Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game (.308) 165 Sierra GameKing--Hollow Point Boattail

I have worked up some loads for my son's BLR in 308 Winchester. This bullet is the clear standout for accuracy of those that I tried. I personally have not used this bullet before.

For those with personal experience, my question is, how large of game would you consider using this bullet on at 308 velocities? What has been your experience on expansion/penetration at near muzzle velocities and at low impact velocities.

Thanks

I may have used it a few times since on smaller stuff, but the single incident that stands out most clearly in my mind is a moose I killed with one close to thirty years ago. A over 200 yards from a 30-06, the 165 HP Gameking drilled the heart and stopped in the far side of the animal. They aren't a "blow-up" bullet, but their expansion may limit penetration under some circumstances. The 308 will negate some potential issues it might have at higher speeds.

According to Sierra, their HPBT GameKings are "tougher" than their regular SPBT GameKings. I have had great success with the 120gr 257 and 140gr 277. Accuracy is top notch and termial performance has always been outstanding on deer and hogs.

The 165 BTHP is one of the best Whitetail bullets you can use in the 308 or 06 . I use this bullet in my 308 and load them for my nephew in his 06. I load the Sierra 120 gr BTHP in my brother 257 Roberts and also use the 160 gr in my 7x57 and 7mm Mag. The BTHP is the only bullet from Sierra i use for big game hunting. I wouldn't hesitate to use these on Elk in the 30 cal.

Yep - GREAT bullet. I was deep in a swamp and a herd of white tail deer were running in my direction. It was THICK with smallish trees and I was leading the biggest buck by about three feet and hit the set trigger just as the muzzle centered a 6 inch diameter tree. The bullet went through the tree, smacked the buck fully expanded at about ten feet, and knocked him off of his feet. Great bullet.

Terry

Great plug, I'll have to get some.

Made one of my longest big game kill shots with one out of a 300 Win on a columbia blacktail. Killed my largest bull elk with a 180 grain gameking years ago. I haven't used them in probibly 10 years but it's not because they don't work.

The 165 HPBT is easily one of my fav 30 cal bullets, if I had to (gag) use a 30 cal the rest of my life I could easily use this bullet for most all that moves.

I've used it in a 308,06 and 300 Wby and it's always shot well for me and it's always done well on game up to elk. I'd not sweat it on using it on elk out of any of the above cals.

I find it to be a almost preme bullet in a green box of 100..

Dober

Some of the members here gave good reports on them so I used them during deer season this year in my '06. Super accurate and wickedly effective on deer. They did not blow up. So far I have found them to be a good tough bullet.

I have used the 165gr sp with great results. Am I reading correctly that the hollowpoint is a tougher bullet? Which would you choose for whitetail at 30-06 velocities.

Matt,
Like others have said Sierra says they are tougher. If I am not mistaken when I asked several years back I was told the jackets were heavier/thicker. I have never used the SP but have used the HP with great results on deer and Elk.
They are very accurate as well and work like a champ when moly coated.

Dave

Mmm.............Interesting!

I use the 308 HPBT GK's, they were very accurate in my Savage 308 and show potential in my Cooper. I had one kill at 35yds with my 308 and it performed like a soft point without blowing a big hole in the off side.

I also use the 85gr in my 6mm with good accuracy and before that a 243 #1A. I had one kill with the 243, about 75 yds on a broadside Sika doe, quarter size exit hold with spray about 20' beyond.

The only thing that I don't like about them is a non-issue as far as performance, but I hate that Sierra crimps the opening on the larger calibers.

I would like to see Sierra release a 120gr .277 HPBT GK.

I've used the 140gr .277 version and the 160gr .284 version, while family members have run the 165gr .308 and 85gr .244 bullets. The two I used worked well on whitetails and did some major damage with adequate penetration. The other two worked nicely on broadside shots but didn't penetrate as much.

RDW-that would be a fun one indeed, speaking of the 120 HPBT. I have used the 140 HPBT a bit in the 270 and the 160 HPBT quite a bit in my 7 Mashburn Super.

IME they're a very good bullet, my only complaint is that there BC isn't the worlds bestest. But...I run dotz so I can make do with about anything.

Dober

Has anyone used these bullets at extended ranges where the impact velocity dropped below 2000 FPS?

I have had some here for a long time and have used other bullets on game. That bullets B.C. is less than spitzers.
==========================================================
From the Sierra manual #5.

".308 dia 165 grain hollow point boat tail bullet #2140
For rifles in 30 caliber, this 165 grain #2140 hollow point bullet, which is patterned after the world famous 168 gr MatchKing bullet, was designed for shooters who desire a hunting version of that famous Matchking. It is slightly "harder" than its 165 grain #2145 Spitzer Boat Tail counterpart and will give superior penetration and good expansion on medium game with excellent accuracy. This is a good medium-weight bullet choice for shooters of 30 caliber magnum rifles who desire a bullet that will not deform at the point.

For handguns chambering 30 caliber cartrides, this 165 grain #2140 bullet is "hard" and will expand in medium to large game only when driven at a muzzle velocity of 2500 fps or more, whch is achievable in the 308 Winchester cartridge in the Remington XP-100 handgun or a similar combination. It can, of course, be used for handgun silhouettes or other target purposes."
========================================================

To each his own.

All this sounds interestin. I do worry about what was just posted that they won't expand at less thab 2500fp. I'll have to run the figures to see where that would be at starting from '06 velocity say 2800fps - 3000fps

It does not say that they will not expand below 2500 fps! It says to start them at over 2500 fps for game shooting.

I could not get them to expand in water jugs or books at 1900 fps (shot out of my 30-30), but they do tumble being a hollow point rear weighted bullet. The reason I asked for game experience is I'm thinking even if they don't expand, but tumble the wound channel and penetration may still be good at extended ranges, though perhaps not in a straight line.