.243 Sierra load info 85 Gameking needed

[Davemuzz]

I am lookin for the load information, including the OAL, for the Sierra 85 grain Gameking hollowpoint bullet using H4895 for my brandy new 243.

I have been working up a load with Nosler balistic tips using BL-C2 with good success, but a benchrest shooter has suggested trying the Sierra 85 grain as he has had "fantastic" success with this bullet. He was clear to state to use the Gameking and not the Matchking bullet.

So, I bot the powder and the bullets, but my Hodgdon manuel doesn't give me the OAL and powder range specifically for the 85 grain Sierra.

Help would be appreciated (if you have the info from the Sierra manuel. I hate to buy the manuel for one load and it doesn't work. But if it does....I'll probably invest in the manuel and try other loads in other guns. I have the Hornady, Barnes, and Nosler. I know that pales in comparison to most, but again, help would be appreciated.)

Thanks.

Dave.

[HL]

Not trying to be a SA, but do you have a Sierra Reloading Manual? That's where I would look first.

[Davemuzz]

Not trying to be a SA, but if you actually read my post, you will see that I don't have the Sierra Manual. 

'Cause if I actually had the Sierra manual, this post would not be here.  And again, if you actually read my post, you would see that I do have the Hornady, Barnes, and Nosler Manuals. Oh, none of these manuals cover the Sierra bullets.  .....And BTW, I don't shoot Sierra Bullets in my 308, 223, 44mag, 45acp, 45-70, 6.5x55, 380acp, or 22 rimfire....And if I can't get the load info, I won't be shootin 'em in the 243 either!

Not to be a SA.

Dave

[smokepolehall]

OK Sierra manual says oal is 2.710 max, but i have always taken a black marker and covered bullet. Then i chamber it, if it touches lands you will see copper showing and readjust seating die for your rifles chamber and throat measurements. My manual doesn't list H4895, it does list IMR 4895 start at 31.8 to 37.8gr. Hornady says 38.3 with 87gr.bullet. You can use most any bullet weight85-87gr. and different brands with those loads. That bullet is abit light for deer imho but great long distance varmint getter. From my past expirence with their bullets they shed jackets quickly. Best of luck.

[Davemuzz]

Smokepolehall,

Thanks for the info. I'm not plannin on using the little 85 grain for deer. This will be a varmit load for groundhog, coyote and the like. If I decide to load up a deer load I would go with a 95gr or a 100 gr Nosler partition or something similar to that.

FWIW, I do like to know what the MFG recommends just to see if what I finally use makes sense. I measured my chamber space and it's 2.639. So, if I were to use the Sierra OAL, the bullet would be jammed into the lands. I loaded up six of the Sierra's over 35gr. of 4895 using an OAL of 2.615 and took 'em to the range today.

The Sierra's grouped well, but no better than the Nosler's. Actually, the Sierra's had a vertical left to right string pattern while the Noslers had a very nice circular pattern.

The barrel was getting hot and I was running out of time, so I'll check it a bit more on the next trip out.

Thanks for the info.

Dave.

Here is a pic...the Sierra is on the left (4 shot group) and the Nosler (4 shot group) is on the right. The "white holes" are done by me on photo software to X out shots by other guns.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a212/davemuzz/DSC00049.jpg

[smokepolehall]

I reckon sierra's bullets are good fer varmints. I like the Noslers, Speer and Barnes Bullets. Glad to help, i don't visit this forum much now. I use to be into reloading alot, still do it for my few rifles. Do most of my hunting with my crossbow and ML's. I'll come back more often, maybe someone will need a bit of info. Have a good one friend.