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220gr Sierra Matchking for 30-06?

So here is a little fun. I loaded some 230 Berger in my 308 and got to right at 2400fps. It didn't shoot well but it was just for fun and I wasn't trying to tune it for that. I may go back and tune some 210's but I do like the ideal of the low bearing surface of the 215's. If you can't get them to about 2475 to 2500 maybe even as low as 2450 you really extend the useable range on a 308 win. It's just having everything fall together and be stable. I currently run 180's for hunting since they just shot good but I'm looking hard or messing around with the 178's due to the better BC. But yes I already have the 210's and some data I worked on last year. I just couldn't get my ES down to make them consistent enough for what I wanted them to do.
 
Wachsmann said:
So here is a little fun. I loaded some 230 Berger in my 308 and got to right at 2400fps. It didn't shoot well but it was just for fun and I wasn't trying to tune it for that. I may go back and tune some 210's but I do like the ideal of the low bearing surface of the 215's. If you can't get them to about 2475 to 2500 maybe even as low as 2450 you really extend the useable range on a 308 win. It's just having everything fall together and be stable. I currently run 180's for hunting since they just shot good but I'm looking hard or messing around with the 178's due to the better BC. But yes I already have the 210's and some data I worked on last year. I just couldn't get my ES down to make them consistent enough for what I wanted them to do.
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What powder were u using? I'm gonna try Big game with them but I bought a pound of staball match for the 169gr SMKs I plan on using for 300 yard f-class.
 
I believe I was using accurate 4064 but I need to check. I've been using a lot of IMR4895 lately. Probably one of my favorite for mid weight 308 bullet or what I consider mid weight bullets. I know I used the staball match but it was only getting 2440ish. It had better ES than the accurate powder. Which in reality I think the lower ES is what I'm looking for. I still have over half a box of the 210's so once it's done raining around here I be back out at my shooting place testing these and the 178 out. If over all the 178 preforms the best then I will probably stick with those. Another one that I might try though this spring is the 200.20x bullet. Looks interesting as for stable twist rate and BC. The 210's I think I loose a little BC at current elevation with a 1/10. But as soon as I hit my hunting area I'm in the good so as long as I can get them to shoot and hold group down range at like 700 or so then it's a win. There are times when I wish I had bought a 3006 to play with just for the extra capacity. I do have an action that I can do that with just need to buy a barrel. But I really am thinking something in the 7mm if I'm putting some money out.
 
Wachsmann said:
I believe I was using accurate 4064 but I need to check. I've been using a lot of IMR4895 lately. Probably one of my favorite for mid weight 308 bullet or what I consider mid weight bullets. I know I used the staball match but it was only getting 2440ish. It had better ES than the accurate powder. Which in reality I think the lower ES is what I'm looking for. I still have over half a box of the 210's so once it's done raining around here I be back out at my shooting place testing these and the 178 out. If over all the 178 preforms the best then I will probably stick with those. Another one that I might try though this spring is the 200.20x bullet. Looks interesting as for stable twist rate and BC. The 210's I think I loose a little BC at current elevation with a 1/10. But as soon as I hit my hunting area I'm in the good so as long as I can get them to shoot and hold group down range at like 700 or so then it's a win. There are times when I wish I had bought a 3006 to play with just for the extra capacity. I do have an action that I can do that with just need to buy a barrel. But I really am thinking something in the 7mm if I'm putting some money out.
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Well I just bought a pound of staball match, so I will try that as well as Ramshot Big game. My 169gr SMKs came in today, would be nice to have like a 182gr bullet from them
 
I haven't tried big game. I do have a pound in my closet thought. I've been trying to figure out what might be that magical load with good ES and SD with the highest velocity that doesn't reck my brass. Maybe some RL26. It makes everything shoot. Something that was pretty amazing was a video I seen that someone had necked up a 6.5 creed and was pushing a 180 Berger at 2600 to 2625 but I think they said it was best at 2600. That was pretty impressive out of that little cartridge. And it was accurate 4064.
 
Wachsmann said:
I haven't tried big game. I do have a pound in my closet thought. I've been trying to figure out what might be that magical load with good ES and SD with the highest velocity that doesn't reck my brass. Maybe some RL26. It makes everything shoot. Something that was pretty amazing was a video I seen that someone had necked up a 6.5 creed and was pushing a 180 Berger at 2600 to 2625 but I think they said it was best at 2600. That was pretty impressive out of that little cartridge. And it was accurate 4064.
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That's pretty interesting. So far I haven't had luck with big game using the TMKs, but I think that wasn't to do with the powder
 
Budget'06 said:
hey all, ive been thinking of trying the 220gr SMK in the 30-06 with H4831sc and a 9 1/2 magnum primer. GRT says should be possible to get a bit over 2600fps. Has anyone tried these in a 30-06, all discussions i have found were for 220gr round nose bullets and people pushing them slow. any experience would be appreciated. Goal is to switch from bergers to sierras due to availability and price, ive had good luck with them in the 22-250 and have been trying the 195gr tmk in my 30-06.
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Do a search on MontanaMarine's old posts. He used to propel 200 grainers and up to 1760 yards out of his .30-06.
 
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I've had good luck loading the .30-06 with 180 grain Sierra Spitzer Boat Tail using IMR4350. Most Sierra Spitzers seem to shoot well out of most rifles. I've heard it mentioned that if you are having difficulty getting a rifle to shoot, try Sierra Spitzers. If it still doesn't shoot, get a new rifle.

If you are stuck on round nose bullets, both Sierra and Hornady make a 180 grain round nose.

200 grains seems to be a bit on the heavy side. Do you mind if I ask why you want to use them. Are you looking for penetration on a Moose or Grizzly and at short range? You might end up having to stuff these things deep into the case in order to clear both the magazine and the lands.
 
MarkInPA said:
I've had good luck loading the .30-06 with 180 grain Sierra Spitzer Boat Tail using IMR4350. Most Sierra Spitzers seem to shoot well out of most rifles. I've heard it mentioned that if you are having difficulty getting a rifle to shoot, try Sierra Spitzers. If it still doesn't shoot, get a new rifle.

If you are stuck on round nose bullets, both Sierra and Hornady make a 180 grain round nose.

200 grains seems to be a bit on the heavy side. Do you mind if I ask why you want to use them. Are you looking for penetration on a Moose or Grizzly and at short range? You might end up having to stuff these things deep into the case in order to clear both the magazine and the lands.
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It was purely because why not, I had great luck with heavies. I think the 180s are a bad area for the 30 cal bullets if talking about match bullets
 

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