Barnes Match Burner in place a Sierra Matchkings

[EOD Rob]

Has anyone out there had to switch from SMK to the Barnes Match burner bullets in either 6mm or 6.5mm. If so, how did they shoot compared to the SMKs. I'm running a 6 ARC, 6mmCreedmoor and 260 Rem. and need match bullets.

Rob

 

[Murray Brook]

Never used MB's in the calibers you mentioned but switched from the 168 SMK in my 7/08 to the 171 BMB"s. They shot better than the MK's but with a lot of jump (.120). Also much better priced. JME

 

[xswanted]

I tried the 112s next to the 110s and was pleasantly surprised.

BC didn’t hold up on the 112s but they shot quite well.

 

[EOD Rob]

Never used MB's in the calibers you mentioned but switched from the 168 SMK in my 7/08 to the 171 BMB"s. They shot better than the MK's but with a lot of jump (.120). Also much better priced. JME

Did you have to mess with the powder charge at all? Really dont want to start over with a new set of test loads. Not with how supplies are these days.

 

[mac86951]

I'm certainly not an expert compared to many others here; I tested some Barnes MB in my 6.5 Creed, and found the sierra better. Barnes were jump tolerant and from my notes my accuracy was at 0.2gr lower than sierra. 140gr vs. 140gr.

My one 600y attempt showed more fliers; but that could be a lot of other variables.

Try them out, and measure them, I'd guess accuracy would benefit from sorting bullets by length; much like the Sierra 142s in 6.5mm

-Mac

 

[Murray Brook]

Used the same powder (WW760) but had to tweek up . I believe that when you would change any component then the load would have to be tweeked some to achieve the best accuracy. Even using the same components but changing lots you generally have to tweek somewhat.

 

[EOD Rob]

I'm certainly not an expert compared to many others here; I tested some Barnes MB in my 6.5 Creed, and found the sierra better. Barnes were jump tolerant and from my notes my accuracy was at 0.2gr lower than sierra. 140gr vs. 140gr.

My one 600y attempt showed more fliers; but that could be a lot of other variables.

Try them out, and measure them, I'd guess accuracy would benefit from sorting bullets by length; much like the Sierra 142s in 6.5mm

-Mac

Thanks Mac, the 142s are my go to bullet for the 260 Rem. Seem like I have little guess work with them, but heck if you can find them right now. Same issue with the 6ARC and 6 Creed. Had to go from 107gr SMK to Berger 108gr. Dont get me wrong, Berger makes one hell of a bullet, but its starting over. Guess a guy has to deal with what he can find.

 

[EOD Rob]

Used the same powder (WW760) but had to tweek up . I believe that when you would change any component then the load would have to be tweeked some to achieve the best accuracy. Even using the same components but changing lots you generally have to tweek somewhat.

True!

 

[Kevin Taylor]

Really hard to beat the SMK’s. Really hard.

 

[EOD Rob]

Really hard to beat the SMK’s. Really hard.

Fact!

 

[Fuj]

My only experience is with the 7mm Match Burners. As I
was working up my new SA284 cat, and in the 168gr class
bullet region, the 171gr MB was the clear winner, with the
SMK's second. The test was out to 500 yards, for what it's
worth......It's not a bullet to pass up in my opinion. It's worth
a look. In this day and age, all are worth a look !!!

 

[EOD Rob]

My only experience is with the 7mm Match Burners. As I
was working up my new SA284 cat, and in the 168gr class
bullet region, the 171gr MB was the clear winner, with the
SMK's second. The test was out to 500 yards, for what it's
worth......It's not a bullet to pass up in my opinion. It's worth
a look. In this day and age, all are worth a look !!!

Very ture! I just ordered 200 rds from midway for the 260 Rem. At $40 a box, I didnt think that was to bad, even for todays prices. SMKs are $5 to $10 more a box at normal prices.

 

[Fuj]

I bought mine direct from Barnes, and cheaper then what the
retailers were hawking them for.

 

[wbm]

Switched from 6.5 140gr Sierra MK to 140gr Barnes Match Burner. Sierra was easier to achieve accurate loads but the Barnes with RL-16 gave me the best accuracy in my Savage 110 LRH.

 

[EOD Rob]

Switched from 6.5 140gr Sierra MK to 140gr Barnes Match Burner. Sierra was easier to achieve accurate loads but the Barnes with RL-16 gave me the best accuracy in my Savage 110 LRH.

Dont have any RL-16, but it is a Savage 12 FV w/ Shilens 26" Barrel. Been running IMR-4350 in it. Hope that will be a good load as well.

 

[LiveFire]

In my 308win the 175 match burners shoot tighter groups at 100yds than the 175 sierra match kings. But thats as far as I have taken either out to at this point. Both using Varget. The SMK may shoot better with further load development but right now the Match burners shoot more than good enough for me after only using one powder and 3 different charge weights to get to where I am happy.

 

[EOD Rob]

Just my luck! Today, I found 6.5 SMK 142gr in stock at Sinclair! Ordered 500 count.
Dont worry, I will be trying the Barnes out as well. Now you all have me thinking and I need to know which shoots better. Now if they would just get some 6mm 107gr SMKs in, Id be all set.
If you cant tell, I have used SMKs for yrs.

 

[WVRJ]

I've used the 171's in my 280 AI,and they were as accurate as the 168 grain Bergers I was shooting,with the exception of a rare unexplained flier every 20 or so rounds.