Published: 2024 | Last updated: June 2026
Introduction
The Sierra Tipped MatchKing (TMK) applies a polymer tip to Sierra’s established MatchKing boat-tail hollow-point design, pursuing the same goal that Hornady’s A-Tip Match and Berger’s LRHT achieve: standardized meplat geometry to reduce BC variation from bullet to bullet. The standard Sierra MatchKing achieves its match accuracy through exceptional jacket concentricity and core consistency; the TMK adds a polymer tip to standardize the hollow-point cavity opening that affects BC, pursuing more consistent aerodynamic performance at extended range.
The tip material is acetal resin (polyoxymethylene, the same generic polymer family as commercial Delrin). This is a stiffer, more dimensionally stable polymer than the ABS or polycarbonate tips used in hunting bullets. The stability matters for match use because the tip must remain dimensional under thermal and handling conditions across an entire competition day without distorting, which would change BC in unpredictable ways.
The practical value of the acetal tip in competition deserves specific context. At 600-800 yards where most PRS and F-Class stages occur, bullet-to-bullet BC variation of 0.005 G1 produces approximately 0.3-0.5 MOA of vertical dispersion that is aerodynamic in origin rather than propellant or velocity in origin. Standardizing the hollow-point meplat through a tip eliminates this aerodynamic vertical dispersion source. The standard MatchKing manages this through exceptional manufacturing consistency but cannot achieve the same meplat standardization as a tipped design. Whether this difference is perceptible in actual competition results depends on barrel and load quality, atmospheric conditions, and distance – for shooters already achieving sub-0.5 MOA, the tip’s BC standardization may provide visible benefit; for shooters working at 1 MOA, other accuracy factors will dominate.
The TMK covers .224 through .308 inches in the original article’s table, a narrower range than the standard MatchKing’s full coverage. The .284-inch (7mm) entries (150, 168, and 183 grains) cover cartridges like 7mm Remington Magnum and 7mm PRC for F-Class and long-range benchrest applications where 7mm has a strong following.
Several competitor BC figures in the original article require correction or examination. The Berger Hybrid Target BC (0.368-0.717) understates the lower bound significantly relative to this site’s documented 0.524-0.841. The Hornady A-Tip Match BC (0.247-0.859) understates the lower bound substantially – this site’s A-Tip coverage documents higher lower-bound figures. The Lapua Scenar range (0.478-0.670) is broadly consistent with available Scenar data across its weight range, making it the most accurately cited competitor in this article.
A further BC context note: the standard MatchKing’s documented BC range per this site’s coverage is 0.400-0.700. The TMK table shows values from 0.375 (69-grain .224) up to 0.660 (183-grain .284). The TMK’s lighter entries at .224 (0.375-0.420) are consistent with those being below the standard MatchKing’s lower-bound documentation of 0.400 – the lightest TMK weights are aerodynamically below the MatchKing range that this site documents for heavier weights. The TMK’s tip improves BC relative to an equivalent-weight standard MatchKing at the same caliber; the overall range spans lighter weights that have lower absolute BCs than the heavier entries.
Like the standard MatchKing, the TMK is strictly a competition and target bullet. It should never be used for hunting. For Sierra hunting bullets, see the Sierra GameKing, Sierra Tipped GameKing, and Sierra Pro Hunter.
For trajectory context on the most common cartridges paired with the TMK, see the 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics guide, 308 Winchester ballistics guide, and 7mm Remington Magnum ballistics guide.
Disclaimer: Reloading is an inherently dangerous activity. Always consult current published load data from Sierra or other reputable sources before loading any cartridge. Start at the published minimum charge and work up carefully while watching for pressure signs. Never exceed maximum published loads. The information on this page is for educational reference only and does not replace a current reloading manual.
Application note: The Sierra Tipped MatchKing is a match bullet designed for target shooting and competition. Like the standard MatchKing, it is not a hunting bullet – the thin hollow-point jacket and competition design does not produce reliable controlled expansion on game. For Sierra hunting bullets, see the GameKing, Tipped GameKing, or Pro Hunter covered elsewhere on this site.
