Published: 2024 | Last updated: June 2026
Introduction
Sierra’s Varminter line is one of the longest-running varmint bullet families in the American handloading market, offering an unusually broad combination of hollow-point and soft-point configurations across a caliber range from .172 to .308 inches. The dual construction approach – HP for some weights and SP for others within the same product family – is notable because it distinguishes the Varminter from every other varmint bullet this site has covered in this series. The Hornady V-MAX, Sierra BlitzKing, Nosler Varmageddon, Speer TNT, and Berger Varmint Explosive are all either tipped or hollow-point designs; the Varminter alone in this category offers soft-point variants as a genuine alternative for hunters who prefer SP terminal dynamics or whose rifles demonstrate better accuracy with SP bullets.
The Varminter’s price positioning (original article cites $0.20-$0.40 per bullet) is the lowest in this site’s varmint bullet coverage, making it the budget-tier option in the category. This positions it against the Remington Core-Lokt and similar economy hunting bullets rather than premium varmint options, and that context matters for evaluating its performance claims. The Sierra Varminter is also distinguished from most competitors in this category by the availability of soft-point configurations alongside hollow-points – a design choice that gives handloaders access to different terminal performance profiles within a single product family. A hunter loading the same 6.5 Creedmoor for both deer and predator control might use a premium bonded bullet like the Nosler AccuBond for deer and an SP Varminter for coyotes, with the SP profile providing more moderate fragmentation than an HP design and allowing a single-platform hunting setup without transitioning to an entirely different bullet philosophy.
For trajectory context on the cartridges most commonly paired with this bullet, see the 22-250 Remington ballistics guide, 223 Remington ballistics guide, and 243 Winchester ballistics guide.
Three competitor BC comparison figures in the original article require calibration. The Varmageddon range (0.119-0.350) substantially overstates the upper end relative to this site’s dedicated Varmageddon coverage (0.140-0.265) – the same overstatement flagged across this site’s entire varmint bullet series. The Barnes VARMIN-A-TOR range (0.150-0.300) is slightly inconsistent with this site’s coverage (0.128-0.279), with the lower bound slightly overstated and the upper bound slightly overstated. The V-MAX range (0.200-0.365) is correct.
One specific data flag within the Varminter’s own table: the .172-inch 20-grain and the .204-inch 32-grain entries both show the identical BC of 0.185. Two bullets of different diameters with the same BC is unusual – BC depends on both weight and diameter – and warrants independent verification at sierrabullets.com.
The .308-inch entries (110-grain and 135-grain) are an unusual inclusion for a varmint bullet lineup, as this site noted in the Berger Varmint article for the same caliber appearance. Sierra’s Varminter coverage in .308-inch likely targets specific varmint benchrest or woodchuck hunting applications where the .30 caliber is used for varmint-sized game.
Disclaimer: Reloading is an inherently dangerous activity. Always consult current published load data from reputable sources (Sierra, Hodgdon) before loading any cartridge. Start at the published minimum charge and work up carefully while watching for pressure signs. Never exceed maximum published loads. The information on this page is for educational reference only and does not replace a current reloading manual.
Technical Characteristics
Hollow-point and soft-point variants: This is the most distinctive characteristic of the Varminter lineup relative to varmint bullet competitors. Sierra offers HP (hollow-point) configurations for most weights – relying on the open cavity to initiate rapid hydraulic expansion – and SP (soft-point) configurations for some weights, where an exposed lead tip produces somewhat more controlled, progressive expansion. The practical hunting difference is meaningful: HP designs fragment more explosively and violently, with very little or no bullet exit; SP designs expand more progressively, typically producing deeper wound channels and more frequent exits, which some hunters prefer for coyote-sized game where confirmed hits matter. This flexibility within a single brand and product family is the Varminter’s most practically distinctive feature relative to its competitors. A shooter who wants explosive HP performance for prairie dogs can choose the HP 55-grain and use the SP 55-grain for coyotes in the same caliber – the same cartridge dimensions and overall handling, but different terminal results. The Speer TNT, Berger Varmint Explosive, V-MAX, BlitzKing, and Varmageddon all offer single construction philosophies per product; only the Varminter offers both HP and SP within its lineup.
Thin jacket construction: Standard for explosive varmint fragmentation, though without the match-grade manufacturing tolerance specification that the Berger Varmint Explosive applies. The Varminter’s production tolerances are commercial-grade rather than benchrest-grade, which at the $0.20-$0.40 price point is the expected tradeoff.
1,600 fps expansion threshold: The same figure documented for the Hornady V-MAX and Sierra BlitzKing. For hollow-point designs, 1,600 fps is achievable; soft-point designs in this lineup likely share or approach this threshold given the similar thin-jacket construction.
Flat-base and boat-tail options: Like the Berger Varmint, the Sierra Varminter offers both base configurations. Flat-base designs are generally preferred for short-range benchrest accuracy; boat-tail designs reduce drag for extended varmint range. The specific weights available in each configuration would need to be verified against Sierra’s current catalog.
“Reduced Fouling” claim (10-15%): The original article’s fouling reduction claim is a general characterization that should be understood as a directional statement about thin-jacket construction rather than a specific, independently verified measurement. Thin copper jackets do generally produce less fouling than thicker-jacketed or lead-exposed designs at the same velocity, but the specific 10-15% figure is difficult to verify independently.
No polymer tip: The Varminter competes with polymer-tipped designs using only traditional HP or SP construction, accepting the modest BC disadvantage this produces in exchange for lower cost and production simplicity.
Ballistics and Performance
G1 BCs from 0.133 to 0.297 span the Varminter’s documented range – lower than the tipped competitors in this series (V-MAX at 0.200-0.365, BlitzKing at 0.145-0.270) and lower than the Berger Varmint Explosive at 0.133-0.374 in its high-BC variants. This BC disadvantage is the primary performance tradeoff for the Varminter’s price advantage.
The original article correctly acknowledges that the Varminter “drops 5% more at 300 yards” than the V-MAX 55-grain – a directional statement consistent with the BC difference. This is a more honest comparison than found in some other articles in this series, and it reflects that the Varminter’s appeal is value and accessibility rather than ballistic superiority.
The 20-grain .172-inch at BC 0.185 and SD 0.097 covers 17 HMR, 17 Remington, and similar .172-inch cartridges for close-range prairie dog and ground squirrel hunting.
The 32-grain .204-inch at BC 0.185 and SD 0.110 covers 204 Ruger prairie dog hunting. The identical BC (0.185) for both the .172-inch 20-grain and this .204-inch 32-grain entry is the data flag noted in the introduction – two different diameters at different weights should not share the same G1 BC without explanation. Verify at sierrabullets.com.
The .224-inch variants span 40-55 grains at BCs of 0.133-0.235, covering 223 Remington, 22-250 Remington, and 22 Hornet across the full range of .224-inch varmint applications from close-range ground squirrels (40 grains) through moderate-range coyotes (55 grains).
The 55-grain and 60-grain .243-inch at BC 0.197 and 0.220 cover 243 Winchester for light varmint applications. These are modest BC figures for .243-inch bullets, reflecting the thin jacket and SP or HP construction without a tip.
The 70-grain .243-inch at BC 0.259 is a more capable coyote bullet at this caliber, with a BC approaching the 88-grain Berger Varmint’s 0.374 trajectory advantage at moderate range.
The 75-grain .257-inch at BC 0.219 and SD 0.162 covers 25-35 Winchester and similar .257-inch varmint cartridges – a less common caliber for dedicated varmint use but historically significant in the lever-action context.
The 100-grain .264-inch at BC 0.297 and SD 0.205 covers 6.5 Creedmoor for fox and coyote. At BC 0.297, this is the strongest non-.308 entry in the table.
The 110-grain and 135-grain .308-inch entries at BC 0.178 and 0.240 are the Varminter’s largest-caliber offerings, covering .308-inch varmint applications in benchrest or specialized predator-control contexts. The BC progression within the .308-inch entries is notable: the 110-grain at BC 0.178 is lower than the .264-inch 100-grain at BC 0.297, confirming that the larger .308-inch diameter at this weight produces less aerodynamic efficiency than the smaller 6.5mm at a similar weight – exactly as expected from the larger cross-section area. The 135-grain at BC 0.240 recovers some of this aerodynamic efficiency through higher sectional density, but remains lower than any .264-inch entry, which illustrates why .30-caliber varmint applications are uncommon compared to the smaller-bore options in this table.
Expert Ballistics Table – Sierra Varminter Variants
Data from Sierra specifications. BCs are G1. The .172-inch 20-grain and .204-inch 32-grain both showing BC 0.185 is unusual and warrants verification. Verify current figures at sierrabullets.com.
| Diameter (inches) | Weight (grains) | BC (G1) | Sectional Density | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .172 | 20 | 0.185 | 0.097 | Prairie dogs in 17 Remington |
| .204 | 32 | 0.185 | 0.110 | Prairie dogs in 204 Ruger |
| .224 | 40 | 0.133 | 0.114 | Close-range in 223 Remington |
| .224 | 45 | 0.142 | 0.128 | Ground squirrels in 223 Remington |
| .224 | 50 | 0.215 | 0.142 | Varmints in 223 Remington |
| .224 | 55 | 0.235 | 0.157 | Coyotes in 22-250 Remington |
| .243 | 55 | 0.197 | 0.133 | Light varmints in 243 Winchester |
| .243 | 60 | 0.220 | 0.145 | Fox in 243 Winchester |
| .243 | 70 | 0.259 | 0.169 | Coyotes in 243 Winchester |
| .257 | 75 | 0.219 | 0.162 | Varmints in 25-35 Winchester |
| .264 | 100 | 0.297 | 0.205 | Coyotes in 6.5 Creedmoor |
| .308 | 110 | 0.178 | 0.166 | Varmint benchrest (verify application) |
| .308 | 135 | 0.240 | 0.203 | Larger varmints in .308 (verify application) |
Comparison Bullets
The original article’s comparison set – Hornady V-MAX, Nosler Varmageddon, and Barnes VARMIN-A-TOR – is reasonable, though the BC figures for Varmageddon (0.119-0.350) and VARMIN-A-TOR (0.150-0.300) require correction as noted in the introduction. This site’s dedicated Varmageddon coverage documents 0.140-0.265; the VARMIN-A-TOR article documents 0.128-0.279.
Adding the Sierra BlitzKing to this comparison is worth noting explicitly given it is Sierra’s own higher-BC, polymer-tipped alternative to the Varminter within the same brand. The BlitzKing provides meaningfully better BC (0.145-0.270 per this site’s coverage) and a polymer tip for better aerodynamic consistency, at a higher price point than the Varminter. For Sierra loyalists, this is the natural within-brand upgrade path.
The Berger Varmint Explosive is the other prominent untipped hollow-point varmint bullet covered on this site, competing with the Varminter on construction philosophy while offering match-grade manufacturing tolerances at a higher price point (original article cited $0.40-$0.70 versus Varminter’s $0.20-$0.40). The Berger achieves higher BCs in its High BC variants (88-grain .243-inch at BC 0.374 versus the Varminter’s 70-grain .243-inch at BC 0.259) at the cost of a higher activation threshold (2,200 fps versus 1,600 fps). For a hunter who primarily shoots inside 250 yards and wants the lowest per-round cost in an untipped design, the Varminter is the practical choice. For a hunter who wants the combination of match-grade manufacturing and the highest available BC from an untipped hollow-point, the Berger Varmint Explosive is the appropriate upgrade.
Comparison Table – Varmint Bullets
| Bullet | BC Range (corrected) | Tip | Expansion Type | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Varminter | 0.133-0.297 | None (HP or SP) | HP or SP | Budget |
| Sierra BlitzKing | 0.145-0.270 | Polymer | Polymer-tip initiated | Mid-range |
| Hornady V-MAX | 0.200-0.365 | Polymer | Polymer-tip initiated | Mid-range |
| Nosler Varmageddon | 0.140-0.265 | Polymer or HP | Tip or HP | Mid-range |
| Berger Varmint Explosive | 0.133-0.374 | None (HP) | HP | Premium |
| Barnes VARMIN-A-TOR | 0.128-0.279 | None (open HP) | Explosive HP | Mid-range |
Applications and Practical Aspects
Prairie dogs and ground squirrels (.172-.224-inch, 20-55 grains): 17 Remington, 204 Ruger, 223 Remington, and 22-250 Remington for high-volume varmint shooting. The Varminter’s lower price makes it particularly appropriate for high-volume prairie dog sessions where cost-per-round matters. Hodgdon Varget and Hodgdon H4895 are standard .224-inch choices; Hodgdon Benchmark works well for the lighter .204-inch and .172-inch weights.
Fox and coyotes (.243-.264-inch, 60-100 grains): 243 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor for predator control. The SP variants in this weight class provide a different terminal performance profile than HP designs – more progressive expansion that may suit hunters who want to avoid excessive pelt damage while still achieving reliable lethality. This is the unique practical advantage the Varminter offers that no other bullet in this series provides: a soft-point varmint bullet specifically for this weight class, giving hunters who care about pelt preservation a controllable alternative to explosive HP fragmentation. Hodgdon H4350 and IMR 4350 are standard choices for the 70-100 grain 6mm and 6.5mm Varminter weights. The 243 Winchester vs 22-250 Remington comparison provides caliber selection context relevant to choosing between these two primary Varminter application platforms.
Specialized .308-inch varmint applications (110-135 grains): Verify the specific application with Sierra’s current catalog. Sierra does produce .308-inch bullets for varmint benchrest competition in specific weight classes where thin-jacket fragmentation is preferred over conventional game hunting performance.
High-volume economy shooting: The Varminter’s primary value proposition versus the tipped alternatives is cost per round. For a hunter running 500 rounds in a single prairie dog session, the difference between $0.20-0.40 Varminters and $0.30-0.50 V-MAXes is $50-$100 per session – meaningful for frequent high-volume varmint shooters. At high volumes, the BC disadvantage (producing 5% more drop at 300 yards, per the original article’s own comparison) is also less critical because most prairie dog shooting happens inside 250 yards where drop differences are small. The Varminter’s 1,600 fps expansion threshold is identical to the V-MAX’s, meaning both provide the same expansion reliability at the same retained velocities – the tipped competitor’s advantage in the BC range is what differentiates them, not expansion threshold.
223 Remington and 22-250 Remington versatility: These two cartridges cover the majority of the Varminter’s .224-inch applications. The 22-250 Remington complete guide covers this cartridge’s capabilities in detail; the extra velocity versus 223 Remington compounds the BC disadvantage concern less, since the 22-250’s higher muzzle velocity produces adequate retained velocity at ranges where the Varminter’s lower BC would otherwise be a limitation in the 223. Hunters who shoot prairie dogs at 300+ yards will likely find the 22-250/Varminter combination more effective than 223/Varminter, even though the difference narrows at 200 yards.
Lead-restricted jurisdictions: The Sierra Varminter contains a lead core and is not legal in California’s condor zones and similar restricted areas. The Hornady NTX and Winchester Varmint X Lead-Free are the lead-free alternatives covered on this site.
Reloading
Primers: CCI 400 and Federal 205 standard small rifle primers for most applications. CCI BR-4 and Federal GM205M small rifle benchrest primers for precision work at the Varminter’s accuracy potential. Remington 7½ is a further standard small rifle option and a good choice for high-volume reloading where per-primer cost matters alongside per-bullet cost. For AR-platform semi-automatic applications, CCI No. 41 for slam-fire prevention.
Cases: Standard brass from Winchester, Remington, Federal, or Hornady. The Varminter’s economy pricing profile means that premium Lapua or Peterson brass is likely overmatched in this application for most shooters.
Seating depth: 0.010-0.050 inches off the lands per the original article. Flat-base variants may be somewhat more seating-depth sensitive than boat-tail designs.
Powder Selection by Application:
| Application | Caliber | Bullet Weight | Recommended Powders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie dogs | 204 Ruger | 32 gr | Hodgdon Benchmark, Hodgdon Varget, Accurate 2230, Accurate 2015, Vihtavuori N133, Alliant Power Pro Varmint |
| Ground squirrels | 223 Rem | 40-55 gr | Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon H4895, Hodgdon CFE 223, Hodgdon H335, Hodgdon H322, Alliant Reloder 10x |
| Coyotes | 22-250 Rem | 55 gr | Hodgdon Varget, Alliant Reloder 15, IMR 4064, IMR 3031 |
| Fox/coyotes | 6.5 Creedmoor | 100 gr | Hodgdon H4350, Alliant Reloder 16, Alliant Reloder 23 |
| .172-inch prairie dogs | 17 Remington | 20 gr | Alliant Reloder 7, Hodgdon H4198, Ramshot X-Terminator |
Reloading Parameters Summary:
| Parameter | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Neck tension | 0.002-0.004 inch interference |
| Seating depth | 0.010-0.050 inch off lands |
| Crimp | Light crimp for semi-auto; generally not needed for bolt-action |
| Expansion threshold | 1,600 fps |
| ES target | Under 15 fps for hunting accuracy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should I choose the HP variant versus the SP variant of the Sierra Varminter?
A: HP (hollow-point) variants provide more explosive, violent fragmentation on small varmints like prairie dogs and ground squirrels, with minimal exit and maximum close-range disruption. SP (soft-point) variants expand more progressively, producing deeper wound channels and more frequent exits, which some hunters prefer for coyote and fox-sized game where pelt preservation matters or where confirmed kills at distance require a bullet that exits reliably. Sierra’s catalog specifies which weights are available in each configuration – consult the Sierra reloading manual or website to confirm availability in your specific weight.
Q: The table shows identical BC (0.185) for the 20-grain .172-inch and 32-grain .204-inch entries. Is this accurate?
A: This is unusual and warrants independent verification at sierrabullets.com. BC depends on both bullet weight and diameter, and two bullets with different diameters and weights sharing the same G1 BC without explicit explanation is atypical. It may reflect a data transcription error in the original source, or it may reflect that both bullets have similar length-to-caliber ratios despite the different absolute dimensions. Verify the current published figures before using them in trajectory calculations.
Q: How does the Sierra Varminter compare to the Sierra BlitzKing at the same weight in the same caliber?
A: The BlitzKing provides meaningfully higher BC (0.145-0.270 versus the Varminter’s 0.133-0.297, though the specific overlap depends on the weight) and more consistent meplat geometry from its polymer tip. At comparable weights in 223 Remington, the BlitzKing’s higher BC translates to flatter trajectory at 250+ yards and more consistent aerodynamic performance. The Varminter’s advantage is lower cost and the availability of SP configurations that the BlitzKing does not offer.
Q: Is the Sierra Varminter appropriate for extended-range coyote work at 400+ yards?
A: The 100-grain .264-inch at BC 0.297 is the strongest candidate in this table for extended-range coyote work. In 6.5 Creedmoor at approximately 2,900 fps muzzle velocity, retained velocity at 400 yards is typically above 2,200 fps and well above the 1,600 fps expansion threshold. The 55-grain .224-inch at BC 0.235 in 22-250 Remington is more marginal at 400 yards in some conditions, and wind sensitivity at the lower BC becomes a practical accuracy concern at that distance.
Q: Why does the Varminter cost significantly less than the V-MAX or BlitzKing?
A: The Varminter uses conventional HP or SP construction without a polymer tip and without the match-grade manufacturing tolerances of the Berger Varmint line. Sierra’s standard production tolerances for commercial varmint bullets are adequate for hunting use but not the benchrest-level specifications that add cost to premium products. The result is a reliable, functional varmint bullet at a price accessible for high-volume shooting.
Q: Is the Sierra Varminter legal in California?
A: No. It contains a lead core and is not legal for hunting in California’s condor zones and similar lead-restricted areas. For lead-free varmint hunting alternatives, see the Hornady NTX and Winchester Varmint X Lead-Free covered elsewhere on this site.
Conclusion
The Sierra Varminter is the budget-tier option in this site’s varmint bullet coverage, offering reliable explosive varmint performance at the lowest price point in the category. Its unique combination of HP and SP configurations within the same product family gives it a practical flexibility that the polymer-tipped competitors cannot match. The BC disadvantage relative to tipped designs is real and clearly acknowledged in the original article, and at the distances where the Varminter is primarily applied – inside 300 yards for most applications – it is not a critical limitation.
The data quality pattern from this article is also worth noting: the competitor BC comparisons here show the same systematic overstatement for Varmageddon and VARMIN-A-TOR that this site has now documented across the entire varmint bullet series. The V-MAX at 0.200-0.365 continues to be cited correctly across every article in the series, while the BlitzKing, Varmageddon, and VARMIN-A-TOR are consistently overstated. This site’s dedicated coverage articles for each of those bullets are the appropriate reference for accurate BC figures, not the comparison tables in any individual article’s marketing context.
Choose the Varminter if: you run high volumes of varmint ammunition and cost-per-round is a significant factor; you specifically want an SP configuration for coyote or fox work; or you want Sierra-brand quality at an economy price point for casual varmint shooting.
Choose something else if: you want maximum BC for 300+ yard performance – the Hornady V-MAX or Sierra BlitzKing offer higher BCs with polymer tips. If you want match-grade manufacturing consistency at a similar price tier, the Berger Varmint Explosive is the precision alternative. If you need lead-free for restricted jurisdictions, see Hornady NTX. If you want the deepest available track record and load data archive for any varmint bullet, the Varminter’s own Sierra manual offers one of the most comprehensive datasets in the category. For hunters who want Sierra’s quality in a conventional soft-point hunting bullet rather than a varmint-specific design, the Sierra Pro Hunter is Sierra’s conventional cup-and-core game bullet, complementing the Varminter for multi-species hunting setups. The 22 ARC is an emerging cartridge in PRS gas-gun divisions that also suits the Varminter’s heavier .224-inch weights for predator work. For broader caliber selection guidance before choosing a varmint bullet, the small game and varmint caliber guide covers the cartridge choice context that precedes this bullet selection decision.
Disclaimer: Reloading involves inherent risks. Always use current load data from Sierra or other published manuals. Contains lead – not legal for hunting in lead-restricted jurisdictions. Wear eye protection at all times. The author and myreloading.com are not responsible for injuries or property damage from reloading or shooting handloaded ammunition.
Have you loaded and shot the Sierra Varminter? Leave a comment with your specific weight and configuration (HP or SP), cartridge, powder, and what you observed on game. Notes on how it compared to the BlitzKing or V-MAX at the same weight in the same cartridge are especially useful.
Editorial note: Originally published 2024, revised June 2026. The update corrected the original article’s comparison BC figures: Varmageddon (0.119-0.350 versus this site’s documented 0.140-0.265) and VARMIN-A-TOR (0.150-0.300 versus this site’s documented 0.128-0.279) are both inconsistent with their respective primary source data, consistent with the pattern documented across this site’s entire varmint bullet series. The V-MAX comparison (0.200-0.365) is correct. Flagged the identical BC (0.185) for the .172-inch 20-grain and .204-inch 32-grain entries as unusual and warranting verification. Added the Sierra BlitzKing and Berger Varmint Explosive to the comparison table as the most relevant within-brand upgrade (BlitzKing) and closest match-grade alternative (Berger). Applied full internal linking throughout.
