Sierra Gameking for Africa
- Thread starter tusker
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nun_hunter
Well-Known Member
Have you looked on the Sierra web page? There are ususlly plenty of reviews from users including quite a few from Africa and even more from large American Game. I was going to reload this bullet in my 308 after reading the reviews there.
Claret_Dabbler
Well-Known Member
If you can afford a plains game safari, I would spend the the extra few quid for premium bullets - Nosler Partitions, Barnes TTSX etc.
I would not risk a trophy fee on a cheap, relatively soft cup and core bullet. If you make an animal bleed, you are paying for it whether it is recovered or not.
Get the Barnes bullets.
I would not risk a trophy fee on a cheap, relatively soft cup and core bullet. If you make an animal bleed, you are paying for it whether it is recovered or not.
Get the Barnes bullets.
enfieldspares
Well-Known Member
You can't kill deader than dead. OTOH why not just ask the professional hunter that you'll be using for his advice.
I've never really liked Sierra Gameking as I think from opinions I have heard that they are a target bullet masquerading as a game bullet.
As CD inputs cheap bullets is like spending hundreds on a fly rod and reel to then scrimp on the quality of the cast material.
Remember the ONLY part of rifle, case, powder, 'scope and binoculars...all that kit 'n caboodle that actually "touches" the game is the bullet.
I've never really liked Sierra Gameking as I think from opinions I have heard that they are a target bullet masquerading as a game bullet.
As CD inputs cheap bullets is like spending hundreds on a fly rod and reel to then scrimp on the quality of the cast material.
Remember the ONLY part of rifle, case, powder, 'scope and binoculars...all that kit 'n caboodle that actually "touches" the game is the bullet.
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tusker
Well-Known Member
Thanks guys, very much confirmed my own thoughts. I only asked the question as I have a box. I will be using Nosler partitions as I have used them twice in Africa with very good results. I use 85 grn Gameking in my 243 on fallow, Roe and fox with excellent results.
Tusker
Tusker
Tusker,
My son uses my 6.5x55 in Africa with 140 gr Norma Nosler Partition factory.
He's taken many Kudu, Oryx, Zebra and Wildebeest and only the shooter has been the problem.
He has also done the above with my 9.3x62 in 285 gr.
He doesn't feel the 285gr. bullet helps him more than the 140gr. partition. It's all down to where he puts the bullet
Have seen him put a Wildebeest bull down on open plain at 250 metres and it took but 10 steps.
Only in the abattoir did I notice the back end if the Partition sticking out of the chest ! It had gone in the kill zone, taken heart and bounced off the far rib and only the mushroom stopped it reversing out the front. 70%'weight retention.
I know the calibre is "light for Africa" but it's the bullet we are talking about here.
Stan
deerwarden
Well-Known Member
I'll be back again in Africa this year, my fifth trip, have tried all the mentioned premium bullets above, and will be using the ones that have always performed best, ones the P.H.s are always impressed with, Barnes TTX's Deerwarden
The Sierra GK is not a "soft target bullet". They come in different constructions, different jackets, different lead alloys. For example, the 7mm 160-gr Gameking comes in two forms, SPBT and HPBT. The HPBT is actually tougher than the SPBT, and probably retains weight and penetrates as well as a Nosler Partition or Accubond.
As a matter of fact, the .30 caliber 168-gr Matchking is tough enough to not be classified as an expanding bullet, and meets international conventions for military use.
As a matter of fact, the .30 caliber 168-gr Matchking is tough enough to not be classified as an expanding bullet, and meets international conventions for military use.
People here shoot elk, moose and bear with GKs. There is nothing flimsy about these animals.~Muir
enfieldspares
Well-Known Member
Thanks Muir, Southern, but where has this reputation of the GK come from?
I know that it has always been something that one heard from the time I started stalking the the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The ones that I heard this about were the standad soft point boat tail GK. Most here in UK choosing Speer's Hot Cor.