Technical Characteristics
Acetal resin polymer tip: The TMK’s tip material is acetal resin, a rigid thermoplastic that maintains its shape more reliably under temperature variation than softer polymers. The specific benefit for match use is that the tip’s meplat dimension remains stable from round to round and across varying environmental conditions. This standardizes the aerodynamic nose geometry that contributes to BC variation between bullets – the same goal that Hornady’s aluminum tip achieves in the A-Tip Match.
Boat-tail hollow-point base design (BTHP): The TMK retains the standard MatchKing’s BTHP geometry under the polymer tip, maintaining the same base drag reduction from the boat-tail that the MatchKing has built its accuracy reputation on. The polymer tip adds BC improvement from the standardized nose without compromising the boat-tail’s contribution.
Lead core, copper jacket: Standard construction for lead-core match bullets. The MatchKing family’s reputation is built on jacket concentricity and consistency rather than exotic materials, and the TMK maintains this construction with the tip addition.
BC improvement over standard MatchKing: The polymer tip improves BC at a given weight by providing a more aerodynamically efficient nose profile than the hollow-point opening of the standard MatchKing. The magnitude of this improvement varies by weight and caliber; Sierra’s published BC data for both the TMK and standard MatchKing at the same weight would quantify the specific advantage, but the improvement is real and consistent with the same principle documented for the Hornady A-Tip versus ELD-M comparison. The most directly comparable public data point is the 168-grain .308: the TMK at BC 0.488 versus the standard MatchKing at the same weight, where Sierra’s own data shows the TMK’s tip produces a meaningfully higher BC figure. This is the expected result of replacing the hollow-point opening’s small drag contribution with a pointed polymer nose that generates a clean aerodynamic junction.
Match-only application: The TMK is explicitly designed for target shooting and competition. The thin jacket and hollow-point (under the tip) design does not produce reliable controlled expansion on game tissue. Using the TMK for hunting is both ethically inappropriate and likely to produce inadequate terminal performance.
Ballistics and Performance
G1 BCs from 0.375 to 0.660 span the TMK lineup from the 69-grain .224-inch through the 183-grain .284-inch. The 0.660 maximum is the 183-grain 7mm entry, which at this BC and sectional density (0.325) is the TMK’s strongest aerodynamic performer and the entry best suited for the extended-range applications where a tipped match bullet provides its greatest BC advantage.
The 69-grain and 77-grain .224-inch at BC 0.375/0.420 cover 223 Remington and 22 Creedmoor for .224-inch precision rifle and service rifle competition. The 77-grain at BC 0.420 is the stronger performer for extended-range work in this caliber.
The 95-grain .243-inch at BC 0.480 and SD 0.230 covers 6mm Creedmoor, 6mm GT, 6mm Dasher, and 6mm ARC for PRS and F-Class production division competition. At BC 0.480 and SD 0.230, the 95-grain TMK is competitive within the 6mm match bullet field. The 6mm caliber family’s popularity in PRS production division comes from its combination of light recoil, flat trajectory, and availability in semi-automatic gas-gun platforms – the TMK’s tipped design provides BC standardization that benefits gas-gun shooters who may see more environmental variation across a multi-stage PRS match than F-Class shooters firing from a fixed bench.
The 123-grain, 130-grain, and 142-grain .264-inch at BC 0.510/0.554/0.626 cover [6.5 Creedmoor](https://myreloading.com/the-complete-guide-6-5-creedmoor/, [6.5 PRC](https://myreloading.com/the-complete-guide-6-5-prc/, and 6.5×47 Lapua for the dominant PRS and F-Class calibers. The 142-grain at BC 0.626 is the strongest 6.5mm entry and one of the TMK’s most capable aerodynamic offerings.
