Does the 200gr Sierra Gameking starting at 2900fps
hold together on large game i.e. kudu and gemsbok?
My 300 wm likes Federals load very much.
Thanks

Normally I would think that that particular bullet would be right in line with that sort of game, but at 2900+ fs you are pushing the envolope with a gameking. It may be fine but for such a safari I would try a tougher bullet just to play it safe. Loading your own gives the best options by far.

This always stirs up a silly arguement, but the bottom line is that a hunt is expensive even without a guide so why would one not use a premium like a Nosler when the difference is only a few bucks a box....Sure Sierras work most of the time, but premium work all the time...

I shot a whitetail at 75 yards this year with a Fed factory 120 gr 25-06 and it blew to pieces and did not exit, but killed the deer like lighten as they usually do when the blow up...but what if I had shot him in the rear for a raking shot or what if it had been a 1000 lb. bull elk...

All I'm asking is why risk it, makes no since to me????? but that is an individual choice to make and live with the results, sooner or later he will pay the price of a lost animal IMO...

Your velocity is a bit high, 2800 would be better, I will use it

Just Lucky:
Check out the "Big Game Hunting" forum. i posted this very question there recently and it's up to 42 replies. You should get a lot of good info there.

I saw a 140 gr gameking explode on a whitetail's shoulder. Noslers have always been reliable for me.

I think you should use a matchking!!

just kidding.

I am a huge gameking fan. But I have rarely seen them hold together on deer. But hey, its deer. If I was going on a premium hunt, Nosler is the only bullet for me, even if I can't get it to shoot as good as Sierras.

Just lucky;
In my opinion the 200 grain Sierra GameKing will serve you very well. It has a heavy double-tapered jacket with a hard 3% Antimony lead core.
Your 2900fps m-velocity is ideally suited for it!
Add to it, your confidence in accuracy, and you have a hard to beat combination!
In my 38 years of hunting everything in the Deer family from Blacktails on the west coast to Mulies, Elk, and Moose in rocky Mountain states, "Sierras" have done a fine job!
Most of the time it's been; Bang--Wop--Flop! With the exception of a couple deer that managed to go no more than 20 yards!
I have a friend, a retired, third generation Guide in Wyoming, who has witnessed 1000's of Deer and Elk kills. His favorite bullet? The Winchester Power Points!
He has absolutley no use for so-called "Premium" bullets, he calls them; "COOKIE-CUTTER" bullets!
Those old-timers were on average, pretty reserved when it came to using profanity, but as he would say; "Those God-damned Cookie-cutters would punch a hole clean through the animal and he didn't even know he was shot! I'd end up hav'n to chase'em morn-a-mile! Ya just gotta Tip'em-over!"
I, on the other hand having been a Butcher and involved in the Meat business for over 40 years have seen first hand what kind of damage is done to animals. One story that I've heard more than just a few times is; Yep that was one tough animal! That "N" or "B" bullet went right through'em and had to put another one in him and he still kept going!
Now if I were to be chasing "Dangerous Game" that would call for something a little more substantial, like a 375 H&H or larger, but that's a whole different catgory all-together!
Here's a link to an interview with a "Ballistician" that I think is most informative!
Enjoy,
MM

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/best_biggame_bullets/

Either the 200 or 220 grain Sierra should work fine, I use Gameking for about all my hunting up here in Alaska with a 338 Win and 250 SBT and a 308 Win w/165 SBT, great bullet if you use the heavier ones, if not then seperation will occur due to High Vel.

We did go all through this on a earlier thread as mentioned. I use this bullet in 300 Weatherby at 3016 fps I have recovered bullets from animals shot at 150 and + the bullets held up very well did not shed their jackets. I've also used this bullet in my 7MM Remington Magnum in 160 Gr. at 3000 fps. Shot an Elk at 50' with that bullet it did not shed its jacket so much for the urban myth about this bullet. I did not weigh the bullets but they seemed to be 80% in tact but mushroomed very nicely.

i don't know about the 200 gr. bullet, i quit using the 130 gr. sierra gameking in my 270 win. rifle last hunting season. i shot this buck at 60 yards in an open field( 700 acres) and he didn't drop and i watched him run all the way to the other end. it's an accurate bullet but i rather lose some accuracy to more dependable one

[ 02-25-2003, 00:42: Message edited by: sambo ]