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Sig Sauer Marksman Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor 130 gr Sierra GameKing HPBT

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Ammo Reports Team 2 6.5 Creedmoor

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Official Specs

BC note: The BC of 0.410 G1 is specifically for the untipped Sierra GameKing HPBT — the classic open-tip boat-tail design. This is different from the Sierra Tipped GameKing (TGK) used in the Barnes Harvest load (BC ~0.535). The GameKing HPBT’s open tip and lower BC place it in a different aerodynamic class than polymer-tipped alternatives. This is not a data entry error — it is correct for this specific Sierra bullet design.

Ballistics Table

Calculated. Zero: 100 yards. Sight height: 1.5″ above bore. BC (G1): 0.410 (published by Sig Sauer / Sierra).

Key takeaway: the lower BC of 0.410 compared to polymer-tipped alternatives (0.527–0.535) means this load sheds velocity faster at distance. At 300 yards it carries 1,503 ft-lbs — adequate for deer but tighter margin for elk than higher-BC loads. At 500 yards 1,134 ft-lbs is at the lower end of practical big game thresholds. For deer hunters inside 300 yards, the trajectory is perfectly manageable — 20.3 inches low at 300 from a 100-yard zero. Beyond 350 yards, polymer-tipped alternatives with higher BCs have a meaningful advantage.

The Sierra GameKing HPBT — Classic Design, Different Role

The Sierra GameKing is one of the most historically significant hunting bullets in American shooting — it has been in continuous production since the 1970s and has accounted for an enormous amount of North American big game. The HPBT design predates modern polymer-tipped hunting bullets:

• Open hollow point — the cavity initiates expansion through hydraulic pressure on impact; no polymer tip
• Skived nose — Sierra cuts or scores the tip area of the jacket to promote reliable expansion initiation; this is the “skived nose” feature mentioned in the product description
• Thick copper jacket — thicker than varmint or match bullets; controls expansion and promotes penetration depth
• Boat-tail base — reduces base drag, aids accuracy at distance
• Not bonded — cup-and-core construction; the core can separate from the jacket under extreme impact conditions

The GameKing HPBT is different from the Tipped GameKing (TGK) used in loads like Barnes Harvest. The original GameKing predates the TGK by decades — it is Sierra’s classic hunting bullet, while the TGK is a modernized version with a polymer tip and higher BC.

GameKing HPBT vs Tipped GameKing — The Sierra Hunting Bullet Comparison

For deer hunters inside 300 yards, both perform reliably. For longer shots or windier conditions, the TGK’s higher BC produces a meaningful advantage.

Variants

This page covers Sig Sauer Marksman Hunter E65CMGK130-20 · 6.5 Creedmoor · 130 gr Sierra GameKing HPBT only.

Sig’s 6.5 Creedmoor lineup across their three hunting tiers:

• Sig Venari SP 129 gr — value tier, unidentified SP bullet
• Sig Marksman Hunter 130 gr GameKing HPBT — mid tier, Sierra GameKing (this page)
• Sig Platinum Hunter 140 gr AccuBond — premium tier, Nosler AccuBond bonded

Best Uses

Good fit:

• Whitetail and mule deer at 100–300 yards where the Sierra GameKing’s proven terminal performance and reliable expansion deliver clean kills
• Hunters who want a Sierra GameKing factory load with published velocity and BC at a mid-tier price
• Case buyers — at ~$1.98/round the case pricing is competitive for a Sierra-bulleted load
• Elk inside 250 yards with proper broadside shot placement — GameKing at this velocity delivers adequate penetration with the thick jacket controlling expansion

Not the right tool for:

• Long-range hunting beyond 350 yards where the BC of 0.410 produces steeper drop and more wind drift than polymer-tipped alternatives
• Situations where a bonded bullet is preferred for elk with difficult shot angles
• Lead-free requirements — lead-core construction
• Self-defense — not designed or rated for it

Reliability Notes

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General notes:

• The Sierra GameKing bullet design has over 50 years of field documentation on North American big game — it is one of the most proven hunting bullets in existence; the Sig Sauer factory load delivers this performance in a ready-to-shoot package
• Sig Sauer publishes test barrel length (24″) — one of only a handful of manufacturers in this report series to do so; this is valuable context for hunters using 22″ or 20″ barrels (expect 30–60 fps lower actual velocity)
• The skived nose construction is Sierra’s manufacturing approach to improving expansion initiation in the open-tip GameKing design — a mature solution that has performed consistently across decades of hunting use
• Case pricing at $1.98/round is among the better values for a Sierra-bulleted 6.5 CM hunting load in this report series

