Sierra 140, 142 and 150 grain 6.5 mm bullets

[chkunz]

The Sierra 142 MatchKIng is a favorite bullet for some applications for long range competition. I notice the Sierria manual also lists a 140 and a 150 6.5 mm MatchKing. I am wondering why three bullets so close to the same weight. Anyone know the history of this?

 

[6.5 forever]

Compare the BC and you will see a difference and the barrel twist will need to match.

 

[mac86951]

Yup, meplat to major diameter profile changes. These shapes change the BC, the jump sensitivity, and likely the overall cartridge length.

 

[6.5 forever]

Yup, meplat to major diameter profile changes. These shapes change the BC, the jump sensitivity, and likely the overall cartridge length.

Better explanation than mine!!

 

[Fast14riot]

The 142 shoots the best of the three. 140 is a decent inexpensive bullet comparable to Hornady 140bthp in use. 150 is a sexy 1.5" long high BC bullet that has been notoriously inconsistent for many shooters, including myself. 142 doesn't have the best BC in its weight class but its incredibly consistent and shoots very well.

 

[chkunz]

The 142 shoots the best of the three. 140 is a decent inexpensive bullet comparable to Hornady 140bthp in use. 150 is a sexy 1.5" long high BC bullet that has been notoriously inconsistent for many shooters, including myself. 142 doesn't have the best BC in its weight class but its incredibly consistent and shoots very well.

So why does Sierra still make the 140 and the 150?

 

[Dimner]

My guess is due to different chambers


To name a few
6.5 creed
6.5x47L
6.5 Swede
6.5 prc
260 rem
And all the mag 6.5s

The bullet weights are less important. The sierra offerings are there to accommodate the different chamber types. So the length and nose profiles change to accommodate. Which as a byproduct impacts the overall weight.

 

[Ranger188]

So why does Sierra still make the 140 and the 150?

They made the 150g cause having the higher B.C. was all the rage and
bragging rights, even though those bullets are sometimes hard to get to shoot small.

 

[Fast14riot]

So why does Sierra still make the 140 and the 150?

I don't know which came first between the 140 and 142, but the 150 is the newest one. Some like options. Some hate change. Manufacturers know both have money to spend.

 

[Bill Norris]

The 142 shoots the best of the three. 140 is a decent inexpensive bullet comparable to Hornady 140bthp in use. 150 is a sexy 1.5" long high BC bullet that has been notoriously inconsistent for many shooters, including myself. 142 doesn't have the best BC in its weight class but its incredibly consistent and shoots very well.

The 142 gr. Shoots really good in my 260AI with Peterson brass, H-4831, & CCI 450 primers. Wanting to give VV-N160 or N-165 a try soon.

 

[Straightshooter1]

The Sierra 142 MatchKIng is a favorite bullet for some applications for long range competition. I notice the Sierria manual also lists a 140 and a 150 6.5 mm MatchKing. I am wondering why three bullets so close to the same weight. Anyone know the history of this?

I think the 142 SMK is the bests of Sierra's 6.5mm bullets. I get fantastic results with it, way better than any of their other weights, and. . . I'd say it competes pretty well with the Berger bullets (in my experience).

 

[Doug Casner]

142 matchkings in 1-8

 

[DR1586]

The 142 shoots the best of the three. 140 is a decent inexpensive bullet comparable to Hornady 140bthp in use. 150 is a sexy 1.5" long high BC bullet that has been notoriously inconsistent for many shooters, including myself. 142 doesn't have the best BC in its weight class but its incredibly consistent and shoots very well.

I’ll echo this. I tried some of the 150’s in a 6.5-284. Never saw it do anything like what the 142 could do in terms of vertical.

 

[Turkeytider]

So far it’s looking like my more “budget friendly “ 6.5 CM range round of choice for my Tikka Super Varmint will be PSA’s AAC 140 grain SMK.

 

[mac86951]

So why does Sierra still make the 140 and the 150?

Because they're still selling, lol.

Seriously though, it really depends on your goals and your uses.

Example; bolt action 6.5 creed; try the 142.

Mag fed 6.5 creed for a gas gun? What if you're really.pushing the 6.5 grendel? Try the 140.

Long range hand loads; 6.5 PRC or up? Hmm that 150 sure looks good.

Question back to you; what about all the other 136-150gr bullets out there from other manufacturers? Makes decisions tricky without trying them all.

-Mac