smk at short range

[rufous]

I have two loads worked up for my 300 Win Mag. First is with the 200 Nosler Partition at 2950 fps. Second is with the Sierra 220 Matchking. My thought has been that if they will hit close together out at about 250 yards then I would hunt with the rifle loaded with the 200 Partition for close range shots out to about 250. If the animal is further then I would unload and reload with the SMK220, having the rifle actually zeroed for the 220. I would certainly rather use just one load. The 220 is more accurate than the 200 but my concern is that at close range (10 yards to whatever) the 220 MK may come undone before adequate penetration. I have read most of the various posts in the past by users of the SMK for big game. Most of these users are long range hunters who can wait for broadside shots at undisturbed animals where the velocity has dropped off substantially. I hunt on foot and have had more than one shot at big game at 25 yards (I can recall one bear at 20 yards, and four elk at about 25 yards). When animals are taken at these very short ranges one cannot always wait for the animal to turn broadside. So I would very much like to hear from those of you who have taken elk and black bear and bigger game with SMK bullets at under 50 yards. What is the consensus as to whether they would be a good all-around bullet as opposed to just a long range bullet? Thanks, Rufous.

[Boyd Heaton]

I shot a cull deer with my 300 Ultra at about 30 yard's with the 220 Mk.It killed her.Shot her through the lung's.Broke a rib on the way in and three on the way out.Exit hole was about the size of the bottom of a pop can.

[longrangehunter]

Boyd, too bad you didn't recover the bullet, but the exit hole does say something about the expansion. I plan to use SMKs myself, but I'm still wondering why Sierra is so against the use of them on game. Everywhere you see MK's in the Sierra manual they have a recommendation to not use MK's on game. Maybe, they just want to keep the focus on the MK as a competitive target bullet. It's strange though - considering everybody has good things to say about the MK performance on game.

[308]

I killed a bobcat about 200 yds last night with 168 mk in my 308. He came in to my varmint call and the bullet nearly took his shoulder off: 308

[ 03-17-2004: Message edited by: 338-378 ]

[Darryl Cassel]

Rufous

Started using the MKs many years ago even in my 308 Win and 280 Remington carry guns.

Kills were from 50 to 400 yards with them.

There were no problems and all animals hit died almost instantly. I believe the number was 31 deer killed at shorter ranges with the MK.
For Longrange it's ONLY match kings for me in ANY caliber we shoot and has been for quite a few years.

Later
DC

Later
Darryl Cassel

[rufous]

Has no one ever shot a black bear or elk or bigger game with SMK bullets at under 50 yards? I really would like to hear from you if you have. Thanks, Rufous.