165gr BTSP GameKing for 30-06 close range hunting question

[bhhacker]

I have just started loading some 165 grainers and am using 46 grains of IMR4895 for my 30-06. In my neck of the woods, shots at 50 yards or less is very common. Is this bullet not made for close range hunting? I know their specialty is long range hunting and im wanting to know if these are going to disintegrate into the deer if its relatively close

 

[ArchAngelCD]

GameKings are not made for long range hunting only. The 165gr GK is my main Deer bullet and here in PA shooting ranges are short too. Matchking bullet are meant for long range accuracy and shooting but the GK bullet is just fine for all hunting distances. (within your personal limits)

 

[gamestalker]

Since you are not pushing them at high veloicity, and considering that GK's are good hunting bullets for game such as deer, you should have very good results regardless of how close.

GS

 

[hatwerinrednek]

the sierra gameking 165 gr is ideal for deer at those speeds both near and far. that load is a personal fav for my old remington 06. as for a woods bullet,,, its as good as anything else because those pesky trees and twigs do funny things to any bullet they touch. for me the 165 is ideal, i killed 2 does and a bobcat in the same season with the game king 165. the first was broadside double lung and never hit a rib but still made a nice exit hole,, the second doe was the same situation but i hit a rib on entrance and made a rather large hole on exit. both deer dropped in their tracks but the bobcat was the same distance at 95 yrds and the bullet made a blow hole coming out and the cat still ran 50 yrds before it dropped. their have been others that diddnt drop drt but they were bucks on high alert with lung shots and they were dead before they ran 45 yrds

 

[Astroangler]

I have just started loading some 165 grainers and am using 46 grains of IMR4895 for my 30-06. In my neck of the woods, shots at 50 yards or less is very common. Is this bullet not made for close range hunting? I know their specialty is long range hunting and im wanting to know if these are going to disintegrate into the deer if its relatively close

I use that same bullet and have had great success. Most of my shots were under 50yds too. I'd go with it!

 

[James2]

No worries. That bullet will do a great job on close game. Enjoy!

 

[judgedelta]

My BAR 30-06 really likes the 165 HPBT GameKing for whitetails. If you should need to trail, the hollow point will leave a blood trail Ray Charles could follow.

 

[lonestardiver]

I have used that bullet in an 1903A3 for deer, wild hog, and javalina.
In every case it did what it was supposed to do. Ranges from < 50 yards to about 100 yards.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Yep same here. 165 gr Gameking soft point over IMR 4350 for my Savage 110. Have used that bullet for years and have taken animals from 50-250 yards with great success.

 

[RAAOC]

The 165 Sierra Game King is the only bullet I used for many years in my 30-06. I've taken a few deer and many pigs with it. On several occasions with shots less than 100 yards I've had the bullet disintegrate and fail to exit - even on relatively light game such as a Chital deer that would have only weighed 150 pounds. I don't depend on it to pass through game at close range but it still kills them quickly so I don't care. Longer range shots generally give complete penetration on side on chest shots.