Idaho Shooter, I am a handloader. I've been sitting here researching loads while watching the game. For my part of the country (southeast) the Sierra 170 jacketed looks like a great place to start.
Yes that is a great place to start. If you expect targets at extremely short range, I would load the 170s just a bit short of maximum velocity. At fifty yds, push them hard.
Note of explanation: Many years ago, I shot the Berrys 210, Hornady 210 XTP, and Sierra 170 JHC into water. At max velocity from a 7.5 inch barrel and six feet vertical range, three samples of the 170 shed the jacket, and lost all but a small pellet of lead from the core. At a bit reduced velocity they fared much better.
The XTP core held together very well even though it shed the jacket with a maximum charge.
This was probably 12 or 13 years ago. If you desire more information, I have photos on the 'puter and notes in the logbook.
