Rifle

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. The 125 grain #2305 Spitzer Pro-Hunter bullet was designed as a hunting bullet for the Russian 7.62x39mm cartridge. It is also very useful as a light game or varmint bullet in the larger .311 diameter cartridges, such as the 303 British, 7.65 Mauser and 7.7 Japanese. 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. 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. The #2305 was introduced in 1996.

Sierra offers a single flatnose bullet in this 45 caliber specifically for the 45-70 bore size. It may be used in rifles or handguns with a .458 inch bore, but it must not be used in handguns with .451 or .454 inch bore size.   Sierra introduced this bullet in 1973 -  the 100th year of the 45-70 cartridge. Now, decades later, this old cartridge is still growing in popularity and justifiably so. Adequate for any game in North America and offered in several modern firearms, this old cartridge is just plain fun. The bullet is unique in that it expands well at modest 1873 Springfield velocities or at the more powerful full charge velocities that can be loaded in stronger action types, such as the Ruger No. 1 and No. 3 and Marlin lever actions. Accuracy is excellent, and it feeds reliably through all types of magazines and actions. It can be used in the 458 Winchester Magnum cartridge, but muzzle velocities should not exceed 2500 fps. For handguns, this bullet was designed to expand reliably even at 1300 fps.  It is a perfect match for the T/C Contenders and similar handguns chambered for the 45-70 cartridge. Dependable expansion and excellent accuracy make this Pro-Hunter bullet a good choice for most hunting situations.