Is Sierra stuck in the sands of time?

[Guest]

After literally four attempts and four rude encounters, I gave up. I have a box of 100gr 6mm bullets on my shelf, along with two partials I've picked up in trades over the years. I've shot exactly nine Sierra bullets in the last decade, and those only recently as I was testing for my 350RemMag and shot them to confirm something I was seeing with the Speers I wanted to use. Got the confirmation, and back on the shelf they went. No use for them.

All of my experiences came during the 2001-2005 timeframe, though, so perhaps they've been through some training since then. Won't help them with me, but maybe they'll keep some other customers. I actually had one guy get very smart with me, start answering a question I was not asking, and after he was done, I said, "Would you like to actually hear my question so you can answer what I'm asking, or you want to just keep guessing until you get it?" His response was less than friendly, and that's the last time I've ever called them or dealt with them. I haven't opened my sierra reloading manual in so long it has dust on it thick enough to write in.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

Wow, dubyam. That has not been my experience at all when I phoned Sierra. I found them very helpful, even though on my last call I admitted that I was using another brand of bullet. They were courteous and helpful in the extreme.

This was my experience in the two times I contacted them, once via phone and once via e-mail. Maybe I got lucky or maybe Dubyam caught them on a bad day. The only bad experience I've ever had with any firearm related company was with a Kimber rep. All it took was once and I will never buy a Kimber product. Not that I was ever high on their products in the first place. So, I can share your viewpoint Dubyam.

 

[DrMike]

Customer relations is critical in any field. I believe hand loaders have long memories, however.

 

[Guest]

I suspect my inability to let go is directly proportional to being in a customer facing role for two decades or more. I know what my customers expect of me, and how they react when they do not get what they expect. I know how hard I have to work to maintain those relationships, in order to make my money. Knowing that makes me disinclined to relinquish those dollars to folks who cannot seem to value my support.

If I could only use two bullet brands between now and eternity, it'd be Nosler and Speer, or perhaps Nosler and Hornady. But I really like Speer bullets, despite their kind of becoming a second tier manufacturer over the past decade or two. With the breakup of Blount, several brands were damaged over time. Weaver optics is nothing of what it once was. Outers is all but gone entirely. Speer is doing reasonably well, but they have far fewer dealers than a decade or two ago, it seems. Totally off topic, I know.

Back to the topic at hand. I don't say this because their name is on the domain here, but because literally every game animal I've taken with a rifle in this century has been with Nosler bullets: They are truly the top of the heap.

 

[FOTIS]

When I did call them and asked them about making premium bullets they told me (in a snobbish way) they already make the top of the line premiums and saw no reason to change anything. And that was the last time I called.

 

[HTDUCK]

I've called their tech line twice.
Both times they were very friendly and more than helpful.

I was amazed though at the responses both times.
In particular I told them I was looking at running their 140 SBT out of a 264 with a 28 inch barrel and asked what powder I should look at.
The reply was IMR 4350?

Really? An overbore magnum and IMR 4350?
That's like buying a Ferrari and trying to run it on 87 octane

 

[CMBTshooter]

I guess they do make "top of the line" bullets, but being a purpose oriented guy, I like to have one bullet for each task. If something is made for punching paper, that's all I'll use it for.

That said I've never used their hunting bullets. With my experiences with SMKs, I don't think I will.

 

[Luv2Hunt]

Wow, you guys experiences have been far different than mine. I have spoken to them (Sierra) a bunch in the past (over more years than I want to count) and they have been extremely helpful and courteous, even offering some helpful advice on a non-Sierra bullet I mentioned in a conversation that comes to mind. They are very proud of what they produce, but also very knowledgeable and helpful. Speer and hornady have been the rudes and disappointments for me.
Opinions that quickly come to mind:
Positives: Nosler, Sierra, Barnes, Remington, Burris, MEC, RCBS, Meopta, Ramshot, Hodgdon
Negatives: Hornady, Speer, Ruger, CZ, Weaver
Both: Lee

 

[FOTIS]

Hornady has been the epitome of CS for me!