The 150-grain, 168-grain, and 183-grain .284-inch (7mm) at BC 0.515/0.575/0.660 cover 7mm Remington Magnum and 7mm PRC for F-Class Open and ELR. The 183-grain at BC 0.660 is the TMK’s BC flagship entry, achieving performance competitive with some heavier entries in the standard MatchKing lineup. The three-weight 7mm offering is notable for the TMK lineup – having 150, 168, and 183-grain options means the TMK covers the full range of 7mm match bullet weights, from the standard-velocity 150-grain that produces less recoil in moderate cartridges to the heavy 183-grain optimized for the highest-capacity 7mm magnum cases where case capacity allows driving this weight at match-grade velocities. The BC progression from 0.515 to 0.660 across the three weights represents meaningful range performance differences at 1,000 meters.
The 155-grain, 168-grain, 175-grain, and 195-grain .308-inch at BC 0.450/0.488/0.505/0.560 cover 308 Winchester and 300 Winchester Magnum for F-Class, service rifle, and 1,000-yard competition. The four-weight .308-inch coverage makes this the most comprehensively covered caliber in the TMK table. The 168-grain at BC 0.488 is historically the most common 1,000-yard service rifle weight in .308 Winchester. The 175-grain at BC 0.505 edges above the 0.500 BC threshold sometimes cited as the practical minimum for 1,000-yard work in .308. The 195-grain at BC 0.560 is the strongest .308-inch TMK entry, requiring adequate case capacity to drive it at match-competitive velocities – .308 Winchester at its standard capacity may not achieve optimal velocities with the 195-grain; the .300 Winchester Magnum is the more capable case for this weight.
Expert Ballistics Table – Sierra Tipped MatchKing Variants
Data from Sierra specifications. BCs are G1. The .284-inch entries cover 7mm caliber. Verify current figures at sierrabullets.com.
| Diameter (inches) | Weight (grains) | BC (G1) | Sectional Density | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .224 | 69 | 0.375 | 0.196 | Competition in 223 Remington |
| .224 | 77 | 0.420 | 0.219 | Competition in 22 Creedmoor |
| .243 | 95 | 0.480 | 0.230 | PRS in 6mm Creedmoor |
| .264 | 123 | 0.510 | 0.252 | F-Class in 6.5 Creedmoor |
| .264 | 130 | 0.554 | 0.266 | PRS/F-Class in 6.5 Creedmoor |
| .264 | 142 | 0.626 | 0.291 | F-Class in 6.5 PRC |
| .284 | 150 | 0.515 | 0.266 | F-Class in 7mm Remington Magnum |
| .284 | 168 | 0.575 | 0.298 | F-Class in 7mm PRC |
| .284 | 183 | 0.660 | 0.325 | ELR in 7mm Remington Magnum |
| .308 | 155 | 0.450 | 0.233 | Service rifle in 308 Winchester |
| .308 | 168 | 0.488 | 0.253 | F-Class in 308 Winchester |
| .308 | 175 | 0.505 | 0.264 | 1,000-yard in 308 Winchester |
| .308 | 195 | 0.560 | 0.294 | F-Class in 300 Winchester Magnum |
Comparison Bullets
The competitor BC figures in the original article require correction. The Berger Hybrid Target BC (0.368-0.717) understates the lower bound relative to this site’s documented 0.524-0.841; this is the same lower-bound understatement documented for the Hybrid Target across this site’s entire match bullet series. The Hornady A-Tip Match BC (0.247-0.859) understates the lower bound significantly – this site’s A-Tip coverage documents substantially higher figures at the low end.
The Lapua Scenar (0.478-0.670) is the most accurately cited competitor and aligns broadly with this site’s Scenar coverage.
The Sierra MatchKing is the TMK’s own sibling product and the most directly relevant comparison. The TMK’s polymer tip improves BC at a given weight relative to the standard MatchKing’s hollow-point at the same weight – the TMK is specifically designed to outperform the MatchKing at extended range. The trade-off is slightly higher cost per bullet.
