Sierra 65 gr BT Game King .224 data

lah2420 · June 16, 2013, 04:46 PM

I'm ordering a Sierra book to add to my library, but don't have it yet. Can someone look to see what load data there might be for the bullet in the subject line for a semi-auto? I think I was told you have to use the 63 grain data because the 65 grain bullet isn't listed. I am using H335 and H322. Would like starting and max loads. I could wait for the book, but would like to load these tomorrow night to start testing. I have the Hodgdon data that is available, but the bullet makers seem to usually have different data.

steve4102 · June 16, 2013, 06:03 PM

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

Note the Sierra data is very close to Hodgdon data.

lah2420 · June 16, 2013, 06:33 PM

Thanks. It is pretty close. I'm surprised that Sierra is actually a little higher than Hodgdon. Some of my Hornady bullets had much lower charges listed by Hornady than by Hodgdon. I would have assumed Sierra would be the same way. Thanks again. I can play with some new toys(bullets) now and stay out of the wife's way. Hoping these heavier bullets might group better in my Mini 14.

steve4102 · June 16, 2013, 07:50 PM

What is the wist rate of your Mini-14?

TWIST RATE FOR MINI-14

1978-1985 = 1 in 10" (e.g., 181 series)
1986-1994 = 1 in 7"
1995-2004 = 1 in 9" (e.g., 197 series).
2005- = 1 in 9"

lah2420 · June 16, 2013, 08:54 PM

1 in 9". I had hoped to find some 62 grain bullets, but these came available so I bought them.

603Country · June 16, 2013, 09:03 PM

You do mean the 65 grain Sierra, don't you? That 65 gr Sierra GK is a great bullet. Like you, I wasn't sure what the load max and min were, so I called Sierra. They said that the Sierra 63 gr SMP had the same bearing surface as the 65 gr GK, so use that data. My data was in the Lyman 49th, and I worked up from around the min load. I found my best load in the Ruger Hawkeye, with 1 in 9 twist, was with AA2230 powder, and that load was about a grain under max.

lah2420 · June 16, 2013, 09:29 PM

You are right. Sierra. Sometimes I think my imaginary mind works better than my real mind. I have no idea why I stated Speer unless that was one I had looked at earlier today. Grandkids were here all day so I'll use them for an excuse for my brain being fried. Title edited to reflect the correct name. Thanks.

Marco Califo · June 17, 2013, 12:03 AM

You can download the Sierra 223 bolt and auto sections from here:
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/
The 65 gr bullet isn't listed, but the 63 gr SMP is. Someone called Sierra, and purportedly, Sierra says the 63 gr data can be used for the 65 gr bullet. To be safe I would use the 69 gr data as a starting point and work up.

lah2420 · June 22, 2013, 01:19 PM

Finally got to shoot some I loaded the other day. Started at 22.3 grains H335 and loaded 5 different recipes up to 25.2 gr.
My mini14 must like lower velocity loads. The best grouping I got was with the 22.3 gr at 1.5 inches at 100 yds. Chrony averaged 2550. It stepped up incrementally with 25.2 running about 3050. No pressure signs on any, but the higher charge opened up to about 2.5 inches. Mid range charge was about 3.5 inches. That's all the same as the results I got with a 55 gr Hornady SP. The mini just likes around 2550 fps I guess.

SVTCobra306 · June 22, 2013, 10:14 PM

A large part of a mini-14's accuracy problem is barrel whip.. so it would make sense that the lower velocity could mean less whip.. though I'm not sure how other factors will come into play.

Oh and I have Sierra's data, it shows the 63 Gr SMP on the same data as the 65 gr SBT. That's the data I'm using for my 22-250

lah2420 · June 23, 2013, 08:58 AM

I don't think that piece of paper or that hog are going to know the difference between 2550 fps and 3050 fps anyway. I can't see them jumping out of the way of either one.

Djmudge · June 23, 2013, 10:53 AM

looking though this and it has helped me out to as i bought a couple boxes of the 65 gr Sierras SBT last week and was have same problem. now i can go from here and load.

MJFlores · June 23, 2013, 08:00 PM

I just fine tuned a load for this bullet in my AR (16" barrel 1 X 9 twist). The load I settled on is: 23.2 grains of H322 in Winchester cases and Fed small rifle primers. 3/4 " group with a 4 X scope at 100 yards. More than fine for hunting.

lah2420 · June 23, 2013, 09:10 PM

I haven't tried the H322 yet. That will be my next loads to see how it does out of my mini14.

mohr308 · June 24, 2013, 12:38 PM

I use those bullets in my 16" AR with 24.5gr of H335, it did look like I had a possible good grouping at or around 25gr but never pursued it.

June 16, 2013, 04:46 PM	#1
lah2420 Member Join Date: August 2, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 54	Sierra 65 gr BT Game King .224 data I'm ordering a Sierra book to add to my library, but don't have it yet. Can someone look to see what load data there might be for the bullet in the subject line for a semi-auto? I think I was told you have to use the 63 grain data because the 65 grain bullet isn't listed. I am using H335 and H322. Would like starting and max loads. I could wait for the book, but would like to load these tomorrow night to start testing. I have the Hodgdon data that is available, but the bullet makers seem to usually have different data. Last edited by lah2420; June 16, 2013 at 09:31 PM.

