Speer Hot Core Bullets

Bob Nelson 35Whelen · Thursday at 12:04 AM

Linkerman said:
I started loading Speer Hot Core bullets over the summer for practice rounds and have been very impressed with the results on paper. I have found them to shoot exceptionally well, very accurate, not powder sensitive (although some like other powders and charges a bit better than others), overall a very easy and accurate bullet to load. Have any of you guys hunted with them? If so what did you hunt and how did they perform on game animals? I know, I know, I know……..that there are MUCH BETTER options, such as Barnes TTSX, Barnes TXS, Nosler Partition, Nosler Accubond etc.. But I am just curious how the Hot Cores have performed on game.

264 Win mag; 140 grains
270 Win; 130 grains
7mm-08; 130 grains
7mm Rem Mag; 145 grains
30-06; 165 grains
300 Win Mag; 180 grains

@Linkerman
Nothing wrong with Speer hotcore as game projectiles.
Ive used them in 25 cal and they drop fallow deer on the spot.
My son has used them in 150 &180 gn on pigs and they worked very well.
My mate Greg uses then in 308 in 150,165 and 180grain weights and has no complaints from anything he shoots
They are a cost effective very accurate hunting bullet for soft skinned game in my book.
Bob

Bob Nelson 35Whelen · Thursday at 12:09 AM

Gomer said:
I use a lot of cup and core bullets. I’ve had great luck getting Hot-Cors to shoot well. I agree with @sgt_zim that using heavy-for caliber versions at milder velocities is the best bet. I took a cow elk with a 160gr Hot Cor fired out of my 7x57 at 2600 fps. Shot was about 125 yards, broadside. She stumbled a
few yards and went down. I was surprised to find an exit wound.

@Gomer I can tell you a 250gn 35 cal Speer hotcore started out at 2,700fps puts a decent hole out the other side of an 89kg pig at a bit over 100yards.
Bob

Bob Nelson 35Whelen · Thursday at 4:07 PM

Linkerman said:
Thanks for the input guys. I am definitely not chasing speed. I usually start with the “standard for caliber weight” bullets which are typically on the lighter side. I start all of my loads at the starting charge weight and if they shoot well at near published speeds I am done, I don’t hot rod my loads. Next I will try some of the Hot Core heavy for caliber loads at starting published charges to see how they shoot. Anyhow, just rambling now…….just thought that the Hot Cores shot very well for an inexpensive bullet.

@Linkerman
I can tell you at 200 yards the 25 cal hundred grainer is a hand grenade when started out at 3,600fps.
Fallow deer I have shot with them have dropped on the spot. Not very meat friendly.
Closer than that at those speeds they may or may not work but at longer ranges brilliant.
Bob

Mue322 · Friday at 5:10 AM

Plenty of guys have taken deer, elk, pigs, and even moose with the exact weights you’re running. Classic results expand, punch through or stop deep with a good mushroom, animals usually drop quick or go a short distance. Exit wounds common on broadside shots, which helps tracking.

They’re a solid cup and core that holds together better than most cheap soft points as long as you don’t light them up past 2,900–3,000 fps impact. At normal hunting ranges and velocities they do the job without drama.

Not a premium bonded or mono, but for the price and accuracy you’re seeing?

LeftySixgun · Friday at 8:28 AM

Some friends out west have used and field tested several bullets over the years. They have told me that HotCors are very good and close to bonded bullets.
I have called Speer asking questions about their HotCors. They have told me on a few different occasions that HotCors are as close to a bonded bullet you can get with out the action chemical bonding process. They said the heat from pouring the core kinda bonds/starts to bond to the jacket.
I hope to have some field experience this coming deer season. Although, I don’t expect to see the actual bullet shot. Our deer aren’t very big or heavy.
I have enjoyed the results I’ve seen on paper so far, especially for the price.

Speer Hot Core Bullets

Bob Nelson 35Whelen

Bob Nelson 35Whelen

Bob Nelson 35Whelen

Mue322

LeftySixgun

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