The Sierra MatchKing X is a further Sierra match variant. The Lapua Scenar-L is the Lapua alternative with a longer ogive for higher BC than the standard Scenar. The Berger VLD Target, Berger LRHT, and Nosler Custom Competition complete the primary competition comparison set. The 6.5 PRC ballistics guide provides trajectory reference for the 142-grain TMK entry in that cartridge.
The Sierra MatchKing X is a further Sierra match variant. The Berger Hybrid Target, Hornady A-Tip Match, and Lapua Scenar complete the primary external comparison set.
Comparison Table – Tipped Match Bullets
| Bullet | BC Range | Tip Material | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra TMK | 0.375-0.660 | Acetal resin | Long-range match |
| Sierra MatchKing | 0.400-0.700 | None (BTHP) | Match competition |
| Berger Hybrid Target | 0.524-0.841 | None (BTHP) | ELR match |
| Hornady A-Tip Match | 0.564-0.878 | Aluminum | ELR match |
| Lapua Scenar | ~0.400-0.670 | None (BTHP) | Match competition |
Applications and Practical Aspects
223 Remington competition (69-77 grains, .224-inch): 223 Remington for service rifle and gas-gun PRS competition. The TMK’s 69 and 77-grain .224-inch entries cover the two most common competition weights in this caliber. The 69-grain is standard for 600-yard service rifle NRA High Power competition; the 77-grain is more common in gas-gun PRS where longer-range stages up to 800 yards benefit from the higher BC. Both require 1:9 or faster twist for reliable stabilization in .224-inch bore. [Hodgdon Varget](https://myreloading.com/hodgdon-varget/, [Hodgdon CFE 223](https://myreloading.com/hodgdon-cfe-223/, and [Alliant Reloder 15](https://myreloading.com/alliant-reloder-15/, and Hodgdon H322 are standard choices.
6mm PRS (95 grains, .243-inch): [6mm Creedmoor](https://myreloading.com/6mm-creedmoor-the-complete-guide/, [6mm GT](https://myreloading.com/6mm-gt-the-complete-guide/, [6mm BR](https://myreloading.com/6mm-br-the-complete-guide/, and 6mm PPC for PRS production division and benchrest. Hodgdon H4350 and Alliant Reloder 16 are standard choices.
6.5mm PRS and F-Class (123-142 grains, .264-inch): 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC for the dominant competition calibers. The three-weight 6.5mm offering gives competitive shooters meaningful choice. The 123-grain covers lighter-recoil loads where velocity is prioritized over BC. The 130-grain is the most commonly loaded weight in 6.5 Creedmoor for PRS. The 142-grain at BC 0.626 is the highest-BC 6.5mm TMK entry and the appropriate choice for extended-range F-Class and ELR work where the BC advantage at 1,000 yards and beyond becomes decisive. [Hodgdon H4350](https://myreloading.com/hodgdon-h4350/, [Alliant Reloder 23](https://myreloading.com/alliant-reloder-23/, and [Alliant Reloder 26](https://myreloading.com/alliant-reloder-26/, and Winchester Staball 6.5 are standard choices.
7mm F-Class and ELR (150-183 grains, .284-inch): 7mm Remington Magnum and 7mm PRC for F-Class Open and ELR. The 7mm cartridges have a dedicated F-Class following precisely because the caliber allows heavy, high-BC bullets at competitive velocities from manageable case capacities. The 183-grain TMK at BC 0.660 captures much of this advantage in a tipped match bullet. For ELR competition beyond 1,000 yards where BC compounds most significantly, the 183-grain in 7mm Remington Magnum at approximately 2,750 fps produces trajectories and wind drift that are genuinely competitive with the best 6.5mm loads at comparable bullet weights. [Hodgdon H4831SC](https://myreloading.com/hodgdon-h4831sc/, [Alliant Reloder 22](https://myreloading.com/alliant-reloder-22/, and Alliant Reloder 26 are standard choices.
308 Winchester competition (155-195 grains, .308-inch): 308 Winchester for F-Class, service rifle, and 1,000-yard competition. Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon H4895, and IMR 4064 are standard choices.
