6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

[Chris in TN]

Am I right that the matching X is more or less just a harder-core thicker jacket MK, sort of analogous to the TGK, just without the tip?

Probably great at higher speeds but maybe not so great at longer ranges?

AKA Sierra’s answer to a question nobody asked?

 

[Formidilosus]

Am I right that the matching X is more or less just a harder-core thicker jacket MK, sort of analogous to the TGK, just without the tip?

Probably great at higher speeds but maybe not so great at longer ranges?

AKA Sierra’s answer to a question nobody asked?

That is incorrect.

 

[Formidilosus]

Am I right that the matching X is more or less just a harder-core thicker jacket MK, sort of analogous to the TGK, just without the tip?

Probably great at higher speeds but maybe not so great at longer ranges?

AKA Sierra’s answer to a question nobody asked?

To expound- they may be a thing “no one asked for”, but they aren’t “tougher” than regular SMK’s. The real issue is that they have weirdly low BC’s on some of them- the 107gr 6mm specifically.

 

[Chris in TN]

To expound- they may be a thing “no one asked for”, but they aren’t “tougher” than regular SMK’s. The real issue is that they have weirdly low BC’s on some of them- the 107gr 6mm specifically.

Interesting. Thank you!

 

[wgcracker13]

That is incorrect.

From what I understand around the MKX, they have a softer lead core in comparison to the SMK. In the FAQ section on Sierra's website they mention under "... why not to use MatchKing for hunting" that they use softer lead core in their hunting line. My thought process with that methodology would be similar to that of what Berger uses with the thinner jacket on their hunting line, that it will take less change in momentum and energy (because physics still applies in impact and yes there will be energy loss due to heat with the deformation and disruption taking place) for disruption and fragmentation to take place.

I have shot the 200 MKX out of my 30-06, I had them at 2830 fps, pretty uncontrollable for a 7 lb rifle, I don't recommend shooting that combo without a muzzle brake or braked suppressor, it takes a lot of focus to maintain a controlled shot. With that, they fly great out to 1,000 for what little experience I have with them.

I also have loaded the 135 in my 6.8 Western. I didn't do a whole lot. I may want to try a powder around the 4350 burn rate.

I did have a friend harvest a buck with the 175 MKX with his .308 this year. About a 100 yard shot, went 30 yards and tipped over.

 

[Poe]

They are stupidly accurate and seem consistent in flight so far.

For killing I’d say in what I’ve seen so far they have been fine. In the 6mm flavors I’ve killed with, I might be giving up a bit of advantage to the 95 TMK and 103 ELDX.

It’s only 9 kills though so hard to really make any strong claims for or against them.

I’m using a 7.5 twist steel barrel.

Have you been happy with the neck length. I am shooting the 108 elite hunters and so far my sample of 1 deer has been just fine but I’m still curious if I woukd be better off on deer sized game with the eldm.

 

[TradLife406]

Sub compact 7x7
905 yards with the 6 UM 2035 impact velocity. 115 dtac
Shot twice. But I thought both were hits. Maybe I hit the first one perfectly. Then clean missed the second just before he fell over. Both felt good. Both times he reacted. Either way I'll take the one perfect shot from 905 yards.

 

[turbo406]

Lots of talk about the new (supposed) 117gr tmk. Has anyone seen/used the the 107gr match king x? They also appear to have 142gr 6.5mm and 175gr .308 versions. I made a post in the reloading forum about them, but it hasn't had much traffic.

Coldboremiracle on Facebook was planning on using them this year, unsure if theres and updates

 

[nm.otter]

The real issue is that they have weirdly low BC’s on some of them- the 107gr 6mm specifically.

That was my first reaction when they were announced. I was hoping for cheap, slippery fun.

 

[Cantharellus]

Two more successful hunts and data points using the factory 108 ELDM through my 6arc.

Mule deer buck at 225 yards. Estimated impact velocity around 2325. Shot from prone over my pack, bino harness rear rest. Bullet entered high a bit behind the left shoulder catching spine and lungs and did not exit. Some jacket and lead fragments found under the offside hide. Buck was DRT. In the cavity photo bullet travel was right to left.

Whitetail doe at 300 yards. Estimated impact velocity around 2200. Shot from prone over my pack with bino harness rear rest. Shot was a little back and high. Bullet entered just in front of the tenderloins severely damaging the spine and catching the back of the left lung. There was a hole in the top of her back after skinning and a small exit hole in the off side hide. Doe dropped, lifted her head a couple of times and was DRT.

