Sierra Matchking vs. Nosler Ballistic Tip

[Ought Six]

I've noticed that in .308 diameter bullets, the Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets have better ballistic coefficients in the same weight than the Sierra Matchking bullets. It seems they may make for some great long-range loads.

Sierra 168 gr. Matchking BC=.462
Nosler 165 gr. Ballistic Tip BC=.475

Sierra 180 gr. Matchking BC=.475
Nosler 180 gr. Ballistic Tip BC=.507

Note the 165 gr. Nosler has the same BC as the 180 gr. Sierra. One Sierra bullet that looks pretty good to me is the 155 gr. Sierra Palma Matchking. A friend that handloads .308 and .300 WinMag swears by these.

Sierra 155 gr. Palma Matchking BC=.450

Has anyone here handloaded these bullets? What were your results?

[DAVID NANCARROW]

I have had great success with 150/165/180 grain Nosler ballistic tips both on the firing range and in the fields. The 155 Palma match is my "lunch" load, some friends of mine and I get together occasionally and shoot best group for lunch, and I haven't missed a meal lately! Nosler also has a 168 grain boat tailed National Match bullet which I haven't tried yet, but it uses a J-4 jacket which is supposed to be more concentric than the vaunted Sierra. Sounds like it could be interesting!

[MIKE14]

I like the Sierra alot but I have been wanting to try the Nosler. I'm wondering if bullets in the 150-155 gr range work better at 100 yards than the 168's. Anyone got any input on this?

[Watchman]

I've tried the Matchkings in my .300 Sendaro and believe it or not the Nosler BT's show the best accuracy. I beleive the NBT's have the best ballistic coeffient of any bullet on the market. I shoot 600 yards quite a bit and the Noslers do quite well, I favor the 180 grainer as it drifts less in the wind,noticably less than the 150's.
An added advantage is that the NBT's would make a great deer load ,whereas the MatchKings are for paper punching only. I have yet to whack a deer with my .300, but have time to do so.
I might add that I am pushing the 180 grainer right at 3100fps (chronagraphed)and have exellent accuracy out of a 24" Remington Sendaro. The best so far is 5 3/4 at 600 yards. I know I can do better if the wind ever quits. Half of the fun is getting there.

[Gewehr98]

I was working up loads for my 6.5-06, and settled with the 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tips, they had better ballistic coefficients than the same weight Sierra MatchKings. Accuracy has been wonderful with the Noslers, I've got more than a few sub 1/4" 100 yard groups. I do moly-coat them to keep down the copper fouling, because at 3200fps, I still would get a trace of it near the muzzle. They worked well enough to prompt Hornady to develop their A-Max, and Sierra then came out with their BlitzKings...

[alan]

I used to use Sierra 180 grain Matchking when I shot competition, 30-06 and 308 Win. They were very good bullets then, I have no idea what they are like these days. I've never used Nosler, though their hunting bullets seem to have a good reputation.