A trip down memory lane. The Original 7mm - 168 gr Sierra MatchKing

[BOBC]

Does anyone use this match 7mm bullet anymore? Or has it become a dinosaur that died a natural death to the Hybrids and VLD's. I remember many years ago, this bullet set a long standing 1000 yd record at Camp Perry in a 7mm Rem Mag. It was extremely accurate and had a very long bearing surface.

 

[dannyjbiggs]

Does anyone use this match 7mm bullet anymore? Or has it become a dinosaur that died a natural death to the Hybrids and VLD's. I remember many years ago, this bullet set a long standing 1000 yd record at Camp Perry in a 7mm Rem Mag. It was extremely accurate and had a very long bearing surface.

Not me. A few years ago, I did use the Berger 7mm 168 grain bullet particularly for F-Open mid-range matches...even the 800 yard line and 1,000 when it was still (have quite a few still on the shelf). Then, came the Berger 180 grain Hybrid. Then, I got to thinking: 168 grain vs. 180 grain...heck, that's just a 12 grain difference; but, a heck of a BC variance!! So, I started using the Berger 180 grain Hybrid for mid-range, too. Makes life more simple. What? Yeah, cheating at mid-range...I know!

Dan

 

[BOBC]

Not me. A few years ago, I did use the Berger 7mm 168 grain bullet particularly for F-Open mid-range matches...even the 800 yard line and 1,000 when it was still (have quite a few still on the shelf). Then, came the Berger 180 grain Hybrid. Then, I got to thinking: 168 grain vs. 180 grain...heck, that's just a 12 grain difference; but, a heck of a BC variance!! So, I started using the Berger 180 grain Hybrid for mid-range, too. Makes life more simple. What? Yeah, cheating at mid-range...I know!

Dan

I did buy some of the Sierra Jackets they use for that bullet. An outstandingly uniform jacket. I've been reforming them down to 6.5 for a 141.5 gr bullet. They sure stand up to the 500 meter steel rams. When hit with that bullet, the ram goes down.

 

[mac86951]

I enjoy the results in my 7saum, easy to find in stock locally and usually a good deal. My rifle being an oddity (LR-7rsaum AR platform) it mag feeds well. I'm using 162 for long range match though, or single feeding 180 bergers.

-Mac

 

[BradY]

Yep I use them in 284 shehane. They make great fireforming loads and also good on the brass for a first soft firing

 

[rebeltex]

I just bought 5 boxes from Wideners on special for $9.99 per box.
I use them in a custom Win Mod 70 in 7x57mm mauser.
Took me a while to figure out the right load but now it absolutely hammers the 600 yard steel.

 

[KevinThomas]

A great bullet at the time, but it's time has come and gone. There's newer and better offerings out today that will do a better job in any of the 7mms still being used for LR competition. Incidentally, that was a Navy shooter, Tom Tiernen who set that record using a pre-'64 M70 he borrowed from Sierra's then Chief Ballistician, Martin "Jim" Hull. I later bought that rifle from Jim when he retired, and later gave it to a friend of mine in Alaska. It's now a 375 H&H, and living out it's second life as a working hunting gun.

 

[hogan]

And some guys still lament the changed boattail on the Sierra .30cal 180gr
Then there are the .800 BC .338 cal match bullets