All-In-One Hunting + Target Bullet: Sierra MatchKing X

Sierra Bullets’ latest expansion of the MatchKing line, the MatchKing X, was designed to offer match accuracy with reliable expansion for improved performance on game. Today we’re testing the 6.5mm 142 grain HPBT MatchKing X (MKX) and .30 caliber 200 grain HPBT MKX, looking at velocity, precision, and ballistics gel results.

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About the Sierra MatchKing X

Hunters have been continually demanding greater precision from their cup and core hunting bullets.

The MatchKing X answers that call with a high BC and soft lead core.

From Sierra Bullets:

Designed for the modern shooter, MatchKing® X (MKX) represents the next evolution of our legendary MatchKing® series—combining deadly terminal performance with the proven accuracy and shot-to-shot consistency that MatchKing is known for. Redesigned with a softer lead core and a tapered nose, MKX bullets are held to the same tight accuracy standards as the original, now with enhanced terminal performance. Whether you’re at a match or in the field, MatchKing® X is built to bring home the prize.

1. Boat Tail

The boat tail design reduces drag and enhances ballistic performance compared to other flat base counter parts – an essential element to legendary Sierra accuracy.

1. Soft Lead Core

MatchKing X bullets feature a softer lead core than the original MatchKing bullets, promoting reliable and lethal expansion on game.

1. Tangent Ogive

Tangent Ogives provide high ballistic coefficients, smoother feeding, and excellent in-flight stability. Tangent ogives are also inherently easier to tune and less finicky ensuring consistent accuracy.

1. Tapered Jacket

Engineered with a unique draw-and-trim process, MatchKing X features a thick copper jacket through the body for enhanced durability while a tapered design at the mouth ensures reliable and devastating expansion.

Load Data and Results

F-Class John worked up a load with Sierra’s 6.5mm 142 grain MatchKing X Bullets and H4350 for 6.5 Creedmoor, using it to help learn what happens to brass when it is annealed multiple times.

He settled on 41.3 grains of H4350 under a 6.5mm 142 grain MKX loaded to 2.800 C.O.L. It had an average velocity of 2,785 fps.

While investigating overannealing, John discovered that these hunting bullets had consistent sub-half-MOA accuracy at 100 yards!

John fired these out of a Ultimate Reloader Custom 6.5 Creedmoor featuring a BAT action, Foundation Stock, and Leupold scope.

I have personally conducted a few different tests with Sierra’s .30 Caliber 200 grain MatchKing X.

Most recently, I loaded Sierra’s new .30 caliber expanding 200 grain MatchKing X bullets over Varget in brand new .308 Win Lapua cases, seating them on the Area 419 Gen 2 ZERO press.

I fired these through the new Bergara CIMA CF lightweight hunting rifle.

My best three-shot group measured 0.221” at 100 yards and was documented by the Longshot Ranger target camera.

(While five-shot groups are preferred, I fired three shots as this is generally the number of shots manufacturers use to certify rifle precision specifications.)

Clear Ballistics Gel Testing

We fired John’s chosen 6.5 Creedmoor load, 41.3 grains of H4350 with a 6.5mm 142 grain MKX, into Clear Ballistics Gel blocks to test expansion.

While synthetic ballistics gelatin will not 100% reflect what a bullet will do to a human or animal, it provides us with valuable data and allows us to compare the performance of different bullets and different loads. American-made Clear Ballistics Gel is reusable. It can be melted down and utilized again for even more tests. Visit ClearBallistics.com to view all of their offerings!

The 6.5mm MKX gel block performance was explosive, leaving a major wound channel and penetrating approximately 16”, just barely into the second gel block.

Clear Ballistics Gel after 6.5 Creedmoor Test

The bullet retained 44.93% of its weight and expanded 201.52% traveling at 2,784 fps.

I decided to test the .30 Caliber MKX in .300 Win Mag, loading 73.0 grains of H1000 under the 200 grain bullet.

I loaded to a 3.340 C.O.L., achieving an average velocity of 2,879 fps.

Clear Ballistics Gel after .300 Win Mag Test

This bullet had a final weight of 79.7 grains, retaining 39.85%, and expanded to 0.934”, a whopping 303.25%. The 200 grain MKX penetrated 20” into the gel blocks, sending the first block convulsing into a massive wound channel.

Lab Results

Kyle Shields pulled samples of both the 6.5mm and .30 caliber MKX bullets and took a variety of lab measurements to evaluate their consistency.

The 142 grain 6.5mm MKX had an average length of 1.3531”, average weight of 142.0370 grains, and average diameter of 0.26403”.

The 200 grain .30 caliber MKX bullets had an average length of 1.3539”, average weight of 200.0620 grains, and average diameter of 0.30839”.

Both bullets had extremely consistent diameters!

Conclusion

I was especially impressed by the accuracy and expansion of these bullets. If you are a hunter looking for a massive wound channel, these bullets will certainly do it.

Sierra MKX 6.5 Creedmoor & .300 Win Mag Cartridges with Ballistics Gel

If your focus is on penetration, the MatchKing X may not be the best bullet for you. However, they have shown consistent accuracy unmatched by a number of other bullets I’ve tested, making them an excellent choice for anyone looking for a bullet that will perform on targets and on animals.

I’d also like to note that all of the loads utilized were developed quickly and performed wonderfully in all cases. More intense load development could possibly yield even better results!