I would like to hear your opinions on this bullet out of a 243 Win as a dual purpose (mostly varmint and Small big game). If not this one which one? Sierra says this is a very tough slug.

I just love Sierras but the 6mm's are already small. Why not just use a premium bullet. If there ever was a reason for one this is it!

Of course almost any bullet from a 6mm, within range, will make quite a hole in an animal but it's nice to have them penetrate so there is a trail to follow.

Is this enough reason?


5 shots at 200 yards
Sierra 85 HPBT

Those 85 grain Sierras will whack a deer like a hitman on PCP. I keep a .243 with this load ready for every deer season.

Steve,

No that's not enough reason. Almost any Sierra bullet will shoot like that from a decent 6mm. The 100 gr SPT in fact is also very accurate.

There is deer hunting and then there is deer shooting. If one has a year round crop damage permit and you have room in the vehicle for another carcass then poping a doe broadside when it's looking the other way just fine for border line tools.

But even then one can carry more than one load and the 85 gr Sierra HP does not have that good a ballistic coefficient at all for varmint hunting and may richocet more than a bullet that's not Game King rated. So no it's not a perfect choice for all around use.

I am hunting coyotes here but the bear season opened last week so I am loading the 120 VMax in the rifle and heavier loads in another pocket. Should a black bear come to the call I will change ammo and shoot it with a Partition. That's what I am getting at.

The right bullet for the game at a particular range is perhaps the most informed thing we can do. Cartridges in themselves are just fun to look at.

I shoot them in my 6mm Rem at 3200 fps. The 120 lb(dressed) doe I shot last year went 20 yds.I hit her at 25 yds and took out two ribs on the near side and the bullet lodged in the opposite shoulder.They are a pretty tough bullet.

Thanx fellas

Steve,

I know we are just funnin each other but for those who take every word as written and don't read between the lines I offer these facts. The ballistic coefficient a 80 Sierra Blitz is .319, the 85 gr HPBT is .282 and a 95 gr Partition is .365! When one runs the numbers the right bullet for the game really is an advantage.

So others should either do what ever they want and see what happens or take the safer road and download the free program "Point Blank" at www.huntingnut.com and compare what's out there.

The 85 gr HPBT really does not stand up to the 80 Blitz in terms of wind drift for varminting and the Nosler Partition will do more to game almost no matter what.

Now if one is using a 270 or a 30-06 for this hunting there is power to spare but the 6mm's are really a minimum situation when big game is on the ticket.

That software is also available at:

http://stevespages.com/page8b.htm

What does Sierra say about this bullet? If you're talking about the Sierra 85gr Gameking bullet, yes it's a real winner, but not the Sierra 85gr. HPBT. It's very accurate, but mainly meant for the bench. In any event the Nosler Partition is the hot 6mm bullet right now.
Everyone seems to love using them. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Hey Steve...that 200 yard group looks like its got some vertical stringing....

Cla the 85 HPBT is a gameking.

Yup, the 85 grain Sierra HPBT is a GameKing bullet.

[ 09-09-2003, 12:13: Message edited by: ricciardelli ]

This one is a "Game King" also!

www.sierrabullets.com/store/index.cfm?action=item&item=1535

When I spoke to Sierra a while back they told me that it was initially designed as a varmint bullet but it turned out to be tough enough for deer and antelope provided carefully placed shots were made. This is why I inquired about real life experience on game.

Savage
It's also 90 gr. good for min. pelt damage.I don't get you point?????

Rob,

Here are the "Game King" bullets

www.sierrabullets.com/bullets/marketname.cfm?marketname=GameKing

Do you see a pattern now?

[ 09-09-2003, 21:22: Message edited by: Savage 99 ]

Oh Yes, I see it now all the HPBT's are in the best weight for the caliber.Thanks for pointing that out to me.

A few years ago I loaned my 243 to my cousin as a 'loaner' on the ranch where was a guide. Along with the rifle I gave him a Case-Gard box of 50 loaded with the Sierra 85gr BTHP's. When I got it back after season, all 50 bullets had been fired. 48 spikes and does had been culled, one was a clean miss and one was fired at a target [a lady refused to take a rifle hunting without first knowing where it shot ( 1 1/2 inch high at 100 yards)]

I, too, think that it is a very good deer bullet!

Willie B, POP,Steve,
I'm another WELL satisfied customer, do you see a pattern here?
Stepchild