Sage Rat and PD shooters

Mike in Oregon

Mike in Oregon

New member
Back before I had to get out of varmint hunting, the bullets I were using was primarily Nosler 40, 50 and 55-grain BT's. I had great success with them and went with my most accurate hand loads. Now 20 years later, I'm reading that the match grade bullets are being used for long range (400 to 600-yards) varmint hunting. I'm after complete exploding carnal annihilation (red mist). Does a match grade bullet give you that.
 
Welcome to PM!

Haven't found Nosler's comments on their match bullets but Sierra has always maintained that their Matchkings Quote:While they are recognized around the world for record-setting accuracy, MatchKing® and Tipped MatchKing® bullets are not recommended for most hunting applications. Although MatchKing® and Tipped MatchKing® bullets are commonly used for varmint hunting, their design will not provide the same reliable explosive expansion at equivalent velocities in varmints compared to their lightly jacketed Hornet, Blitz or Varminter counterparts.

https://www.sierrabullets.com/product/22-caliber-77-gr-hpbt-matchking/

My bullet of choice for coyotes in 223 has been 55 gr. NBT. Good luck with the BT's in 243WSSM but my .308 shoots the 110 Varmageddons best. The 6mm & 308 are a bit hard on fur but pelts no good down here anyway.

Some comments on the internet claim good results with match bullets on coyotes, but I suspect no one knows their bullets better than the manufacturer.

Regards,
hm
 
I hunt alone and use the lower end power range on the scope to make sure I see my hits and misses. I don't shoot past 400 yards and my 20 VT and 223 is good for that. 32 & 40 grainers for the 20 VT and 55's for the 223. When the wind picks up, I go to the 60-68's for the 223. I just got through making up a 6 BR and plan on using 87 gr VMax.

You didn't mention how far you wanted to shoot, but 400, mostly under 300, is the most I'll ever do. The bullets I mentioned will cover all those distances.

The match bullets with more powder cost more to shoot. I like shooting a lot even when not hunting so that's another reason I stay with these bullets.
 
In my limited experience shooting in South Dakota a couple of times, I would definitely use a VMax or BlitzKing if you want to paint the soil red. I've never used a "target" bullet on prairie rats though so I can't say about them.
 
Originally Posted By: K9TXSI hunt alone and use the lower end power range on the scope to make sure I see my hits and misses. I don't shoot past 400 yards and my 20 VT and 223 is good for that. 32 & 40 grainers for the 20 VT and 55's for the 223. When the wind picks up, I go to the 60-68's for the 223. I just got through making up a 6 BR and plan on using 87 gr VMax.

You didn't mention how far you wanted to shoot, but 400, mostly under 300, is the most I'll ever do. The bullets I mentioned will cover all those distances.

The match bullets with more powder cost more to shoot. I like shooting a lot even when not hunting so that's another reason I stay with these bullets.

400 to 600-yards. Thanks for the info though.
 
Originally Posted By: HidalgoIn my limited experience shooting in South Dakota a couple of times, I would definitely use a VMax or BlitzKing if you want to paint the soil red. I've never used a "target" bullet on prairie rats though so I can't say about them.

Yup, definitely looking for red paint!
 
Originally Posted By: hm1996Welcome to PM!

Haven't found Nosler's comments on their match bullets but Sierra has always maintained that their Matchkings Quote:While they are recognized around the world for record-setting accuracy, MatchKing® and Tipped MatchKing® bullets are not recommended for most hunting applications. Although MatchKing® and Tipped MatchKing® bullets are commonly used for varmint hunting, their design will not provide the same reliable explosive expansion at equivalent velocities in varmints compared to their lightly jacketed Hornet, Blitz or Varminter counterparts.

https://www.sierrabullets.com/product/22-caliber-77-gr-hpbt-matchking/

My bullet of choice for coyotes in 223 has been 55 gr. NBT. Good luck with the BT's in 243WSSM but my .308 shoots the 110 Varmageddons best. The 6mm & 308 are a bit hard on fur but pelts no good down here anyway.

Some comments on the internet claim good results with match bullets on coyotes, but I suspect no one knows their bullets better than the manufacturer.

Regards,
hm

Thanks.
 
Hey Mike, just realized your question was in regards to PD's, etc., not coyotes and I have no experience in that field. Sorry for the intrusion.
blushing.gif


Regards,
hm
 
Originally Posted By: hm1996Hey Mike, just realized your question was in regards to PD's, etc., not coyotes and I have no experience in that field. Sorry for the intrusion.
blushing.gif


Regards,
hm

No worries.
 
I have shot prairie dogs with 7rem and coreloks,definitely not a varmint bullet, but a high mist factor. And creates new habitat(holes). A vmax, blitz king, ballistic tip or the tnt family is the way to go. The faster the better on any bullet.
 
Back
Top