Speer Hot Core Bullets

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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]

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