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Pumpkinslinger Super Member
Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5001 Location: NC foothills
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 7:27 pm Post subject: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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Has anyone here tried the Sierra .224" 65 grain Gameking in the .223? I'm investigating loads for an AR with a 1 in 8" twist.
_________________ Mike
"I ain't no better than anybody else, and there ain't nobody better than me!" Ma Kettle |
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slimjim Super Member
Joined: May 16, 2009 Posts: 8314 Location: Fort Worth TX
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 9:24 am Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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Pkslinger, I haven't tried that specific bullet. Typically, GKings don't expand that well in other calibers. What are you looking to use it for, type game and distance? What barrel length? Federal's 62gr MSR Fusion bullets are the king of controlled expansion in the .223 including range. Nosler's 64gr BPB is great in close but takes too much energy to open up to go the distance (couldn't make 200 yards and expand from a 24" barrel). I've tested all the monolithic bullets and they have reliable expansion. Twist rate can make a difference so its good you have 1:8. Then energy envelop of the .223 for expansion is pretty limited compared to other calibers which is why barrel length and range are a consideration.
_________________ "To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt
"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein |
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Pumpkinslinger Super Member
Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5001 Location: NC foothills
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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Slim, I'm thinking more of a general purpose/defensive load. 16" barrel. That said it is possible that I'll try it on whitetails, probably 100 yards or less. Right now the longest possible shot where I'm hunting is a hair over 200 yards.
I've got some Winchester 64 grain Power-Points to try and will also try some Speer 70 grain semi-spitzers.
Talking to some guys locally they are of the opinion that the Sierras are sort of "soft". Of course I'm not sure which calibers they were shooting or distances.
_________________ Mike
"I ain't no better than anybody else, and there ain't nobody better than me!" Ma Kettle |
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slimjim Super Member
Joined: May 16, 2009 Posts: 8314 Location: Fort Worth TX
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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Pkslinger, I haven't tested Winchester power-points or Speer in .223. I've tested 100gr PPs in .243 and their fragmention was excessive with limited penetration. Every Speer bullet I've tested in .277 has been exceptional in expansion. I don't know if this relates to .223. A 24" barrel typically has close to a 100 yard range advantage on a 16" barrel. Other than the 62gr MSR (made by Speer), I haven't seen a bullet in a 16" barrel expand much past 150 yards. They start to open then tumbler.
_________________ "To anger a conservative, lie to him. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth." - Theodore Roosevelt
"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein |
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Pumpkinslinger Super Member
Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5001 Location: NC foothills
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Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 9:40 pm Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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I found a box of the Sierras today locally ($22). If I ever have time to test some loads I'll share my findings.
_________________ Mike
"I ain't no better than anybody else, and there ain't nobody better than me!" Ma Kettle |
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Elvis Super Member
Joined: Jul 27, 2008 Posts: 9253 Location: south island New Zealand
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Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 3:04 am Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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speer 50 grn hpfb expand great at .223 speeds and the 52grn hugehpfb kill well too.
word on the new gk with plastic tips is they have made cavity bigger to make them open quicker.
defensive load...not something we can consider over here but personally I would have thought something along lines of VMax or better still hornady 50 grn SPSX loaded to just over the 3000fps mark would be a go to. the spsx were simply outstanding for killing wallabies 10-40kgs as they caused massive amount of damage/bruising and penetration distance is similar to the "other"type......
if you can find yellow box Norinco 55grn fmj or the same projectiles in bulk grab as many as you can with both hands as it is really really really good in .223 as it tumbles reliably and kills as expected. that as factory load is simply honking along.
_________________ You shot it You pluck it !
Them who eats the most duck eats the most feathers! |
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Azar Member
Joined: Jan 04, 2010 Posts: 275 Location: Utah
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Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 10:20 am Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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Pumpkinslinger,
Did you ever find a suitable load with that bullet? If so, care to share?
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DallanC Site Admin
Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah
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Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 1:03 pm Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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How on earth did I miss this thread... I am at work, I'll post a load later for this bullet... out of my Stag 6L I was getting .4" groups using the 65. Great bullet, really happy with it.
-DallanC
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Azar Member
Joined: Jan 04, 2010 Posts: 275 Location: Utah
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Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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That would be much appreciated Dallan. It wasn't in stock last week when I swung by Sportsmans but I did pick up the Sierra 55g GamkeKing HP.
Ever give that one a try?
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DallanC Site Admin
Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah
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Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 4:49 pm Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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For 55gr I typically buy Hornady SP's in the 1000 round bulk packs. They shoot pretty good.
I have shot ALOT of sierra 55gr out of my 22-250, even killed a few deer with it. It goes off like a bomb inside a deer. Never seen one get away. Its all my dad ever hunted deer with.
-DallanC
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Elvis Super Member
Joined: Jul 27, 2008 Posts: 9253 Location: south island New Zealand
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Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 7:48 pm Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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_________________ You shot it You pluck it !
Them who eats the most duck eats the most feathers! |
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DallanC Site Admin
Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah
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Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 10:45 pm Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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65gr bullet: is 25gr of Varget in pmc brass
55gr bullet: is 25.5 gr of h335 in LC brass
-DallanC
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Pumpkinslinger Super Member
Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5001 Location: NC foothills
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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 8:17 pm Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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Thanks Dallan! I haven't even had time to open the box of bullets yet... I plan to take some vacation around Christmas so maybe I can get something done.
_________________ Mike
"I ain't no better than anybody else, and there ain't nobody better than me!" Ma Kettle |
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Aloysius Super Member
Joined: Nov 03, 2009 Posts: 2440 Location: B., Belgium
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 6:05 am Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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I was hesitating to comment on this, because I don't have a .223, nor do I use Sierra's 65 gr Gameking... for me, my .222 Rem uses their 45 gr Hornet bullet and/or (for roedeer) their 63 grs semipointed.
And me and my Sabatti just love both bullets. Luckely we got some stock on the 63 grs SMP as Sierra seemed to have stopped this program.
And try it before deciding, sure on the 63 grs SMP. My Sabatti loves them, the Baikal and the locally produced varminter on a Mauser action don't like the 63 grs, their sweet feelings stop at 52-55 grs.
Conclusion: when you still see some Sierra's 63 grs SMP in stock somewhere, take a box and try. I have great confidence they will also work in your .223 Rem.
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dhc4ever Super Member
Joined: May 26, 2011 Posts: 2944 Location: Ipswich, Queensland Australia
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 1:44 pm Post subject: Re: Sierra .224 65 grain bullets |
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The 55grn gamekings need better than a 1:12 twist in the rifling.
I have about 450 left in the box.
If your rifle has a 1:14 twist like my old .222 788 rem, they make a loverly keyhole at any speed you can drive them.
Sierras latest reloading manual has a note about twist rate.
I dont think you'll have an issue Pumpkin.
Aloys,
Whats the twist in your Sabitti?
_________________ Pete
Dont do anything you wont like explaining to the paramedics.............. |
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