.264 150 smk for hunting?

[Pwells10]

Hey guys, anyone using these for hunting? How do they do? Also my build will be finished here shortly. (6.5-284) 1:7 6 groove

 

[wind gypsy]

They have a tiny meplat, I would have some hesitation on consistent expansion until proven otherwise.

 

[mtmuley]

I remember10, maybe 12 years ago maybe even longer, that the SMK was THE go-to bullet for long range hunting. Now, it can't get any press at all. Interesting. mtmuley

 

[wind gypsy]

10 years ago SMKs didn't have pointed tips and thus should open more consistently on game.

 

[MHWASH]

Not quite what your asking about, but I've shot two animals with the .264 123gr SMK. 1 antelope doe, 1 coyote. The doe was just over 300, the coyote was just under 100. Both bullets appeared to be in and out. Both animals dropped, but just looked at me when I walked up to them to finish them off. After the coyote I swore off of SMKs.

 

[JP100]

you take your SMKs and chuck em in the trash! haha
I have had a couple of clients use them with very disappointing/random results.

As stated above the meplat/end of the projectile is tiny and seems to be inconstant on game. They are made and sold as a target bullet, and thats what they are good for.

The tipped SMKs might be better, I have heard they are but never used them. I have used A-maxs, Bergers and ELD-X, I prefer the ELD-X out of those 3, then A-Maxs, I just plain dont like Bergers as I think they over expand and can be inconsistent.

View attachment 72421
This was from a .280 AI, (a 168gn I think from memory) on a stag at 400 odd yards, the stag died, but this was a quartering shot, bullet racked the ribs and spine, didnt expand, tumbled into the back strap. It was by pure luck that tiny(like grains of sand) pieces of rib bone and bullet fragment went into the lungs and killed him.

I would steer clear of them and try a hunting bullet for hunting

 

[Brightwhite]

See if the gun will shoot the 143gr Eld-x or the 140gr accubond and be done. My 6.5-284 shoots both well.

 

[mtmuley]

10 years ago SMKs didn't have pointed tips and thus should open more consistently on game.

The new tip is better? mtmuley

 

[Pwells10]

What twist do you have? I've been researching and maybe I'll just try and find a load for the 143eldx and 142 ablr. I use the 143 in my Creed and does amazing work on coyotes

 

[Brightwhite]

What twist do you have? I've been researching and maybe I'll just try and find a load for the 143eldx and 142 ablr. I use the 143 in my Creed and does amazing work on coyotes

8 twist in a 24” barrel. I haven’t tried the ablr, just the normal 140 AB’s. Accubonds have shot really great out of my wife’s .260 and my 300wsm as well.

 

[wind gypsy]

The new tip is better? mtmuley

The open tip is what initiates expansion. By pointing the open tip you get higher and more consistent BC but less or at least less consistent expansion.

Unpointed Bullets Vs. Pointed Bullets | Sierra Bullets

 

[Cahunter805]

Pwells

The SMK might be ok for light skinned game. I'd be more inclined to run the 140 berger, JLK or scenars.

What's the specs on your build? Sounds like the twist is setup for heavies.

 

[Pwells10]

My build is,

Tikka t3x action
Xcaliber 28inch heavy Sporter 1:7 6groove
Undecided on stock at the moment. Would love a McMillan or manners but hard at the moment to fork out the money for that. Might just save. Or buy a grayboe since they're releasing the tikka inlet here shortly.

It really caught my eye using the 1:7 for the new 156 EOLs from Berger but they might not be out until late summer from what the salesman there said. They're still working on some tweaks.

I'm thinking with the 143 eldx and the 142 ablr I should be fine with my 1:7. I should've just played it safe and bought a 1:8 but opted for the 1:7

 

[duckhunter175]

The 1:7 is going to spin between 298,000- 308,000 RPM-- I've heard of thin jacketed varmint bullets coming apart (50-55gr in 1:7 but being pushed at 3200fps and up). Makes me think that pushing a 6.5 with a slightly thicker jacket in the 140gr range you will not be in danger of failure plus you will probably be topping out between 2900-3000fps.

 

[Pwells10]

Awesome. That gives me a little more confidence in my decision to go 1:7. What bullet would you recommend I start out with to try and make a load for?

 

[Cahunter805]

Matrix bullets has a 152gr VLD if your after a heavy 6.5 to utilize that 7 twist. The matrix is an awesome bullet.

 

[Pwells10]

Just looked Matrix bullets up. They look highly promising. Have you had good luck with them? They have a 160 that might be worth looking into.

My build will be in 6.5-284

 

[Cahunter805]

The 160gr would be a great choice if your chamber is throated long enough. Matrix bullets kill very effectively.

 

[Pwells10]

Are you running a 160? Im thinking I might order a box to see how she does

 

[duckhunter175]

I've never run over a 140 in my 6.5x284-- I went with 140gr Amaxs @ 2950 and theyve been great on deer. 348 yards is longest kill to date with that combo. Those 150-160 will flatten critters as well I'm sure.

You're two biggest variables will be throat length (as mentioned before) this will affect how far in/out you can seat that bullet and magazine length.

Normal COAL is 3.228 for 6.5x284 but the T3X mag length could prove an issue- I think they are only 3.34 at best? Not sure how that will play with those long heavies. Let us know how it pans out!!