First Look: Sierra MatchKing X Bullets

Sierra Bullets is unveiling the new MatckKing X, an evolution of the company’s well-known Sierra MatchKing rifle bullet engineered to perform well in hunting and long(er)-range shooting applications out to 500 yards. Unlike the original Sierra MatchKing bullet, which has been optimized for precision and accuracy in target-shooting disciplines, the new Sierra MatchKing X has a few design enhancements that allow its jacket to open and expand rapidly on impact. To make this happen, Sierra took a different manufacturing approach with a draw and trim method that results in a much thinner jacket mouth (compared to the original Sierra MatchKing) that also includes light skives on the nose of the bullet to aid in controlled expansion.

Finally, the new Sierra MatchKing X’s inner core is cast with a softer lead alloy in order to allow for better “mushrooming” and expansion on impact. Even with every new tweak and adjustment, Sierra MatchKing X bullets are still manufactured to the same accuracy standards as the standard Sierra MatchKing bullet. The outer profiles and ogives and other dimensions allow for rifle shooters to maintain the same ballistic trajectory data and shooting characteristics and handloading specifications as the originals–but while being able to deliver increased terminal performance on light skinned game.

“MatchKing-X is the culmination of years of consumer demand and dedicated innovation from our team. For a long time, hunters have sought to harness the unmatched ballistics performance and accuracy of the original MatchKing bullet in the field,” said Sierra Bullets’ Marketing Manager Colby Adamek. “However, because the original MatchKing was not engineered for reliable expansion, we could not recommend it for ethical hunting applications. Today, we’re proud to introduce MatchKing-X, a purpose-built evolution that delivers the legendary accuracy of MatchKing with the terminal performance hunters require.”

At launch, the new Sierra MatchKing X bullets will be available in 6.5mm (.264 inch), .270-, .277- and .30-caliber projectiles.

To learn more about the new MatchKing X bullet or other products from Sierra, visit sierrabullets.com.