To use or not to use 300gr SMK on ELK

[jlamb]

What does everybody think? Has anybody had any experience hunting with a Seirra Match King? I can't get Barnes to shoot right (after buying 3 boxes). The 300gr SMK shoots like a dream.

The rifle is a 338 Lapua.

 

[Broz]

Took several elk and good sized mulies with them from my .338 LM. One was at 1130 yrds. Never needed a second shot all were down with in 50 yards or DRT.

Jeff

 

[jmden]

Don't think you'll have trouble with it, especially at longer yardages. Might not center a big bull shoulder knuckle at 50 yards, but many here had killed many elk with that bullet.

 

[Boss Hoss]

The jacket on that particular bullet is thick enough that you will not have any issues. If you have want to do the research just call and ask Sierra what the thickness is compared to a Game King. Do not ask if they recommend it as a hunting bullet because they will not. Big Green makes quite a bit of money on selling to Uncle and so there will never be any formal support of the use of the SMK's as a hunting round by the manufacturer.

I use the 250 rather than the 300 on tougher anmials than elk and never had one fail from 150 yards to 900yds. One at close to 300 left a hole the size of a softball LOL. That feral hog was shot through the shoulder that went about 450 lbs.

 

[J E Custom]

The 300 SMK is one of the finest bullets made for shooting a long way with great accuracy
but they are not as dependable for hunting as some other bullets that are designed for hunting.

I have killed lots of game with different SMK and the accuracy made up for the unpredictable
performance but I had to consider shot placement each time so i found that bullets designed for
hunting were more dependable and predictable.

For the extreme long shot where shot placement is most important then It is a winner.

Using a meplat trimmer should help to control the expansion by making the opening in the
tip more consistent.


Just my opinion

J E CUSTOM

 

[Broz]

Dug these up. My 2008 Bull with my .338 LM. 300 SMK through he shoulder @ 526 yards.

Jeff

The recovered bullet

 

[matt_3479]

If you are worried, try the 300 grain Berger hybrid gen 2

 

[Coyboy]

300 smk, just keep the range reasonable, ultra long shots will result in little to no expansion.

 

[Boss Hoss]

The 300 SMK is one of the finest bullets made for shooting a long way with great accuracy
but they are not as dependable for hunting as some other bullets that are designed for hunting.

I have killed lots of game with different SMK and the accuracy made up for the unpredictable
performance but I had to consider shot placement each time so i found that bullets designed for
hunting were more dependable and predictable.

For the extreme long shot where shot placement is most important then It is a winner.

Using a meplat trimmer should help to control the expansion by making the opening in the
tip more consistent.


Just my opinion

J E CUSTOM

Dead is Dead in my book. Never had a SMK failure in the last 20 years from the 142 6.5, 150 7mm, 155 .30, 210 .30, 250 .338, soon to try the 350 .375 I just got yesterday --- my primary hunting bullets. Have used others but those are the ones I use now.

 

[Broz]

Exit hole from a 300 SMK at 820 yards..

The video from this one.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LAEOJbyklI]Extreme range hunthing with a .338 Lapua - YouTube[/ame]


Jeff

 

[Coyboy]

300 smk, just keep the range reasonable, ultra long shots will result in little to no expansion.

I better clarify this as some may misconstrude it, under 1500 fps the smk can lack expansion. Below 1300 it is a 300 grain field point.

 

[captacademy]

I have also used the 250 grn SMK in my 338 Rum and all have been one shot kills from 100 yards to 624 yards on large African thin skined game.

I plan on using the 300 SMK in my new 338 Lapua this year for Elk.

 

[J E Custom]

Dead is Dead in my book. Never had a SMK failure in the last 20 years from the 142 6.5, 150 7mm, 155 .30, 210 .30, 250 .338, soon to try the 350 .375 I just got yesterday --- my primary hunting bullets. Have used others but those are the ones I use now.

I totally agree ,but I have seen game run 400 yards one time and drop in there tracks the next
time hit in the same place with the same rifle and load using the SMKs.

Also I have seen exit holes that were no larger than entrance holes and the next shot almost
cutting the game in half.

I personally, will only use them when nothing else will achieve the accuracy required at the distance
I will be shooting. (It is rare that I have to use them).

Any of the bonded core bullets perform more consistently and predictably than the target bullets
and accuracy is not an issue with good loads.

Use them if you want but be prepared for that one time that they fail.

J E CUSTOM

 

[338 bruce]

my expierance has been that IF they expand the meat is totaly wasted in that part of the animal