Rifle

In rifle cartridges, these bullets are highly recommended when good expansion and deep penetration in medium and heavy game are required at short to medium ranges. These bullets give pinpoint accuracy because of their short lengths for their weights. This short length for a given weight allows a rifle barrel to stabilize a considerably heavier round-nose bullet than would be possible with a Spitzer-pointed bullet of the same weight, which would be considerably longer. If the shots are fast and at short ranges or the game is big and dangerous, these are the bullets to choose. The 150 grain #2135 is ideal for quick shots at whitetails or smaller black bears in heavy cover. In handguns, these bullets should be considered nonexpanding in game at normal handgun velocities. They may prove useful in situations where a heavy bullet is needed but twist rate is marginally slow, such as Handgun Silhouettes where momentum is more important than expansion. The shorter length for a given weight of each of these bullets, compared to longer Spitzer-shaped bullets of the same weights, may provide superior stability and accuracy in some handguns.

In rifles, this bullet was designed for the venerable 30-30 Winchester cartridge, and features a jacket tailored specifically to 30-30 velocities. The cannelure on each bullet is precisely located to provide the proper over-all-length (OAL) for fast, trouble-free feeding. The bullet weight performs admirably on deer-sized game and is suitable for varmints as well. PowerJacket construction assures reliable expansion with good penetration. Though designed for the 30-30 cartridge, the use of these bullets is not restricted to that cartridge. In fact, these bullets are very effective in any 30 caliber cartridge if a muzzle velocity level of 2500 to 2600 fps is not exceeded. In handguns, this bullet is suitable for some cartridges because they were designed for the velocities of the venerable 30-30 Winchester cartridge. Specifically, this bullet is suitable for any handgun cartridge that will produce 2200 to 2500 fps at the muzzle. They are suitable for all game, from varmints to large game, such as elk, if the bullet weight is matched to game weight. These are short-range bullets due to their nose design and will be suitable only when maximum ranges do not exceed 125 to 150 yards. Sierra's unique Power Jacket design assures uniform bullet upset and expansion at this velocity level with traditional Sierra accuracy.

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.