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Does anyone have any terminal performance experience using the 65 grain Sierra GameKing? I am wondering how it would stack up against the various open tip match bullets recommended.
The search function returns lots of hits for Sierra, but I am not finding any data for the 65 gr. GameKing. I have yet to fire it in an AR platform, but in a bolt action 1/9 twist Winchester 70 heavy barrel it can turn in .5 to .6 inch five round groups at 100 yards.
I don't recall that we have ever tested it.
Open tip match bullets are usually not really designed to expand in tissue. The jackets are often heavier than normal and the open tip smaller than those designed for varmints.
Based on my experience shooting rockchucks and deer with that caliber, the soft point bullets are consistently better than hollow points. The front section of the hollow point will often just fold, when the soft point will actually expand. On the other hand, it may expand too violently at close range on a larger animal and give insufficient penetration. So it depends on what you are planning to shoot.
I was thinking of the possibility of it being used in a defensive role and am thinking it should fall into the same performance niche as the 64 gr. Winchester Power Point and Nosler 60 gr. Partition. If anybody has any penetration data to share, I would be happy to read it.
I understand that a softpoint expands while a match bullet fragments, but it interests me because the Sierra 65 gr. GameKing would be useful for 1/9 twist AR15s. I suppose the comparison should be between the Sierra 65 gr. GK and the 69 gr. MatchKing for that twist rate.
I already use the 75 gr. Hornady open tip match in 1/7 twist carbines as one of the recommendations by DocGKR. Thanks for the comments.
The 60 gr Nosler Partition is head and shoulders better than the old Win 64 gr PP JSP...
My son shot a small doe with a 65gr SGK. It didn't look like it caused a lot of damage, even having me wonder if it expanded at all. He's taken a few other deer with the Winchester 64gr PP and those seemed OK.
I'm not trying to draw a strong parallel between hunting and self-defense based on those scenarios, but I would definitely stick with something that's been tested and is a known good quantity.
The GameKings that I'm familiar with are softpoint projectiles.Quote:
Open tip match bullets are usually not really designed to expand in tissue. The jackets are often heavier than normal and the open tip smaller than those designed for varmints.
Based on my experience shooting rockchucks and deer with that caliber, the soft point bullets are consistently better than hollow points. The front section of the hollow point will often just fold, when the soft point will actually expand. On the other hand, it may expand too violently at close range on a larger animal and give insufficient penetration. So it depends on what you are planning to shoot.
Keith
It looks like Bill Wilson is loading the 65gr Gameking in a tactical load for .223 rifles under the Wilson Combat banner. His site lists it for hunting and for self defense. I have alot of respect for Bill and wouldn't think he'd put his name on it if it wasn't a solid performer but I would also like to see some gel test results before considering a change over.
Wilson Combat Ammo
They come in soft point and hollow point, and even a couple FMJ's (?). My department used the Federal 55 grain HP Game King.Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith E.
I know this is old but I think the gameking soft point is a kick ass bullet for self defense and hunting. It is not a bonded bullet so it will fragment but I would be willing to bet its a pretty good barrier round also.
The hollow point gameking has a more stout jacket for tougher game animals. I love the gameking soft point and would not hesitate to use it for self defense.
Well I have no experience with that bullet in this diamiter but I do recomend the same bullet in 7.62 to alot of guys who are trying to get expansion on game out at the 800M mark. It seems to expand well at the lower impact speeds encountered when a 308win pushes a 200g GK to 800M. I know its not exact but it tells you a little.Quote:
Originally Posted by JStor
Wanted to revive this thread instead of making my own since I had a similar question, but I was wondering if there has been any concensus on whether this round would be a good defensive round to reload?
Doc? Any thoughts?
We have not tested it.
However, based on other similar non-bonded JSP projectiles, I suspect it will work very well on unobstructed soft tissue shots, but not be ideal against intermediate barriers--somewhat similar to the Win 64 gr PP JSP (RA223R2).
Thanks Doc!
I forgot the part about this not being a bonded round...
If DocGKR is willing to take the time to do the testing i would send him some 65gr game kings for testing. If there is a factory loading ( i have never found any) i would be willing to purchase them for testing to make things easier.
If DocGKR is willing just e-mail me with the amount of bullets needed for testing and i will get them in the mail.
I understand ballistic gel is not cheap and that is not the only consideration for costs of the test. If there is an interest in doing the tests but some sort of monetary constraint please let me know in the e-mail and i should be able to work something out.
My email is: jstone2246@gmail.com
If interested let me know and ill get them out.
The only factory load I'm aware of is from Wilson:Quote:
Originally Posted by jstone
.223 Remington Sierra 65gr SBT
The website lists it as "Bill Wilson's "Go To" load for .223/5.56. It's ideal for predators, whitetail deer, and self-defense/tactical applications." I've never seen any testing on it, but given the bullets performance in other calibers I would expect it to perform as well as any other non-bonded .224" bullet.
Hopefully you can get things worked out and get it tested through Dr Roberts as that would provide the best results. If not, I have some gel and may test this bullet at some time in the future but it will be a single test at close range without barrier testing. It would be some data, but not as comprehensive as having the professionals do it.
ETA: The loaded ammo from Wilson is pretty expensive for a bullet that you can get a box of 100 for $18.99 65gr SGK @ Midway. The reviews on Midway have alot of folks talking about deer hunting with them and they seem to be satisfied. That is no substitute for actual testing, but encouraging none-the-less.
Thanks for the info i have seen other gamekings that were loaded in factory ammo but never the 65.
I always like to get at least a box of ammo that is loaded with a bullet i load. If i have any problems getting them to group well i shoot the factory ammo, and if it groups significantly better i try to replicate it as close as possible.
If it does not group any better which so far has not happened i will give up on the bullet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Altair
That is way over priced. I can roll my own for just about half that price.
I have been rolling my own with that bullet for a while now,and you're right, that is way overpriced for 20 rounds. That bullet is hell on coyotes I can tell you that. I'd expect it to very bad news for two-legged predators as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by ErikS