Thread: 77 gr Sierra Matchking on game

Thanks guys,that`s really useful information.Had tried a few boxes of Federal gold medal 69 SMK on goats & pigs and found them inconsistent killers,not always expanding.
I`d like to find a factory loaded,heavy bullet(70-80gr)hunting round for fast twist .223`s.
Beavis,does your handload Hornady 68gr use their hollowpoint match projectile? How does it perform on big hairy critters?

Actually thinking now it may have been the 69smk rather than 77 that I tried.

Had good results from the Hornady 68bthp on wallabies (bang-flop), haven't shot any goats or deer with them but know others who have found them effective.

Haven't shot a deer with them either, but I would be happy to. Only shot goats at varying ranges. Wounding seems disproportionate for caliber. Normally see a golf ball size exit hole with lots of little bits of copper around it. Big blood loss. First time I ever really saw consistent bang flop with a .223. Oh my friend finds the same thing with 60gr NBT's. Has shot goats and deer with them.

Originally Posted by Beavis

Haven't shot a deer with them either, but I would be happy to. Only shot goats at varying ranges. Wounding seems disproportionate for caliber. Normally see a golf ball size exit hole with lots of little bits of copper around it. Big blood loss. First time I ever really saw consistent bang flop with a .223. Oh my friend finds the same thing with 60gr NBT's. Has shot goats and deer with them.

Try bring that up on the forum and watch it turn into you just not being able to shoot

That's the problem with .223. It needs all the MV it can get if you want to slay meat further out

When you plug something multiple times cuz you think you missed you start to doubt yourself.

I haven't personally used Bryn's Targex 69gn projectiles, but lots of people rave about their hunting application.

Originally Posted by dogmatix

I haven't personally used Bryn's Targex 69gn projectiles, but lots of people rave about their hunting application.

Yes, They are great on deer.
I'm keen to try the 6grn plastic tipped sierra.

Think I`ll give the 77 gr Sierra Matchkings a miss then. Had a couple of one-shot kills on pigs last week with Federal .223 blue box 64 gr SP,and recovered an expanded projectile from a big billygoat.
Unfortunately the NZ agents seem to have dropped this load in favour of the Fusion 62 gr so I stocked up on Winchester 64 gr Powerpoint which is another excellent factory load.

Originally Posted by rockland

T...Winchester 64 gr Powerpoint which is another excellent factory load.

My 223 didn't like that stuff much at all, I was amazed how much variation there was between projectiles when you line a few up and look at them.

The old Sierra 60gr hp is a good animal killer too.

[QUOTE=GravelBen;398191]My 223 didn't like that stuff much at all, I was amazed how much variation there was between projectiles when you line a few up and look at them.

I will shoot a few groups over the chrony to check accuracy & consistency in my rifles...thanks for your comment.

So, if any of you guys have a spare box of 77gr SMK I am keen to try it, I have new boxes of 69gr SMK and 65gr SGK to swap.