Ammo Reports Team
| Primary Use | Precision / Match shooting · Long-range hunting |
| Bullet Type | HPBT — Hollow Point Boat Tail (Sierra MatchKing) |
| Bullet Weight | 140 gr |
| Case | Brass (reloadable) |
| Primer | Boxer |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box · 10 boxes per case (200 rounds) |
| Typical Price | ~$28–32 / box (~$1.40–1.60 per round) |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady Match 6.5 CM 140 gr ELD-M · Federal Gold Medal 6.5 CM 140 gr Sierra MatchKing · Lapua Scenar 6.5 CM 139 gr HPBT |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,690 fps | PPU / Outdoor Limited |
| Muzzle Energy | 2,249 ft-lbs | PPU / Outdoor Limited |
| Bullet Weight | 140 gr | PPU / Sierra |
| Bullet Type | Sierra MatchKing HPBT | Sierra Bullets |
| BC (G1) | 0.617 | Sierra Bullets published data |
| BC (G7) | 0.301 | Sierra Bullets published data |
| Manufacturer SKU | PPMK65C | PPU |
| UPC | 8605003821083 | — |
| Reloadable | Yes | Brass, Boxer-primed |
Note: PPU does not publish test barrel length. 2,690 fps for 140 gr 6.5 Creedmoor is consistent with a 24″ test barrel. Sierra MatchKing BC values are published by Sierra Bullets directly — among the highest in the 6.5 mm 140 gr class.
Ballistics Table
Calculated. Zero: 100 yards. Sight height: 1.5″ above bore. BC (G1): 0.617 (Sierra MatchKing 140 gr, published).
Calculated from Sierra’s published BC. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature, altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzle velocity for comparison.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2,690 | 2,249 | +1.5 |
| 100 | 2,560 | 2,037 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 200 | 2,436 | 1,845 | -7.1 |
| 300 | 2,319 | 1,671 | -20.5 |
| 400 | 2,206 | 1,513 | -41.4 |
| 500 | 2,100 | 1,371 | -70.6 |
Key takeaway: the Sierra MatchKing’s exceptional BC of 0.617 produces one of the flattest trajectories in factory 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition. At 500 yards the bullet retains 1,371 ft-lbs of energy and has dropped only 70.6 inches from a 100-yard zero — a direct result of the high ballistic coefficient that makes this caliber and bullet combination a benchmark for long-range precision shooting.
The PPU Supreme Line
PPU (Prvi Partizan) is a Serbian ammunition manufacturer with over 80 years of production history, supplying both military and civilian markets across Europe and North America. Their standard production line is well-regarded for consistent quality at competitive pricing.
The Supreme Line is PPU’s premium tier, introduced as a collaboration with Sierra Bullets. PPU’s brass, powder, and primers — combined with Sierra’s MatchKing projectiles — produce a factory match load at a price point below domestic US premium match ammunition.
The Sierra MatchKing Bullet
The Sierra MatchKing is the reference bullet for precision rifle competition. Its hollow point boat tail design is optimized entirely for accuracy — the open tip allows more precise jacket-to-core alignment during manufacturing, and the boat tail base reduces base drag for superior long-range performance.