Myth? Fact? Or just better advertising by Speer? Certainly it has been in my mind since the mid 1970s.
The magazines we read, then, were mostly Guns and Ammo from the time when Elmer Keith was Editor-in-Chief. And some USA NRA "Rifleman".
I know that it has always been something that one heard from the time I started stalking the the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The ones that I heard this about were the standad soft point boat tail GK. Most here in UK choosing Speer's Hot Cor.
Myth? Fact? Or just better advertising by Speer? Certainly it has been in my mind since the mid 1970s.
The magazines we read, then, were mostly Guns and Ammo from the time when Elmer Keith was Editor-in-Chief. And some USA NRA "Rifleman".
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243 fallow
Well-Known Member
Maybe if the Gamekings were double the price people might think of them as a better bullet ? Ive used GKS in 270 and found them to kill deer exactley the same as any other soft nosed bullet. They seem popular in the USA and they do a fair bit of shooting over there
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Claret_Dabbler
Well-Known Member
Muir, I don't doubt you are correct, and I am sure many people have used them successfully in Africa. I've used TTSX's here on deer, for light thin skinned game I think they are too tough and don't open sufficiently, kills were a bit slow for my taste.
I'd still buy the insurance of a premium bullet if I was going to Africa. Can't do any harm?
mchughcb
Well-Known Member
Can't help too much on the specifics but here is what I think about gamekings. I've been to Africa, never hunted there. But I've shot plenty of sambar which are the same weight as the greater kudu and gemsbok. This is why I stopped using 180gr gamekings and started going for 220gr woodleighs. Sure you can't kill deader than dead, but there is a difference between dead on the spot and dead 500m+ away.
Woodleigh 30 Cal 220gr RN SN - Blaserbuds; the worlds superlative information source, for these products
Woodleigh 30 Cal 220gr RN SN - Blaserbuds; the worlds superlative information source, for these products
But how much of the improved result is due to going from a 180g to a 220g bullet ? It suggests that a 180g bullet was just inappropriate for the game you were shooting ?
I've used 170g Geco SP in my 30-06 for boar, but the 250g Geco SP from my 9.3 x 74, or 9.3 x 62 drop them in a whole different way !
Yes. They are 'dated' but the Nosler Partition dates from 1948 so they must have earned their spot against that competition, at least, or visa versa.
The dates of their reputation emblazoning doesn't diminish the fact that they worked then, and work now, when fired at appropriately sized/constructed game. To suggest such parallels Elmer Keith's ridiculous statements in the early 80's that the 30-06 was no longer 'adequate' for deer now that (Keith) had developed the "33 OKH" cartridge.
I'm not saying that the OP should us them above others, just stating that the should work if applied correctly.~Muir
deeangeo
Well-Known Member
I personally never really came to terms with the Sierra Game King bullet, but did find that for a very inexpensive bullet, the Sierra Prohunter was a much better bullet for my purposes.
However, if I were to go to Africa to shoot game, I'd certainly speak to the PH & if advised accordingly, pick a premium bullet...either Nosler Partition or Accubond. Can't be wrong to spend the extra whatever bullet is chosen.
However, if I were to go to Africa to shoot game, I'd certainly speak to the PH & if advised accordingly, pick a premium bullet...either Nosler Partition or Accubond. Can't be wrong to spend the extra whatever bullet is chosen.
What weight/calibre/MV? I am interested as I am thinking about trying them if I can find some.
Claret_Dabbler
Well-Known Member
120gr 6.5mm - used for most of last season in a 260rem on Sika.
Also a few 165gr 308's, but this was on Muntjac, so probably not a good sample....
mchughcb
Well-Known Member
Very good question, not sure I have the answer other than the great SD and penetration. The 170gr geco I found was too soft and when it has a picture of a roe deer on the front of the packet that probably explains it. Penetration is the name of the game and two holes is going to bleed better than one, plus it ensures both lungs taken out, not just one.
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