65 grain Sierra game kings - (0.224)

[223copperhead]

Sierra claims their game kings are as good a match bullets.
Has anyone here actually found this to be true?
Should I expect sub moa performance?

I want to work up a hunting round with 65 grain 0.224 game king and RE15.
Any experience with this load out there?

Thanks.

 

[gamestalker]

I've loaded a whole lot of GK's, and they've been quite accurate, sub moa should be no problem if the rig and shooter is up to the task. But about the only match grade I can compare to is for 22-250, which happen to be Sierra 52 gr. bench rest made in the 1960's, they shoot under an inch when I'm having a good day, as do the GK's.

GS

 

[Hardtarget]

I've loaded some of the 65gr GK bullets. I'm going to the range Sunday 6/21 so I'll shoot a few. We'll see how they do. Been a while but I think they shoot pretty good.

Mark

 

[v8stang289]

You can definitely get sub-MOA performance. I loaded up a few over 25 gns of Varget for my Rem 700 SPS Tactical 20" barrel to test against the 69 gr SMK I've been shooting. First 3 shots at 100 yds grouped like this. I haven't had a chance to load any more but this load looked promising to me.

 

[Hardtarget]

Well, my range trip was aborted...just might try again 6/22 if there is no rain. I have several loads I'd like to test.

Mark

 

[GooseGestapo]

The question isn't if the bullets are moa capable, is your rifle moa capable with 65gr bullets?
My 1/12" twist Rem. Mod-7 isn't, but shoots the Sierra 65's as well as anything. Either of my other 1/9" .223's shoot them as well as 68gr Hornady, 69 gr MatchKings, or Berger 70gr VLD's.
Load over 25.5gr RL15 and you're good to go.
IF, your rifle is capable.

 

[sixguns]

Sierra claims their game kings are as good a match bullets.
Has anyone here actually found this to be true?
Should I expect sub moa performance?

I want to work up a hunting round with 65 grain 0.224 game king and RE15.
Any experience with this load out there?

Thanks.

Do you have a reference to Sierra where they say that? I've never read or heard of this and it goes against why thin jackets are used to get a more accurate bullet.

 

[sirgilligan]

Their website doesn't say anything about it being as good as a match bullet.

http://www.sierrabullets.com/resources/bullet-selection/index.cfm

GameKing Bullets: All bullets in this classification are for hunting and all have boat tails... These bullets are designed for a combination of penetration and expansion in medium and heavy game animals for their calibers.

Now, they do say that their BlitzKing bullets have "accuracy characteristic of the MatchKing bullets. ";

 

[Hardtarget]

I've learned a truism about shooting and reloading.

The more you want or need to go to the range, the more likely it is for other things to prevent said range trip.

I'm still trying to get in some shooting time. I know the 65gr Game King bullets shoot good. Others have already attested to their quality.

Try a box. You'll be happy.

Mark

 

[spitballer]

They rank among the most popular .224's at midway, so somebody must be using them.

 

[Swampman]

Sierra .224, 65 Grain GameKings

They're more accurate than 64 grain Gold Dots or 62 grain Fusions (in a friend's 24" PSA Varmint .223 rifle, there's no discernable difference in 16" Bushmasters or AK's w/1x Red Dots) and seem to kill pigs a little quicker with chest shots, although they don't penetrate as far, particularly if bone is hit.

My only real gripe with them is the amount of lead they leave on the feed ramps of an AR or AK.
The leading has never caused any actual malfunctions, it's just a pain to clean off with a brass brush, especially in an AR/M4.

I used to use RL15, but switched to TAC, partly because of how well it meters, but mainly because Western Powders published full 5.56mm level, pressure tested load data featuring TAC and 65 grain GameKings.

Unless I hunt power line R.O.W.s or across hay meadows (I don't use a 5.56mm there), I seldom get a shot much past @ 75 yards on pigs in this area. I've never shot the TAC loads with anything but irons, Aimpoints, or an Eotech so all I can say is that they're "minute of pig" accuracy wise.

Ramshot 5.56mm pressure load data.
http://www.hofmantopsport.nl/RAMSHOT Herlaadgegevens 04-10-2013.pdf

My RL15/65 gr. GK loads were worked up in a friend's (very accurate), scoped rifle and would shoot @ .5", 5 shot groups at 100 yards.

I don't think GameKings are as accurate as MatchKings (particularly the 52 gr. HP's), but they're sure as heck accurate enough for any sort of light/medium game hunting that'd be sensible to attempt with a .223/5.56 rifle.

 

[Swampman]

Cartridge & Twist Rate?

A few questions for the OP.

What .224" cartridge are you loading for?
What's your barrel twist rate?
What's your barrel length?

I know you specifically asked about the 65 grain Sierra GK's, but unless your mind is totally made up, you might want to at least consider another bullet.

The 60 grain .224 Nosler Partitions may not be as accurate as the Sierra 65 gr. GameKings, but in my opinion they're much more reliable killers, particularly on larger pigs or when shot angles are bad.
In any case, either bullet is plenty accurate for medium game hunting at any sane, ethical range where a .224 caliber rifle would be used.

They're usually kind of expensive, but if you watch the Shooters Pro Shop website, you can sometimes get blems at very reasonable prices.

www.shootersproshop.com/nosler-prod...ailable-please-limit-5-bags-per-customer.html
(Sorry, they're out of stock at the moment)

Another factor to consider is your barrel twist rate.
The 60 grain Partition fired from a .223 Remington will stabilize in a 1/12" twist barrel.
Sierra recommends a minimum of 1/10 inch twist for the 65 grain .224" GK.