That's a great example and it's true. The 300 Savage, with 150 grain cup and core bullets is doing and working with what it was designed for.
any recent experiences with Speer Hot Core bullets?
- Thread starter Pat Brennan
- Start date
That's a great example and it's true. The 300 Savage, with 150 grain cup and core bullets is doing and working with what it was designed for.
Just for full disclosure on my go-to rifle this year for Deer/Moose, which has not been successful for all sorts of reasons, mostly just not spotting the animal I would like to put in the freezer.
This year, I am using an 8x57Js chambered 98 action Mauser rifle, with a custom stock, built in the style and weight that was popular 70 years ago.
The action was drilled and tapped before it came to me. The barrel is an NOS from 1938 and it will shoot the bullets I'm presently loading into sub-moa groups, from the bench, and sub-3moa groups offhand, if I do my part at 100 yds.
I guess I could do some work on the stock and bring out the incredible grain and I could recut the Milspec profile of the barrel but I like it as is. The trigger is a double set trigger, taken from a Brno whose owner wanted something better.
With a bit of fiddling, a double set trigger can be adjusted to a 2–3-pound let off, and the rear (set) trigger will work like a safety, in such a way that it's impossible to pull the front trigger without setting the rear trigger. Very handy.
When I put this rifle together a few years ago, I did it simply because I'm blessed with a rather large supply of 8mm bullets, ranging from 170-200 grain.
Sierra, Norma, and Speer make up 90% of them.
One thing that is definitely a plus for this rifle is that it will safely propel 8mm 196grn Oryx and Speer 200grn Hot core 8mm bullets at slightly over 2600fps with the powders I have on hand. I could likely squeeze a bit more out of it but why??? How dead is dead and when the load shoots to the desired point of aim consistently without any surprises????
Both of these bullets are built in the same manner. The lead composite cores, which are not just pure lead are "poured" into the cups and swaged after.
This makes for exceptionally strong bonding.
There was a time when it was next to impossible to get Speer or Norma bullets in Canada and it was even difficult to find them in the US.
They were making them in quantity, but the US and European/Australian markets were getting the Lion's share.
I've always liked them. They are the premium bullets of the cup and core style IMHO.
This year, I am using an 8x57Js chambered 98 action Mauser rifle, with a custom stock, built in the style and weight that was popular 70 years ago.
The action was drilled and tapped before it came to me. The barrel is an NOS from 1938 and it will shoot the bullets I'm presently loading into sub-moa groups, from the bench, and sub-3moa groups offhand, if I do my part at 100 yds.
I guess I could do some work on the stock and bring out the incredible grain and I could recut the Milspec profile of the barrel but I like it as is. The trigger is a double set trigger, taken from a Brno whose owner wanted something better.
With a bit of fiddling, a double set trigger can be adjusted to a 2–3-pound let off, and the rear (set) trigger will work like a safety, in such a way that it's impossible to pull the front trigger without setting the rear trigger. Very handy.
When I put this rifle together a few years ago, I did it simply because I'm blessed with a rather large supply of 8mm bullets, ranging from 170-200 grain.
Sierra, Norma, and Speer make up 90% of them.
One thing that is definitely a plus for this rifle is that it will safely propel 8mm 196grn Oryx and Speer 200grn Hot core 8mm bullets at slightly over 2600fps with the powders I have on hand. I could likely squeeze a bit more out of it but why??? How dead is dead and when the load shoots to the desired point of aim consistently without any surprises????
Both of these bullets are built in the same manner. The lead composite cores, which are not just pure lead are "poured" into the cups and swaged after.
This makes for exceptionally strong bonding.
There was a time when it was next to impossible to get Speer or Norma bullets in Canada and it was even difficult to find them in the US.
They were making them in quantity, but the US and European/Australian markets were getting the Lion's share.
I've always liked them. They are the premium bullets of the cup and core style IMHO.
elmer not recommending fast ... it was certainly not on his daily mind lol but other than that i fully agree.
Since the supply issues, my cabinet seems to be Prvi for Centerfire, Aguila for Rimfire and Speer for Bulk Bullets.
No issues for shooting. Haven't used them on Game as have gone unleaded in the interest of domestic harmony for Hunting.
