I use 44 grains of IMR 4350, W-W Cases, CCI BR-2 primers, with the 85 Sierra and the 85 Nosler Partition. I prefer the Nosler, because in my rifle, it is more accurate. It also holds together better for penetration.
I have killed a couple of deer and one Coyote with the Sierra. They were standing, broadside shots. I would not use it for anything other than standing broadside lung shots because of penetration issues. I would be concerned about penetration for off-angle shots.
I tried these very bullets for one season and had very poor results with our small whitetails in South Alabama. Shooting down out of tree stands coulkd not get them too penetrate and ended up running the deer down. Sad to say I did this twice knowing that I had the answer to my problems at home in the old standby Hornady 100 gr BTSP. I'll never stray again!
The 85 gr. Sierra gives spectacular kills until things go South, and they will sooner or later, and one will blow up on the shoulder..then thoes that profess their use will go to a heavy bullet made for big game and become the better educated by their mistake....Most good judgment comes from bad judgment...
