What to expect of legendary Gameking
- Thread starter TheSwede
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Sierra 165 SBT Game Kings are some of the best hunting bullets I've used.
I'd use a heavier bullet for moose, like a 220 gr round nose, or a 196 gr 8mm.
I'd use a heavier bullet for moose, like a 220 gr round nose, or a 196 gr 8mm.
Geno:
I have tried both, but use the SP nowadays.
Below is an example of a factory offering....
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/21...ierra-gameking-soft-point-boat-tail-box-of-20
I have tried both, but use the SP nowadays.
Below is an example of a factory offering....
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/21...ierra-gameking-soft-point-boat-tail-box-of-20
Andrew Leigh
Member
There are bullets that offer less meat damage, but load what you need to load.
Will do Andrew.
Unless hog brains are on the menu, there isn't any meat loss, but do concur with you that other bullets may make less of a mess.
I like um DRT whenever possible, and the load gives me the precision to place them where I want them to go at the ranges I like to use them for. ( Placing the bullet in the ear really seems to dump them on the spot)
(FWIW..... A specific rifle that shoots one or more load/bullets equally well simply gives the rifle more versatility, provided that they stay that way thruout the rifle/shooter's maximum effective range.... and/or the ranges dictated by the terrain that one hunts in.)
I have a few pics of deer that were hit in the head (resulting in very minimum meat loss),........ but they are most likely to graphic to post here.
While I realize that some prefer the "better bullet/load", I am of the preference to pick the bullet/load giving me the most precision....... over any one other factor.... and also satisfied with the bullet's terminal effects on critters ranging from hogs to deer to bear to elk.
The reason for this stems from shooting in the field, and for the purpose of harvesting game. Less consistency in shot placement is a controlling factor, so I like to keep this as one less thing to go wrong when the opportunity to take a shot presents itself.....and at any range that I feel comfortable taking the shot.
While I see the merits of other bullet designs, I feel that none of them are worth loosing any precise placement over...... (all other factors being equal)
The 165gr SGK happens to be the combination for this application in my particular case.
Every rifle may have it's own preference however. A legendary bullet is only as good as a specific rifle can deliver it....FWIW...
I would suggest the Game King be one of the bullets to test through any rifle, as terminal effects are plenty for most game in the America's and then some.
Unless hog brains are on the menu, there isn't any meat loss, but do concur with you that other bullets may make less of a mess.
I like um DRT whenever possible, and the load gives me the precision to place them where I want them to go at the ranges I like to use them for. ( Placing the bullet in the ear really seems to dump them on the spot)
(FWIW..... A specific rifle that shoots one or more load/bullets equally well simply gives the rifle more versatility, provided that they stay that way thruout the rifle/shooter's maximum effective range.... and/or the ranges dictated by the terrain that one hunts in.)
I have a few pics of deer that were hit in the head (resulting in very minimum meat loss),........ but they are most likely to graphic to post here.
While I realize that some prefer the "better bullet/load", I am of the preference to pick the bullet/load giving me the most precision....... over any one other factor.... and also satisfied with the bullet's terminal effects on critters ranging from hogs to deer to bear to elk.
The reason for this stems from shooting in the field, and for the purpose of harvesting game. Less consistency in shot placement is a controlling factor, so I like to keep this as one less thing to go wrong when the opportunity to take a shot presents itself.....and at any range that I feel comfortable taking the shot.
While I see the merits of other bullet designs, I feel that none of them are worth loosing any precise placement over...... (all other factors being equal)
The 165gr SGK happens to be the combination for this application in my particular case.
Every rifle may have it's own preference however. A legendary bullet is only as good as a specific rifle can deliver it....FWIW...
I would suggest the Game King be one of the bullets to test through any rifle, as terminal effects are plenty for most game in the America's and then some.
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Andrew Leigh
Member
The game king is my "go to" bullet when ever checking a rifle for accuracy. When happy with the rifle bedding etc. I then develop a load with a "premium" bullet.
With headshots a premium bullet is a waste and I agree accuracy is all important.
