Ammo Reports Team
Fiocchi 308 Winchester 175 Grain Sierra MatchKing BTHP
At a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Precision rifle competition, long-range target shooting |
| Bullet Type | Sierra MatchKing Boat Tail Hollow Point (BTHP) |
| Bullet Weight | 175 grain |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer Type | Boxer (reloadable) |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $43.99/box — $2.20/round |
| Closest Competitors | Federal Gold Medal Match .308 Win 175 gr Sierra MatchKing, Hornady Match .308 Win 178 gr BTHP, Black Hills Gold .308 Win 175 gr Sierra MatchKing |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| Bullet Weight | 175 gr | Manufacturer |
| Bullet Type | Sierra MatchKing BTHP | Manufacturer |
| BC G1 | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| BC G7 | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| Manufacturer SKU | — | Not published in available sources |
| UPC | — | Not published in available sources |
| Reloadable | Yes | Manufacturer (Boxer-primed brass case) |
Note: Fiocchi does not publish muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, or ballistic coefficient data for this load in the available product listing. The Sierra MatchKing 175 gr projectile itself carries well-documented published BC values (G1 ≈ 0.505, G7 ≈ 0.258) from Sierra Bullets, but those figures apply to the component bullet — not to this specific factory load fired from a specific barrel length. They are not reproduced here as manufacturer specs for this cartridge. Community-submitted chronograph data will be added when available.
Ballistics Table
Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature,altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzlevelocity for comparison.
Calculation based on an estimated muzzle velocity of 2,650 fps — a widely reported field figure for 175 gr .308 Win loads from a 24-inch test barrel. Sight height 1.5 inches above bore. Zero: 100 yards.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ~2,650 | ~2,728 | -1.5 |
| 100 | ~2,456 | ~2,344 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 200 | ~2,270 | ~2,003 | -3.5 |
| 300 | ~2,091 | ~1,700 | -13.4 |
| 400 | ~1,920 | ~1,432 | -30.6 |
| 500 | ~1,757 | ~1,199 | -56.8 |
All values prefixed with ~ because muzzle velocity is not manufacturer-published. Figures are calculated estimates only and should not be used for precision firing solutions.
Key takeaway: The 175 grain Sierra MatchKing is a well-established long-range projectile with a high sectional density that resists wind deflection and retains velocity comparatively well past 300 yards. At 500 yards, estimated retained energy is still in the range of 1,200 ft-lbs, which reflects the bullet’s aerodynamic efficiency. Shooters using this load for competition should confirm actual muzzle velocity with a chronograph and build their firing solutions from measured data rather than these estimates. Barrel length will meaningfully affect real-world velocity — a 20-inch barrel will produce noticeably less than a 24-inch test barrel.
The Sierra MatchKing Bullet
The Sierra MatchKing is among the most widely recognized match projectiles in the world and has been the dominant choice in long-range rifle competition for decades. Its boat tail hollow point design is engineered for aerodynamic consistency rather than terminal expansion — the hollow point exists to produce a uniform, concentric meplat that improves ballistic coefficient repeatability from bullet to bullet, not to initiate expansion on impact.
The 175 grain weight is the canonical long-range choice for 308 Winchester in NRA High Power, F-Class, and similar disciplines. It offers a meaningful BC advantage over lighter .308 bullets (such as the 168 gr MatchKing) at distances beyond 600 yards, where the 168 gr begins to go transonic at sea level under standard conditions. The 175 gr maintains supersonic flight to approximately 1,000 yards under favorable conditions, making it the preferred match weight for 1,000-yard competition in this caliber.
Fiocchi markets this load under its Exacta precision line, which is positioned specifically for competition use and is assembled to tighter tolerances than the brand’s standard hunting ammunition.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- NRA High Power and similar across-the-course rifle competition
- F-Class and Palma-style long-range target shooting
- 600-yard and 1,000-yard benchrest-style events where .308 Win is the chosen caliber
- Shooters who want a factory match load with a proven, well-documented projectile for load development reference
- Precision rifle practice where consistent ballistic performance matters more than cost-per-round compared to bulk plinking ammunition
Not the right tool for:
- Hunting — the Sierra MatchKing BTHP is not designed for controlled terminal expansion and is not recommended for taking game; check local regulations, as some jurisdictions restrict hollow point ammunition for hunting
- Close-range or high-volume training where cost per round is the primary concern
- Suppressed or subsonic applications — this is a standard supersonic load
- Shooters running short barrels (16–18 inches) who need published velocity data for reliable firing solutions at extended range
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source information: Fiocchi’s Exacta line is described as being assembled to competition-grade tolerances, and the use of Sierra MatchKing projectiles — components that are themselves manufactured to tight dimensional standards — is consistent with low extreme spread (ES) and standard deviation (SD) expectations typical of match-grade factory ammunition. No lot-specific quality complaints were identified in available open sources at the time of publication. Users familiar with Fiocchi Exacta loads in other calibers have noted generally consistent primer seating and case neck tension in open forum discussions, though this is anecdotal and not structured data. Formal velocity and accuracy data from independent testing has not been identified for this specific load.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Adv. Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Gold Medal Match .308 Win | 175 gr | Sierra MatchKing BTHP | 0.505 | ~2,600 fps | ~$38–$46 | Identical bullet; widely used as the competition standard |
| Hornady Match .308 Win | 178 gr | Hornady BTHP | 0.530 | ~2,625 fps | ~$35–$44 | Slightly heavier; higher G1 BC; different bullet design |
| Black Hills Gold .308 Win | 175 gr | Sierra MatchKing BTHP | 0.505 | ~2,650 fps | ~$45–$55 | Identical bullet; premium-tier pricing; favored by military precision shooters |
| Lapua Scenar .308 Win | 175 gr | Scenar BTHP | 0.523 | ~2,625 fps | ~$55–$70 | Premium alternative; Lapua brass; higher per-round cost |
| PMC Bronze .308 Win | 147 gr | FMJ-BT | ~0.400 | ~2,780 fps | ~$22–$28 | Budget alternative; not a match load; useful for high-volume practice only |
| Sig Sauer Elite Match .308 Win | 175 gr | Sierra MatchKing BTHP | 0.505 | ~2,650 fps | ~$40–$48 | Identical bullet; relatively newer market entrant |
Note: Advertised velocity figures for competitors are drawn from manufacturer data where published and should be compared cautiously — test barrel lengths vary by manufacturer. BC G1 values for Sierra MatchKing 175 gr reflect Sierra’s published component data.