 

[bullet]

I am sorry dubyam, but I can't imagine from Sierra that kind of rudeness an inability to not answer the simple questions you asked. The reason I say that is that I have been countless times over a 25yr period have asked and inquired and at times would have driven some folks crazy with the many times I inquired about bullets and their ability to hold up on specific game using everything from a 22-250 to a 375Wby magnum - and never once experienced what you claim to have experienced You and I are friends, but it is truly hard for me to believe what Sierra has supposedly done to you.

I mean I even have some of them reading my weekly devotions and following my mission website and commenting. They are nice, polite and informed personal and most of the tech people actually shoot competition as well as hunt using Sierra bullets. Rich is one just off hand that comes to mind and he has been a blessing at times with helping me trouble shoot loads. Also, I have killed a lot of game with my 7mm Rem mag's, 30-06's, 300Win mag's and 300Wby mag's not to mention my 338Win mag and 340Wby using Sierra bullets.

 

[Guest]

I am sorry dubyam, but I can't imagine from Sierra that kind of rudeness an inability to not answer the simple questions you asked...You and I are friends, but it is truly hard for me to believe what Sierra has supposedly done to you.

Whether or not you can imagine it, Mike, is irrelevant. Every word I typed here is absolutely true. I wish I'd had the presence of mind to write down dates, times, and names, though I should not have to defend myself. I believe I have a reputation for speaking the truth without wavering. I know I do amongst people who know me much at all. It's fine with me that you've had good experiences with them. But I can assure you, my experiences are deeply negative, consistently repeated, and factual, whether you have a hard time believing it or not.

 

[Wincheringen]

I believe the recently posted Federal test video answered every question I have had about a Sierra bullet. They blow up, plain and simple. A Nosler Ballistic Tip (Hunting) is going to hold up better and penetrate deeper than any Sierra. Even in the video you could tell the Engineers were surprised and tried to say the Nosler wasn't consistent, but it performed the same every time, and so did the Sierra - it blew up.

Yes, the Sierra will kill game, I'm not doubting that, and countless hunters succeed with them every year. Its about an ethical choice for me. NBTs are more accurate and more reliable. I owe it to the game I'm hunting to do my part, and NBTs/PTs/ABs allow me to that without question.

 

[FOTIS]

I have faith on a limited big game Sierras.

 

[SJB358]

Hornady has been the epitome of CS for me!

Excellent point Fotis. Very nice to speak with on the phone..

 

[big rifle man]

I would definitely agree with you Doc. I've had no problems with Sierra and I've been contacting them for quite a few years for information that they were glad to share.

 

[bullet]

Its about an ethical choice for me. NBTs are more accurate and more reliable. I owe it to the game I'm hunting to do my part, and NBTs/PTs/ABs allow me to that without question.

ETHICAL??? NBTs more accurate????? You can't kill any quicker than with a Sierra or NBT so your above comment is incorrect about being ethical. I have had more run for a ways using the AccuBond or Partition than ever with the Sierra Game King HPBT or BT. I reject out right your above statement on Ethics having seen over 200 deer drop in their tracks during a two year combined culling with Sierra game kings by game wardens and myself, is very ethical, they died where we shot them.

 

[PJGunner]

Back in 1981 or 82 when the NRA hd it's convention in Phoenix, I had the very distinct displeasure to have a conversation with Sierra's Dr. Hull. At the time, I had an idea about a bullet jacket that had promise and tried to discuss it with that drunken fool.he first thing he asked me was what did I have a degree in? I asked back, "Does one have to have a degree to have an idea? His answer was "F and walk away. Later I was able to discuss it with Steve Hornady and he told me how to submit my idea. sadly, I never followed up on it. maybe I just might yet. I remember when Guns & Ammo lamented the death of Dr. Hull my thought was good, he's gone.
Any contact I've had with Sierra other than that one time though has been pleasant and I've gotten whatever information I've needed.
Paul B.

