Sierra Bullets Again

[Barlow]

I have a Ruger 77 ts 257AI. It works well with 100 gr Hornady sp,s , and I have killed a bunch of deer with them. I have tried to work up an accurate load with the Hornady 120 gr HP, and occasionally get good groups, but overall not to my standards. I decided to try 117's as they are shorter, and I had some 117 gr Sierra FB and BT's on hand. I have only tried one load but I can see the 117 gr SFB has great potential. Has anyone else experienced this same issue and what were your findings. Thanks in advance, Barlow

 

[expiper]

yes ,,,bullets in green boxes out shoot everything else that is out there,,except Berger and Lapua for target bullets,,,when hunting Sierra expands uniformly and are very accurate,,,Roger

 

[wyoming .260]

I had a .25-06 with a 1-14" twist (it was a chuck gun) that loved 117 gr. flat bases, it was thee only deer bullet that would shoot from that gun.

 

[Gary in MD]

Sierra 100 gr flat bases have always been some of the most accurate bullets in my 257 Weatherbys. For varmints or deer, Sierras get the job done well and they are usually half the price of some of the other ones. Actually, when I think about it, this applies to bullets for most of the other calibers that I shoot....
Gary

 

[Barlow]

Do you guys think the shorter length of the 117 Sierra has anything to do with its apparent better accuracy in a 1 in 10 twist? Barlow

 

[expiper]

barlo,,,,they shoot better because they are Sierras,,,,Roger

 

[2506]

I have a 25-06 with the standard 10" twist and it will shoot bug holes with the 117 Sierra Pro Hunter flat base but it just does not like boat tail bullets. By the way I have used about everybody's 115 to 120 gr bullets in different 25-06's and the 117 Sierra Pro Hunter is the best deer killing bullet I have found.

 

[Barlow]

I just procured a box of them, and will do some load workup when time allows. Thanks, Barlow

 

[stinnett1981]

Every rifle I ever hand loaded for has shot flat base bullets the best at shorter distances. I only hand loaded for 6 centerfire rifle , so im not a experienced hand loader.

 

[firstshot425]

yes ,,,bullets in green boxes out shoot everything else that is out there,,except Berger and Lapua for target bullets,,,when hunting Sierra expands uniformly and are very accurate,,,Roger

+1 for Sierra accuracy

The accuracy of Sierra is what everything else is compared to! They are afterall the "bulletsmiths"

 

[K22]

I don't have that caliber but I've been shooting Sierra bullets for many years and have found them to be outstanding both accuracy wise and in terminal performance.

The Pro Hunter bullets, a no frills bullet, works very well for me on deer in the 243 (100 grain) and 308 (150 grain).

The blitz bullets are some of the best varmint bullets I've ever used in the 223 (50grain) and 243 (80 grain)

The 55 grain BTHP is outstanding in the 22 250, capable of target grade accuracy. However might no work well in a 14" twist.

The 85 grain BTHP in 243 is an outstanding all around bullet in the 243 capable of target grade accuracy.

I don't think you can go wrong with Sierra; they would be my first choice followed by Noslers.

 

[Rtheurer]

Ford, Chevy, Dodge... Sorry could not resist.....

I find that on average the Sierra bullets have a very large Extreme Spread for there dimensions.
1. Base to OGIVE
2. Meplat Diameter
3. Weight

They still shoot well for the most part however. Not sure about the comment "by which all others are compaired"
On this site there is a polethera of benchrest and Belly Benchrest shooters who shoot custom made.. ( hand made) bullets and would thumb there nose at a Factory produced projectile, as they are quite infearior in just about every way.
Not trying to discredit your comment. Just that there are oh so many higher quality manufactures out there. Lapua and Berger come to mind.
Nosler has even stepped up there Match bullet game.. Im quite impressed with the QC on them as of late. I used to bleed green box. Now ... not as much.

Sorry again. I could not resist and did not add to this thread one little bit.. I appolgize for that.

RussT

 

[captn t]

The 117 FB " WORKS "!!! I've taken many deer with this bullet in both 25-06 and .257 AI. Most times getting blow through with good blood trail. However if they stay in , all energy is dumped so trailing job is not an issue. They shoot smaller groups than than 117 bt. Cann't go wrong with them!!
Captn T

 

[dkhunt14]

Ford, Chevy, Dodge... Sorry could not resist.....

I find that on average the Sierra bullets have a very large Extreme Spread for there dimensions.
1. Base to OGIVE
2. Meplat Diameter
3. Weight

They still shoot well for the most part however. Not sure about the comment "by which all others are compaired"
On this site there is a polethera of benchrest and Belly Benchrest shooters who shoot custom made.. ( hand made) bullets and would thumb there nose at a Factory produced projectile, as they are quite infearior in just about every way.
Not trying to discredit your comment. Just that there are oh so many higher quality manufactures out there. Lapua and Berger come to mind.
Nosler has even stepped up there Match bullet game.. Im quite impressed with the QC on them as of late. I used to bleed green box. Now ... not as much.

Sorry again. I could not resist and did not add to this thread one little bit.. I appolgize for that.

RussT

I totally agree with this. Even Hornady has improved there Quality Control. Todays market guys are buying the more accurate target type bullets. A lot of them are being used in 600 and 1000 yard events and by longrange varmint guys. Matt

 

[LHSmith]

Even Hornady has improved there Quality Control. Todays market guys are buying the more accurate target type bullets. A lot of them are being used in 600 and 1000 yard events and by longrange varmint guys. Matt

In contrast, in short range BR custom bullets still rule, @ the 2013 Super Shoot one (1) lone Berger entrant made the top 20 in the LV and HV class....in Score Shooting in IBS and NBRSA the use of non-customs is for virtually non-existent.

 

[LCazador]

This will probably reveal my age ;D!! I have a 25/06 built for me by P.O. Ackley in the late '60s. It has a 9.5 twist, quite unusual back then, but that's what Parker recommended with a long throat! It has never shot anything heavier than 110g bullets very well, and flat base 100's always shot better. With that said my Rem. 722 in 257 Roberts doesn't seem to do any better even with the original Remington 117g round nose core-lockt which is about as short as 117's get. Forward to my 250AI with an 8 twist custom barrel and the results are amazing consistent 1/2 inch or better groups with any bullet over 100 grains. Sierras are great bullets, but flat base or not they aren't going to make up for an improper twist rate.

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Just acquired a 25-06 barrel, Shilen 26" Savage Varmint taper 10" twist, that I will be using on wood chucks. Can't find any 75gr. Vmaxs so will the 75 gr. Sierra hp get the job done accuracy wise? I've tried Sierra bullets in other cartridges and haven't been impressed with their accuracy or consistency in tolerances!