Thread: Anyone have any experience with 6.5mm 123gr Sierra Matchkings HPBT

Looking to have a play with these in the 260 Rem, as a longer range pill, after ive discovered irregularities with the 123 Amaxs and lost faith.

Will be pushing them about 2900 most likely.

Anyone have any experience with them, accuracy, ease to get to shoot well, performance on game etc?

If they shoot as well as the 120 Prohunters they'll be great.

I used them a fair while ago in my 260. Not a game bullet at all but awesome accuracy. Shot extremely well in my 260, had to pick the load on velocity variation as i couldn't pick the groups over various loads.

Are you saying its not a game bullet or wasnt a game bullet for you?

As I think the 7mm versions have a good rep of killing game.

Good to hear they were accurate.

I used the 120smk hpbt. Killed everything I shot at and boy were they accurate. Only issue was they didnt kill as well as the 140amax at 200+ but that may be my bad with shit shot placement. I ran out of them other wise I'd still be using them.

Thanks Toby, i cannot imagine the 123 would be too different in construction of terminal performance to the 120.

Was this from a 6.5x55? What sort of Muzzle velocity mate?

I've used a few in my 6.5x55 but I never chronyed them. In my 6.5x55ai I had a slow load, 2,600fps

Originally Posted by GWH

Are you saying its not a game bullet or wasnt a game bullet for you?

Penciled through the two goats i shot with them, i didn't bother with them after that for a hunting load. I was pushing them pretty hard though, 3100fps or so. Feel free to try them yourself though.

I shifted on to the 130gr berger VLD hunters.

hmm ok thanks Gillie, you'd think the faster i was pushed the more likely it would expand eh.

And the bergers work well for you (hunting)?

I normally have them make a bit of a hole, though they hit bone so that may be why

Originally Posted by Toby

I've used a few in my 6.5x55 but I never chronyed them. In my 6.5x55ai I had a slow load, 2,600fps

ok cheers, i have the 123 amaxs doing mid to high 2900's from my 20" mod 7 260, i guess the 123smk would be similar velocity.

Originally Posted by GWH

And the bergers work well for you (hunting)?

They also tend to pencil through when real up close. They don't expand fast enough on small goats under 150yards either, just not enough body there for them to expand in. Again, i am pushing them pretty hard at 3020fps. They work awesome on larger goats and deer once you get past about 50 yards or so. You might not get as much meat back as what you might like on the front shoulders though. I use them for target shooting as well so have stuck with them as it allows me to use one load for everything.

What length is your barrel? 260?

Originally Posted by GWH

What length is your barrel? 260?

Yep, straight .260 Remington, 26" barrel

Originally Posted by Gillie

Yep, straight .260 Remington, 26" barrel

Ar ha, you've got 6" on me, but you prob hear that a lot ;-)