How well does 168 Grain Sierra Matchking BTHP work on whitetail?

[Blaster26]

I just picked up a Remington Model 700 XCR Compact Tactical .308, I am driving to Cabela's to pick up a VX-3L Scope Monday. I want it to be a tack driver, it will be used for target shooting and whitetail hunting. I want to find a match bullet that works well, sight it in with that round, buy that round in bulk and shoot only that round through it. How well does 168 Grain Sierra Matchking BTHP work on whitetail? I will be trying several other match rounds. Thanks in advance. If the BTHP is no good on whitetail, what hunting rounds are known for match accuracy? Thanks in advance.

 

[NickEllis]

The Sierra GameKings are great rounds as well, and better made for hunting. I wouldn't trust a MatchKing to stay together, just not designed for it. Doesn't mean it won't work, but not designed as such.

I use Barnes TSX 168grns, and they are unbelievably accurate. More a match round than a pure hunting round. In an FN PBR, over 44grns of varget, I've been WAY sub-moa, after spending a lot of time figuring out how long to load them.

 

[Will Fennell]

Accubonds

Nosler Accubonds are giving me super accuracy, and very high BC's, like the Lapua Scenars and SMK;s I punch paper and bang steel with.....If I were looking for a hunting bullet for the .308 that would come close to matching my match load dope out to respectable hunting ranges, I would look to the 150 gr Accubond.

My experience with Accubonds have been that they perform EXCELLENTLY on game.

 

[Triphammer]

I heartilly second the 165 Sierra GameKings. They've worked beutifully from my 308 Remington 600 for 30 plus years. Very accurate & lethal on whitetails. I've taken dozens w/ that bullet & never had a bullet failure. I've shot chest to rump through some largish upstate New York deer & had a nickel sized exit hole & completly liquified the lungs.

 

[C-grunt]

My Savage 10FP shot the Winchester Ballistic Silvertips better than the Matchkings. Im pretty sure that's a hunting round.

 

[kanook]

I have been using Georgia Arms 168 match hollow point since around 94 or 95. I have harvested at least 40 deer and about 5 hog. Never had to do a follow up shot. The closest to loosing a deer, it went over the top of the hill (15yds) and slid down the other side. Granted, shot placement is everything. You could have the most reactive bullet in the world, if you can't place it properly it don't mean squat.

 

[USSR]

If you want a true match bullet that is suitable for hunting, then I would suggest the Hornady Amax.

Don

 

[Horsemany]

If you want a true match bullet that is suitable for hunting, then I would suggest the Hornady Amax.

Don

I agree. Great bullets.

 

[Blaster26]

Gentlemen, thank you for all of the advice. I plan to use a better-suited bullet as suggested. I am going to try out all of the rounds mentioned, plus a few black hills rounds. I really want stellar accuracy, if I am going to step away from my old 94’. I hope that, one of the rounds mentioned will deliver. I have always had good luck with black hills and hornady rounds though my AR. Reloading is not really an option for me right now so I am stuck with what the factories offer. I just want to say that the fact that four people responded to a strangers hunting question at 12am, gives me hope that this country is not lost yet.

 

[Deer Hunter]

My father has been using 168 grain BTHP match rounds in his .308 to take white tail, hogs, etc for the past ten years. He's never had a problem.

 

[1911Tuner]

While the Nosler Ballistic Tip was my choice venison harvester for a good many seasons...the HP Match bullets ain't too shabby. Because of the lack of mass in the front end, they tend to yaw sharply when they strike soft tissue and do a lot of damage on the way...often stopping on the far side, just under the skin...sideways. Sometimes they break apart.

As far as terminal effect goes, good placement will give good results, and most often anchors the buck within a few steps if he moves at all.

That said...there are better bullets for the task. The Ballisitic Tip gives up a little in accuracy to the Matchking...but at Southeastern Whitetail ranges, it's not enough to make any real difference.