.25 Cal Hunting Bullet Experience

[Comandante]

I’m soliciting hunting experience feedback for the use of Sierra #1615 ,90 grain game king ,for medium big game ( deer, antelope). My interest is for potential use in .257 Roberts as an additional option to the #1625 100 grain Sierra that I normally use. In load testing the 90 grain hollow point bullet in my re-chambered Model 700 Remington .257 Roberts with 24” Douglas barrel , the rifle consistently groups sub moa for multiple rounds. My 45.2 grain IMR 4350 load with the Sierra 90 grain bullet ,sighted +2 “ high at 100 yds is +0.5” high at 200 yds , and -6.5” at 300 yds. These data suggest a muzzle velocity in the range of 3000 fps with this load. What should I reasonably expect for bullet performance of the Sierra #90 grain #1615 in medium game from approximately 50 yds to 300 yds?

 

[Kevin Taylor]

I loaded The 90 grn Game King for years. Never had a problem with it putting down deer. Now that I am older and don't hunt as much, I use what ever factory 257 Roberts is on the shelf.

 

[gutpile271]

The 90gr sierra is a great bullet for deer and antelope

 

[Preacher]

My mentor girl shoots 90grain HP's at deer with her 257 Roberts and has never lost one......

 

[Comandante]

My mentor girl shoots 90grain HP's at deer with her 257 Roberts and has never lost one......

Thanks all for the feedback. Your responses suggest that the 90 grain Hollow Point performance is very similar to what I’ve experienced using the Sierra 100 grain Game King. The 90’s group very well in my rifle. Given the ongoing select bullet shortage, especially in .25 cal, I’m exploring all possibilities for alternative hunting loads.

 

[Gary in MD]

I remember asking an old mentor of mine many years ago about how he thought a particular bullet would work on a particular critter. His response was “It won’t do him any good.”
Sierra’s manual used to show pictures of guys with game that they took using Sierra bullets. In the 25-06 section there was a picture of a monster whitetail taken with that 25 cal 90 grain game king.

 

[Comandante]

I remember asking an old mentor of mine many years ago about how he thought a particular bullet would work on a particular critter. His response was “It won’t do him any good.”
Sierra’s manual used to show pictures of guys with game that they took using Sierra bullets. In the 25-06 section there was a picture of a monster whitetail taken with that 25 cal 90 grain game king.

 

[gary0529]

I’m soliciting hunting experience feedback for the use of Sierra #1615 ,90 grain game king ,for medium big game ( deer, antelope). My interest is for potential use in .257 Roberts as an additional option to the #1625 100 grain Sierra that I normally use. In load testing the 90 grain hollow point bullet in my re-chambered Model 700 Remington .257 Roberts with 24” Douglas barrel , the rifle consistently groups sub moa for multiple rounds. My 45.2 grain IMR 4350 load with the Sierra 90 grain bullet ,sighted +2 “ high at 100 yds is +0.5” high at 200 yds , and -6.5” at 300 yds. These data suggest a muzzle velocity in the range of 3000 fps with this load. What should I reasonably expect for bullet performance of the Sierra #90 grain #1615 in medium game from approximately 50 yds to 300 yds?

A few years back I won a .257 Roberts custom build--it was the only 25 caliber I ever possessed and it occurred at the height of the difficulties in the ammunition supply chain so I could not find any brass or much in the way of loaded ammunition-I happened across 2 boxes of Nosler +P 110 Accubond -have been using it ever since and that little gun has accounted for better than a half dozen deer in the freezer--all shots between 100 and 200 yards and although not bang-flop none have gone over 50yards with a center of chest shot that literally takes out the heart and lungs. I will reload the fired brass if and when I can find some components (hopefully Nosler accubond 110 gr.) but for now there is nearly a box and a half of factory stuff to use up.
I have kept the 6.5 and 30 cal. rifles in the safe- I have at a late stage in life come to appreciate the "Bob"
It does the job very efficiently with little recoil. Would a 90 grain bullet work as well? Not a doubt in my mind but that is what I have and what I have used to great success.

Gary
.

