.257 Sierra Gameking 90gn BTHP.....who else uses them?

[kombi1976]

I stumbled upon the 25 cal GameKing 90gn BTHP when I first began reloading for my Enfield 303/25 (303 necked down to .25 cal).
It was the first centerfire rifle I owned and I really needed something that would effectively knock down medium, soft-skinned game(mostly roos) and so I bought hollow points accordingly.
It wasn't until a couple of years later that I realised how fortunate I'd been.  :grin:
Not only do I find them excellent, a friend swears by them for his .257 Roberts and another couple of guys use them in their 25-06s.
For some reason they're just a great bullet.
Is there anyone else here that uses them?
Anyone had any other experiences with them?

[BuzzKill]

Kombi-

You have found a good bullet!  I do not have a 25 cal., but know others who do and they have found this Sierra 90 gr. BTHP to be awesome all around bullets.  Naturally, the lighter weight brings higher velocity and thus a fine flat shooting varmint load.  However, the surprise as you have found out, is that they are devestating on medium, thin skinned game such as deer.  
I know because I use the 243 cal Sierra 85 gr. BTHP for similar purposes as you.  It is simply amazing.  Stick with your load, it sounds as good.  Both the 24 cal 85 gr. and 25 cal 90 gr. BTHP are making small fan clubs of each.  Sierra has posted that thier BTHP are 'tougher' than similar weight soft points.  The lead core is of a harder make than others.
The higher velocity(light for caliber bullets), great accuracy, and harder lead core seem to be a winning combination.  BuzzKill

[Lawdog]

Anyone had any other experiences with them?

Seeing you asked yeah I tried them in all of my Quarter Bores and they left me wanting.  Accuracy was good but no better than the Nosler Partition's I used to use.  And at higher velocities, like from the .25-06 and .257 Weatherby, they have a tendency to break apart upon hitting bone.  I still have a box of them sitting on the shelf in my reloading shed that I will use for bartering fodder one of these days.  With the introduction of the Barnes TSX line of bullets, other bullets are taking a back seat to them.  Lawdog
 

[Catfish]

Never shot the 90 gn. HP`s much, but I`ve busted alot of groundhogs with their 87 gn. Varmint bullet. I have a .257 AI and push them to 3,500 fps. You can do in a groundhog a long way off.  :grin:

[Hildy]

I can't honestly say much about the 90g GameKing as I have never tried it.

I am now very confused with what bullets I DO have. I purchased these Federal 90 grain Varminter HP's that run out at 3440fps for my 25-06. However, Sierra does not make a 90 grain Varminter bullet for 25 cal. I simply figured that this bullet was the 90 grain GameKing.

I was wrong. I pulled one the other day to find that it had no boat tail and it had a crimp too. The bullet is a flatbase hollowpoint which is said to be 90 grains by what the box tells me. Hmmmm, I guess I'll have to weigh it myself to see what I really have.

The bullet seemed very explosive on milk jugs of water and would produce sub-MOA groups at 100 yards so I'm not complaining, but still, do you think that Federal could have really tricked us???

I still have pretty much a full box as I shoot Hornady V-Max reloads for my varmints, but I suppose I will shoot them up sometime.

[Hildy]

Just weighed it and it appears to be 90 grains.

Did Sierra once make a 90 grain Varminter?

[kombi1976]

Seeing you asked yeah I tried them in all of my Quarter Bores and they left me wanting.  Accuracy was good but no better than the Nosler Partition's I used to use.  And at higher velocities, like from the .25-06 and .257 Weatherby, they have a tendency to break apart upon hitting bone.  I still have a box of them sitting on the shelf in my reloading shed that I will use for bartering fodder one of these days.  With the introduction of the Barnes TSX line of bullets, other bullets are taking a back seat to them.  Lawdog
 

Mmmm, interesting.
Perhaps they're designed more to work on a lower powered round that can't push the heavier the bullets the 25-06 and .257 Wby Mag are capable of pushing.
The 303/25 is lower powered than a 250 Savage, at least out of a SMLE.
I reckon mine are moving at about 2700fps, certainly not much more, and I haven't found that they disintegrate.
I've got some of the 87gn Varminters Catfish spoke of but while they were quite accurate they didn't give me a one shot kill on some of the bigger roos I shot and tend to just break up, like they're supposed to I guess.  :?
The GameKing on the other hand is often like a sleeping pill.  :wink:
Roos regularly just keel over like they were dead before the bullet hit them and I can always be sure if I hit them in the heart lung area that the bullet will open and make a big mess on the inside while retaining mass.
I can understand your point though.
If I was using a more powerful 25 cal I'd be using heavier bullets.
In terms of accuracy compared to a Partition though, to buy Partitions would cost me around $20 more per 100, something I can't see the point in paying.  :roll:

[Ricci Price]

I just got done with a box of those 90 grainers and they shot real good in my 25-06 as a matter of fact they shoot alot better in my gun than any 100 grn bullet did maybe because my gun likes lighter bullets (h&r ultra 26inch barrel)grouping was about an 1 inch at 200 yrds.

[kombi1976]

Sheesh!  :shock:
An inch at 200yds!!  :eek:
What did I say?!!  :grin:

[Ricci Price]

Yep,with $200 gun,scope cost more than the gun

[Lawdog]

kombi1976,

Mmmm, interesting.
Perhaps they're designed more to work on a lower powered round that can't push the heavier the bullets the 25-06 and .257 Wby Mag are capable of pushing.

That may very well be.  I tried them in every one of my bolt action Quarter Bores, from .25 Remington to .257 Weatherby, and the accuracy/performance wasn't what I was looking for.  Sierra MatchKings are excellent bullets and for target shooting, they are what I use.  Lawdog