6.5 x 55 & Sierra 140gr gameking

[hankster76]

How effective are the 140 gr Sierra gamekings on thin skinned animals such whitetails at 6.5 x55 velocity? I have been shooting these all summer getting really good groups. While at my local gunshop I had a couple guys tell me these GKs won't open on deer. That they are too heavy jacketed. Anyone using these with success?

[jasonprox700]

Whoever told you that has never used them on deer!  I found the opposite to be true.  At close range, they act like a Ballistic Tip, and at long range, they have a controlled expansion.  I have shot from 10 yrds to 250 yrds.  At the close range, I seldom get a pass through on a broadside shot (due to the high velocities) and at the longer shots, I have had the bullets pass through on severe quartering shots!

You are right, they due group great!  I shoot the 140's out of my .280.  I am thinking of switching to 150 grains to slow the bullets down for the close shots.  I could cool the load down a bit, but what fun would that be!  Besides, my gun seems to prefer the max or near max loads.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  I have shot lots of game kings from Serria. If anything, they can be a bit soft, but for shooting whitetails, I would think they would be about perfect.

[wackmaster]

I have used the 140 sierra in a 6.5-284 with grate resolts. +1 with thay might be a little soft.

[hankster76]

Thanks for the info this is exactly what I was hoping to hear.

[WyoStillhunter]

Call these guys and talk to them.  They are very friendly and helpful.  I have talked to Duane Siercks a couple of times.
This is pasted from their website.

Bulletsmiths

1.800.223.8799

(A picture goes here but did not copy)


Back Row: Rich Machholz | Robert Treece | Paul Box
Front Row: Duane Siercks | Carroll Pilant


One of the most important services that a company can provide to its customers is good communications and technical support. Sierra Bullets recognizes this, and in 1986, began providing a toll-free 800 service to reloaders in the United States and Canada.

From the early days of taking calls between series of quality control testing to staffing full time Ballistic Customer Service Technicians, Sierra has been the industry leader in customer service. In that first year, 1986, Sierra received 7,935 calls for reloading information. At that time, the calls were handled by Sierra's Chief Ballistician, Martin Hull. At this time, we have six full time technicians answering your calls and letters from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm central time. Each year has shown a tremendous increase in the number of calls. We are currently taking between three and five thousand calls per month.

The development of our consumer profile has allowed Sierra to stay "in touch" with reloaders by keeping a database of callers. Each call is profiled in a notes section to document your questions, concerns, or stories. While we would like to have all of our callers shooting Sierra bullets, this service is not used to push Sierra. As our advertising states "our technicians will have the answer to your reloading questions, even if you're not using a Sierra Bullet".

Additionally, Sierra produces a quarterly ballistic newsletter "The X-Ring" for distribution to those on our consumer mailing list. This innovative approach at customer service has been exceptionally well received by the recipients.

One of the most important lessons that school children can be taught is "the only dumb question is the question that is not asked." With that in mind, please do not ever be afraid to call our 800 service with your questions. In the F.A.Q. database we have listed some of the most commonly received, and one or two of the more unusual questions answered by our technicians. We look forward to hearing from you at 800-223-8799 toll free.

[BBF]

Sierra calls them Medium to Heavy Game bullets in that caliber and weight.

[jro45]

The Sierra 140gr gameking bullet . I use them with my 7mm Mag

[kirkwhitaker]

I have been using them for years...a 140gr gameking and about 42gr of imr4350 does 2550 out of my swed...duplicates factory. Not a hot load and does the job. Usually get complete penetration and exit wounds show expansion on par with Winchester factory. Difference is my gun shoot Winy factory in to 1 3/4" at 100yds...the 140gr sierra seated out to 25 thousandths off lands (remember this gun was made to shoot 160gr military) does 1 " or better if I do my part. No complaints.

[ratherbefishin]

I have taken over 30 blacktails and a couple of black bears with them-nothing went more than about 20 yards,most dropped in their tracks [the bears were hit on the point of the shoulder, broadside and dropped on the spot]The 6.5x55 with 140 gr sierras will do their job-if you do yours-holding it straight. The combination of low recoil and high accuracy plus a high SD makes for a very useful hunting tool,and there's nothing in North America it won't put on the ground -all in a very modest package-but with this chambering being around for over 100 years-are you really surprised?