, innerlocks and the BT that I have used. In fact I am working up a load for a new 30-06 for elk this fall and guess which bullet is the front runner.

 

[YoteSmoker]

A "bullet smith" at Sierra told me the 85 bthp 6mm Gameking was their toughest bullet when I called and talked to him 2 or 3 yrs ago. Maybe all the bthp Gamekings are tougher than the SBT bullets...who knows? Sounds like they do the job, regardless.

 

[longwinters]

I shot Game Kings for years out of my 06 for deer and never had any problems with accuracy or performance. From 12 yds to 150 yds they did what they were supposed to. I have a lot of them on my reloading table and would not see any reason not to use them. I don't adhere to the need for a "premium" bullet for deer hunting.

All that being said, I mostly use Nosler bullets because they do the same thing for me .......and because I like you guys :>) you know....in a manly comrodery way.

Long