Sierra International Bullets

[AustinR]

Hello,

I got a few older boxes of Sierra International 30 cal 168 gr bullets. From what I can gather, they were produced before the Matchkings.

Are the internationals the same as Matchkings? Both are HPBT, but I don't have much information on Sierra International bullets.

The reason I ask is because I have ~200 and I hope the load tables from them would be the same for SMKs with same loads.

Thanks,

Austin

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: Sierra International Bullets

They are the same bullet.

Saw some loaded 30.06 GI 168 International on a shelf in a gunstore Saturday. Those have to be collectors' items. 6 boxes if I remember correctly. They were priced like collectors' items too!

 

[AustinR]

Re: Sierra International Bullets

Thanks! Seems like Sierra bullets just went up in price... I got three boxes at auction, which are worth more than I paid for a lot of 10 boxes.

 

[Bass Ackwardz]

Re: Sierra International Bullets

+ 1 on the above, they are indeed the same. I use Sierra blems from the factory outlet, and they shoot great.


Bill

 

[Andy Warhog]

Re: Sierra International Bullets

They are the same. We make bullets for different countries and some we box em up for international shipping. Nothing special about them

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Re: Sierra International Bullets

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SlowNoisyDeadly</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They are the same. We make bullets for different countries and some we box em up for international shipping. Nothing special about them </div></div> HUH?


When Sierra was still in CA they were called "International" because I believe it was the bullet/weight used for Palma competitions etc??? Prior to going to 155's. From what I was told by an older Competition shooter at a gunshow in Hamilton, MT about 6yrs ago who had about 50 boxes for sale when they moved to MO they changed name to SMK's like their other target/match bullets. Brother and I each bought 5 boxes from him for what we thought was a bit high @ $80 a sleeve. Sure wished I could get a do over and bought them all.

 

[mackar]

Re: Sierra International Bullets

Nothing can stop you now.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Sierra International Bullets

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SDWhirlwind</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SlowNoisyDeadly</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They are the same. We make bullets for different countries and some we box em up for international shipping. Nothing special about them </div></div> HUH?


When Sierra was still in CA they were called "International" because I believe it was the bullet/weight used for Palma competitions etc??? Prior to going to 155's. From what I was told by an older Competition shooter at a gunshow in Hamilton, MT about 6yrs ago who had about 50 boxes for sale when they moved to MO they changed name to SMK's like their other target/match bullets. Brother and I each bought 5 boxes from him for what we thought was a bit high @ $80 a sleeve. Sure wished I could get a do over and bought them all. </div></div>

No, 168s were not used for international Palma competition prior to the 2155s.

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2010/08/history-history-of-palma-match.html

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Re: Sierra International Bullets

_9H What was the reason for Sierra labeling them "International"? Thought there was some worldwide competition they were introduced for? Couldn't come up with anything but Palma????

 

[Andy Warhog]

Re: Sierra International Bullets

I went around and asked a few people yesterday just to double check. The"International" refers only to shipping for countries like Israel, Sweden, Germany, etc.... It's the exact same bullet, exact same specs, run on the exact same machines that make green box for the US. If you're paying collectors item prices for them, it's only because YOU are making them a collectors item for the label

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Re: Sierra International Bullets

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Steven Dzupin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sierra brought the 168 grain .308 bullet out for

300 meter international competions. Ref. Whelens' Mister

Rifleman.


This was in the mid 1950's.

Olympic and other international competitions were held

with high power rifles at 300 meters.

Some hosting nations had no high power facilities and

did not care to build any.

Hence the International logo on older boxes.

That bullet design was intended to give top performance at 300

meters, not 1,000 yards!


Everything was pussified

and only .22 rimfires were to be used.
300 meter ISU may be an exception.

Regards,

Steve
</div></div>

Thanks for that info. Knew I had read something years ago concerning why the "International" designation was marked on the boxes.