Reloading
Primers: CCI BR-4 and Federal GM205M small rifle benchrest primers for .224-inch and .243-inch. CCI BR-2 and Federal GM210M large rifle benchrest primers for 6.5mm and larger. Federal 215 magnum primers for 7mm magnum applications.
Cases: Lapua, Peterson, or Norma premium brass is standard for competition use with the TMK. Case preparation including primer pocket uniforming and consistent neck annealing is part of the standard protocol for sub-0.5 MOA results.
Seating depth: The standard MatchKing’s seating depth sensitivity is well-documented; the TMK’s polymer tip changes the ogive engagement slightly. Starting at 0.020 inches off the lands and testing 0.010-inch increments is the standard approach. Note that optimal seating depth for the TMK may differ from the standard MatchKing at the same weight – do not transfer seating depth data directly between the two products even when caliber and weight match.
Powder Selection by Application:
| Application | Caliber | Bullet Weight | Recommended Powders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service rifle | 223 Rem | 69-77 gr | Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon CFE 223, Alliant Reloder 15, Hodgdon H322, IMR 8208 XBR, Alliant Reloder 17 |
| PRS | 6.5 Creedmoor | 130-142 gr | Hodgdon H4350, Alliant Reloder 23, Alliant Reloder 26, Winchester Staball 6.5, Vihtavuori N550 |
| F-Class | 7mm Rem Mag | 168-183 gr | Hodgdon H4831SC, Alliant Reloder 22, Alliant Reloder 26 |
| F-Class | 308 Win | 175-195 gr | Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon H4895, IMR 4064 |
Reloading Parameters Summary:
| Parameter | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Neck tension | 0.001-0.002 inch interference |
| Seating depth | 0.020 inch off lands as starting point |
| Crimp | Not used |
| ES target | Under 8 fps; under 5 fps ideal |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the Tipped MatchKing differ from the standard MatchKing?
A: The polymer acetal resin tip standardizes the hollow-point cavity opening’s aerodynamic contribution, reducing bullet-to-bullet BC variation at extended range. The tip also improves the absolute BC at a given weight relative to the standard MatchKing’s hollow-point opening. The underlying lead core, copper jacket, and boat-tail geometry are the same design lineage; the tip is the differentiating feature. For shooters at 500-800 yards, the BC improvement from the tip may not be the primary accuracy driver. At 1,000+ yards where BC variation compounds significantly, the tip’s BC standardization becomes more practically relevant.
One further distinction: the polymer tip changes how the bullet initiates inside the bore at the cartridge seating. The standard MatchKing’s hollow-point opening has a slightly different profile where it contacts the chamber throat during chambering. The TMK’s tip produces a different engagement geometry. This is why load development data from the standard MatchKing should not be directly transferred to the TMK; the two bullets behave somewhat differently during initial chamber contact and engraving, potentially producing different optimal seating depths and different pressure signatures at the same charge weight.
Q: The original article cites Berger Hybrid Target BC as 0.368-0.717. Is this accurate?
A: No. This site’s dedicated Berger Hybrid Target coverage documents 0.524-0.841. The lower bound (0.368) is substantially understated, following the same pattern of Hybrid Target lower-bound understatement documented across this site’s match bullet series. The upper bound (0.717) is also understated relative to 0.841. The Lapua Scenar comparison (0.478-0.670) is the more accurately cited competitor in this article.
Q: Is the TMK appropriate for hunting?
A: No. Like the standard MatchKing, the TMK is not designed for hunting. The thin match jacket and hollow-point construction (under the tip) produces unpredictable terminal performance on game. This site documents this clearly for every match bullet in its series. For Sierra hunting bullets, see the Sierra GameKing, Sierra Tipped GameKing, and Pro Hunter.
Q: How does the TMK compare to the Hornady A-Tip Match in BC?
