168 grain Sierra Matchking for medium game

[rickt300]

Got a bunch of them so maybe I thought I might use some on feral hogs or a doe deer out of my 30-06. Long ago I shot a feral hog with one and the bullet tumbled, the nose broke off and it didn't exit a 175 pound pig. Have they changed any? Are they better now? Would opening the hollow point up to .04 by shortening the bullet make it open better?

 

[Chiquita]

I thought SMK was for target and SGK for hunting. I could be wrong. I didn't know the SMK could be used for hunting.

 

[LonewolfMcquade]

As always, shot placement is key. However, the SMK is NOT designed to expand like hunting bullets are.

 

[drop_point]

If you're hunting, use a hunting bullet.

 

[std7mag]

I doubt a Berger VLD-H would go the whole way through either.
They work great on deer! But you gotta pick & choose your shots.
They don't like bone.

I'd personally pick a more stout bullet for pigs.
Trying to get through the hair, caked on mud, and the shoulder board on a pig requires a bullet that hold together better.

If you like Sierra, i'd probibly suggest their Pro Hunter line.
Nosler, the Ballistic Tip, or AccuBond.

 

[Bocephus]

Like so many things in life, “where” you put it is a huge part of how well things work out.
Only you know what your capabilities are.

 

[Bill Score]

I’d aim for the shoulder if you have a broadside shot, maybe try to hit something hard. Used a 168 smk on a deer once, shot felt good and it ran over the hill and into some CRP, never found it. My POI was just aft of the front shoulder (heart shot). It think the bullet zipped right through the deer, but maybe I missed, who knows.

 

[Sniper338]

I wouldnt reccommend SMK on any game unless its a head shot.

They are target bullets and do not usually expand, fragment, or create an effective wound channel. I tried it because I was curious what they would do. So take it from my testing that they are not effective unless poi is in the head. Even in the head they went straight through no mess.

I dont know how to say this any more effectively to get the point across...

 

[spencerhenry]

I used them on javelina, once.
They are NOT hunting bullets, use the right bullet!

 

[stymie12000]

Two weeks ago I went on a hog hunt. My buddy used the 168 smk on a 200# hog. Bullet hit bone and exploded on entry. About a baseball size hole on entry and no exit. Shot was taken of a distance of about 10 yards.

It did the job, however I wouldn't use that bullet or suggest anyone to use that bullet for hunting.

Manufacturer's make hunting bullets for a reason!

 

[284winner]

Match bullets expand, no doubt. I kill alot of deer with them. Not one has taken a step after the shot. These two were shot well over 400 yards this week and both DRT. I'll kill a few more with the same results. 168 SMK/TMKs, 140 Amax, 139 Lapua Scenars. All perform perfectly on deer

 

[JEFFPPC]

I doubt a Berger VLD-H would go the whole way through either.
They work great on deer! But you gotta pick & choose your shots.
They don't like bone.

I'd personally pick a more stout bullet for pigs.
Trying to get through the hair, caked on mud, and the shoulder board on a pig requires a bullet that hold together better.

If you like Sierra, i'd probibly suggest their Pro Hunter line.
Nosler, the Ballistic Tip, or AccuBond.

Several years ago I shot a nice buck at just over 400 yds with a 7mm 168 SMK. Deer was quartered head on. Bullet hit inside one shoulder, deer dropped so quick I did not see it when I came out of recoil. Entire chest cavity was gone. Heart, lungs looked like they were run thru a blender. I did this because of the varying reports I have read about deer shot with these bullets, usually by folks who never shot a deer with them. Bullet did not exiting, I did not find or look real hard as it was pouring rain..

 

[Intell]

I’ve only shot one with a 308 and 168 SMK nearly 30 years ago. It was quartered away and left a baseball size hole for an exit, never took a step.
Not saying they are a good hunting bullet, but they will kill if placed right.

 

[rickt300]

Loaded some up to 2800 fps out of my 30-06. This bullet shoots better out of this rifle than any other I have tried and that is a bunch of different bullets! Might not use em for hunting but I bet they would work OK. Killing hogs is just that most of the time, not stressed out if one runs off and is not found. That just means I don't have to drag it to the hog compost pile hole. I usually do neck hits anyway and it will most likely work fine for me.

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

Shot a deer with an M1-A and the military match loaded 168BTHP. Deer was quartering away at about 75yds. Deer died instantly and the far shoulder was a mess. Never attempted it again.

Prefer a projectile that has some means to secure the core and gives more progressive expansion.

 

[DGP4]

I'd trade them for some hunting bullets. SMKs are usually in high demand from target shooters.