200's or 220's for the 8mm rem mag

J

jetman

New member
OK here is the thing.
I have recently worked up two outstanding loads for my rem 700 8mm rem mag. One is a Barnes 200 TSX running at 3200 fps and a Sierra 220 gameking that is going just a few fps less than 3100.
Both shoot 5 group shots at an inch at 200 yards. The 220 have a "little" more felt recoil. I'll use it for Elk, bear, and an unfortunate mule deer on occasion. Unlikely over 400 yards. Which one would you zero in on? The Sierra's are a bit cheaper but not by much.
I have a lot of faith in Barnes bullet and use them in most of my hunting situations in multiple calibers. But kinda looking for a big bullet for a big gun. Thoughts?
 
I would go with the Barnes 200 gr TSX bullets at 3200 fps.

I have had great results with Barnes TSX and TTSX bullets in many different calibers from 22 cal up to 30 cal.
 
I have too
If I ever have to re-barrel I'll do an 8mm RUM or 8mm/378 and a 26" barrel and like a 1x 6 twist and shoot BIG BULLETS.
 
I've been a big heavy for the caliber bullet fan for a long time 220's in the 06 and 250's in the 375 Win, 35 Whelen and 358 Norma but the Barnes bullets are a game changers.
 
As I expected 8mm test .
We went fishing and shooting today.
I did not get a bite my boy got some very nice trout 3 and 4 pounders.
After we got tired of that we set up to shoot. We always have a bunch to test or sight in or proof.
6.5 Grendle We were just checking it but worked as it should.
7mm rem mag TC dimension. The boy just changed from 30/06 to the 7mm. Just a few shots to zero to 200 yards.
My 8, is zeroed at 230 yards, I wanted to proof it at 500. I have 200's and 220's both should be twins at 500 yards, 22 inch low.
The 7 at 500 and 165 using the 500-yard dot was an inch low but about a 6" group, good.
My 8 we determined I should use the second hash, I did.
The 200 shot right on in a 5", 5 shot, group very respectable.
The 220 should be there too. That they were but, in about a 7" group with 5 shots, HUM no Idea why that is, at 230 there both right at an inch.
We checked the speed with the speedometer and was right on the money, the 200 average 3200 and the 220 did 3100 both with a variance in single digits. Over 500 yards the 220 carry a little more energy, but not a lot.
I'm happy either way. It looks like a little more range time and I will be ready. I'm interested to see if the 220 keeps opening up as I go out.
It takes SOOOO long to go check 500-yard targets and Hard even out here to get a place we can shoot farther but I want to see what the next two hash marks bring. I should be 600, and 700 yards, I'll use a gong to test them.
 
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