June 17, 2013, 12:03 AM	#8
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,598	Sierra Manual does not list the 65 gr bullet You can download the Sierra 223 bolt and auto sections from here: http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/ The 65 gr bullet isn't listed, but the 63 gr SMP is. Someone called Sierra, and purportedly, Sierra says the 63 gr data can be used for the 65 gr bullet. To be safe I would use the 69 gr data as a starting point and work up. __________________ ............

June 23, 2013, 10:53 AM	#12
Djmudge Member Join Date: September 30, 2012 Location: Olive Branch, MS Posts: 32	looking though this and it has helped me out to as i bought a couple boxes of the 65 gr Sierras SBT last week and was have same problem. now i can go from here and load. __________________ Iowa Hawkeyes

June 24, 2013, 12:38 PM	#15
mohr308 Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2012 Location: Western New York Posts: 466	I use those bullets in my 16" AR with 24.5gr of H335, it did look like I had a possible good grouping at or around 25gr but never pursued it. __________________ Lock and load, the zombies (democrats) are coming (to take your guns)!

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June 16, 2013, 06:03 PM	#2
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,952	http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf Note the Sierra data is very close to Hodgdon data.

June 16, 2013, 06:33 PM	#3
lah2420 Member Join Date: August 2, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 54	Thanks. It is pretty close. I'm surprised that Sierra is actually a little higher than Hodgdon. Some of my Hornady bullets had much lower charges listed by Hornady than by Hodgdon. I would have assumed Sierra would be the same way. Thanks again. I can play with some new toys(bullets) now and stay out of the wife's way. Hoping these heavier bullets might group better in my Mini 14.

June 16, 2013, 07:50 PM	#4
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,952	What is the wist rate of your Mini-14? TWIST RATE FOR MINI-14 1978-1985 = 1 in 10" (e.g., 181 series) 1986-1994 = 1 in 7" 1995-2004 = 1 in 9" (e.g., 197 series). 2005- = 1 in 9"

June 16, 2013, 08:54 PM	#5
lah2420 Member Join Date: August 2, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 54	1 in 9". I had hoped to find some 62 grain bullets, but these came available so I bought them.

June 16, 2013, 09:03 PM	#6
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	You do mean the 65 grain Sierra, don't you? That 65 gr Sierra GK is a great bullet. Like you, I wasn't sure what the load max and min were, so I called Sierra. They said that the Sierra 63 gr SMP had the same bearing surface as the 65 gr GK, so use that data. My data was in the Lyman 49th, and I worked up from around the min load. I found my best load in the Ruger Hawkeye, with 1 in 9 twist, was with AA2230 powder, and that load was about a grain under max.

June 16, 2013, 09:29 PM	#7
lah2420 Member Join Date: August 2, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 54	You are right. Sierra. Sometimes I think my imaginary mind works better than my real mind. I have no idea why I stated Speer unless that was one I had looked at earlier today. Grandkids were here all day so I'll use them for an excuse for my brain being fried. Title edited to reflect the correct name. Thanks.

June 22, 2013, 01:19 PM	#9
lah2420 Member Join Date: August 2, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 54	Finally got to shoot some I loaded the other day. Started at 22.3 grains H335 and loaded 5 different recipes up to 25.2 gr. My mini14 must like lower velocity loads. The best grouping I got was with the 22.3 gr at 1.5 inches at 100 yds. Chrony averaged 2550. It stepped up incrementally with 25.2 running about 3050. No pressure signs on any, but the higher charge opened up to about 2.5 inches. Mid range charge was about 3.5 inches. That's all the same as the results I got with a 55 gr Hornady SP. The mini just likes around 2550 fps I guess.

June 22, 2013, 10:14 PM	#10
SVTCobra306 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Posts: 434	A large part of a mini-14's accuracy problem is barrel whip.. so it would make sense that the lower velocity could mean less whip.. though I'm not sure how other factors will come into play. Oh and I have Sierra's data, it shows the 63 Gr SMP on the same data as the 65 gr SBT. That's the data I'm using for my 22-250

June 23, 2013, 08:58 AM	#11
lah2420 Member Join Date: August 2, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 54	I don't think that piece of paper or that hog are going to know the difference between 2550 fps and 3050 fps anyway. I can't see them jumping out of the way of either one.

June 23, 2013, 08:00 PM	#13
MJFlores Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Posts: 539	I just fine tuned a load for this bullet in my AR (16" barrel 1 X 9 twist). The load I settled on is: 23.2 grains of H322 in Winchester cases and Fed small rifle primers. 3/4 " group with a 4 X scope at 100 yards. More than fine for hunting.

June 23, 2013, 09:10 PM	#14
lah2420 Member Join Date: August 2, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 54	I haven't tried the H322 yet. That will be my next loads to see how it does out of my mini14.