180gr Sierra Gamekings from 308win for deer at 50 - 200m?

[proload]

Hi guys,

A quick question,

I am wanting to load something slow and heavy in my 308 for close range hunting in order to reduce meat damage on deer sized game.

I was wondering what you guys think about a 180 grain Sierra Gameking launched @ about 2600fps for this purpose? Would I get reliable expansion and penetration at impact velocities of say 2100fps - 2300fps?

Cheers

Proload

 

[proload]

For anyone who is interested in this query, I spoke with Sierra, and they suggested that this bullet selection at these velocities would work well for the stated purpose.

I have bought a box and will develop a load in the next month or two and will test on game as soon as I get a chance (after winter).

Cheers

Proload

 

[SLOAN]

You migh want to try, hornady softpoints, works great really puts the smack on them. SLOAN

 

[Muttt]

It all depends on your rifling. If you have a 1:10 twist you should be fine. But, if you have a 1:12 twist or slower, you may want to stick with 175's and lighter. 168gr is about ideal for the 1:12 twist.


I am using 168gr AMAX which are running right around 2550 - 2600 fps and they perform very very well.

 

[proload]

Yeah, they're pretty long ....

I've checked a bullet stability calculator, and it seems as though they should stabilize, but I'll see when I go and shoot them this weekend ...

I'll let you know.

 

[proload]

Well .. out of interest these projectiles grouped really well in my Mauser ...

3 separate sweet spots were found. 2 of about 1/2 inch @ 100m and a third of 1/4 inches @ 100m. The 1/4 inch group had an average velocity of 2673fps, but an ES of 38.88 and an SD of 19.69, whereas one of the other 1/2 inch groups averaged 2620, but with an ES of only 12fps and an SD of only 6.11fps.

I'm very happy with these projectiles and envisage that they will work well for me our to 350m.

I will perform more extensive tests on these 3 loads in the coming weeks ...

 

[grayback]

I have nothing but bad luck with this bullet at 2500-2800 fps on deer. I know alot of other people that have had the same problem. The jacket and core like to saparate on blacktail and mule deer. The last blacktail I shot with this bullet was a young buck at 150 yards. Shot him right behind the front shoulder. Blood shot him from nose to tail. Only found the jacket on the backside. It's a great long range target bullet not a hunting bullet. I have never had the Sierra 165 Spitzer Boattail come apart or much meat damage at 2600-3100 fps muzzle velocity. Have shot deer, elk , moose and never had the target move more that 10 yards. Last mule deer shot with this bullet was in my 30 Gibbs at 652 yards.

 

[proload]

I have nothing but bad luck with this bullet at 2500-2800 fps on deer. I know alot of other people that have had the same problem. The jacket and core like to saparate on blacktail and mule deer. The last blacktail I shot with this bullet was a young buck at 150 yards. Shot him right behind the front shoulder. Blood shot him from nose to tail. Only found the jacket on the backside. It's a great long range target bullet not a hunting bullet. I have never had the Sierra 165 Spitzer Boattail come apart or much meat damage at 2600-3100 fps muzzle velocity. Have shot deer, elk , moose and never had the target move more that 10 yards. Last mule deer shot with this bullet was in my 30 Gibbs at 652 yards.

Hi grayback,

What rifle and cartridge did you use these in, and do you by any chance know what MV you were getting?

I'm very interested in your comments because I would have thought that by the time the bullet slows down into the 2100-2400 fps range that it would be reliable. I agree that at high impact speeds it would be unreliable.

Cheers

 

[longrangehuntr]

why use such a large bullet for deer? All it does is damage more meat which leaves you will less in the freezer.
100-150 grain bullets are more than enough to take deer. It doesn't matter how slow or fast a bullet is going it is still the same size bullet.

 

[proload]

why use such a large bullet for deer? All it does is damage more meat which leaves you will less in the freezer.
100-150 grain bullets are more than enough to take deer. It doesn't matter how slow or fast a bullet is going it is still the same size bullet.

1. Because my rifle likes 180's (and specifically these bullets)
2. Because I have long range covered with another rifle.
3. Because they're so cheap to shoot that I can shoot 25 a week and improve my abilities as well as the rifles.

As far as meat damage is concerned, I can't agree with your observation that a slower heaver bullet does more meat damage than a fast lighter bullet. There is a lot more to it than that.

 

[longrangehuntr]

a 85 grain bullet will do less damage than a 180 grain going the same speed. I am not concerned with what your rifle likes or that you have long range covered or the price of ammo. I was asking why you want to use such a large bullet when a smaller 30 bullet will do the job. If you don't think it will do anymore damage than a lighter bullet I would like to see pictures of the deer you shoot with this bullet.

 

[proload]

a 85 grain bullet will do less damage than a 180 grain going the same speed.

I don't understand your thinking in this regard ... how and why would you want to download an 85gr pill (if you can find one) to 2670 fps ... your argument makes no sense at all.

If you don't think it will do anymore damage than a lighter bullet I would like to see pictures of the deer you shoot with this bullet.

Sure thing sugar ... will post as soon as I get out there ... as you know from reading this post, I am still working on my load, but I am expecting great things with little meat damage. You see, meat damage has got more to do with impact velocity and bullet construction than bullet weight.

Think about this ... have you ever seen a wound canal from a 7x57 Mauser or a 303 British ... you can literally eat right up to the hole, and thats because those calibers virtually guarantee low speed impacts (1800 - 2300 fps), but you definitely want that heavy bullet at those sort of velocities so that you can get that drive through momentum to give you full penetration.

Anyway ... lets not drive each other crazy ... we can always agree to disagree ...

 

[longrangehuntr]

and roger, I load my 85 to about 3100 fps, bullet construction for sure which is why I like the barnes bullets that are solid copper, a hard bullet that doesn't expand much since that is what I want for neck shots or heart/lung shots so I am not picking shards of bone out of the meat.

 

[proload]

Dude ... have you been hunting for long ???

I'm not sure if you're serious or if you're trying to pull my leg ...

Anyway ... all the best.