Sierra Bullets

[Hawkeye]

I've been building a load for my 30 06 using 165 spittzers but I am just about out of em so I went into the nearest gun store to where I am working now and they only had hollow points. So I have 2 questions, what difference in accuracy if any can I expect if any at all? Next how can I expect these to perform on game, deer and maybe elk this year? Thanks for you're input

 

[smak_daddy]

I've been building a load for my 30 06 using 165 spittzers but I am just about out of em so I went into the nearest gun store to where I am working now and they only had hollow points. So I have 2 questions, what difference in accuracy if any can I expect if any at all? Next how can I expect these to perform on game, deer and maybe elk this year? Thanks for you're input

Here is the answer and I don't know if it will help or confuse you more.

Try tracking down the ballistic coefficients of both bullets. That will tell the story on how the bullets will drop and their comparative wind bucking abilities. If both ballistic coefficients are similar, you can expect similar results. In theory.

That being said, always take it to the range to double check. The same rifle will shoot a sierra 165 gr HP good and a 165 sierra SP bad. The reason? I don't know.

 

[Onagoth]

Here is the answer and I don't know if it will help or confuse you more.

Try tracking down the ballistic coefficients of both bullets. That will tell the story on how the bullets will drop and their comparative wind bucking abilities. If both ballistic coefficients are similar, you can expect similar results. In theory.

That being said, always take it to the range to double check. The same rifle will shoot a sierra 165 gr HP good and a 165 sierra SP bad. The reason? Nobody knows. At least I don't know.

Well, that covers the ballistics in the air, but what about terminal ballistics. I expect that hollow points would be much more frangible and have less penetration on big game, perhaps to the detriment of a clean kill.

But I will qualify this by saying I have absolutely no experience hunting big game with HPs.

 

[smak_daddy]

Well, that covers the ballistics in the air, but what about terminal ballistics. I expect that hollow points would be much more frangible and have less penetration on big game, perhaps to the detriment of a clean kill.

But I will qualify this by saying I have absolutely no experience hunting big game with HPs.

Great point Onagoth.

 

[Onagoth]

Here's a little wiki supplement to my earlier post, although it doesnt make any conclusions about the effectiveness on big game such as deer or elk.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollow_point_bullet#Expansion

 

[Eagleye]

If those 165 Sierras are the "hunting" hollowpoints with the fairly large open nose and a few creases going down from the open point toward the ogive of the bullet, they are a pretty tough hollowpoint. At 30-06 velocities, they should work quite well without disintegrating on game. Early in my career, I shot several deer with that bullet, and cannot remember recovering any. Exits were twoonie size and the kills were quick.
If they shoot OK, I would take them hunting. Regards, Eagleye.

 

[Wookie316]

HP out of my 338 Gaillard leave a BIG exit wound at ranges less than 100 yards. I have yet to have an animal get away with a HP. Mind you a 250gr HPBT Sierra flying out of the barrel at 3050FPS will put the hurt on big time. I do opt for an X or partition with Moose though as my goal is less meat damage. Shot placement is the key.

 

[todbartell]

if the hollowpoints are 'matchkings', avoid using them on game unless you're stranded in the middle of nowhere and your survival depends on it

 

[Al-Sway]

There is no easy way to predict the performance of match hollow points; the answers above are all correct based on their experiences. The match bullets are not designed to open up like a hunting bullet, so they could be explosive or they could be really tough and not open at all.
Why not try some other brand? Or weight. If you are hunting deer, the 150 grain should do fine.

 

[heavyBullet]

I'm thinking that he is talking about the Sierra 165gr.Hollow Point Boat tail(#2140), which are GameKings not the MatchKings.

As for your original set up with Spitzer Boat Tails(#2145), good luck finding any, and if you do please let me know where.

 

[Boomer]

The hollow point version of the 165 gr Game King is as accurate as the spitzer, but it looses velocity faster. Expect 10" of drop at 300 yards with a typical 200 yard zero.

 

[Hawkeye]

thanks everyone that helps out alot and they are the gameking type