The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

SevenSixTwo wrote:

DW58 wrote:

SevenSixTwo wrote:So, are these for target or game?

Tipped Match King ... ... ... I suspect the name rather gives it away

Never assume!

Will be interested to know the terminal ballistics of these and if they could be used for game too. A good all-rounder!

ETA: Seen the above. Manufacturer's recs are often just that...

I would regard them as the Sierra equivalent of Hornady A-Max. So while may be regarded as a bullet for light skinned game elsewhere, in this country they would be regarded legally as non expanding match bullet.

ColinR wrote:Thanks rox for the link. As we have discussed before, the current 168 grain is designed for shorter ranges but Sierra's blurb seems to suggest the TMK is designed for long range, so presumably little similarity between the two. I assume the TMK is not a replacement for the current offerings.

When I first read the blurb it sounded like the only difference was that the BC improvement due to the tip would keep the velocity high enough to prevent instability. Comparing the photos, though, suggests that the boat-tail angle may be comparable with the 155s and others (best seen if you open each of these in a new tab and cycle between them). I guess only time will tell when someone gets there hands on some.

https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/pro ... chKing-TMK
https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/pro ... -MatchKing
https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/pro ... -MatchKing

..

Looking at the pics the 168 may have a new boat tail. The 168 was designed for a specific disipline which wasn't long range hence the steep boat tail which robbed it of it's long range performance. If the new BC's are to be believe then this new 168 may be a great new bullet!

[quote="rox"]
When I first read the blurb it sounded like the only difference was that the BC improvement due to the tip would keep the velocity high enough to prevent instability. Comparing the photos, though, suggests that the boat-tail angle may be comparable with the 155s and others (best seen if you open each of these in a new tab and cycle between them). I guess only time will tell when someone gets there hands on some.

https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/pro ... chKing-TMK
https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/pro ... -MatchKing
https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/pro ... -MatchKing[quote






Visually there does indeed seem to be a difference in the boat tail angle between 168 grain SMK and 168 TMK, but what is the benefit of designing a bullet that becomes unstable beyond say 600 yards - how does it perform better to 300 yards for which it was designed? Does this mean the TMK will not perform as well at short range - seems this is getting into some complex ballistics?

The old 168 was an old design I'm sure laurie could explain in proper detail. But the new design does look good :)

Oh goody another bullet to argue over its use on game about with analy retentive people with not enough to do !

First and most importantly --- we have to get some ! How long a lead time before they arrive here and how much will they be marked up by the greedy ones.

I'll be surprised if we see them much before the Summer - but I'll be delighted if proven wrong.

Who will get them first: HPS, Kranks, GMK?

tackb wrote:Oh goody another bullet to argue over its use on game about with analy retentive people with not enough to do !

Although the MatchKing line is recognized around the world for record setting accuracy, like their untipped counterparts, Tipped MatchKing (TMK) bullets are not recommended for hunting anything larger than varmints.

Quite clearly stated on the Sierra website, so what's to argue about? Over here varmints are considered to be nothing larger than a coyote.

Blu wrote: Quite clearly stated on the Sierra website, so what's to argue about? Over here varmints are considered to be nothing larger than a coyote.

I believe SMKs have been used successfully by the US military* on two-footed varmints for a decade or more.





* In sniper ammo