I was wondering if anyone shoots 125 grain Sierra pro hunter for deer and how they perform on deer? I can shoot a half inch group at 35 yards really consistently with my gun but I do not know if that group will hold together at 100 150 yards etc. The farthest shot that I will ever take at my field is 350 yards Max. So what do you think about the idea for deer hunting?

The group may hold together. But the bullet may not. 125 is pretty light for a cup & core bullet if loaded to full '06 velocities. May have issues with the bullet coming apart pretty violently. Loaded some 130 Hornadys for a buddy's 30-Oh-6 30 years ago. They didn't hold together very well and created some problems on whitetails.


No real reason to go that light. Find yourself something 150-180 that the gun likes and never look back. If you're dead set on a light bullet, look into something monometal.

They have to be loaded to the bullet's velocity range, not the cartridge's. IIRC, that bullet is intended to be a single-shot pistol bullet, designed specifically to expand at lower speeds. If you launch it at warp speed, bad things are going to happen. Look up the design speed range. Sometimes, it's printed right on the box. If not, the good guys at Sierra will be happy to tell you at their 800 number.

You are correct on the single shot pistol design.

I loaded them for my kids' 308s when they were first starting out deer hunting over a reduced charge of IMR-3031 and they were pure death on whitetails. But I have severe doubts that they'd hold together in the 3000 fps area.

Yup. At 2100 - 2400 fps from the muzzle, they're fabulous. That's in the range of 30 Herrett through 30-30 to the lower end of the 300 Savage. I wouldn't dream of loading them hotter than that.

You’d be better off using the Nosler 125 grain Accubond, those should hold up nicely!

another vote for the nosler.

I don't believe the one he's talking about is the one you're remembering. I believe the single shot pistol bullet was actually heavier, something like 130 or 135 grains. I have a stash of them but I can't put my hands on them right now to verify. I believe the current issue 125 Pro Hunter is a stiffer design, but like you I believe it to be suspect at 30-06 speed.

30-06, deer, 350 yards and closer? Simple: Get a 150 grain bullet and sit it on top of IMR4064. When working up you'll most likely hit paydirt at 52 grains.

If I can ever get a chance to get out and shoot, l’ll clue you in. I have a really light Mauser 30/06 and a bad right shoulder. I’ve loaded up a bunch of those Sierra 125’s just to play with. Mebbe try ‘em on some smaller piggies. Trying to remember? I think I loaded them with 44.5 grains of H4895. Mebbe too fast but we’ll see.

Now, I did load up a bunch of Hornady 150 RN’s with 48 grains of IMR 4064. Kinda reduced load for an 06. I really like them!

deer are not created equal, the whitetails here are 60-80 pounds. where are you hunting. I would use a 155 scenar or a 167.

I used to shoot a lot of the 125gr Sierras out of a 26" barrelled .308. I couldn't tell you the velocities, but they were loaded with a stiff charge of Win 748. I killed probably around a dozen deer with that combo. No, probably not the best big game bullet, but they killed deer like lightning. I mainly used that rifle for coyotes and such at the time, but worked well on lung shots for deer.

When I first started deer hunting some 40+ years ago, I only had one centerfire rifle, a .30-06. I loaded 125 grain Herter's bullets in it for a limited amount of prairie dog shooting. For hunting, I had good results with 150 grain Hornady bullets for mule deer and antelope, and 180 grain Sierra GameKing bullets for elk.

can't think of any situationi in which you would use a hollow point in an '06 for deer, of any bullet weight. I knew a guy once who shot deer with 120gr hollow point in his 7mm Mag. Sure it killed them but it wasn't a pretty sight.

You're right on. The 150gr is a good choice, as is the 165 or even 180. It's hard to beat 150gr spitzer in an '06. Tell you buddy to save the 125 grs for woodchucks, you would have to have a real hate for deer to shoot them with that.

H

Guess you are not familiar with the Sierra 165 gr Hollow Point Boat Tail?

Accubonds would be your huckleberry

I've always liked shooting light for caliber bullets and have had excellent results doing so with the 30.06. Shot placement is the key when shooting the lighter bullets and you definitely want to stay out of the shoulder unless you're using a bonded bullet of some type. I've killed a truck load of deer with the Hornady 130gr SP before they stopped manufacturing those bullets and never lost a deer with it. I have also killed quite a few with the Sierra 125gr Pro Hunter as well as the Nosler 125gr BT. The 125gr Accubond mentioned would be an excellent choice and would probably handle the shoulder should you put it there. Another excellent bullet and one that I also had great results with is the Barnes 130 TSX. My 30.06 is pretty much a safe queen now a days and don't see much action anymore but when it does I shoot the lighter bullets with 100% confidence.

125 Nosler Accubond is the way to go. Much longer bullet than the Pro Hunter.

The 125gr 30cal Sierra is a deer bullet not a pistol bullet. Checking with Sierra confirm this.That's why they call it the "Pro Hunter". I have a hunting buddy that uses this bullet in his 06 for deer every year with complete success. They put deer down quickly. . These are mature muley bucks. These bullets work. Before discounting them give them a try & I believe you will be a believer.

