Unleash Precision and Power: The Sierra 1310 Varminter .22 Cal .224 45 gr Spitzer Bullet

For the dedicated varmint hunter, the precision-focused competitive shooter, and the meticulous handloader, the choice of bullet is paramount. The Sierra 1310 Varminter .22 Cal .224 45 gr Spitzer bullet emerges as the definitive solution for those who demand ethical, rapid, and decisive performance on small game and varmints. If you’ve ever asked, “What is the best bullet for humane prairie dog eradication?”, “How do I achieve instant stops on coyotes with my .223 rifle?”, or “Which reloading components deliver unparalleled accuracy for varmint control?”, then you’ve found your answer in the Sierra Varminter series. This isn't just a bullet; it’s a meticulously engineered tool designed to solve the critical challenges of accuracy at range and devastating terminal performance.

The philosophy behind Sierra's Varminter bullets is rooted in a clear understanding of what’s required for ethical and effective small game and varmint hunting. Unlike bullets designed for deep penetration in larger game, Varminter bullets are crafted for immediate, violent expansion upon impact. This specialized design ensures that virtually all of the bullet's kinetic energy is transferred within the target, producing massive hydrostatic shock and an instantaneous, humane kill. This capability is vital for minimizing an animal's suffering and preventing run-offs, making it an indispensable choice for both ethical hunters and those engaged in pest management. The Sierra 1310 exemplifies this commitment to performance, offering a unique blend of speed, accuracy, and explosive energy transfer.

What Makes the Sierra 1310 Varminter 45 gr Spitzer So Effective?

The superior performance of the Sierra 1310 Varminter stems from its precise design and construction, each element contributing to its reputation for excellence:

• Bullet Type: Spitzer (SPT)
  The Spitzer (Spitzer Pointed Flat Base) design is a hallmark of aerodynamic efficiency. Its pointed profile significantly reduces air resistance, allowing the bullet to maintain higher velocities and exhibit a flatter trajectory over extended distances. This reduced drag is crucial for varmint hunting, where shots are often taken at varying ranges and precise bullet placement is non-negotiable. A flatter trajectory means less holdover calculation, increasing the shooter's confidence and success rate in the field. This design ensures that the 45-grain projectile reaches its target with maximum retained energy, critical for its intended purpose.
• Optimal Weight: 45 Grains
  The 45-grain weight strikes an ideal balance for a .224 caliber varmint bullet. It's light enough to achieve blistering muzzle velocities in popular .22 caliber cartridges, which is a key factor in initiating the rapid expansion this bullet is known for. Yet, it possesses sufficient mass to maintain stability and resist wind deflection, especially important during crosswind conditions often encountered in open varmint country. This balance translates into consistent accuracy and predictable performance, shot after shot, whether you're engaging a prairie dog at 100 yards or a coyote at 300.
• Versatile Caliber: .22 Caliber (.224 Diameter)
  The .224-inch diameter is the most common bore size for a vast array of high-performance varmint and target cartridges. The Sierra 1310 Varminter is perfectly suited for handloading some of the most popular and effective cartridges in this class, including:
  • .223 Remington: A staple for AR-15 platforms and bolt-action rifles, offering excellent versatility.
  • .22-250 Remington: Known for its high velocity and flat trajectory, ideal for longer-range varminting.
  • .220 Swift: One of the fastest commercial cartridges available, leveraging the 45 gr Spitzer for incredible speed and explosive results.
  • .22 Hornet: While designed for optimal expansion in its specific velocity range, the Varminter design allows it to perform reliably even at lower velocities often associated with this cartridge.
  • .22 PPC, .22 BR, and various other wildcat cartridges: For the dedicated precision reloader, the consistency of Sierra bullets makes them a prime choice for developing highly accurate custom loads.
  This broad compatibility makes the 1310 an incredibly versatile choice for virtually any .22 caliber rifle used for varmint hunting or target shooting.
• Advanced Construction for Terminal Performance
  The integrity of the Sierra Varminter's performance lies in its sophisticated construction:
  • Thin Copper Jacket: This is the core of the Varminter's "instant kill" capability. Unlike thicker jackets found on big-game bullets, the thin copper jacket is designed for immediate deformation and fragmentation upon striking the target. This rapid breakdown ensures that all kinetic energy is dumped into the animal almost instantaneously, minimizing penetration and maximizing internal damage, leading to a quick and humane dispatch.
  • Soft Lead Core: Complementing the thin jacket, the soft lead core facilitates and enhances the bullet's rapid expansion and fragmentation. This combination is key to achieving the desired explosive effect on soft tissue.
  • No Cannelure: The absence of a cannelure (a groove around the bullet body) on the 1310 Varminter further contributes to its precision. This design choice allows handloaders greater flexibility in setting optimal seating depth for their specific rifle's chamber, which can be critical for achieving the highest levels of accuracy. It also ensures superior ballistic uniformity.