With headshots a premium bullet is a waste and I agree accuracy is all important.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Heh. My summation: What I expect from a Legendary Gameking is a dead critter. So far, so good.
alsaqr
Member
i've been using 150 grain Sierra Game King bullets in .30 caliber for decades. It's the most accurate .30 caliber hunting bullet i've ever loaded. Killed at least 200 whitetail deer with those bullets; most were bang flops, few deer went over 50 yards after being hit.
Few years ago my son killed a 100 pound runt buck with my .30-06 and my fast handload using the 150 grain Game King. Range was about 90 yards. i told him the inside opposite the entry hole would look like it was peppered with shot.
There it was; a 5" diameter area peppered by bullet fragments with an exit hole in the center.
Few years ago my son killed a 100 pound runt buck with my .30-06 and my fast handload using the 150 grain Game King. Range was about 90 yards. i told him the inside opposite the entry hole would look like it was peppered with shot.
There it was; a 5" diameter area peppered by bullet fragments with an exit hole in the center.
Been hunting now for over fifty years. Target and competition for over 60. Sierra makes a really fine bullet for both accuracy and terminal efficiency on big game. After all these years I've finally settled on the 30/06 as my all around caliber and the 180gr bullet as my go to bullet. I've used Sierras on deer, moose, caribou and black bear. When I started elk hunting I was given a box of Barnes tsx bullets and so far 9 of those bullets have killed 9 elk. On the broadside shots I have never recovered a bullet as they have gone clean thru. On 2 elk I have taken the Texas heart shot( between the hams foreward into the body) and recovered both bullets at the base of the skull fully mushroomed and losing no more than .2gr. I will use either one of these fine bullets on anything in NA and never feel under gunned. I cant say the same for Hornady or Speer. FRJ
I use .30 caliber 150gr SGK bullet to make my .308 "Lite" loads for smaller and or younger family members. I load it to about 2,450 fps out of a 20" barrel Savage and Remington 7 rifles. They are very accurate out to 200 yards and has the felt recoil of a little more than .243 so everybody can shoot them without the fear of recoil.
From what I've seen they are deadly on deer and hogs out to about 150 yards. With the slower velocity I see very good penetration without the large surface damage or major meat loss.
From what I've seen they are deadly on deer and hogs out to about 150 yards. With the slower velocity I see very good penetration without the large surface damage or major meat loss.
Kachok
Member
Sierra Game Kings are fantastic bullets, yes there are countless incidents where the jacket was found under the far side skin of a deer/elk and everyone assumes that is some catrostrophic failure but in reality it held the core together long enough to deliver impressive shock to the vitals. I have used Ballistic Tips, SSTs, Core-Lokts, Power point and countless other bullets but none of them kill as fast as the Sierra in my experience. The nasty 165gr SGKs in my 06 have been an INSTANT kill on anything close to the vitals.
I load SGKs in all five of my rifles, they are the most accurate in three of them, and disappointing in none of them.
If you want reliable exit wounds on deer class game with SGKs just make sure to use a higher SD bullet. 120gr .257" 140gr .264" 150gr .277" 160gr .284" or 165gr .308" If you go lighter don't be supprised if it dumped all it's energy into the vitals.
Only problem I have ever had with a SGK is they are too effective, and their very wide wound tract ends up tearing up alot of meat, even worse then my Ballistic Tips.
I load SGKs in all five of my rifles, they are the most accurate in three of them, and disappointing in none of them.
If you want reliable exit wounds on deer class game with SGKs just make sure to use a higher SD bullet. 120gr .257" 140gr .264" 150gr .277" 160gr .284" or 165gr .308" If you go lighter don't be supprised if it dumped all it's energy into the vitals.
Only problem I have ever had with a SGK is they are too effective, and their very wide wound tract ends up tearing up alot of meat, even worse then my Ballistic Tips.
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Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
"...their very wide wound tract ends up tearing up alot of meat..."
To repeat: Don't shoot Bambi in the eating part.
To repeat: Don't shoot Bambi in the eating part.
Kachok
Member
Thanks Art I almost forgot LOL. No sometimes it is hard to get off a clean shot without hitting something tasty when your bullet is taking out 10" chunks of deer. As much as I would like every shot to be a neck shot or rear lung in the real world sometimes we have to take what we can get, and when that happens the SGK will tenderize some meat, small price to have to pay for not having to track though, the underbrush is nasty thick around here.
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