Sierra 150 grain 6.5 Matchking

[kyreloader]

Kentucky Reloader, could you measure lengths on a few of those 150 SMKs and give us the numbers? The 147 ELD is supposed to be 1.435 and the 155 Caut is supposed to be 1.460. Just from looking at the picture that would make the SMK maybe 1.465 or maybe 1.470 at the most. Could even be a little less because that 155 looks like it took a nose-beating. People have been saying 1.50 but that doesn't appear to be correct.

I measures 10 of the new 150g SMKs they measured as follows:
1.483, 1.486, 1.482, 1.481, 1.483, 1.480, 1.479, 1.487, 1.485, 1.490.

The Cauterucio measured 1.481 and the 147g ELD-M measured 1.428.

Hope that helps.

 

[skiutah02]

I did some quick load work with them on Sat. fireforming a case. Here's a picture of a 300yd powder test that I do after some initial work at 100 testing pressures and velocities. Round robin shooting, up then down then up the powder charges while measuring velocities. There seems to be a node at 2730 for fireforming this particular cartridge. Sorry about the clarity, but my phone died and had to snap this with a tablet...

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

I measures 10 of the new 150g SMKs they measured as follows:
1.483, 1.486, 1.482, 1.481, 1.483, 1.480, 1.479, 1.487, 1.485, 1.490.

The Cauterucio measured 1.481 and the 147g ELD-M measured 1.428.

Hope that helps.

Averages 1.484, yes that helps. Thanks.

 

[Average joe]

I did some quick load work with them on Sat. fireforming a case. Here's a picture of a 300yd powder test that I do after some initial work at 100 testing pressures and velocities. Round robin shooting, up then down then up the powder charges while measuring velocities. There seems to be a node at 2730 for fireforming this particular cartridge. Sorry about the clarity, but my phone died and had to snap this with a tablet...
View attachment 1024745

Drew, what cartridge?
You can't shoot those for ft/r!

Btw, I measured them at 1.494"

 

[Grimstod]

Will it bring back the 6.5 as a caliber of choice to F-Class I wonder.

 

[ShootDots]

Will it bring back the 6.5 as a caliber of choice to F-Class I wonder.

Here are a few thoughts on your idea. 1.) The 183SMK LOOKS like a GREAT bullet. It is very consistent dimensionally, it is spot on in weight>>>but very few rifles get any accuracy out of them. WHY? I can't find the answer. 2.) The 110SMK seems to shoot very well out of the vast majority of barrels. WHY does this bullet shoot well in most barrels where the opposite is true with the 183? 3.) IF (obviously this remains to be seen) this bullet (the 150SMK) shoots very well with the vast majority of barrels, it WILL be a game-changer! If there are accuracy nodes above 2900+ it will shoot inside a 180 Hybrid out of any .284 that is not a S.A.U.M.. I think either a .260A.I. or the 6.5 x 284 SHOULD get this bullet into the 2900+ area without a problem>>>but will it be accurate there? That is the question..
I am VERY excited about this bullet and I hope it shoots as well as their 142MK.. If this bullet does perform as I hope, I will not be shooting 7mm's anymore>>>guaranteed!!

 

[FatBoy]

my new 284 reamer will be here tomorrow or Friday. As much as I would love to say I'd go back to 6.5x284 exclusively, barrel life is what is pushing me back toward the 284. I don't see these 150s improving barrel life.

 

[ShootDots]

my new 284 reamer will be here tomorrow or Friday. As much as I would love to say I'd go back to 6.5x284 exclusively, barrel life is what is pushing me back toward the 284. I don't see these 150s improving barrel life.

Hey Chris, what if you went with H-1000 or RL-26 in the 6.5 x 284? I know that the 6.5 x .284 is a throat eater, however, with that heavier bullet, a much slower powder MAY slow throat erosion as well as up the velocity..