Observations after three hunts. Some minor meat damage on these two deer from the bullet catching spine, but less than I was expecting while field dressing. I've purposely held off of the front shoulder on all three deer this year in an effort to reduce meat loss. I've been able to watch the impact in my scope on all three and get back in them for a second shot, though no follow ups were necessary. This is also my first year hunting suppressed and I'll never hunt without one where legal. The ear protection was my main driver, but the other benefits have been welcomed. Another hunter was able to shoot a really nice whitetail buck that was following my doe because I was shooting suppressed.

 

[General RE LEE]

Two more successful hunts and data points using the factory 108 ELDM through my 6arc.

Mule deer buck at 225 yards. Estimated impact velocity around 2325. Shot from prone over my pack, bino harness rear rest. Bullet entered high a bit behind the left shoulder catching spine and lungs and did not exit. Some jacket and lead fragments found under the offside hide. Buck was DRT. In the cavity photo bullet travel was right to left.

Whitetail doe at 300 yards. Estimated impact velocity around 2200. Shot from prone over my pack with bino harness rear rest. Shot was a little back and high. Bullet entered just in front of the tenderloins severely damaging the spine and catching the back of the left lung. There was a hole in the top of her back after skinning and a small exit hole in the off side hide. Doe dropped, lifted her head a couple of times and was DRT.

Observations after three hunts. Some minor meat damage on these two deer from the bullet catching spine, but less than I was expecting while field dressing. I've purposely held off of the front shoulder on all three deer this year in an effort to reduce meat loss. I've been able to watch the impact in my scope on all three and get back in them for a second shot, though no follow ups were necessary. This is also my first year hunting suppressed and I'll never hunt without one where legal. The ear protection was my main driver, but the other benefits have been welcomed. Another hunter was able to shoot a really nice whitetail buck that was following my doe because I was shooting suppressed.

Great report! The light recoil, quietness suppressed, long barrel life and fast twist barrels make the 6 ARC a fine cartridge. I also get more loaded rounds per lb of Varget powder.

 

[HighUintas]

For the 6cm, for you guys who shoot mainly factory ammo, what avg price and what sale price are you finding 108eldm for? I'm wondering if it would be worth it to me to move from 243 to 6cm earlier than planned so I can quit reloading.

@mxgsfmdpx , I know you're mainly a factory guy.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

For the 6cm, for you guys who shoot mainly factory ammo, what avg price and what sale price are you finding 108eldm for? I'm wondering if it would be worth it to me to move from 243 to 6cm earlier than planned so I can quit reloading.

@mxgsfmdpx , I know you're mainly a factory guy.

The last 12 or so months has been a real let down on quality and consistency in factory ammo.

I’ve gone back to mainly shooting hand loads other than factory black hills 77 TMK.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

How much jump are you using for the 115 VLD? I found the VLD pretty hard to tune in there calibers. I would like to use a bullet that gets fairly consistent exits and it seem you have been getting exits. Thanks

Chambered by Karl Feldkamp…




And the ammo…

 

[6creed]

Chambered by Karl Feldkamp…

View attachment 971251


And the ammo…


View attachment 971240

Thank you sir!

 

[Stache Attack]

108 eld-m black hills gold factory
16” hybrid lite pbb from @hereinaz
2564 my impact velocity just under 2100 at 350 da was 3800 that morning don’t know exactly that shot.
Bullet retained 79.6 grains found in offside hide went through both shoulders and ribs. I did not look for every piece just the ones right in the 1.5” exit area. Photo shown is entrance

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Kill 10. Tikka 6 Creed. 115 Berger VLD Hunt.

Mature cow elk.

Yardage: 409.

Impact Velocity: Roughly 2,100.

Shot Position: Prone off backpack. Bino harness rear rest.

Distance travelled After Hit: The hit knocked her to the ground as she spun around and seemed to lose balance. She slid down the steep slope about 30 yards trying to get up awkwardly as she slid. She laid there with very heavy breathing for about 30 seconds. I didn’t want a second shot to give her an adrenaline boost if I missed or hit her poorly. She never made it back to her feet.

Impact Location: I was shooting across a canyon and based on what the vegetation showed me, I had some updraft on the far side coming out of the canyon. I adjusted my elevation dial accordingly. Either I misread the updraft or I missed my shot because I hit her low in the “crease”. The bullet also exited low in the offside “crease”. Only real damage was some torn up lung and a couple small fragments damaged part of the heart. The bullet was a clean pass through all the way through offside hide.

She came in here at the base of the rocks.


Exit side.