 

[Comandante]

Thanks for the info. I have a “few”110 Accubonds as well. I have not yet begun load development with the 110’s.

 

[Drop Port]

100 NBT's work well also.

 

[1K6BRA]

I have in the last couple of years shot a few deer with Barnes 80 grain TTSX bullets in my 25–06. Bullet diameter hole in, utter devastation where it counts and a $.50 piece size hole on the opposite side. Don’t know what more you could really ask from any bullet.Another good one that is often overlooked is the Speer 87 grain hot core. I have killed maybe 10 with this bullet with a 250-3000 Savage. At the ranges that you say you will be shooting at, put any of the above slugs in the boiler room and no deer will ever know the difference.

 

[Onebad06VTX]

100 NBT's work well also.

I agree but there hard to get now.
Why Nosler isnt making these is beyond me.

 

[Kermit in Va.]

87 hot core does the job...
Love'em I a 25 WSSM.

 

[Comandante]

87 hot core does the job...
Love'em I a 25 WSSM.

I’m certain the 87 hot core would be a very suitable substitute and mimic the thin skin medium game performance that I’ve experienced using the 100 grain Sierra Game King. My initial concern with the 90 grain Sierra Game King is the hollow point design that was originally thought of as a varmint bullet. The 90 grain hollow point in my rifle leaves nothing on the table in the accuracy department and certainly could do appreciable down range damage at the speeds attainable with hand loads.

 

[Copper11]

I’m soliciting hunting experience feedback for the use of Sierra #1615 ,90 grain game king ,for medium big game ( deer, antelope). My interest is for potential use in .257 Roberts as an additional option to the #1625 100 grain Sierra that I normally use. In load testing the 90 grain hollow point bullet in my re-chambered Model 700 Remington .257 Roberts with 24” Douglas barrel , the rifle consistently groups sub moa for multiple rounds. My 45.2 grain IMR 4350 load with the Sierra 90 grain bullet ,sighted +2 “ high at 100 yds is +0.5” high at 200 yds , and -6.5” at 300 yds. These data suggest a muzzle velocity in the range of 3000 fps with this load. What should I reasonably expect for bullet performance of the Sierra #90 grain #1615 in medium game from approximately 50 yds to 300 yds?

I have shot whitetail deer in PA with 90gr serria n the work great I push them a little more than the 257 Robert's will but they flatten deer don't recommend them in thick brush though

 

[Comandante]

I have shot whitetail deer in PA with 90gr serria n the work great I push them a little more than the 257 Robert's will but they flatten deer don't recommend them in thick brush though

What cartridge and what kind of speeds are you able to attain? I’m not keen on shooting anything in thick brush. Leaves too much to Chance. I

 

[Copper11]

What cartridge and what kind of speeds are you able to attain? I’m not keen on shooting anything in thick brush. Leaves too much to Chance. I

I shot them out of 25 284 and a 25 300 shot mag the 25 284 is around 3600 n the 25 300 was almost 3800 they don't exist n they make a mess at those speeds

 

[Comandante]

I shot them out of 25 284 and a 25 300 shot mag the 25 284 is around 3600 n the 25 300 was almost 3800 they don't exist n they make a mess at those speeds

The mess is what I’m trying to avoid. Venison is one of our routine table fare. We have not purchased beef for quite a few years now.

 

[Copper11]

The mess is what I’m trying to avoid. Venison is one of our routine table fare. We have not purchased beef for quite a few years now.

I hold off the shoulder in the ribs n turn it loose deer meat is all my family eats I can say I have never went to the store n bought burger I'm all about the meat as well they don't go anywhere when u take there air supply away

 

[Orr89rocz]

I can see it working well. I havent shot light bullets in mine. I used the tipped gameking 110 gr on a deer at 350 yrds. Worked well. Need to try it on a closer one.

I usually use 115-120 grain stuff. I always liked heavy for caliber bullets. 117 hornady interlock btsp did great on a buck at 75 yrds double lung. Quarter size exit. Have not shot the 115 ballistic tips but am gonna try em soon since the tipped game kings are impossible to find