Price Reality
- Typical retail range: $40–$48 per 20-round box; case pricing (typically 200 rounds / 10 boxes) is approximately $400–$460 when available
- Per-round cost: approximately $2.00–$2.40 at typical retail, with $2.20 being the reference price for this listing
- Federal Gold Medal Match 175 gr (same bullet) typically runs $38–$46/box — essentially equivalent pricing, making brand preference and availability the deciding factor
- Black Hills Gold 175 gr (same bullet) typically runs $45–$55/box — a modest premium over Fiocchi for a load with strong military precision-use reputation
- Lapua Scenar 175 gr runs $55–$70/box — a meaningful premium justified primarily by Lapua brass quality for reloaders
- Fair price benchmark: Above $50/box for this load represents an overpriced purchase given current market alternatives with equivalent or identical projectiles; below $38/box represents a strong buy
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Fiocchi 308 Winchester 175 Grain Sierra MatchKing BTHP (Box)
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FAQ
Does the Sierra MatchKing BTHP expand on impact, and can this load be used for deer hunting?The Sierra MatchKing is a target bullet, not a hunting bullet. Its hollow point is designed to produce a consistent, uniform meplat for improved ballistic coefficient — not to initiate reliable terminal expansion in tissue. Sierra itself has historically stated that MatchKing bullets are intended for target use only. While the bullet can and does cause tissue damage, its terminal performance is unpredictable compared to purpose-designed hunting projectiles. Most hunters and most jurisdictions would consider this an inappropriate choice for taking deer or larger game, and some states explicitly restrict hollow point bullets for hunting.
How does this load compare to Federal Gold Medal Match 175 gr, which uses the same bullet?Both loads use the Sierra MatchKing 175 grain BTHP projectile, so the bullet itself is identical. The meaningful differences lie in the brass, primer, powder charge, and quality-control tolerances applied during loading. Federal Gold Medal Match is one of the longest-established match loads in this configuration and has a deep track record in competition. Fiocchi Exacta is assembled to competition-grade standards and uses the same projectile. At similar price points, the practical difference for most shooters will be negligible — both should deliver consistent accuracy from a quality rifle. Reloaders may have a preference for one brand’s brass over the other.
Why is the 175 grain weight preferred over the 168 grain Sierra MatchKing for long-range .308 competition?The 175 grain MatchKing retains supersonic velocity to approximately 1,000 yards under standard sea-level conditions, while the 168 grain MatchKing typically goes transonic at around 800–900 yards. Transonic flight introduces instability and significant accuracy degradation. For disciplines that require accurate fire at 1,000 yards — such as Palma or F-Class — the 175 gr is strongly preferred. At shorter distances (300 yards and under), the difference is practically irrelevant, and some shooters find the 168 gr easier to tune in specific rifles.
Is this ammunition reloadable, and is Fiocchi brass considered quality brass?Yes, this load uses Boxer-primed brass cases, which are fully reloadable with standard reloading equipment. Fiocchi brass is generally regarded as serviceable for reloading — it is consistent in weight and dimension — though it is not considered in the same tier as Lapua or Norma brass for precision reloading applications. For competition shooters who plan to reload fired brass, Fiocchi cases will provide multiple loading cycles with proper annealing and case prep. This page covers factory ammunition only and does not include reloading data.
Is Fiocchi Exacta .308 Win 175 gr suitable for semi-automatic precision rifles, or is it better suited to bolt guns?This load is appropriate for both bolt-action and semi-automatic precision rifles chambered in .308 Winchester, provided the rifle’s gas system is tuned or adjustable for standard-pressure match ammunition. Many semi-automatic platforms used in competition — including the M1A, SR-25 pattern rifles, and similar — run this weight and bullet type reliably. Shooters using gas-operated semi-automatics should verify reliable cycling with their specific rifle and gas setting, as match ammunition is loaded for consistency rather than maximum pressure, and some semi-autos with fixed gas systems may prefer ammunition at the higher end of the velocity spectrum.