 

[Grimstod]

Here are a few thoughts on your idea. 1.) The 183SMK LOOKS like a GREAT bullet. It is very consistent dimensionally, it is spot on in weight>>>but very few rifles get any accuracy out of them. WHY? I can't find the answer. 2.) The 110SMK seems to shoot very well out of the vast majority of barrels. WHY does this bullet shoot well in most barrels where the opposite is true with the 183? 3.) IF (obviously this remains to be seen) this bullet (the 150SMK) shoots very well with the vast majority of barrels, it WILL be a game-changer! If there are accuracy nodes above 2900+ it will shoot inside a 180 Hybrid out of any .284 that is not a S.A.U.M.. I think either a .260A.I. or the 6.5 x 284 SHOULD get this bullet into the 2900+ area without a problem>>>but will it be accurate there? That is the question..
I am VERY excited about this bullet and I hope it shoots as well as their 142MK.. If this bullet does perform as I hope, I will not be shooting 7mm's anymore>>>guaranteed!!

I like your thinking! Time will tell. I be sure to test some soon though.

 

[ShootDots]

I like your thinking! Time will tell. I be sure to test some soon though.

I would love to see the results of your testing with it! What are you going to shoot it in?

 

[338 Mollett]

I,m in the middle of trying to get two sling barrels to shoot in 6.5-284 .This sounds like a good experiment, I,ll get some.

 

[skiutah02]

Drew, what cartridge?
You can't shoot those for ft/r!

Btw, I measured them at 1.494"

Whaaaattt? I thought if you could get the bullet to fit in a 308 Win case, it was all fair.....JK

This is a "new" cartridge that my GS is having me test...stay tuned. Just fireforming at moment. Awaiting Custom Whidden FL dies to actually test the potential. I'm voting for the 6.5Diggler as a potential name.

 

[FatBoy]

Ben,

maybe. not sure rl26 will help but h1000 or n160/165 might. Still don't think you're going to see more than maybe 1500 rounds, so 2+ rifles a season would still be required if you shot the two monthly matches we have between ORSA and AEDC, not to mention Dead Zero when they come online.

Chris

 

[ShootDots]

I,m in the middle of trying to get two sling barrels to shoot in 6.5-284 .This sounds like a good experiment, I,ll get some.

I just had a thought 338.. Don't rush out to buy any too quickly. You will need a 7.5twist barrel and I don't believe there are any around. That will be an order deal from one of the barrel makers. Don't try it in an 8 twist, you may get less than desirable groups and it not be the fault of the bullet..

 

[ShootDots]

Ben,

maybe. not sure rl26 will help but h1000 or n160/165 might. Still don't think you're going to see more than maybe 1500 rounds, so 2+ rifles a season would still be required if you shot the two monthly matches we have between ORSA and AEDC, not to mention Dead Zero when they come online.

Chris

Chris, 1500 rounds is all that I would expect, with ANY powder. That is a solid year of L/R F-Open for me!

 

[swd]

Has anyone tried them in 260 Ackley just to see what kind of speeds you can get?

 

[ShootDots]

Has anyone tried them in 260 Ackley just to see what kind of speeds you can get?

The "problem" with trying them out, is there are NO 7.5 twist barrels around. They will have to be ordered, and that takes time..

 

[338 Mollett]

I just got off the phone with my buddy Rich at Sierra and he thinks they will do ok in a 8tw.I,ll have the bullets Friday if the weather holds out I will test this week end and give a report.

 

[wi50]

We shot some of these Sierra 150's last weekend at 1650 yards. I was impressed

 

[lawrence97]

Just because they recommend a 7 or 7.5 twist does not mean you should not try them or that you will get horrible results! If all you have is an 8 or 8.5 twist it’s too easy to buy a box of 100 for testing and verify for yourself than to rely on non verified claims or online advice. They may work just fine and you can focus on purchasing more bullets rather than waiting a few months for the perfect twist barrel to show up before testing.