NEW Tipped MatchKing (TMK) Bullets from Sierra
Sierra has announced a new line of plastic-tipped MatchKing bullets. “Say What!? — that can’t be right…” you may be thinking. MatchKings have always been jacketed, hollowpoint bullets. Until now, plastic tips have been reserved for other Sierra projectiles, such as BlitzKing varmint bullets. But that is changing with the introduction of Sierra’s line of Tipped MatchKing (TMK) bullets featuring green acetal resin tips.
Plastic Tips Offer Better BC
Sierra says the plastic tips on TMKs enhance the Ballistic Coefficient (BC): “The major advantage of adding a tip to the bullet is the reduction of drag, producing a more favorable ballistic coefficient.” Stated BCs for the new TMK bullets are listed below. These BC numbers look good, and they have been verified with real-world testing: “We shot [all the new TMKs] multiple times (we actually test our BC numbers instead of letting a computer tell us what it is) and those numbers are all proven out!”
There will be six (6) new TMK bullets, two in .224 caliber, and four in .308 caliber. The six new tipped bullet types should be available in “early 2015″. Sorry, Sierra will not be offering 6mm, 6.5mm, or 7mm TMKs for the time being, although Sierra will introduce more TMK varieties in the future. Currently, Sierra is focusing on “the most popular calibers”. Notably, the new 22-Cal 77gr TMK has a 0.420 BC — identical to the BC of Sierra’s 80gr non-tipped HPBT MatchKing. So, you get the BC of a heavier bullet in a lighter projectile that can be pushed faster. That’s big news for .223 Rem and 22-250 shooters.
| Bullet Name (Click for ballistic coefficients) | Brand | Item | BC (G1) | |
 |
.224 dia. 69 gr. Tipped MatchKing (TMK) | Tipped MatchKing | 7169 | .375 @ 2700+ fps |
 |
.224 dia. 77 gr. Tipped MatchKing (TMK) | Tipped MatchKing | 7177 | .420 @ 2400+ fps |
 |
.308 dia. 125 gr. Tipped MatchKing (TMK) | Tipped MatchKing | 7725 | .343 @ 2580+ fps |
 |
.308 dia. 155 gr. Tipped MatchKing (TMK) | Tipped MatchKing | 7755 | .519 @ 1900+ fps |
 |
.308 dia. 168 gr. Tipped MatchKing (TMK) | Tipped MatchKing | 7768 | .535 @ 2050+ fps |
 |
.308 dia. 175 gr. Tipped MatchKing (TMK) | Tipped MatchKing | 7775 | .545 @ 2400+ fps |
New Bullet Shapes Along with Plastic Tips
In addition to the bullet tip, some of these new TMK bullets have slightly modified shapes compared to previous-generation, non-tipped MatchKings (SMKs) of like caliber/weight. Sierra’s technicians reported: “The [plastic] point on the tip is smaller than the meplat on a SMK and if you look, you will also see the ogive on most of these [new TMKs] have been changed as well. Most of the big BC gains are from the reshaped ogives from the legacy SMK product.”
Similar Posts:
- Sierra MatchKing (SMK) vs. Sierra Tipped MatchKing (TMK)
- Ultra-High BC Sierra MatchKings in .223, .264, and .308 Calibers
- Sierra’s New 95gr .224 SMK and other Ultra-High-BC MatchKings
- Great Sale on Sierra Bullets at Precision Reloading
- New Official Load Data for Latest High-BC Sierra MatchKings
Tags: Ballistic Coefficient, BC, Match King, MatchKing, Plastic Tipped, Sierra, Sierra Bullets, SMK, Tipped Match Bullets, TMK
Why does Sierra cling to G1 B.C. for boat tail bullets when G7 much more closely approximates the form?
Black Hills Ammunition announced ammunition using the Sierra TMKs (77 gr .22 and 175 gr .308) on February 2, 2014 – see https://blackhillsammo.wordpress.com/
At that time all Sierra would say about projectile availability was,”not at this time”.
Wow. Kicking and screaming into the last decade of the 20th century….
What does this mean for the military contract ammunition given there is not a ruling on plastic tipped bullets under the Geneva and Hague Conventions?
Looking forward to testing them in the spring. The 155 has only 1 BC point advantage over the current 155. The 175 comes back to life and Sierra says a 13 twist is ok. The .223 77 grain could be a game changer. Now with a BC is as high as the 80 grain bullets from Sierra and Berger. The 69 has the BC of the old 77 and go at least 200 fps faster with less recoil and barrel time and wear.
…. a little green rosetta
Whaaaaatttt? Plastic tipped bullets with longer, slimmer cross sections forward of the ogive give higher BCs? Those wacky bullet smiths at Sierra. That fad will never last!
And what about the .224 80′ s?
Since the new 77 now has the same BC as the old 80 assuming they shoot equally there no reason to use the 80. One thing is the new 77 needs a 7 to 8 twist and may not work in all 8 twist barrels.
Richard: Maybe the same that they did with the Match hollowpoints: demonstrate that they will not expand with the heaview jacket.
What a waste …..
should have started out with a 240 gr 30 cal & 160 gr 6.5mm
then a 325 gr 338 cal & 200 gr 7mm
followed by a 350 gr 375 cal
I remember seeing the “22cal 77gr TMK” on the product list at 2014 SHOT Show and when I asked about it, they had to find one guy because no one knew what it was. And from what he told me, it wasn’t even close to release, yet, so I was wondering why the bothered to list it. As an ‘inactive’ Across the Course shooter, I’m eager to try them out.
from Otto,
Hello,
The new “Tipped Match King” in the 155 gr. 308’s will be $35.33 for the 100’s and $172.51 for the 500’s
no delivery date as yet, can email you when we know that they are on their way from Sierra.
Regards
ok weber
Happy New Year
Can’t wait to get my hands on and test the new TMKs.
Hope that Sierra will come out with a TMK version of the 338 250 grain!
Sooooo how long will i have to wait for the 168 grain 7mm version?????
The new Tipped MatchKing (TMK) bullets are now shipping! For a list of Sierra Bullets dealers near you please visit http://bit.ly/1znV9YF
Richard Says “What does this mean for the military contract ammunition given there is not a ruling on plastic tipped bullets under the Geneva and Hague Conventions?”
As you seem to be aware, the US is generally considered to play loose with the rules, so anything is possible. Nevertheless, I seem to remember that one of the of the “lesser” post WWII agreements declares that bullet components must be clearly visible on x-ray inside a wounded soldier. I am sure that adding metal filings or the like to the plastic could be used to skirt that one, if the US decides to do so.
“As you seem to be aware, the US is generally considered to play loose with the rules, so anything is possible”
That’s because the US didn’t ratify the Hague convention, and the Geneva convention doesn’t apply in this case. as it states “weapons that cause unneccessary suffering” oddly enough, a weapon that kills you faster, causes less suffering than a FMJ that leaves you bleeding out on the ground…
we try to follow the spirit of the convention but military neccessity will prevail.
Jim said:“As you seem to be aware, the US is generally considered to play loose with the rules, so anything is possible”
“Generally considered” by whom?
This morning a shooter was using the 175 tipped 30 caliber bullets from his f-class rife at 600 yards. They shot very very well holding half X-ring elevation, no flyers. . He will test them at our 1000 yard practice Monday and ill report back. So far so look’s like a great bullet.
Regarding use in war, the US ruled JHP to be okay for combat use.