155gr Matchking VS 155gr Matchking Palma???

S

Southwind

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Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 9, 2009
61
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Wellington, KS
#1
I have a real nice .308 load of 43 gr IMR 4895 and a 155gr Horn A-Max. This load is on the weak side, but it groups extremely well on paper and is very easy to shoot all day. It works very well from 100-400yds. I have not tried the Matchking bullets, but came across a pretty good deal on some of the Matchking Palma bullets. Only info I could get was off Sierra's site, and it said the bullet was a bit longer and when run above 2700fps the BC is higher than the regular Matchking.

I may be overthinking this, but would I have any problem running these in a standard .308 Win rifle in hopes of a cheaper substitute for the AMAX?

Thx for the info,

Steve
 
#2
The bullet you are looking for is the 155 Palma 2156, not the 2155. They are comparable to 155 Scenars in performance. For me they perform better than 168s at ranges past 500 yds.
 
#4
Sierra "tips" the Palma bullets, you'd be amazed at the number of people, some on this very board that scoff at the idea of "tipping", or any other design improvement (that increased BC), and are still stuck on the "heavier bullets always fly better" train. Sometimes they'll state, "I shoot zillions of rounds a year in competition, therefore when I state it, it is a fact" etc. etc. Those SMK Palmas do everything that Sierra says they'll do, I agree with mijp5-he's right on.
 
#5
I found the 2156s tough to get shooting nicely; considerably more difficult than 175smk. Never messed with 155amax so I can't compare them.

If you are limited to ~400-500 yards, there really won't be much difference between any of them, aside from a little elevation.

Once you pass 500-600, though, fast 155s sure can give the 308 a much needed kick in the ass. I use the 155 scenar over 47.5gr Varget for 2975fps from a 26" pipe. Not quite a 260, but closer to one than a traditional 308.
 
#6
I like them. I started shooting them years ago because I was partial to Sierra and kind of a cheap ass. I didn't want to shell out more cash for Scenars, and the price was right for me at about 140$/500 for the palmas. Also thought it was cool because my last name is Palma and the box has my name on it.
 
#8
The 2156 Palma is the single most consistent bullet Ive ever fired out of a .308 I run them at 2861.4FPS. Here are a few 9 shot groups and a 12 shot group (with L->R wind). So you're looking at sub 1/2MOA after 12 shots (which is unheard of) and this was with wind and it's obviously very repeatable.

2aewnrr.jpg
 
#9
May be hard to find powders, but if you haven't tried different powders you should. Two I recommend are Varget and IMR 8208 XBR. You might find that the performance of these is a lot better that IMR 4895. However, your gun may just like what you are shooting....
 
#10
The 155 gr bullets, especially the Palma, allow 308 shooters to compete with guys shooting 6.5 mm cartridges. Sure, the 260 and creedmor will outperform a 308, but the 155 will give them a run for their money
 
#11
High Binder said:
The 2156 Palma is the single most consistent bullet Ive ever fired out of a .308 I run them at 2861.4FPS. Here are a few 9 shot groups and a 12 shot group (with L->R wind). So you're looking at sub 1/2MOA after 12 shots (which is unheard of) and this was with wind and it's obviously very repeatable.

2aewnrr.jpg
Click to expand...
What powder were you using.... Varget?
 
#15
mijp5 said:
I'm surprised to see that you got decent velocity with the varget. I wasn't able to crack 2800 with varget. I ended up switching to h4895 to get good speed.
Click to expand...

I have a 26" barrel so that might be the difference if you have a shorter barrel..? I'm also using LC LR brass whihc has a thicker than avg web so I'm going to be getting higher pressures from that too.
 
Last edited:
#17
The bottom target was shot with the 155 Palmas at 300 yds. 45.6gr Varget, If I hadn't bucked that one shot at the top left it would have been a .3 MOA group easily. As it was it's only a .5 group

 
#18
The 2156 is an excellent bullet. Here is a pic of a group I fired recently while doing load testing with Varget for one of my Palma rifles:

348k9pf.jpg


Target is the NRA MR1 600 yard target scaled for 300m on my club's Megalink electronic target system. It shot 2 separate 100-10x groups that day, this is the nicer of the 2. Average velocity was 2969, and this was fired with sling and iron sights at 300 meters.
 
#20
Erud said:
The 2156 is an excellent bullet. Here is a pic of a group I fired recently while doing load testing with Varget for one of my Palma rifles:

348k9pf.jpg


Target is the NRA MR1 600 yard target scaled for 300m on my club's Megalink electronic target system. It shot 2 separate 100-10x groups that day, this is the nicer of the 2. Average velocity was 2969, and this was fired with sling and iron sights at 300 meters.
Click to expand...

That is an extraordinary group at 300. Iron sights? Shit, I don't think I can do that on 22x.
 
#21
mijp5 said:
The bullet you are looking for is the 155 Palma 2156, not the 2155. They are comparable to 155 Scenars in performance. For me they perform better than 168s at ranges past 500 yds.
Click to expand...

I have a few 2155s... I didn't know there was a 2156. Is there a huge difference or should I load these 2155s anyways?
 
#22
dlouie87 said:
I have a few 2155s... I didn't know there was a 2156. Is there a huge difference or should I load these 2155s anyways?
Click to expand...

There is not a big difference, sometimes the 2155 will shoot better in particular rifles, there is a small difference and that is usually only seen past 600 yards IF and I mean a big IF you are capable of shooting a 10x group like above. Shoot what you have, they work great. Nosler 155 is a copy of the 2155 only using a J4 jacket, they shoot great.
 
#25
IF I ever put up a 10x the last thing I would say is anything about being blind, but I hear you. My best at 600 is clean with 14, ironically with 2155's, and I felt like king of the world. The next string put me right back in place. everybody should have the humbling of a 20 shot string with slings and irons at least once.
 
#27
Xcount said:
IF I ever put up a 10x the last thing I would say is anything about being blind, but I hear you. My best at 600 is clean with 14, ironically with 2155's, and I felt like king of the world. The next string put me right back in place. everybody should have the humbling of a 20 shot string with slings and irons at least once.
Click to expand...

200-14x is definitely solid. Nice to see some other HP guys around here, especially ones that know how to shoot! I agree that there is a lot to be learned from shooting the "old" ways, and not enough people are willing to put in the time to pursue it any more. This place has gotten so big in the last few years, seems like a lot of members just talk. Oh well...

Later,
Erik
 
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