.30-06 bullet selection: gameking vs. matchking vs. ?

antsi · 11-21-2009

OK, I've got a new reloading project coming up. Been looking for a left hand bolt gun for a long time, and so when a fellow INGOer had a LH Savage 110 in .30-06 for sale, I couldn't pass it up.

The only time I've shot this gun was just before I bought it. With the factory iron sights, I got a sweet group at 100 yards with the standard American Eagle 150gr ammo.

Next I'd like to see what this gun can do with a custom hand load. Since it liked 150gr so well, I thought that would be a good place to start. Also, I have a Garand, and it would be a good thing if my reloads would be Garand compatible.

Primary purpose of this load will be range fun, to see how accurate I can get with this gun. That got me thinking Matchkings - always had good luck with those.

On the off chance I might take this gun hunting some time, I was wondering if it might be a good idea to play around with Gamekings instead.

If you've loaded both, how do they compare for accuracy? If it helps, I don't anticipate shooting beyond 300 yards.

If you have another favorite 150gr bullet for .30-06, please share.

Appreciate any other tips or suggestions that might apply. I do know I will be playing around with the COL so ideas about where to go with that would be appreciated too.

tenring · 11-23-2009

Sierra does not recommend using their Matchking bullets for hunting, they are for target use only.

IndyGunworks · 11-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenring

Sierra does not recommend using their Matchking bullets for hunting, they are for target use only.

this... if it might be used for hunting, you might as well do your accuracy testing with a round that can be used for hunting to prevent duplication of efforts.

antsi · 11-23-2009

I guess I wasn't being very clear...

I'm not talking about hunting with match bullets, I'm talking about punching paper with hunting bullets.

If there's a noticeable drop off in accuracy, I'll just stick with the MKs with the realization that I'd have to change to something else if I ever go hunting with this rifle. If there isn't much accuracy difference, I'd go ahead and use the more versatile bullet to begin with.

sloughfoot · 11-23-2009

For a dual purpose load, Garand and bolt gun, I would use either 150 Gamekings or 150 Matchkings. I think Sierra still makes the Matchkings.... I don't think you will see a nickle's worth of difference between the two bullets given the rifles you will be shooting them out of. I have never seen any bullet shaving when shooting Soft Point's out of any of my Garands.

There is no way for me to know if a 150 load for the Garand is optimum for your bolt gun though. It should be pretty good though.

I would work up a good load for the gas gun then try it in the bolt gun.

Good luck.

kludge · 11-24-2009

The Garand probably won't notice the difference, but the Savage might.

SMK and GK are also in 168/165 gr. I wouldn't count on the Garand to stabilize the heavier bullets (180+)

You have e-mail.

PaPa 260 · 11-24-2009

I have found the Sierra GameKings to be very accurate in both 6.5 mm and 30 cal. The 150 gr. SBT GameKing, the 165 gr. SBT and 165 gr. HPBT GameKings are very accurate in my rifles. It will take a very good rifle to tell the difference in accuracy between the 150 GameKings, 165 GameKings and the 155 MatchKing, and the 168 MatchKing. The Garand should stabilize the 175 gr. HPBT MatchKing as well. I know the Savage will. Enjoy your range time with your rifles.

PaPa 260

PaPa 260

11-21-2009	#1 (permalink)
antsi Expert Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,422	.30-06 bullet selection: gameking vs. matchking vs. ? OK, I've got a new reloading project coming up. Been looking for a left hand bolt gun for a long time, and so when a fellow INGOer had a LH Savage 110 in .30-06 for sale, I couldn't pass it up. The only time I've shot this gun was just before I bought it. With the factory iron sights, I got a sweet group at 100 yards with the standard American Eagle 150gr ammo. Next I'd like to see what this gun can do with a custom hand load. Since it liked 150gr so well, I thought that would be a good place to start. Also, I have a Garand, and it would be a good thing if my reloads would be Garand compatible. Primary purpose of this load will be range fun, to see how accurate I can get with this gun. That got me thinking Matchkings - always had good luck with those. On the off chance I might take this gun hunting some time, I was wondering if it might be a good idea to play around with Gamekings instead. If you've loaded both, how do they compare for accuracy? If it helps, I don't anticipate shooting beyond 300 yards. If you have another favorite 150gr bullet for .30-06, please share. Appreciate any other tips or suggestions that might apply. I do know I will be playing around with the COL so ideas about where to go with that would be appreciated too. __________________ Watch this web video TODAY: http://www.iousathemovie.com/

11-23-2009	#4 (permalink)
antsi Expert Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,422	I guess I wasn't being very clear... I'm not talking about hunting with match bullets, I'm talking about punching paper with hunting bullets. If there's a noticeable drop off in accuracy, I'll just stick with the MKs with the realization that I'd have to change to something else if I ever go hunting with this rifle. If there isn't much accuracy difference, I'd go ahead and use the more versatile bullet to begin with. __________________ Watch this web video TODAY: http://www.iousathemovie.com/ Last edited by antsi; 11-23-2009 at 16:48..

11-24-2009	#6 (permalink)
kludge Master Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,662	The Garand probably won't notice the difference, but the Savage might. SMK and GK are also in 168/165 gr. I wouldn't count on the Garand to stabilize the heavier bullets (180+) You have e-mail. __________________ AMERICA - Clinging to our GUNS and RELIGION since 1776. NRA Certified Instructor - Rifle, Pistol www.danvilleconservationclub.org www.jpfrog.org

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-23-2009	#2 (permalink)
tenring Expert Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Martinsville Posts: 1,447	Sierra does not recommend using their Matchking bullets for hunting, they are for target use only.

11-23-2009	#5 (permalink)
sloughfoot Master Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: 156.6 miles SW of Camp Perry Posts: 4,341	For a dual purpose load, Garand and bolt gun, I would use either 150 Gamekings or 150 Matchkings. I think Sierra still makes the Matchkings.... I don't think you will see a nickle's worth of difference between the two bullets given the rifles you will be shooting them out of. I have never seen any bullet shaving when shooting Soft Point's out of any of my Garands. There is no way for me to know if a 150 load for the Garand is optimum for your bolt gun though. It should be pretty good though. I would work up a good load for the gas gun then try it in the bolt gun. Good luck.

11-24-2009	#7 (permalink)
PaPa 260 Plinker Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 77	I have found the Sierra GameKings to be very accurate in both 6.5 mm and 30 cal. The 150 gr. SBT GameKing, the 165 gr. SBT and 165 gr. HPBT GameKings are very accurate in my rifles. It will take a very good rifle to tell the difference in accuracy between the 150 GameKings, 165 GameKings and the 155 MatchKing, and the 168 MatchKing. The Garand should stabilize the 175 gr. HPBT MatchKing as well. I know the Savage will. Enjoy your range time with your rifles. PaPa 260 PaPa 260