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

Just seen on the book of faces that sierra are now doing match kings with Polly tips like Amax bullets

I like the look of these - I normally use the 155gr Palma SMK (2156), but I'll be trying these once they are available, which I guess could be some time. I'll probably try the 175gr version as well.



One assumes there will be more in the range in due course.

Yes these do look very interesting :)

That is fantastic news after Hornadys supply issues over the past couple of years, I very much like the look of the 155gn .30 cal too.

Does anyone know if these are the same shape as the normal SMK. I am particularly interested in the 168grain - does it have the same boat tail profile and flight characteristics?

So, are these for target or game?

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

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

ColinR wrote:Does anyone know if these are the same shape as the normal SMK. I am particularly interested in the 168grain - does it have the same boat tail profile and flight characteristics?

New Bullet Shapes Along with Plastic Tips
In addition to the bullet tip, some of these new TMK bullets have slightly modified shapes compared to previous-generation, non-tipped MatchKings (SMKs) of like caliber/weight. Sierra’s technicians reported: “The [plastic] point on the tip is smaller than the meplat on a SMK and if you look, you will also see the ogive on most of these [new TMKs] have been changed as well. Most of the big BC gains are from the reshaped ogives from the legacy SMK product.”
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/201 ... om-sierra/

Due to the ballistic advantage that the tip provides, the 168 Tipped MatchKing (TMK) will stay supersonic at 1,000 yards at normal .308 Winchester velocities, unlike its untipped counterpart.
https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/pro ... chKing-TMK

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

The 168 grain Tipped MatchKing (TMK) bullet is an excellent choice for F-Class (F Open) matches, as well as 3-Gun and various other competitions

Tipped MatchKing (TMK) bullets are not recommended for hunting anything larger than varmints.
https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/pro ... chKing-TMK

..

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.

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...