Hunting With Sierra Match King

[Mj4406]

Since bullet shortages are here. I found five boxes of Sierra 6.5 mm 142 grain hollow point boat tail match Kings. I was wondering if anyone has had any luck hunting with them?
*Short to long range deer, Elk 6.5PRC, 260Rem.
I've heard that they don't like to open up from one person. But I figured I'd ask for some personal experience from anyone else. Any help would be appreciated
(I only purchase these because I've had 143 eldx on order since last November and then now the order just got pushed up to October.) And they were available at a local farm store.

 

[bozoben]

Maybe its frowned upon to link to a different forum, but there is a ton of info in this thread regarding your question. Read away.

Why Match/Target Bullets For Hunting

This is going to be a barrage of questions. It will help to view me as a skeptic relative to the matter at hand. I am going to do some load development for my new 6mm Creed. I live in the southeast where shots are rarely taken at more than 100 yards. But, I fancy that I will take a trip out...

www.rokslide.com

 

[JJMoody]

I'm more comfortable shooting these types of Bullets in .30 cal and up. Used to use 250smks in my .340 wby at 3000 mv. Performance was good on elk, but deer wasn't as dramatic. Had one pencil through. YMMV.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I like SMKs for hunting. For the pointed ones, like the 6mm 110SMK, .257 131 Blackjack (which is an SMK), 6.5mm 142 & 150 SMKs, 7mm 183 SMK, .308 210 SMKs, I just run a #60 wire bit in the meplat, and they work wonders on game. I have personally used the .257 131 BJ, 6.5mm 150 SMK, 7mm 183 SMK, and .308 210SMK on game from pronghorn to deer to elk with fantastic results. I have a buddy who has crushed a bunch of pronghorn and deer with the 6.5mm 142 SMK too. The TMKs (Tipped Match King) work great as well.

 

[Mj4406]

I like SMKs for hunting. For the pointed ones, like the 6mm 110SMK, .257 131 Blackjack (which is an SMK), 6.5mm 142 & 150 SMKs, 7mm 183 SMK, .308 210 SMKs, I just run a #60 wire bit in the meplat, and they work wonders on game. I have personally used the .257 131 BJ, 6.5mm 150 SMK, 7mm 183 SMK, and .308 210SMK on game from pronghorn to deer to elk with fantastic results. I have a buddy who has crushed a bunch of pronghorn and deer with the 6.5mm 142 SMK too. The TMKs (Tipped Match King) work great as well.

Pm sent

 

[lancetkenyon]

Pm sent

PM returned....with photos for your viewing pleasure.

 

[Dosh]

A group of long range hunters I know in a small eastern Az town hunt exclusively with the Sierra MKs and tipped MKs. They always have one shot kills. A smith there builds their rifles. I shoot 52gr Match Kings in my 22-250 for varmints.

 

[Casimirblue]

I've used on on hogs and deer in 308 (175's) 300 yds and under. They've killed everything, but you rarely get an exit wound due to the bullet fragmenting. So the shot needs to be good.

 

[Mj4406]

I appreciate all the information. Probably like most anything you kind of get mixed reviews on the bullet. There's a lot of hunting rounds I've heard about a negative about. So I guess it's just to try it and see how it works. Thank you all for taking the time.

 

[ndking1126]

If you don't have a problem with a bullet penciling through your animal, then they are an option. You might end up tracking the animal a bit longer since they tend to do less damage as they pass through. An animal with a hole in each lung will certainly die though. On the other hand, if it hits bone as it enters they are likely to completely come apart. They arent for me, and most people will frown upon you using them. Even the manufacturer clearly states not for hunting.

 

[ndking1126]

I'll play devil's advocate also on this question though. My research indicates the Army uses the 175gr SMK in their standard 7.62 sniper round, so one could easily argue that the bullet has proven to be lethal. The designation of the round is M118LR.

 

[Gater]

I have shot a lot of chucks with .223 55gr ball ammo and was surprised at the out come I thought it would buzz right through and it did but the hole it left was about 2" in diameter but that's a chuck not a deer

 

[honestern]

Since bullet shortages are here. I found five boxes of Sierra 6.5 mm 142 grain hollow point boat tail match Kings. I was wondering if anyone has had any luck hunting with them?
*Short to long range deer, Elk 6.5PRC, 260Rem.
I've heard that they don't like to open up from one person. But I figured I'd ask for some personal experience from anyone else. Any help would be appreciated
(I only purchase these because I've had 143 eldx on order since last November and then now the order just got pushed up to October.) And they were available at a local farm store.

My brother shoots the 168 MK in a 7mm mag. He has taken 2 bull elk, several mule deer and a pronghorn. All have been 1 shot kills and dead right there. All were shot behind the shoulder and destroyed the vitals.

 

[ndking1126]

My brother shoots the 168 MK in a 7mm mag. He has taken 2 bull elk, several mule deer and a pronghorn. All have been 1 shot kills and dead right there. All were shot behind the shoulder and destroyed the vitals.

Im curious, how many had exist wounds?