+1

I've killed WT's with Hornady 130's. They'll shoot thru a WT chest with lots of internal damage, good exit wound and DRT.

If these light bullets will group, I see no reason why they wouldn't be good with WT's and hogs. Some say they don't shoot as well as 150's. Just gotta try'em.

I like the magnum velocity, 3k+ fps. They do whack deer.

Here's an HVA group I shot. Factory barrel. Ralph Council makes bench rest bullets but says these do well on deer. Never shot a deer with the Council bullet, but they sure do group.

DF



Here's the rifle.

Hey Dirtfarmer. Looks great. Your point is solid. They work. Come on out here & I promise they will work on 200lb + muleys. The Sierra' 125's will give the same results.

I loaded up some 125 NBT bullets for a carbine 7600 30-06 a few years ago. I wanted something light and at moderate velocity. It shot excellent out of the 7600 with numerous 1" or less groups. I never used the rifle, I traded it off. I had a bunch of ammo loaded up so I decided to try it in a Savage 30-06 Model 116 and I believe that this is the most accurate rifle I have ever owned with this load. I also tried it in my Tikka and it did nearly as well as the Savage. 125gr NBT, 58.5gr of IMR 4350, I think its a middle of the road charge but seems to be magic in the 06's. I have only killed one deer with this load but it was a really nice 170" white tail and he hit the ground like being struck by lightning. Bullet was found in opposite shoulder just under the hide.

HeavyBarrel

That's a good looking rifle.

You need to looking into the 130gr TTSX

I load them in my 30-06 and it's like hitting them with lightning....

I haven’t used the Hornady but I have used the 125 Accubond and the 130 Triple Shock. I’ve loaded them with H-4895 at 3100 fps and they WILL do the job, no question.

+1. Our Couse WT's are the size of a large dog. A 22-250 with a 62gr Barnes or 60gr Partition would dispatch them pretty easily if it were legal. I've take Mule Deer in Unit 9 with a 130gr Barnes in front of 55grns of Varget. That load in my 30-06 cuts through them like buddah with out a ton of recoil. NOTE: I wouldn't use that load beyond 300 yards max. It would lose too much velocity.

I’ve used this bullet in a 18” 308. Plan was for close range deer so used a start load of RL15. Of course I then got a 200 yd shot. Bullet acted like an FMJ as BC like a brick and started out slow. Deer alive after 10 minutes but killed with a second shot to the neck.
Thereafter I’ve used 125gr BT at MV 2,800fps - very good, 125gr NAB again very good but question if it’s better than the BT. I then moved to the 125 Sierra Game Changer in 06 - favourite of all. Reliable expansion, find it under the skin in bits and deer die quick.

I've been thinking about trying those in my .308

I believe Hanco smokes hogs with those out of a 300 Savage.

Yes. Using 43 grains of H 4895 for the 300 Savage.

Chase, how old are you?

Why mess with what works? Take a 165 or 180 and go forth.

The Sierra single shot pistol bullets are 130 gn. I have part of a box still.

130 gr Barnes is ideal.

tzone, I load the Barnes 130 TTSX in 308 for deer.....use TAC at 3170 fps and have yet to catch one and most never take step. What I like about this bullet is the energy is like 1599 out to 300 yards and only a 3 1/2" drop. Have shot them into stacks of wet phone books stacked in front of 2x6 treated boards at 300 yards and will shoot thru 3 of the boards, and when you do catch one it is a perfect mushroom. Only bullet I load for whitetails. Got the 150 TTSX and working on a load with CFE223 for elk hunting.

Light for caliber, so I'd not be inclined to reach out with such. Probably fine though for close in stuff <200 yds.

maybe check out Hammer 30 caliber bullets ?

friend of mines grandfather loads the sierra 125 grain spt pro-hunter in his 30-06 he loads them on the lighter side around 2700 fps. His reason is he suffered from a shoulder injury and cant handle alot of recoil. his loads compared to my sierra 165 grain BTHP game king loads in my 308 win I really cant see any difference in deer killing performance or that his lighter bullet tears up more meat meat then my 308 load. My preference is heavier bullets based on some of my own theories and preferences for rifles. But I am having a hard time understanding why you guys don't think a 125 grain bullet is suitable for deer. What about 130 grain soft points in a 270 they aren't much different and tons of deer have been killed with a 130 grain in a 270.
I know generally lighter bullets are for varmints but a 125 grain bullet with the right design should be fine for deer. Now if the packaged is labelled as a varmint bullet then I wouldn't use it on deer because its designed to frag on impact.

If you’ve GOT to use a light bullet get some 130TTSX and never look back.

You will be happy if you do!!

125/130’s out of an ‘06 at 3K fps is about as close to a .270 as one can get. Nuff said.

DF