A: The Hornady A-Tip Match achieves higher BC than the TMK at comparable weights across the calibers where both are available, using an aluminum tip that provides more BC benefit than the acetal resin tip. The A-Tip Match’s BC range documented on this site (0.564-0.878) substantially exceeds the TMK’s 0.375-0.660. The TMK’s advantage is typically price – the original article cites $0.40-$0.70 per bullet versus the A-Tip Match’s higher price point. For competitions where maximum BC is the priority, the A-Tip Match is the stronger aerodynamic performer. For competitions where price-per-round matters or where the calibers available in the TMK lineup fit the application better, the TMK’s BC advantage over the standard MatchKing without the A-Tip’s cost premium may be the relevant trade-off.
Q: Does the TMK tip affect seating depth sensitivity compared to the standard MatchKing?
A: Yes, the tip changes how the bullet engages the lands, affecting seating depth sensitivity. The polymer tip extends slightly beyond what the hollow-point opening would occupy, altering the bullet-lands engagement geometry at comparable seating depths. This means load development data for the standard MatchKing at the same weight and caliber should not be directly transferred to the TMK; develop loads independently. Sierra’s published TMK data and seating depth recommendations are the appropriate starting point. The standard protocol of starting 0.020 inches off the lands and testing in 0.010-inch increments applies, with the understanding that the TMK’s optimal seating depth may differ from the standard MatchKing’s optimal depth by 0.010-0.030 inches at the same weight – enough to matter for ES/SD consistency in a precision competition load.
Q: What makes the 183-grain 7mm TMK particularly notable?
A: The BC 0.660 at SD 0.325 makes the 183-grain .284-inch TMK the strongest aerodynamic performer in this table by BC, and the SD 0.325 provides excellent stability at long range. For ELR competition in 7mm Remington Magnum or 7mm PRC, this entry achieves performance competitive with heavy match bullets from other manufacturers. The combination of the TMK’s acetal tip, boat-tail geometry, and the inherent aerodynamic advantage of heavy 7mm bullets at this weight makes this a genuinely competitive long-range entry.
Conclusion
The Sierra Tipped MatchKing applies polymer-tip BC enhancement to Sierra’s established MatchKing BTHP platform, positioned above the standard MatchKing for extended-range use and below the A-Tip Match in maximum BC achievement. Its acetal resin tip provides BC standardization and modest absolute BC improvement, and the lineup covers .224 through .308 inch with an emphasis on the 6.5mm and 7mm weights most relevant to contemporary PRS and F-Class competition.
The competitor BC data quality in this article is mixed. The Lapua Scenar comparison (0.478-0.670) is reasonably consistent with this site’s Scenar coverage. The Berger Hybrid Target (0.368-0.717) substantially understates both bounds relative to this site’s documented 0.524-0.841 – the same pattern documented across this site’s entire match bullet series. The A-Tip Match lower bound (0.247) is clearly too low. As with previous articles in this series, this site’s dedicated articles for each comparison bullet are the authoritative reference for their BC figures.
Choose the TMK if: you want Sierra’s MatchKing consistency with BC improvement from the polymer tip at a price below the A-Tip Match; the 6.5mm or 7mm TMK weights specifically match your competition platform; or you are already using the standard MatchKing and want to evaluate the tip’s BC benefit in your specific rifle and cartridge.
Choose the standard MatchKing instead if: cost is the primary factor and the polymer tip’s BC advantage at your competition distance is not worth the modest premium over the standard MatchKing. For competitions inside 600 yards, the standard MatchKing’s proven track record may be preferable.
Choose the A-Tip Match instead if: maximum BC is the priority and price is secondary – the Hornady A-Tip Match achieves higher BC at comparable weights through the aluminum tip’s superior aerodynamic advantage. For ELR competition beyond 1,000 yards, the A-Tip’s BC advantage over the TMK compounds meaningfully.
Disclaimer: The TMK is a match bullet not designed for hunting. Reloading involves inherent risks; always use Sierra-published data specific to the Tipped MatchKing, not standard MatchKing data. Seating depth sensitivity may differ between the TMK and standard MatchKing at the same weight. Wear eye protection at all times. The author and myreloading.com are not responsible for injuries or property damage from reloading or shooting handloaded ammunition.