Competitors

Price Reality

• Typical retail range: $44–47 per box of 20 (~$2.20–2.35/round)
• Case pricing: ~$396 / 200 rounds (~$1.98/round) — meaningful per-round savings for hunters who buy by the case
• vs. Fiocchi Hyperformance SST (higher BC, same velocity): Fiocchi runs $8–10/box less with a higher-BC polymer-tipped bullet at the same velocity — harder to justify the Sig premium on pure performance
• vs. Barnes Harvest TGK (Sierra tipped version): Barnes runs $2–4/box less for the tipped, higher-BC Sierra bullet
• The case pricing value: at $1.98/round by the case, this is more competitive — for hunters who buy in volume, the case discount closes much of the gap vs Fiocchi
• Fair price benchmark: under $45/box is reasonable; the case at ~$396 is the better buy for regular hunters

Where to Buy

Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.

• MidwayUSA
• Brownells
• Palmetto State Armory
• Natchez Shooters Supplies

FAQ

What is the “skived nose” construction on the Sierra GameKing?

Skiving refers to a manufacturing process where Sierra cuts or scores the tip section of the copper jacket near the hollow point opening. This weakens the jacket at the nose in a controlled pattern, ensuring the hollow point opens reliably and symmetrically on impact — even at velocities where a plain hollow point might not expand consistently. The skived nose is Sierra’s solution to improving expansion initiation in their classic HPBT design without adding a polymer tip. It is a subtle but meaningful manufacturing detail that separates the GameKing from cheaper hollow point designs.

Sierra GameKing HPBT vs Tipped GameKing (TGK) — which is better for deer?

For deer inside 300 yards, both are effective — the GameKing HPBT has a longer field track record, the TGK has a higher BC and more consistent expansion initiation at reduced velocities. Beyond 300 yards, the TGK’s BC advantage (0.535 vs 0.410) produces less drop and wind drift, making it the better choice for open-country hunting. At typical whitetail distances inside 250 yards, the classic GameKing HPBT’s reputation stands on its own. Choose GameKing for close-timber hunting; TGK for open-country longer shots.

Why is the BC only 0.410 when this is a boat-tail bullet?

A boat-tail base improves BC compared to a flat-base design of the same caliber and bullet profile, but it does not automatically produce a high BC. The Sierra GameKing HPBT’s 0.410 BC reflects its open-tip design and nose geometry — the large hollow cavity at the tip creates more aerodynamic drag than a streamlined polymer tip or tangent ogive nose. Polymer-tipped bullets close this cavity with a plastic insert, dramatically improving the nose’s aerodynamic profile and raising BC. The GameKing’s open tip is what makes it a hunting bullet (hydraulic expansion) and what limits its BC relative to polymer-tipped designs.

Is the Sig Marksman Hunter worth the premium over Fiocchi Hyperformance SST?

On raw performance at typical deer hunting distances, Fiocchi Hyperformance SST offers higher BC (0.527 vs 0.410), same velocity (2,820 fps), and costs $8–10/box less. The case for Sig Marksman Hunter is the Sierra GameKing’s long-term field reputation, the published test barrel length (unusual transparency), and brand preference among Sig firearms owners. For hunters who specifically want a Sierra GameKing factory load — rather than any polymer-tipped alternative — this is the load; otherwise the Fiocchi SST delivers better documented long-range performance at lower cost.

Submit Your Data · Real-World Results

Manufacturer velocity figures are measured under controlled lab conditions — barrel length, temperature, and lot number all affect real-world performance. The data below comes from community submissions tied to specific test conditions and reviewed before publishing.

Once this page reaches 3 approved submissions, aggregate velocity and confidence level will appear here automatically.

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Results vary by firearm, barrel condition, ammunition lot, and environmental factors. Submitted data is for reference only. AmmoReports does not guarantee accuracy of user-submitted results.

Last updated: April 2026 · Data confidence: Low (0 submissions) · Velocity from 24″ barrel per Sig Sauer published data.