Well.... Hornady discontinued my favorite "short range" 7mm-08 bullet the 154 Gr Round Nose. Now I hear rumors that Speer is going to discontinue the Hot-Cor line of which the 7mm 145 Gr Spire Point Hot-Cor was my other "Go-To" load.
Has anyone had any experience with the 7mm 140 GR Sierra Pro-Hunters?

I had developed a 7mm-08 load for the 140 Gr Game Kings and they were very accurate; however, around that time I started using the 145 Hot-Cors for hunting and just never did get around to hunting with the Game Kings.

I hear that the Pro-Hunters are supposed to be a bit tougher than the Game Kings especially at shorter ranges. All of my shots are less than 200 yds. I’m hunting deer and hogs in central Texas and want a bullet that is not going to get discontinued. I figure the Sierra Pro-Hunters will be around for a long long time.

Anyone have “On Game” experience with Sierra Pro-Hunters. If so, I love to hear some feedback on this bullets effectiveness.

Thanks
firstshot

I have used them for 20 years in my Ruger # 1 7mm Reg mag. I load them to only 2900 FPS, about 280 Rem velocity. They work great for deer and hogs. I have always had complete pass throughs on broadside shots.

I also load Pro Hunters in 243,250 Savage , 257 Roberts and 30-06.They are my favorite bullet to reload in center fire rifles.

Use those bullets with confidence at 7mm-08 velocities, they will do great

Thanks for the info guys. I love my Speer 145 GR SP on top of IMR 4350 load and hate it if the hot-cors are being discontinued. This load has shot sub moa in 3 7mm-08 rifles now and has been devistating on deer and hogs with cmplete pass throughs. I sent Speer an email today and asked them if the rumors were true.

On the other hand Sierra 140Gr Game Kings were the most consistently accurate bullet I've ever used. Since we're talking <200 Yds, I'm assuming that the pro-hunters are equally as accurate. I'm definitely going to give the pro-hunters a try.

firstshot

Give 'em a try. I've been using them in my 8x57mmJS, .30-06, .308 Win, .300 Savage, .270 Win. and 7mm-08 Rem. for years. Never had an issue, very consistent and tough enough for most any game in Texas.

in my 6.5x55, makes Hogs DEAD.

One nice thing about the 7-08 velocities is that pretty much all the cup and core bullets (Speer, Sierra, Hornady) work well. Since the Hornady RN has worked well in your rifle, you might try the 139 gr Hornady Spire Point. But the 140 Pro Huntier should be great, too.

I was told by Speer that they will let the market decide the fate of the 145gr Hot Core. But if they decide to discontinue it, they will probably replace it with a 145gr Deep Curl.

Pro Hunter is my favorite cup and core bullet.

I have had great luck with both the pro hunter and gameking

I'm going to work up some loads for my BAR with the Speer 145 Gr Hot-Cor SP and the Sierra 140 Gr Pro-Hunter and see which one comes out on top. If the Speers come out on top I'll just buy me a lifetime supply and be done with it.

Thanks for all the feedback on the Pro-Hunters & Game Kings.

firstshot

oops.....GameKing bullets

X2

I use to love the gk/ph in 243 but had one blow up...regardless still one of the most accurate bullets ive ever shot.

Beauty of the 7-08 velocity and size give lots of options

X2 on the GK's my father won't shoot them at all after a similar experience with them in 30-06.

I would advise to do all you can to stay away from heavy bone like shoulders as they might or might not fair very well.

Aren't the boat-tailed Game Kings designed to open easily at longer ranges? If so I can see where they might be a bit lightly constructed for shots under 100 Yds or so or to bust through bone.

Are the Pro-Hunters tougher than the Game Kings?

firstshot

Yes, Pro Hunters are flat based as opposed to the boat tail of the GKs

And a bit thicker jacket

I look at the GKs as designed more for longer range, say over 300

ccoker

How would you compare the Sierra Pro-Hunter flat base to the Speer Hot-Core flat base? I've got on game experience with the Hot-Cor but not the Pro-Hunter.

firstshot

I doubt you will see any difference on game frankly

OK then. I'll work up loads for both and see which comes out on top accuracy wise and then try them both out on hogs this spring/summer and deer this fall.

I'll keep you all posted on progress.

Thanks
firstshot

I have been using 180gr gamekings in my 06's for years and they have done a great job on deer and hogs. I tried 150gr and 165gr for fast and flat loads, but short yardage shoulder shots on hogs wreck a bunch of meat. Never had one fail to penetrate, but fragmentation like a shotgun birdshot blast strewn from entry to exit. I have not noticed this with the 180s. Another 100-200fps most likely crosses some threshold in the bullet construction. Head shots on hogs with any of them are literally eye-popping.

I may try some light pro hunters and see if they hold up any better.

-ww

I usually hunt w/Barnes, however, I also hunt and shoot with Speer, Nosler, Hornady, Sierra..I just loaded some 165 grain Sierra Gameking which are hollowpoint/boatails and nasty looking
and have a great Ballistic Coefficient...I just need some targets
for the old .308..You may wish to try the Gamekings I got them for $33.50 a box at our local club..DD

Don: sorry to be a picker-of-nits, but the 165 HPBT has a BC of only .363, compared to their regular Spitzer Boat Tail GameKing which has a BC of .404.