Author: britrifles
Subject: Sierra Matchking
Posted: June 05 2019 at 9:05am
HT, I agree with Goosic, if you intend to use the rifle to take a deer at 100 yards (or even 200 yards), you are already there with the Hornady or Sierra 150 SP bullets. The match bullets are just for that purpose, shooting at paper targets in matches. I happen to enjoy the challenge of competitive target shooting with vintage rifles, and I've found the Sierra MK to be exceptionally accurate in my two No. 4 rifles and are capable of holding the 10 ring with a high x ring count; so it works for me. I've also found the 168 gr .308 SMK exceptionally accurate in my two 7.62 No. 4 barreled rifles; although I can't compete with the 7.62 as it is a non-standard caliber.
Subject: Sierra Matchking
Posted: June 05 2019 at 9:05am
HT, I agree with Goosic, if you intend to use the rifle to take a deer at 100 yards (or even 200 yards), you are already there with the Hornady or Sierra 150 SP bullets. The match bullets are just for that purpose, shooting at paper targets in matches. I happen to enjoy the challenge of competitive target shooting with vintage rifles, and I've found the Sierra MK to be exceptionally accurate in my two No. 4 rifles and are capable of holding the 10 ring with a high x ring count; so it works for me. I've also found the 168 gr .308 SMK exceptionally accurate in my two 7.62 No. 4 barreled rifles; although I can't compete with the 7.62 as it is a non-standard caliber.
I was recently looking at some results I had 20 years ago with pulled MK VII service bullets and was getting about 3 to 4 inch 10 shot groups at 100 yards thru my Fultons No. 4. I was rather disappointed, these were my very first handloads. I hypothesized at the time that the service bullets may have gotten damaged during the pulling process. But now thinking of this, those groups probably met the accuracy standard for a No. 4 rifle and service ammunition. After trying a few different powders and charge weights, I moved on to the 174 gr SMK and never looked back. The difference was dramatic, 3 - 4 inch groups down to 1.5 inch 10 shot groups. Powder type and charge weights had little effect on accuracy. That's just my experience, others here may have different results.