I have a 308 that shoots the GMK (165 grain) beautifully but I have doubts(mostly from reading reports on the internet) on its performance on big deer. I have yet to hunt with the rifle but plan to this fall. The Noslet solid base bullet appears to be built stouter. Can anyone give me feeback on the differences between the two ? Thanks

First of all, I doubt that there's a deer big enough to exceed the capabilities of a 165 Sierra Gameking, although the boattail design of this bullet does seem to promote the separation of the core and jacket a bit more readily than its flat-based counterpart, the Pro Hunter. I think that you would find both the expansion and penetration appropriate for any size deer.

The Nosler Solid Base, which I've used in .22, 6mm, .270, 7mm, and .30, does not have quite such a tendancy to separate core and jacket due to the shape of the jacket near the base. Also, the solid base of guilding metal tends to penetrate rather deeply. While any lead core bullet that is not in some way bonded or uses a mechanical device like a partition will tend to separate the core and jacket, the Nosler SB does not exacerbate this tendancy the way some other boattails do.

I like the SB a lot. If you have any qualms about the Sierra, then by all means use the Nosler SB. I'm delighted to see that they available in some limited calibers again; just wish they would bring back some of my favorites like the 55 and 60 grain .224's (which kill deer almost as efficiently as their big brothers.)

I've used both in my 308. I started with the Nosler and when they discontinued it , switched to the Sierra. I never had any problem with either on deer or hogs. I believe that either will exibit outstanding terminal performance as long as the muzzle velocity is kept under 2800 fps., out of my 20" carbine the mv is ~2700 fps.

On your boattail sooner of later your jacket and core are going to go seperate ways.

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Originally posted by SempreElk:
I have a 308 that shoots the GMK (165 grain) beautifully but I have doubts(mostly from reading reports on the internet) on its performance on big deer. I have yet to hunt with the rifle but plan to this fall. The Noslet solid base bullet appears to be built stouter. Can anyone give me feeback on the differences between the two ? Thanks

Seriously friend.....if you don't think the Sierra Game king isn't good enough then you should be looking at the Nosler Partition or better bullet. I'm no fan of Sierra but they'll kill deer anyday.

FWIW, the solid base tends to penetrate further. As far as I could tell left a bigger exit hole in the sevens I used it in over some of the pinhole exits I got out of the Gamekings.

Both kill deer but for heavier deer I am liking the solid base because I think the Gameking sheds weight faster.

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Seriously friend.....if you don't think the Sierra Game king isn't good enough then you should be looking at the Nosler Partition or better bullet. I'm no fan of Sierra but they'll kill deer anyday.

Never shot a deer with a Sierra bullet always BT's , partitions,hornadys and such. I have heard about 50/50 pro and con about the bullet(Sierra GMK) . I plan on shooting some big deer so I don't want something coming apart and prefer something that will absolutely penetrate a deer while doing a good job on the way through. I have had problems with Hornady 162 SBT bullets fragmenting on big mule deer thus the concern.

FWIW I only use the sierra 165 GMK in all of my 30 calibers which includes several .308's and they have performed very well for me. Especially if youre only using it for deer you'll be fine IMO.

If you are looking for absolute penetration go for a tougher bullet.