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6mm - Sierra Gameking

This Sika spiker was taken with a .243, using a 100 grain Sierra GameKing. Muzzle velocity was approximately 2860fps, impact velocity 2324fps. Inline shots to the spine certainly stop light bullets fast. Total penetration was around 6-8".  It takes either more bullet weight or a change in bullet design to initiate full through and through penetration with such shots. Not that it was needed though, a spine shots are instant killers.

You can see that the GK bullet is of a frangible design but with a somewhat stout jacket (stouter than the A-Max).  It is identical to the Nosler Ballistic Tip in this regard. Cross body penetration of the .243 GK is usually quite adequate on game of this size (approx 60kg / 130lb), the bullet either exiting or coming to rest against the offside hide. The GK is frangible throughout the calibers but a hunter can get caught out, such as expecting full fragmentation when using a 180gr .308 GK on a spiker.  In such instances, not enough resistance is met on impact resulting in delayed expansion/ fragmentation.  Exit wounds can be up to .75" but killing is slow.  Matching bullet weights to game weights is the key, as it is with all bullet designs.

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Pointing out the bullet path.  The hunter was slightly above the spiker, the animal facing directly away, quite a tricky shot at 220 yards in field conditions.

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Extent of wounding

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The recovered projectile, the fingers held inline with the point of arrest.

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The recovered fragmented projectile.

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ABOUT US

We are a small, family run business, based out of Taranaki, New Zealand, who specialize in cartridge research and testing, and rifle accurizing.

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