No issues for shooting. Haven't used them on Game as have gone unleaded in the interest of domestic harmony for Hunting.
Hot Cores are made with a molten core, but they aren’t bonded. Common mistake though.
That by itself doesn’t make them good or bad, just ordinary. What’s so terribly wrong with ordinary? Most of what gets done with a hunting bullet isn’t particularly special.
That by itself doesn’t make them good or bad, just ordinary. What’s so terribly wrong with ordinary? Most of what gets done with a hunting bullet isn’t particularly special.
The 235 grain 375 is a bit of a sleeper, fast killer of North American sized game and a trajectory similar to a 300 with run of the mill factory loads. Adds a lot of utility to an H&H, provided it isn’t too heavy to carry a lot and shoot a little.
Hmm, I would think that the molten lead would bond to the copper jackets in a very similar manner as ''soldering'' two pipe joints together.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Flux
They did it to avoid voids between the jacket and core. I just hacksawed through one lengthwise, which is harder than it sounds and pulled it apart. Yeah; I have that kind of time.
Not a hint of tinning.When I solder pipe a joint is not a forgone conclusion. My bullets don't solder themselves into my moulds either.
I can text someone the pictures if they want to post them. PM a number.
They did it to avoid voids between the jacket and core. I just hacksawed through one lengthwise, which is harder than it sounds and pulled it apart. Yeah; I have that kind of time.
When I solder pipe a joint is not a forgone conclusion. My bullets don't solder themselves into my moulds either.
I can text someone the pictures if they want to post them. PM a number.
Here’s the picture.
Attachments
They did it to avoid voids between the jacket and core. I just hacksawed through one lengthwise, which is harder than it sounds and pulled it apart. Yeah; I have that kind of time.
When I solder pipe a joint is not a forgone conclusion. My bullets don't solder themselves into my moulds either.
I can text someone the pictures if they want to post them. PM a number.
Thanx for the pics. As Pminer mentions FLUX and I would have thought they might have used it.
One of the reasons you found it a bit difficult to saw through is that the lead isn't pure and neither is the copper.
You don't coat your molds???
I realize that the molds are supposed to be cooler than molten lead, so that it won't "stick" but I usually use a bit of spray on release agent when I'm casting.
Biggest problem with sectioning the bullets with a saw was the vice squeezed the cut down and grabbed the blade. Back off the vice and the bullet would slip out. I sort of flipped it this way and that way and got through. Normally if I want to see what the cross section of a bullet looks like I just use my belt grinder.
I've never coated a mould, unless smoke counts. Maybe I should try it sometime.
I've never coated a mould, unless smoke counts. Maybe I should try it sometime.
My son and I shot 3 moose with the 300 H&H Magnum, using the Speer 200 grain Hot core
bullets. Shots were from 75 yards to 230 yards. All did well, only one bullet recovered, and
it had stayed in one piece. EE.
bullets. Shots were from 75 yards to 230 yards. All did well, only one bullet recovered, and
it had stayed in one piece. EE.
You're not alone. Smoke works well and some casters I know like to hold their molds over the lead pot when they add flux or wood chips to the mix.
I use a high heat mold release agent, mostly because I have a half case on hand and little bit goes a long way. It was designed for temps up around 850 F and to start giving shiny surfaces at lower temps, when blowing out molten glass into commercial containers.
I got used to its consistent ease of use and haven't stopped using it over the past 50 years or so.
That's been pretty much my experience with Speer Hot Core bullets in every caliber I've used, from 22 to 375
Different bullet, but an FYI
I shot two deer this season with Speer impacts out of a 6.5PRC - 3100fps
One blew right thru lungs at 350yds, lotsa blood, 2.5" exit - obviously no bullet
Next was 200 yds thru shoulder knuckle then thru blade on far side, stuck in hide. bullet was mangled, but still had 2 of the 5 pedals and weighed 82/140gr. Impressive.
Half the price of an Accubond.
I shot two deer this season with Speer impacts out of a 6.5PRC - 3100fps
One blew right thru lungs at 350yds, lotsa blood, 2.5" exit - obviously no bullet
Next was 200 yds thru shoulder knuckle then thru blade on far side, stuck in hide. bullet was mangled, but still had 2 of the 5 pedals and weighed 82/140gr. Impressive.
Half the price of an Accubond.
