sierra gameking performance (spbt)

hi guys -

i am looking to hear experiences with this bullet on game, specifically on deer, antelope and elk. data such as accuracy, terminal performance, meat damage and comparisons with other bullets will be greatly appreciated. any powder/starting load suggestions would be appreciated as well.

i have 165-grain for my .308 and 160-grain for my 7x57. the two powders i currently have are imr 4895 and imr 3031. i am also considering (based on good reports) getting imr 4064, unless i hear of a better powder in the same price range.

my one experience with sgk was a 165-grain (federal premium factory load) out of my .308 on a good-sized mulie doe at about 70 yards. considering where i hit her (near the spine above the shoulder), it performed very well, but i remember it making a pretty big exit wound. she dropped, and dropped hard, but because of my shot placement, i ended up having to make a finishing shot.

Ron, I used them in my .338 for years, and had good luck with them in the 250 gr. weights.

With a .30 bore, you will probably be much happier with a 180 gr. bullet. They will penetrate, and the expansion is better controlled than on a 165. This will result in less meat loss, guarantee. Some will disagree, but I am a firm believer in shooting a heavier bullet in a caliber for the best performance.

I loaded up some 165 gr. for my x a few years ago to hunt on the east side. After we saw the performance of the bullet, I was told in no uncertain terms I was to never load anything lighter than a 180 for her Springfield. I agreed. A full quarter could easily be lost in a shoulder shot. With a heavier bullet, you can many times eat up to the hole. I know it definitely holds for the .338 with a 250 gr. bullet. Best theing going for deer and antelope, NO spoiled meat, unlike some of the wundermags with the lighter bullets I've seen absolutely destroy animals.

Same would apply for a 7mm. If you use the bullets recommended by the ammo companies, you will blow the hell out of game. Go up one bullet weight, and this is usually the most appropriate for the application. The good thing about the 180 in the .30 cal, it makes it a good bullet for elk, so you are shooting one load, and know what your rifle is doing at all times.

   I shot a buck with the same factory load you did and droped him dead, at about 80 yards with a easy behind the shouled shot.  I don't load for 7mm mauser but I load for the .308 and 7mm08, and I would like to recomend either H-Varget or RL-15. My I have 2, 308s and I am currently using a 20 inch barrel and still getting 2840 fps with a 150 grain bullet and also groups are seldome (48,grs RL 15)over 1.125 and often under .75. Varget is at least as acurate but I don't get quite as good of velocity. The millitary loads RL-15 for the M-24 sniper rifle.    ...tj3006

Hi Tash,I'll throw in my 2 cents for what its worth.I like the sierria spbt's for light to medium game.Accuracy is excellent if load developement is good.My thoughts on the 7x57mm is that it works best with dense loads.You will find accuracy best at 100% or above.

The following loads may be of use.Start back two grains or more on all of the following.These are achieved in a Bruno or CZ if you prefer with a 24 inch barrel.The loads are all for spbt 160gr projectiles.

IMR 4895 40gr for 2500fps.At 400yards 1982fps and 1396fpe.

imr 3031 37.5GR FOR 2500FPS.Identical at 400 yards to the above.

IMR 4064 42.5gr for 2680fps.At 400 yards 2102fps and 1570fpe.

I would recommend you think about these three powders also.WMR 52gr for 2660fps.H4831 52grs for 2640fps,Re 22 51grs for 2690fps.All give better accuracy in the rifle I built these loads for.The best accuracy I got was with ADI 2213 51grs for 2720fps grouped .3 with six group average of .55.Your closest burn rate to this is WMR or IMR4831.All of these loads will give you enough thump out to 400yards on deer size game.The last group a fair bit further.Hope they are of some use.Have a good one macca.