Bullets

All modern 8mm rifles, including all German military arms manufactured since 1905, use .323 inch diameter bullets. However, German military rifles manufactured between 1888 and 1905 used a .318 inch diameter bullet. Many of those rifles were rebarreled to .323 inch bores after 1905, but some rifles of the smaller bore size were brought back from WWI and WWII and still exist. Some German sporting guns, particularly combination guns made until 1938, used 8mm cartridges with .318 inch diameter bullets. Sometimes, a .323 inch diameter bullet can be loaded and fired in a cartridge intended for a .318 inch groove diameter, but dangerously high chamber pressures result. If you do not know that your bore size is .323 inch, slug your barrel before loading .323 inch diameter bullets. There are two Pro-Hunter bullets in .323 inch caliber in Sierra's line and both are the Spitzer type. These 8mm hunting bullets provide exceptional accuracy together with deep penetration and reliable expansion on medium and heavier game. The 175 grain #2410 gives the 8x57mm shooter an excellent big game bullet and is suitable for 8mm magnum cartridges.

These bullets utilize the nominal 30 caliber dimensions common to the martial arms of several foreign entities. Most of these have found their way to the United States as either war trophies or were imported as military surplus in recent years. These include the British Lee-Enfields, the late-war Japanese Arisakas, the Russian Moisin-Nagants, SKS and AK-47s and their various clones from former Soviet bloc countries. The cartridges associated with these weapons are the 303 British, the 7.7mm Arisaka, the 7.62x54R and, of course, the ubiquitous 7.62x39mm. Most of these guns use a .311" diameter projectile but it is prudent to slug the bore if any doubt exists. Given the wartime production conditions and occasionally questionable pedigrees of some of these rifles, this procedure is a worthwhile investment. Many of these rifles are capable of delivering decent accuracy and are powerful enough to serve for use on big game. This bullet adds some much needed versatility to these often overlooked but very capable cartridges for hunting. Positive feed characteristics are required for all semi-automatic rifles using the 7.62x39mm cartridge, and Sierra's profiled ogive point shape provides flawless functioning. The 180 grain #2310 bullets both has Sierra's unique double taper heavy jacket and Spitzer profile. They have excellent accuracy, together with deep penetration and excellent expansion on medium and large game. The Spitzer shape provides a flat trajectory and high energy delivered downrange. These bullets are suitable for all of the larger .311 inch diameter service cartridges, such as the 303 British, 7.7mm Arisaka and 7.65mm Mauser.