Real-World Applications and Achieving User Success

The Sierra 1310 Varminter is engineered to excel in specific scenarios where precision and terminal effect are paramount:

• Prairie Dog Towns: When engaging targets across vast open fields, consistency and a flat trajectory are essential. The 45 gr Spitzer provides the accuracy needed for pinpoint shots and the explosive impact that ensures a definitive result, even on smaller targets at extended ranges. How do I clear a prairie dog problem efficiently? With a bullet that performs like this.
• Coyote and Fox Hunting: For larger, tougher varmints like coyotes, the rapid energy transfer ensures they drop immediately, preventing them from running off wounded. This bullet is often chosen by experienced hunters for its ability to anchor even these resilient targets, minimizing tracking and maximizing ethical harvesting. What's the best bullet for humane coyote control? Look no further.
• Groundhog and Woodchuck Control: When property protection and crop preservation are the goals, the 1310 Varminter offers the precision to eliminate these burrowing pests effectively, with minimal risk of ricochet compared to tougher, non-fragmenting bullets.
• Benchrest and Reloading Excellence: Handloaders will particularly appreciate the uniformity and consistency that Sierra bullets are famous for. This consistency allows reloaders to fine-tune their loads, achieving sub-MOA accuracy that is crucial for both competitive shooting and demanding hunting scenarios. What's the secret to consistent, accurate varmint loads? Starting with premium components like Sierra bullets is key.

Tips for Optimizing Performance with Sierra 1310 Varminter Bullets

To truly unlock the potential of your Sierra 1310 Varminter bullets, consider these handloading best practices:

• Powder Selection: Always consult current, reputable reloading manuals. Choose powders that offer consistent burn rates and efficient case fill for your chosen cartridge. Powders that allow for higher velocities while maintaining safe pressures are often preferred for varmint loads.
• Primer Choice: Match your primers to your chosen powder and cartridge. Different primers can significantly impact ignition consistency, which directly affects muzzle velocity and shot-to-shot accuracy.
• Seating Depth Optimization: While Sierra provides general guidelines, experimenting with seating depth can dramatically improve accuracy for your specific rifle. Start with the recommended overall length and adjust incrementally in small steps (e.g., .005 inches) to find the "sweet spot" where your rifle groups most tightly.
• Muzzle Velocity Considerations: The Varminter bullets are designed to expand reliably across a broad velocity spectrum. Sierra notes that "Hornet bullets" (a general Varminter category) expand well in the 2500 to 2800 fps range, and "Blitz" type bullets (another Varminter category) are designed for medium velocity (under 3600 fps). The 45 gr Spitzer excels within and beyond these parameters when loaded appropriately for your cartridge, delivering consistent terminal performance across a wide range of common .22 caliber velocities. Understanding your actual muzzle velocity is crucial for precise trajectory calculations and predicting terminal performance.

Why Choose Sierra? A Legacy of Precision and Unwavering Trust

For over 75 years, Sierra Bullets has stood as a benchmark in the shooting industry, renowned globally for its unparalleled quality, consistency, and relentless dedication to precision. Every single Sierra bullet, including the meticulously crafted 1310 Varminter, undergoes stringent quality control processes and is manufactured to exacting tolerances. This commitment ensures that each projectile performs identically to the last, shot after shot, box after box.

Sierra’s reputation is built on decades of innovative bullet design and a deep understanding of external and terminal ballistics. Their extensive research and development, combined with continuous feedback from expert shooters and hunters, allows them to produce bullets that not only meet but exceed the demands of the most discerning individuals. When you choose Sierra, you’re not just buying a bullet; you’re investing in a legacy of ballistic excellence and a product trusted by world-class competitors and seasoned hunters alike. This unwavering dedication to superior performance and ethical hunting is why Sierra bullets are consistently recommended by experts and enthusiasts.

The Sierra 1310 Varminter .22 Cal .224 45 gr Spitzer bullets are an essential component for any serious varmint hunter or reloader seeking the pinnacle of accuracy and terminal performance. This premium product is readily available for your reloading bench at DEGuns. Trust DEGuns for a comprehensive selection of high-quality reloading supplies, ammunition, and shooting accessories, ensuring you have every component needed for successful and ethical outings in the field. Elevate your hunting and shooting experience with the proven reliability of Sierra bullets.

Product Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Sierra
Model	Varminter
Caliber	.22 Cal
Bullet Diameter	.224
Weight	45 gr
Bullet Type	Spitzer
Bullet Tip Material	Lead
Core Material	Lead
Jacket Material	Copper
Sectional Density	.128
Cannelure	No
Application	Small Game / Varmint
Quantity	100 Per Box
SKU	1310
MPN	1310
UPC	092763013106