123gr Sierra MatchKing

[turk1961]

Has anyone used the 123gr Sierra MatchKing in a 6.5 Grendel for deer?

Also what speed speed are you shooting at?

How was the group at 100 yards?

Any info on you load will help. I am thinking of working up a load.

Thanks,

Richard

[grayfox]

The matchking is a target bullet, not really constructed for hunting.
You sure you don't want to consider another, more hunting pill instead...

[Kosh65]

Has anyone used the 123gr Sierra MatchKing in a 6.5 Grendel for deer?

Also what speed speed are you shooting at?

How was the group at 100 yards?

Any info on you load will help. I am thinking of working up a load.

Thanks,

Richard

[tdbru]

Kosh65,
at 6.5 Grendel speeds as compared to 6.5-06AI speeds, eventually you will pinhole a deer with these target bullets. you might get away with it most of the time, but eventually you will pinhole a deer. the slower speeds out of the 6.5 Grendel may not have the surplus of energy to get a match bullet to come apart, particularly at longer range impacts where velocity has dropped off. if you're using a purpose designed hunting bullet the odds of pinholing a deer go down significantly. I do wish you all the best. After you do pinhole and lose a game animal with the SMKs, please consider using purpose designed hunting bullets. i can't help you with any results of SMKs (or any other match bullet) on big game as i don't do that.
-tdbru

[m796rider]

I agree the OP ought to consider something other than a SMK for hunting... Maybe a Game King or TMK.

[Kosh65]

Kosh65,
at 6.5 Grendel speeds as compared to 6.5-06AI speeds, eventually you will pinhole a deer with these target bullets. you might get away with it most of the time, but eventually you will pinhole a deer. the slower speeds out of the 6.5 Grendel may not have the surplus of energy to get a match bullet to come apart, particularly at longer range impacts where velocity has dropped off. if you're using a purpose designed hunting bullet the odds of pinholing a deer go down significantly. I do wish you all the best. After you do pinhole and lose a game animal with the SMKs, please consider using purpose designed hunting bullets. i can't help you with any results of SMKs (or any other match bullet) on big game as i don't do that.
-tdbru

[TedBrewer5]

[m796rider]

I think the 130gr Game King would work well for Grendel, no? I shoot 130gr Berger handholds and they are getting close to 2500fps out of my 19.5" bolt gun.

[tdbru]

Kosh65,
try the 130gr. TGK. tipped Game King. Supposedly all those tips (from way back to Remington Bronze Points, anyone remember those?) help in getting lower impact speed bullets to expand reliably. the 120gr. Pro Hunter is a good bullet too, just not as high a BC as the 130gr. TGK, if you wish to keep with Sierra. at a G1 BC of 0.510, if i recall the BC correctly off the top of my head, the 130gr. TGK should be good for a higher BC Sierra hunting bullet, and they're quite accurate too. Please do let us know how the CBBs perform on deer in your experience. Best of luck to you.
-tdbru

[Kosh65]

[tdbru]

apologies Kosh65. Good luck with your hunts!
-tdbru