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HSM Game King 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr Sierra GameKing SBT

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Ammo Reports Team 3 6.5 Creedmoor

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At a Glance

Official Specs

ME verification: 140 gr × 2,714² ÷ 450,400 = 2,290 ft-lbs — matches the published figure exactly.

Case note: HSM packages in 25 boxes per case (500 rounds) — the same non-standard format as their Trophy Gold load. For most buyers, the 20-round box is the practical purchase unit.

Ballistics Table

Calculated. Zero: 100 yards. Sight height: 1.5″ above bore. BC (G1): ~0.490 (Sierra GameKing 140 gr SBT, published).

Key takeaway: at 2,714 fps this is a mid-velocity 140 gr load — faster than Nosler Whitetail Country (2,650 fps) and AccuBond (2,650 fps), slower than Federal Power-Shok (2,750 fps). The Sierra GameKing’s BC of 0.490 is competitive for an exposed-tip hunting bullet. At 300 yards 1,616 ft-lbs retained and 20.8 inches of drop — well-suited to deer hunting at typical field distances.

Sierra GameKing SBT vs GameKing HPBT vs Tipped GameKing — Three Variants

Sierra produces three GameKing variants and they appear across multiple factory loads in this series:

The SBT (Spitzer Boat-Tail) is Sierra’s traditional hunting variant with an exposed lead spitzer nose — reliable expansion through hydraulic pressure on impact. The HPBT uses a hollow point for the same mechanism with a slight accuracy edge from the open tip concentricity. The TGK adds a polymer tip for higher BC and improved long-range expansion consistency.

Best Uses

Good fit:

• Whitetail and mule deer at 100–300 yards where the Sierra GameKing’s proven terminal performance and adequate BC deliver clean, ethical kills
• Hunters who want a Sierra GameKing factory load at a lower price than Sierra’s TGK variant (Barnes Harvest)
• 25-box case buyers who want a large quantity of Sierra-bulleted hunting ammunition at competitive per-round pricing
• Timber hunting where shots rarely exceed 200 yards and the spitzer tip’s slightly more aggressive expansion profile vs a hollow point is an advantage

Not the right tool for:

• Long-range hunting beyond 350 yards where the TGK’s higher BC (0.535) and polymer tip initiation give it a meaningful advantage over the SBT (0.490)
• Elk with difficult shot angles where a bonded bullet provides greater core retention
• 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 has a multi-decade track record on North American big game — the SBT variant is Sierra’s traditional hunting bullet, used extensively in handloads and factory ammunition
• HSM’s Montana loading facility produces quality ammunition using Sierra components; the Trophy Gold (Berger) and Game King (Sierra) lines both benefit from HSM’s experience with third-party precision bullets
• At $2.25/round HSM Game King is priced competitively vs similar Sierra-bulleted loads — Sig Sauer Marksman Hunter (130 gr GameKing HPBT) at $2.20–2.35/round and Barnes Harvest (140 gr TGK) at $2.07/round bracket this load on price
• The 25-box case format at 500 rounds is again non-standard — useful for hunters who stock up annually

Competitors

The TGK comparison: the Barnes Harvest 140 gr Sierra TGK uses the polymer-tipped version of the GameKing at comparable weight with BC 0.535 vs 0.490 for the SBT — and costs $2–5/box less. For hunters who want Sierra’s 140 gr in 6.5 CM, the Barnes Harvest TGK delivers higher BC at lower cost. The HSM SBT’s value case is the spitzer tip preference and HSM brand.

Price Reality

• Typical retail range: $43–47 per box of 20 (~$2.15–2.35/round)
• vs. Barnes Harvest TGK (Sierra TGK, higher BC): Barnes runs $2–5/box less for the tipped, higher-BC Sierra variant — the most direct unfavorable comparison
• vs. Federal Power-Shok (140 gr SP): Federal runs $8–12/box less at higher velocity with adequate deer performance — value hunters have a strong case for Power-Shok
• vs. Nosler Whitetail Country (similar BC, slower): Nosler runs $6–8/box less for comparable terminal performance and slightly lower velocity
• Fair price benchmark: under $45/box is reasonable; above $49/box strains the case against Barnes Harvest TGK at a lower price

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

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

For deer inside 250 yards, both are effective. The TGK’s polymer tip (BC ~0.535) produces more consistent expansion initiation at reduced velocities and better long-range BC vs the SBT’s lead tip (BC ~0.490). At 300+ yards the TGK’s higher BC produces less drop and wind drift. The SBT’s exposed lead tip initiates expansion reliably at typical deer hunting impact velocities. The Barnes Harvest loads the TGK at a comparable or lower price — for hunters choosing between Sierra variants, the TGK-loaded Barnes Harvest is the stronger all-around buy.

What is an SBT (Spitzer Boat-Tail) vs HPBT?

SBT (Spitzer Boat-Tail) uses an exposed lead spitzer (pointed) tip with a boat-tail base — the traditional hunting bullet profile. Expansion is initiated by hydraulic pressure as the lead tip deforms on impact. HPBT (Hollow Point Boat-Tail) uses an open hollow point with the same boat-tail base — the hollow cavity is a manufacturing precision feature that improves jacket-to-core concentricity for accuracy. Both expand through hydraulic pressure. The HPBT has a slight accuracy edge from the concentric open tip; the SBT is the traditional hunting profile with decades of field use. For hunting inside 300 yards, terminal performance differences between the two are minimal.

Is HSM a reliable brand?

HSM (Hunting Shack Munitions) has been loading ammunition in Montana since 1979. They use quality third-party component bullets — Sierra, Berger, Hornady — and have a solid regional reputation. They are less nationally prominent than Federal, Hornady, or Nosler, but their Trophy Gold (Berger) and Game King (Sierra) lines consistently receive positive reviews from western hunters and precision shooters. The combination of known-quality bullets (Sierra, Berger) with HSM’s loading process reduces the risk of component-related quality issues.

Submit Your Data · Real-World Results

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Last updated: April 2026 · Data confidence: Low (0 submissions) · Page will update automatically as submissions are approved.