RE: .30 Cal 165 gr Sierra Gamekings
 

Gamekings are boattails and can come in hollow points too. Prohunters are the flatbases.

RE: .30 Cal 165 gr Sierra Gamekings
 

Would a 165 be appropriate for elk? I am currently considering using partition 180's for this elk season. And some sort of bonded (like fusion or accubond) as a second choice.

RE: .30 Cal 165 gr Sierra Gamekings
 

These are a little soft for elk. If you could stick to a rib shot only. The 180 grain version of the same bullets would be better elk rounds. And a premium bonded bullet would be better yet.

RE: .30 Cal 165 gr Sierra Gamekings
 

So for your whitetail hunting all the feedback points to it being a good bullet for that use. Actually my gunsmith suggested I use them since they are almost 1/2 the cost of ballistic tips.

RE: .30 Cal 165 gr Sierra Gamekings
 

oeh I used to shoot them many moons ago, in fact thats what I learned how to deerhunt with in the 80s. I shot Federal Premium 165 SBT in my 06 for several years before going to handloads and other guns. I wacked em from staightdown too over 400yds. I lost a few, killed MANY (I was a learning teen-ager so I admit trying some I shouldnt've). I don't specifically remember any double shoulder shots but I do remember one day while slip/stalk hunting I managed to ease into the edge of a 1/4 acre sage clearing in the middle of a large pine thicket in northern MS. The lil clearing literally had 20+ deer in it. Somehow I went unseen by all those eyes and less than 10yds away standing while facing in the opposite direction was a forkhorn. For his lack of attention and troubles he got a 165SBT up the ole "Hershey Highway" which completely unwound his mainspring anddropped him in his tracks. Deer busted and broke for what seemed like 10 minutes.

Upon field dressing I followed the bullet path andthe jacket/basehad actually made it almost completely through the animal and came too rest near the brisket. Appx impact velocity from that ammo out of my 22" 06, 2750ish? The bullet (as were many of the others I killed) was basically devoid of its core and the lead had been deposited too the four winds.

YES they are amazingly accurate and if you don't try "TX Heartshots" at 300yds or need to bust 300# Kansas brutes down with it at 250, yeah they are great bullets. I believe todays"superbullets" are a much better pick, but the SBTs have been around for decades and continue to"whack em and stack em".NO ONE can argue with a deadly accurate rifle in the hands of a man that knows how to use it!Have you tried 168 Barnes TSXs?

Good luck,
RA