 

[OU812]

Its about an ethical choice for me. NBTs are more accurate and more reliable. I owe it to the game I'm hunting to do my part, and NBTs/PTs/ABs allow me to that without question.

ETHICAL??? NBTs more accurate????? You can't kill any quicker than with a Sierra or NBT so your above comment is incorrect about being ethical. I have had more run for a ways using the AccuBond or Partition than ever with the Sierra Game King HPBT or BT. I reject out right your above statement on Ethics having seen over 200 deer drop in their tracks during a two year combined culling with Sierra game kings by game wardens and myself, is very ethical, they died where we shot them.

Just my thoughts here but for me I would not find it ethical to use a Sierra 220 grain in my 8mm on elk after not seeing that disintegrated 220 grain Sierra shot into water jugs at 25 yards. They might be OK at longer ranges as WildGene posted a picture of his 220 recovered bullet from an elk shot at longer ranges. That being said I would have zero faith in that bullet up close on elk and I owe the animal much more respect for a quick as possible death.

I do think, along with some other on here, that if Sierra would make a quality bonded bullet it would be a great one.

 

[bullet]

Its about an ethical choice for me. NBTs are more accurate and more reliable. I owe it to the game I'm hunting to do my part, and NBTs/PTs/ABs allow me to that without question.

ETHICAL??? NBTs more accurate????? You can't kill any quicker than with a Sierra or NBT so your above comment is incorrect about being ethical. I have had more run for a ways using the AccuBond or Partition than ever with the Sierra Game King HPBT or BT. I reject out right your above statement on Ethics having seen over 200 deer drop in their tracks during a two year combined culling with Sierra game kings by game wardens and myself, is very ethical, they died where we shot them.

Just my thoughts here but for me I would not find it ethical to use a Sierra 220 grain in my 8mm on elk after not seeing that disintegrated 220 grain Sierra shot into water jugs at 25 yards. They might be OK at longer ranges as WildGene posted a picture of his 220 recovered bullet from an elk shot at longer ranges. That being said I would have zero faith in that bullet up close on elk and I owe the animal much more respect for a quick as possible death.

I do think, along with some other on here, that if Sierra would make a quality bonded bullet it would be a great one.

That 220gr made it through and literally shredded five one gallon jugs before a piece ended up int the sixth jug. Any elk would have died at 25 yards much less way down range with that bullet. Bergers do the same thing and they kill game, just like the Sierra's do and it is devastating in affect and 98% of the time quick and dramatic DRT

 

[OU812]

ETHICAL??? NBTs more accurate????? You can't kill any quicker than with a Sierra or NBT so your above comment is incorrect about being ethical. I have had more run for a ways using the AccuBond or Partition than ever with the Sierra Game King HPBT or BT. I reject out right your above statement on Ethics having seen over 200 deer drop in their tracks during a two year combined culling with Sierra game kings by game wardens and myself, is very ethical, they died where we shot them.[/quote]


Just my thoughts here but for me I would not find it ethical to use a Sierra 220 grain in my 8mm on elk after not seeing that disintegrated 220 grain Sierra shot into water jugs at 25 yards. They might be OK at longer ranges as WildGene posted a picture of his 220 recovered bullet from an elk shot at longer ranges. That being said I would have zero faith in that bullet up close on elk and I owe the animal much more respect for a quick as possible death.

I do think, along with some other on here, that if Sierra would make a quality bonded bullet it would be a great one.[/quote]

That 220gr made it through and literally shredded five one gallon jugs before a piece ended up int the sixth jug. Any elk would have died at 25 yards much less way down range with that bullet. Bergers do the same thing and they kill game, just like the Sierra's do and it is devastating in affect and 98% of the time quick and dramatic DRT[/quote]

I think almost as much of Bergers as I do Sierras. I should have said this in my first reply but I'm also thinking meat loss here. That 220 would have wasted (literally shredded) LOTS of meat up close. I hunt way to hard and love to eat elk meat to much to chance it.

So you don't think Sierra would do well to make a "good" bonded bullet?