Key characteristics:
- Boat tail base — reduces base drag, improves BC vs flat-base designs
- Hollow point — manufacturing precision feature, not an expansion feature
- Thin, uniform jacket — primary driver of the bullet’s accuracy reputation
- BC G1=0.617 / G7=0.301 — among the highest published BCs for 140 gr 6.5mm bullets in factory loads
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Precision rifle competition and long-range target shooting at 300–600+ yards
- Load development reference for handloaders developing 6.5 CM match loads
- Long-range deer hunting inside 400 yards where flat trajectory and high BC are the priority — see terminal performance note below
- Shooters who want Sierra MatchKing accuracy without handloading
Not the right tool for:
- Dedicated hunting where reliable terminal expansion is required — MatchKing is a match bullet; Sierra recommends their Tipped MatchKing (TMK) or GameKing for hunting
- Short-range plinking — cost per round makes this impractical for casual use
- Self-defense — not designed or rated for it
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet. General notes from open sources:
- PPU brass has a solid reputation for consistent dimensions and durability across multiple reloading cycles — the Supreme Line uses the same brass production with tighter selection criteria
- Sierra MatchKing bullets are produced to tolerances that exceed most factory ammunition standards — lot-to-lot variation is minimal
- PPU’s 6.5 Creedmoor loading has been widely tested in Ruger Precision Rifle, Tikka T3x, and Bergara B-14 platforms without reported issues
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC (G1) | Adv. Velocity | Price / box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Gold Medal 6.5 CM 140 gr SMK | 140 gr | Sierra MatchKing | ~0.617 | 2,650 fps | ~$38–42 | Same bullet, US production, higher price |
| Hornady Match 6.5 CM 140 gr ELD-M | 140 gr | ELD-M | ~0.646 | 2,710 fps | ~$38–45 | Higher BC, slightly faster, more expensive |
| Lapua Scenar 6.5 CM 139 gr HPBT | 139 gr | Scenar | ~0.615 | 2,740 fps | ~$55–65 | Finnish precision brass, highest quality, highest price |
| Winchester Match 6.5 CM 140 gr BTHP | 140 gr | BTHP | ~0.535 | 2,710 fps | ~$32–38 | Lower BC, comparable velocity |
| PPU Standard 6.5 CM 140 gr HPBT | 140 gr | PPU HPBT | ~0.505 | 2,690 fps | ~$22–26 | PPU’s own bullet, lower BC, significantly cheaper |
Price Reality
- Typical retail range: $28–32 per box of 20 (~$1.40–1.60/round)
- Case pricing: ~$280–320 / 200 rounds
- vs. Federal Gold Medal (same bullet): PPU Supreme runs $8–12/box less for the identical Sierra MatchKing — the strongest value argument in the match 6.5 CM category
- vs. Hornady Match ELD-M: ~$10/box cheaper with minimally different real-world performance inside 500 yards
- Fair price benchmark: under $30/box is excellent; above $35/box reduces the advantage over Federal Gold Medal
Where to Buy
Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.
- MidwayUSA — add link
- Brownells — add link
- Palmetto State Armory — add link
- Natchez Shooters Supplies — add link
FAQ
Is the Sierra MatchKing safe to use for deer hunting?
Sierra has historically recommended against using the MatchKing for hunting due to unpredictable terminal performance — the bullet is designed for accuracy, not controlled expansion. However, Sierra has since acknowledged that the MatchKing does expand at hunting velocities and has performed reliably on deer-sized game at typical hunting distances. For hunting, Sierra’s own Tipped MatchKing (TMK) or GameKing is the more conservative choice. For elk and larger game, a controlled-expansion bonded bullet is more appropriate.
PPU Supreme vs Federal Gold Medal — same bullet, which is better?
Both use the 140 gr Sierra MatchKing. Federal Gold Medal is loaded in the US with Federal’s own brass and primers; PPU Supreme uses Serbian-made components. Federal has a longer track record in US precision rifle competition. PPU Supreme typically runs $8–12/box less — for hunting and general long-range shooting, it is the better value. For top-level competition where every variable matters, Federal’s track record earns its premium.
What is the difference between G1 and G7 ballistic coefficient?
G1 uses a flat-based blunt ogive reference — the traditional US standard. G7 uses a boat-tail spitzer reference that more closely matches modern long-range bullets. For the MatchKing, G7 is the more accurate predictor of real-world drag. Sierra publishes both: G1=0.617 and G7=0.301. Use G7=0.301 in modern ballistic calculators for the most accurate trajectory predictions with this load.
Is PPU brass good enough to reload?
PPU brass is well-regarded in the reloading community — consistent wall thickness, reliable primer pockets, good case life. Most reloaders report 4–6 firings before case life becomes a concern, consistent with other quality brass in 6.5 Creedmoor. It performs significantly above budget brass and represents strong value for reloaders.
Submit Your Data · Real-World Results
Manufacturer velocity figures are measured under controlled lab conditions — barrel length, temperature, and lot number all affect real-world performance. The data below comes from community submissions tied to specific test conditions and reviewed before
publishing.
Once this page reaches 3 approved submissions, aggregate velocity
and confidence level will appear here automatically.
| UPC # | Firearm | Barrel (in) | Avg Velocity (fps) | Shots | Temp (°F) | Chronograph | Lot | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shot this load? Share your results — firearm type, barrel length, average velocity, shots fired, temperature. No account required.
All submissions are manually reviewed before appearing on this page.
You need to login first.
Results vary by firearm, barrel condition, ammunition lot, and environmental factors.
Submitted data is for reference only.
AmmoReports does not guarantee accuracy of user-submitted results.
Last updated: April 2026 · Data confidence: Low (0 submissions) ·
