Question about Sierra MatchKing Bullets

BOBTAILS

BOBTAILS

Active member
I was reading in my one book/ one caliber book for my .223 and in the sierra bullets section under the 52 gr. HPBT matchKing it says " Sierra does not recommend MatchKing bullets for hunting appications "

Why is this /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif? and what have your guys experinces been with them good or bad. Any info would help me to decide to load up a bunch or not. I have about 300 in my reloading drawer.
 
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They act like an FMJ when hitting a target. No expansion.


So even though they are a hollow point they don't fragment or expand on impact. You are saying they mushrooom. Have you ever shot any dogs with them?
 
I've shot several deer with them (168's from a .308 win). They do the job, usually battering and tumbling and leaving a good exit.

Controversial subject. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Dan
 
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They act like an FMJ when hitting a target. No expansion.


So even though they are a hollow point they don't fragment or expand on impact. You are saying they mushrooom. Have you ever shot any dogs with them?



I have only shot one dog with them and it was out of a 308 so it wasent the best test. I have a friend who uses them for deer because they cause little meat damage. I have never seen one fragment in the deer he has shot, they just pass through. The smaller ones may fragment but I have no experiance with them.
 
The biggest problem with using them for PDs is the potential for ricochets, much like the FMJs..

I reload some that I save for action matches where there may be long distance targets the require the better accuracy factors.
 
I have been shooting them but in the 68 gr variety. I use to shoot the 52 gr as well. I have yet to see one "pencil through" . With the 68gr ones I am using now, I have been experiencing large exit wounds. Although I did have one with a small hole in and no exit but it was out around 200 yrds. Not the usual 30-40 yrds I normally wind up killing them at.
 
Crapshoot did you have good luck with the matchkings or were they not doing the job for you? Was there large exit holes on all your animals?
 
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I have been shooting them but in the 68 gr variety. I use to shoot the 52 gr as well. I have yet to see one "pencil through" . With the 68gr ones I am using now, I have been experiencing large exit wounds. Although I did have one with a small hole in and no exit but it was out around 200 yrds. Not the usual 30-40 yrds I normally wind up killing them at.



I have to agree. 69 grain and heavier SMK OTM's are widely used by the military. They fragment pretty dramatically, even at low velocity and they're especially useful in short (
 
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Controversial subject. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif



I bet brdeano will gladly share his thoughts and opinions on the matter.

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When I got my first 22-250 many years ago I used the Sierra 52 gr BTHP Match bullet. I had many large exit holes and quite a few coyotes that would run a little ways before falling over. I read in the Sierra Reloading book that they did not recommend using the Match bullets for hunting. I switched to the Sierra 55 gr BTHP Varmint bullet and got very few exit holes and most of the coyotes fell on the spot.
 
The performance is unreliable.

I have had them pencil through like an ice pick on woodchucks. On larger game, the performance is usually the result of hitting bone, or tumbling.

While they are called "hollow points", the jacket is closed so much that the cavity can't fill with fluid... true "hollow points" rely on fluid filling the cavity and forcing the jacket apart.

There are many better choices out there that are just as accurate.

.
 
I've had great success with the match grade 52 grain in the sierra as well as the nosler 52 grain hollow point boat tail. I am currently using the nosler match grade 52 grain in my 22-250 and I am very impressed with the results when shooting a yote. All my hunting partners use the match grade as well. I would reccomend you try them as I feel you won't be disapointed. Good Luck!
 
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Controversial subject. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif



I bet brdeano will gladly share his thoughts and opinions on the matter.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif



/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Tac223, whenever I see an SMK thread, on any site, I tell myself, "self, you really don't even need to read that one." /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I have had mixed results with them.....Shot alot of woodchuck's with the 52's and they just weren't consistent for me. I have had them come apart like a Vmax, and had them poke a couple little holes that you really had to look for to find. I have found myself moving on to other bullets when it comes to shooting critters. They are a good bullet for what they are designed, poking holes it paper.
 
Having worked for Sierra in the early 80's I know a little about their products.

The match bullets are made with a thicker jacket and harder lead, that's why you don't get the expansion like you do in the blitz etc.

I think the large exit wounds are tissue and bone being pushed in front of the bullet.

There are several members here that shoot just the 52's and swear by them.

They are very accurate bullets in most rifles. I've shot the lighter bullets but have not tried the 69's yet.

I don't think I'd use them in a semi urban setting.
 
Several guys here swear by the 223 52/53gr SMKs, but I have not tried them yet.

I did shoot one coyote with my Mosin Nagant 91/30 7.62x54R using a Sierra 174gr SMK. Entry was at the base of the neck, exit was the rear leg. It went all the way thru the whole torso and almost blew off the back leg. There were several small frags that exited the belly area, not sure if that was bone or bullet frags.
 
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