Sierra TMK

[Windknot]

Sierra has announced the introduction of their new Tipped Matchking bullets- so when will we see these here in Canada? The 155gn .308 TMK has a great BC for the weight- should make for a great F-TR bullet.


Looking forward to trying these!

 

[BigUglyMan]

I wonder, is this not the answer to an unasked question? SMKs have been the yardstick for many years. I wonder if the tip will add anything to already stellar bullets.

 

[Boomer]

The tipped bullets will be more uniform in length, and stop people from grinding their bullets for uniformity and a subsequent loss of BC. I expect Sierra figured they were loosing too much of the market share to their tipped competition. I can't help but think though that it must difficult to ensure that a 3 piece bullet can be as accurate as a 2 piece. The dimension and weight of each tip must be exact, and the way each tip fastens to the bullet can create no imbalance. While I don't participate in the extreme accuracy game, I can't help but think that, even under ideal shooting conditions, the uniformity of the ogive is the important consideration, whereas small differences in the uniformity of the meplat has almost no influence in accuracy. To my way of thinking these bullets are at their best where recoil will damage bullet tips in a magazine.

Sierra has thus far failed to enter the premium hunting bullet market, which has certainly proven to be more than a passing trend. They have also failed, thus far, to produce a VLD/ULD bullet. I think they need to reassess those positions if they are to remain relevant bullet makers; their position at the top of the heap has certainly slipped since the days their bullets came in cardboard instead of plastic. Perhaps a tipped MK is a step in that direction. Now with competition from Berger, Barnes, and Swift, in addition to Nosler, Speer, and Hornady, the bullets that were good in the '70 won't satisfy today's upcoming riflemen, 45 years later.

 

[Shibby!]

I wonder, is this not the answer to an unasked question? SMKs have been the yardstick for many years. I wonder if the tip will add anything to already stellar bullets.

Check their webpage.

Where I know published data is often wrong, they are stating healthy gains in B.C from the tipped variety. Approx .495 to .550

The 175 just got better. Curious to see how Litz referes to their improvement.

 

[brts28]

Interesting, cant say that I wont try them thats for sure

 

[358Rooster]

...They have also failed, thus far, to produce a VLD/ULD bullet. I think they need to reassess those positions if they are to remain relevant bullet makers; their position at the top of the heap has certainly slipped since the days their bullets came in cardboard instead of plastic. Perhaps a tipped MK is a step in that direction. Now with competition from Berger, Barnes, and Swift, in addition to Nosler, Speer, and Hornady, the bullets that were good in the '70 won't satisfy today's upcoming riflemen, 45 years later.

First, please note that I have limited experience with the Berger hybrids and the Swift's....though I do have some. I agree with your comments, however, the fact that I have been able to tune & shoot SMK's effectively to 1200 yards LONG before I have tuned Berger VLD's (or others touted as ultra low drag bullets) holds some value to me and leaves me to wonder, is a consumer's requirement for Sierra to follow suit with a VLD/ULD bullet a real necessity? Your comment, "to remain relevant bullet makers" seems a bit extreme, seeing as many of the others you have listed, often take so much more effort to make shoot consistently, where the SMK's seem so "non-fussy" to me and consistently suitably accurate. Cardboard or plastic.

After all that drivel, yes, I would love to try some of the new tipped stuff!

Rooster

 

[ultimate_monkey]

First, please note that I have limited experience with the Berger hybrids and the Swift's....though I do have some. I agree with your comments, however, the fact that I have been able to tune & shoot SMK's effectively to 1200 yards LONG before I have tuned Berger VLD's (or others touted as ultra low drag bullets) holds some value to me and leaves me to wonder, is a consumer's requirement for Sierra to follow suit with a VLD/ULD bullet a real necessity? Your comment, "to remain relevant bullet makers" seems a bit extreme, seeing as many of the others you have listed, often take so much more effort to make shoot consistently, where the SMK's seem so "non-fussy" to me and consistently suitably accurate. Cardboard or plastic.

After all that drivel, yes, I would love to try some of the new tipped stuff!

Rooster

i agree with rooster, having the VLD/ULD types of bullets is great but they can be very fussy to tune correctly, the SMK has ALWAYS been my go to bullet, load development is quick and gets me out shooting. allowing me to take the time with the vld types to strive for ultimate accuracy. Sure there are options that out shoot the SMK on a competitive level, but i think the market for sports shooters out weights that of competitive. There is value in having an easy to load and tune bullet on the market. and i dont think SMK would ever become obsolete for that reason.

but if they can maintain that easy to tune quality while making advancements in BC i wont be complaining