Sierra Match Kings (SMK's) for Deer Hunting

[JDHasty]

I've killed numerous animals with Berger target bullets with good results each time. Assuming they are similar to matchking I would expect similar results.

I accept that Berger is being honest in their analysis and accept that they perform well on big game.  Sierra flat out states that the SMK does not perform acceptably.  So far no one has answered the pertinent question:  What is in it for Sierra to say - look elsewhere?

Right on the box for my Berger hybrids it says "not acceptable for hunting" and they seem to make things as dead as the interlocks I use also.

Again Berger probably has sent thousands of rounds down range and analyzed the probability of failure.  You have anecdotal evidence that is statistically insignificant in comparison.

ill keep going wth my statistically insignificant evidence and killing things. Once you get done reading you can do your own shooting and collecting your own evidence.

I am comfortable with selecting a bullet that the manufacturer does not go out of their way to advise against for a particular application because they recognize the terminal ballistic failure rate is in their estimation unacceptable.  YMMV 

[yorketransport]

Ask yourself this:  What does Sierra have to gain from advising potential customers to look elsewhere for a big game bullet? 

Their bullet can continue to be used in military/law enforcement ammunition which doesn't allow the use of expanding bullets?
To promote the use of their alternate product line specifically designed to cater to hunters in order to double dip into the market?

I'd do a search to check this, but I prefer to rely on my anecdotal/redneck logic to come up with an answer.

[JDHasty]

So the SMK acts like a solid below certain velocities.   Sierra bullets have "tough" jackets and that jives with my recollection that  w/lung hits they frequently acted like a pencil below certain velocities and went straight through.

Why not, given that bullets are not free, try bullets that the manufacturer does not advise against, see if they deliver the accuracy you demand first before looking in this direction and knowing that below a certain velocity you have a certified "non-performer" on big game at certain terminal velocities loaded up?     

[SeatoSummit88]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with SMK's or the new TMK's for Deer size game?  I don't really care what your feeling is if you should/shouldn't just wanted to know if anyone on here has any real life experience with them and how they did.
[/quote/

 Jesus,

  "I don't really care what your feeling is" ; "just wanted to know if anyone on here has had real life experience". 

  Why would "you" either click and paste, or begin to type something that original user didn't ask for.  Like exactly what I am doing now.  lol.   If 300rum wanted to know what everyones thoughts were from a website,blogs or forums; then he would have typed that in too. 





 

[JDHasty]

Nobody is forcing anyone to read what I posted and that includes the OP.  Just skip over what I have to say on the subject.  BUT, this forum is available to the general public.   

To demand that the opinion of the manufacturer be left out of the discussion, when the manufacturer has done more testing by an order of magnitude than the rest of the population combined, and has published a declarative statement advising that such use is not advisable seems awful self serving. 

[theleo]

No first hand knowledge but I remember an article in "Rifle" a few years ago by Greg Rodriguez about target bullets on game. The issue with SMK's was with the HP being so small that they sometimes didn't expand and would just pencil hole through animals, most of the time they acted like Burger's though. The comment from Sierra about SMK's doing that was basically, yeah we know that's why we don't recommend them for hunting. I won't get into the better bullet debate (Berger vs. Partition...) but just sharing knowledge from an article I read.

[Jonathan_S]

I am just happy with how many times we have juxtaposed in this thread.  I'm not really somebody who indulges in juxtapositions that often but when I do, it's a real treat and I find myself doing it multiple times daily.  Good to know that there are others who are able and willing to juxtapose so willingly in front of others. 

Now juxtapose if I were to shoot a deer in the shoulder with an SMK...would do you 'tapose would happen?   

[carpsniperg2]

Well I have some real life experience with them. Myself and my family has killed several deer using them in several rifles.

I have found there result to be way better then Berger hunting bullets. We have had very good luck with there killing power and there is hardly a better that I can get to shoot better then a SMK.

None of the shots that I can remember have been into deep bone but more ribs and scapula.

[JDHasty]

No first hand knowledge but I remember an article in "Rifle" a few years ago by Greg Rodriguez about target bullets on game. The issue with SMK's was with the HP being so small that they sometimes didn't expand and would just pencil hole through animals, most of the time they acted like Burger's though. The comment from Sierra about SMK's doing that was basically, yeah we know that's why we don't recommend them for hunting. I won't get into the better bullet debate (Berger vs. Partition...) but just sharing knowledge from an article I read.

That is consistent with my recollection re: the article I reference.  IIRC though, Sierra went beyond stating that they "sometimes didn't expand,"  Sierra said that they frequently did not expand, and the frequency in which there was a failure to expand was such that Sierra recommends against useing the SMK for use in hunting big game hunting applications. 

[coachcw]

I'm not really sure why you would wanna hit bone ? If my bullet hits ribcage and lung and explodes guess what I have .......dead dear . Kinda like swallowing a grenade !

[DOUBLELUNG]

When I worked in Wyoming we used Sierra 168gr .308 MK factory ammo in our work rifles.  I estimate I've shot 80-100 injured and depredating deer and pronghorn myself, and have discussed their use extensively with my coworkers doing same, at ranges from 5 to 475 yards.  They are very effective killers, and cause excessive damage due to fragmenting.  A shot to a quarter will pretty well destroy the quarter, a broadside shot to the ribs will have a BIG exit and you may find jacket fragments and bits of lead almost anywhere in the animal.  They are impressive for disabling an animal to the point it cannot flee, a finisher is often necessary to kill the animal quickly and humanely if hit in a quarter.  I once shot a coyote at 150 yards, facing me, hit in the throat and through the spine, the exit was a fist-sized hole - to give an idea of how explosive they are.   

[300rum]

It's o.k. JD, we like you.

I remember buying a new holster a few years back.  I read the instructions that came with it and it specifically said "Do not carry a loaded pistol in this holster".   

To demand that the opinion of the manufacturer be left out of the discussion, when the manufacturer has done more testing by an order of magnitude than the rest of the population combined, and has published a declarative statement advising that such use is not advisable seems awful self serving.

[300rum]

I've got a 1k+ yard .308 rifle with 175gr TMK's.  I'm going to take it for a back-up this year on my out-of-state hunts, I just don't want to work up another load for it.

I figured there were a few rule breakers out there!    

[Utah]

To the OP,

 3 30-06's, 2 270's, 1 308, 2 260rems and in 1  6.5 creedmoor I've wasted more powder,primers and brass trying to find a load thats worth a crap.  Me and Sierra's are a waste of time.  I wish I could give you some valuable kill experience with them but I can't.  Granted I'm only 8 years into hand loading.  Never once a prob finding a decent MOA load with any other brands of bullets.  I don't even bother anymore. JME and JMO

I have heard wonderful things from experienced killers of the 175gr gameking in the 7mm Rem mag. 

Hope you have better results than I have.

[grundy53]

Sounds like someone stayed in a holiday inn express last night...

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk