Sierra reloading App?

[lrrifleman]

Does anyone here happen to use the Sierra reloading manual app?

If so, have you noticed that it kinda disappeared?

I was notified today by the Google Play Store that my subscription was canceled, and I can no longer find the Sierra App on their site.

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

 

[venomballistics]

Chatter over the web seems to speak of this two years ago.
It's too bad really.
I have the Hornady and VithaVouri apps... It's the way to go now

 

[Model 15-4ever]

Sierra Bullets has still not recovered from the pandemic. They can't seem to get out of their own way.

Actually, the roots of the decline of Sierra started with their purchase by Clarus Holdings in 2017. The company then went totally corporate and decided they wanted to be Hornady - another company that lost it's customer focus when the founder passed away. Sierra's website changed, long-favorite bullets were dropped, they started selling ammunition, and the entire tone went from a company focused on serving avid reloaders, to a company that relied on slick marketing and was solely interested in making money.

I contacted them two years after the pandemic was over asking when revolver bullets would be available. Answer was, "We don't know". That's a company that has lost it's way and probably management is to blame as usual.

I see that Clarus - after ruining Sierra Bullets - sold it in February 2024 to another corporation that also owns Savage Arms. Not holding out hope of them getting back to their roots.

 

[TheTinMan]

You had me scared for a moment. My electronic Sierra load manual works fine as of this moment.

I did not realize that Sierra had been caught up in the conglomerate grinder that ruins so many good companies.

 

[gwpercle]

I have the Sierra Reloading Manual in Print form ... no app
My manual is still sitting on my book shelf ...
Let me know if we can help ...
Old School but willing .
Gary

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I hate to hear that. Have had a preference for Sierra (rifle) bullets for a long time. I have many hundreds in stock. I have one .308 that prefers the 150 grain Gameking over all else. Have a do shoot a lot of their .224 bullets in my various .223s as well.

 

[Greyman50]

Nothing surprises me these days, have my Sierra manual from 70’s.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I do, too. Still use it, though the newer powders aren't there. I love the ballistics tables in the back.

 

[sourdough44]

I noticed my Sierra reloading app went dead not long ago. I have many manuals in print, but appreciated checking on a load away from home.

Maybe the reasoning was, why provide something for free?

 

[venomballistics]

I noticed my Sierra reloading app went dead not long ago. I have many manuals in print, but appreciated checking on a load away from home.

Maybe the reasoning was, why provide something for free?

For the same reason Hornady, Hodgdon and even Speer offer free data in some form. There is development work to be done on the part of the user, that leads to commitment towards the involved products.
This principal is especially apparent in electronics where data sheets are freely distributed for everything and even free samples are to be had.

 

[zeke]

I have the Sierra Reloading Manual in Print form ... no app
My manual is still sitting on my book shelf ...
Let me know if we can help ...
Old School but willing .
Gary

Imo, Sierra's latest manual is one of the best available. And ya don't have to plug it in. And they include a fairly comprehensive section on how to do it,

 

[don5]

I just picked up their new manual a couple weeks ago. I just bought some of their bullets to try. I always like to have a printed manual. I am just that way. Old school. Let me know if you need any help. I can look it up.

 

[SMSgt]

Hate to see Sierra screw things up. It was my go-to bullet for many years. It performed miracles in my Rem 700 .30-06.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

For the same reason Hornady, Hodgdon and even Speer offer free data in some form...

Hornady won't give you ice in Alaska for free. A few years ago, a new cartridge came out and a friend emailed Hornady asking if they had data for it. Reply was, "We sell loading data, we don't give it away for free. It's expensive to produce." Great attitude if you want shooters to buy your bullets.

Hornady's data options are: buy their hardcover book for $59.95; buy their digital version for $19.95; or download their reloading app for smart phones for free, and pay $19.95/year for a subscription to see data.

They will also let you pay them 99 cents to view a single cartridge. There is no way to download that data to a hard copy for use outside the app.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

For the same reason Hornady, Hodgdon and even Speer offer free data in some form...

Sierra doesn't provide anything other than occasional blog posting. The last post was June, 2023 on 147 grain datsa for 9mm. Big whoopie.

Sierra used to have links to data for new bullets and cartridges. Gone. They used to allow you to call/email "Team Sierra" and they were very helpful with loading data. That link is dead.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

For the same reason Hornady, Hodgdon and even Speer offer free data in some form...

Well, you got Speer right. They still have data for their bullets right on their website. Even more shocking, it's not only Alliant powders either.

I guess they can freely provide data without any loss, since they hardly sell any bullets as components anymore. Gold Dots are few and far between, and the rest of their line is hit or miss, mostly miss.

 

[venomballistics]

Hornady won't give you ice in Alaska for free. A few years ago, a new cartridge came out and a friend emailed Hornady asking if they had data for it. Reply was, "We sell loading data, we don't give it away for free. It's expensive to produce." Great attitude if you want shooters to buy your bullets.

Hornady's data options are: buy their hardcover book for $59.95; buy their digital version for $19.95; or download their reloading app for smart phones for free, and pay $19.95/year for a subscription to see data.

They will also let you pay them 99 cents to view a single cartridge. There is no way to download that data to a hard copy for use outside the app.

I did forget about that 99 cent deal.
the free app and info model is a sound one. the electronics industry even goes as far as giving away free samples.
The reasoning is after you've put in all the blood sweat and tears of development around the freebee, that'll be the model you take to production as the design is proven and will require little to no revision. similar concepts are employed by hodgdon, alliant and even Speer.

 

[venomballistics]

Well, you got Speer right. They still have data for their bullets right on their website. Even more shocking, it's not only Alliant powders either.

I guess they can freely provide data without any loss, since they hardly sell any bullets as components anymore. Gold Dots are few and far between, and the rest of their line is hit or miss, mostly miss.

yeah .... that's vista outdoors for you.
Unfortunately it affords Hornady a position of market dominance