Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles SMK performance on Game???

Has anyone used a Sierra Match King bullet on game? If so what were your results, performance etc...
Thanks.
R.

Getting popcorn ready, opening beer, .......

Quiet so far...

I'm suprised, this topic usually brings up a big stink.

No doubt. Not trying to start a storm, but it's supposed to be a really accurate bullet. Would just like some feedback...?

I haven't killed anything with a Match King, nor seen someone else's results first hand.

I've got some Hornady AMAX bullets loaded for my primary deer rifles this season, 178 grains for a 308 and 155 grains for a 300 Savage. I haven't pulled the trigger on anything though.

No, I haven't used it. I don't intend to either. The results have been 0 wounded unrecovered animals having been shot with SMK. YMMV.

OK, I will open it up. 300 win mag, 190 smk @ 2900 fps, broadside at 135 yards. Smallish spike buck. Entered and exited the ribs, deer almost fell at the shot. Ran around in a wide circle and ran off about 100 yards before collapsing, dead at recovery. Only concern that I had was absolutely no blood at site of shot and no blood to trail by. I followed a hunch and the terrain to find the deer. If it not been a perfect shot or I had not been lucky on the trailing job I may not have recovered the deer. Do not know if the lack of blood was related to bullet performance or not since the bullet exited. just my 2 cents

Daddy Rat

Have a look at my 6.5 bullet test and how the SMK compared to about 25 other bullets, it didn't fare very well. It might work in some situation, especially in larger calibers, but theirs a LOT of better HUNTING bullets out there.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1483816/page/0/fpart/1

If size does matter, the bullet will be 250 to 300 grains in .338. Thanks for the info so far...
R.

I have shot one deer at just a little over 500 yards and one elk at a little over 500 yards my buddy used my rifle and shot his deer just under 550 yards my dad shot his elk with the same rifle just under 550 yards all were shot with a 300gr SMK 3400 fps at the muzzle. Average it out let say 525 yards it�s still going 2750 fps and has 5000ft-lb of energy.

Lets put it this way at that range that�s more energy than most cartridges have at the muzzle a lot to ask of a bullet all animals were shot once right behind the shoulders and died on the spot.

Joe, What are you running to get 3400 out of that bullet? I've got some on the shelf and they didn't do real well out of my 340 wtby on paper. Had great luck with 250 grain Sierra gamekings though.

.338 Allen Mag pic of it in this thread.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1878405/page/1/fpart/2

The guys I know that seem to have the best luck run the bigger SMKs, like the 250 or 300 grainers from a fast 338...........

The BC on .338 250 grainers is around .6 and the 300 grainers run around .7 The BC varies at different speeds. Check out exterior ballistics at Sierra website.
They are awesome and can reach out there for those extremely long shots. Unfortunately in Canada we can't hunt game with non expanding or solid body bullets. I was told that they are illegal for hunting up here.
I'm working up loads with the 250 grain bullets SMK and I got them up to 3300-3350 ft at the muzzle, no pressure signs but the cases are starting to lengthen noticeably and for longer brass life not recommended. I was not able to get a hold of the 300's since they were all gone but soon new stock to arrive. I use the 338/378 B with 7828 IMR powder and 26 inch barrel Fed primers. I don't believe you will achieve this with shorter barrels. The rifle is new also. 500 yard shots would easily be done with still tremendous hitting power. If you check out the 338 Lapua ballistics they are running 2960 ft/sec at muzzle shooting the same 250 grainers. The reloader can kick the Lapuas asss but maybe not in the accuracy game.
The 340 B would also run them up there but I don't have one to check with. The case is smaller so I don't know if achievable with that rifle.

Well it is unlawful here also but that does not stop some people. I personally would never use a SMK for game not when there are hundreds of bullets out there designed for game. Then again that is me. The only bullet that was designed for match purposes that "accidentally" works on game is the Berger VLD. They have been used successfully I guess on game and they are great killers the users claim. The BC is great. the accuracy is great, but I do not like the 30% or so retention rate that was proven on game. I just do not trust it plus I like exit holes.

pop,
im sure i dont need to tell you this but vld and mk are the made the very same way.if anything mks have a jacket thats a bit more heavy than the j4.vld got started on big game by gunwriters.all hype as far as i can see.mks have been used on game by 1000 yard guys for over 30 years.
i like you like an exit hole.
dave

Yeah I know. I just read the latest Handloader where they were used on New Zealand big game. The test were quite analytical and showed that no matter what the berger went about 1.5-2" in and then expansion was initiated. Then they just got consumed and a few penetrated all the way. This is where it is totally different from the SMK. You never know what will happen with the SMK but the Berger is predictable (more or less). Either way on a personal level nothing pisses me off as much as lobbing SMK (and similar useless crap--for hunting that is) at game, and especially when the game is standing in the next zip code. OK I am done.

Not quite. The ogive of the VLD is a different shape and it seems its sharper profile is what allows for the delay of expansion/disintegration until several inches of penetration has been achieved.