Sierra .243 Gameking 90Gr FMJ

[tnieto2004]

Anyone tried hunting medium size game with these? I have been using 100gr grand slams, but the sierra seem to be much more accurate in my rifle.

I am a little hesitant about hunting with FMJ's but would like some input.

Thanks for any input you may provide.

 

[NCsmitty]

I have not used those bullets, but I'm guessing that they are designed to reduce pelt damage on fur bearers like coyote and such. Maybe they'll work for hogs too.
I personally would not consider them for deer. Too many good expanding bullets around to do the job better.



NCsmitty

 

[wankerjake]

I have a few of those too that I'm wondering if I'll ever use. I wouldn't use them for deer myself. I believe they are more of a match bullet rather than pelt damage reduction but I could be wrong. I'm tempted to try them on coyotes but I've heard the FMJ doesn't really reduce fur damage. As far as killing goes though, I have no doubt they would floor a coyote.

 

[tnieto2004]

I am thinking for small, hill country deer. They aren't much bigger than coyotes where I will be hunting, HA. I'll probably stick with the ole trusty grand slams.

 

[wankerjake]

You could try gameking spitzer soft points, they'd probably work better and be accurate in your rifle. Not that the FMJ's wouldn't work-I don't know. There's a fella on this site who uses FMJ mil surp ammo to kill a lot bigger game than deer, but most "experts" will tell you they are incapable of killing things I'd at least try them out on coyotes and see what they do before I used them on deer.

 

[shaggy430]

In most states, FMJ are not legal to use for hunting. I do not know your state, but you should check the regulations for yourself.

 

[NCsmitty]

Aside from the legality of using a FMJ by state law, there is no question that most times a FMJ bullet will kill game, eventually. The problem is that as most know, they do not destroy tissue like a normal expanding bullet, and that allows game to evade collection by simply running greater distances and hiding, and often expiring without being found. That's in nobody's best interest, including the game.

Our true resident Hunter, caribou is an exception without peer.



NCsmitty

 

[bpl]

Our true resident Hunter, caribou is an exception without peer.

I also believe he is hunting on the tundra and can probably see great distances, so its probably not a big deal if the game animal runs half a mile.

Or, he just shoots them all in the head!

 

[wankerjake]

Aside from the legality of using a FMJ by state law, there is no question that most times a FMJ bullet will kill game, eventually. The problem is that as most know, they do not destroy tissue like a normal expanding bullet, and that allows game to evade collection by simply running greater distances and hiding, and often expiring without being found. That's in nobody's best interest, including the game.

Our true resident Hunter, caribou is an exception without peer.

Yes Caribou is the one I was referring to, and of course there are certainly better options than the FMJ. However small deer and coyotes are much easier to kill with less-than-optimal projectiles. If you hit them well with a FMJ though and they will die right now. BUT, I personally wouldn't go bigger than coyote with the 90gr FMJ unless I had to...which is unlikely. After all, perfect shot placement is much easier said than done when buck fever sets in.

 

[Art Eatman]

I've tagged some 20+ cenTex bucks with the Sierra 85-grain HPBT from my Sako carbine .243. Pretty much neck shots or cross-body heart/lung shots. I guess 95+% dropped in their tracks.

 

[EmbarkChief]

I hunt in the Hill Country as well, for a very long time I used 100 grain softpoints in my .243 before I went to the 95 grain ballistic tips when the Winchester Supreme line came out. I also shoot them in the neck or if I have the opportunity, the head. I'm not sure how many I've killed, but I only had to track 1. The quick answer is if head shots are utilized it doesn't make any difference what bullet you use.

 

[ms6852]

My brother made the mistake of using FMJ on his 308 one year for deer hunting. Long story short took us almost 2 hour to track the deer down. If you don't take both lungs out and the heart with the same shot or break the spine you are going to be tracking a lot.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Gamekings vs. Grand Slams...

Tneito 2004--IMX, Gamekings are more accurate than Grand Slams. As suggested above, use the SOFT POINT GK's, not FMJ's. If you're worried about the bullet's killing power, use Partitions, not GK's.

My #1 son used (I think--it's been a while!) 95 grain Nosler Partitions in his .243, before he went off to college and work. Kilt every deer he shot with 'em. Again IMX, you give up some accuracy with the Partition for an increase in killing power--Still much more accurate than the Grand Slam.

The compromise--and it is a good one--is Nosler Accubonds: Almost as deadly as Partitions; more accurate than Partitions. And as a bonus, not quite as pricey. But I personally have not used Accubonds in a .243.

Anyhow, as said above, FMJ's are NOT for hunting, and also as said above, good shot placement trumps every other factor--Practice, practice, practice.