smk for oryx

[whiskey08]

Id love to use my pet loads for 175smk out of a .308 on oryx this year. You guys have any experince using the sierras for elk or similar sized game.

 

[bheadboy]

call Sierra 800 223 8799, ask for Dave Brown orone of the other technitians and they will tell you not to use matchkings on heavy game.

I have used the SBT gameking with great results, no lost game, accurate, and good penetration

Bob

 

[Preacher]

Sometimes they work and just when you need it to work they don't..
Hunt up some VLD Bergers and get on with it........

 

[deadlyswift]

I will agree with BOB. I have never used the smk on big game. The Sierra Gameking is a good bullet. With just my on personal experience I like the Accubond that nolser has come out with. Awesome bullet! It would be worth trying the 180gr accubond for Big game.

 

[wapiti25]

I killed an Oryx last year. The Oryx is a lot tougher than elk or moose, Iv'e killed both. The hide is about a quarter of an inch, skin not including hair. I used a 338 win mag with 200gr Nosler accubonds and they did not penetrate as deep as expected. They are a big body with short legs compaired to elk. I don't know where you are going to hunt but my hunt was in New Mexico on the White Sands range, This area is such that you need to need to shoot off-hand because of the brush that the animals are in most of the time. I did kill a nice bull with 34" horns. This is a high pressure hunt as it is 2 days long with no scouting and once in your lifetime. You need a bullet that is tough for penetration.

 

[M700]

Whisky08 - I understand the draw to use your accurate match load. Some guys have reported remarkable success with the Matchkings, others not so great. l tried the 168's (back before the 175 SMK was developed) and was underwhelmed with performance on game, at .308 velocity.

As an alternate, I'd suggest using one of the high quality hunting bullets, which are known for their accuracy such as the .30 cal 180 gr Nosler Accubond... I think you're going to want decent penetration for Oryx, and a tough hunting bullet is likely called for. Never shot an Oryx myself, but I've taken elk. For big bull elk I went with the Nosler Partition despite a small loss in accuracy, the penetration of the Nosler was remarkable. Dumped that bull quickly and penetrated completely through. Exactly what I'd hoped for.

With the .308, it's not much of a challenge to work up a good hunting load that will be similar in trajectory to your 175 gr match load. Consider the 165/168 Barnes TSX bullets too. The 168 version shot with excellent accuracy from my .300 WSM as well as from the .308 Win, and penetrates very well.

Regards, Guy

 

[captben]

IMHO,
Whiskey,
You cannot go wrong with a 168 berger vld hunting (orange box) in a .308, and they are VERY accurate in all the rifles I have tried.
I personally have shot dozens of large deer and hogs with them and they are devastating. The Animals do Not walk Away Very often.
I Have shot nearly as many with a Barnes TSX 168 gr copper bullet. You will get great penetration with the Barnes Bullets, which may be better for an Oryx, but I have never shot an Oryx.
The Bergers Put the Animals Down Faster because they usually deliver ALL the energy to your target. The Barnes's will probably completely Penetrate.
I would not be afraid to use either as I have recovered all animals shot with both types of bullets.

Just my 2Cents.

Capt. Ben