Speer bullets
- Thread starter Ranger Dave
- Start date
Have been using 85gr Speer boat tails for years in the .243...Accurate and deadly...I normally use Sierra in most other calibers but they don't make a sleek boat tail in 85gr.
In the 270 and 30-06 I have used both the Speer and Sierra boat tails and have found the two brands interchangeable as far as performance...Speer publishes higher ballistic coefficients then Sierra but at normal hunting ranges I have never found the Speer bullets flatter or harder hitting.
In the 270 and 30-06 I have used both the Speer and Sierra boat tails and have found the two brands interchangeable as far as performance...Speer publishes higher ballistic coefficients then Sierra but at normal hunting ranges I have never found the Speer bullets flatter or harder hitting.
I used speer bullets in everything with excellent results until I couldn't find them anymore. It seems not many places stock them like they used to. Even if you can find them they have discontinued some of the best ones ever on the market like the trophy bonded bear claws and the deep curl. My favourite varmint bullets in 224 and 243 are the tnt's they go in but don't come out so hardly ever any hide damage on coyotes.
Grand Slams are very underrated bullets and are getting to be somewhat hard to come by. I used them for years in the .300 Win mag with great effect and have used them in the .30-06 and .243 as well. Haven't recovered too many as they have been great penetrators.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Have used the Speer HotCor 165 grain flat base in my 308 Winchester for years - as per Speer Manual, 2800 fps with RL15. Has taken couple dozen whitetails, several mule deer and two elk - a cow and a spiker bull. Stocked up on them a few years ago, so good for a while...
I liked the Grand Slams but recently the price has crept up to the point where they are now priced within a couple bucks of Accubonds and are more expensive (by a fair bit) than Hornady Interbonds - both of which I (personally) find to be superior bullets both in accuracy and terminal performance.
The (regular) Speer Boat tails I find pretty interchangeable with the (regular) Sierra's, so I buy whatever is in stock when I need them (and both are good enough for deer if you are not a "premium" junkie).
The (regular) Speer Boat tails I find pretty interchangeable with the (regular) Sierra's, so I buy whatever is in stock when I need them (and both are good enough for deer if you are not a "premium" junkie).
I switched from using Nosler to Speer years ago. Not sure why, but my rifles seem to prefer Speer bullets in general, and their performance on game has been outstanding, especially given the price comparison. Since then, I have used everything from their match bullets, their varmint soft points, their famous .224" 52 grain hollow point, their Grand Slams, their BTSPs, their Hot Cors, and their now discontinued Deep Curls, all with great results.
Unfortunately, I would be lying if I said I didn't have beef with Speer as of late; I was disappointed that they came out with the awesome idea of making an affordable bonded bullet (Deep Curl) only to drop the idea years later after they had already claimed it was essentially going to take over their whole bullet lineup (and I had spent many days of tedious load development with them). Not only that, but their availability and pricing has been dissipating and increasing, respectively, in the last few years. Maybe there are justifiable reasons that I am just not aware of, but I find it hard to cope with. I have been waiting for a 15th edition manual for quite some time, and I can only imagine it has been held back considerably due to their constant backtracking. I can only hope they know what they are doing, and are still focused on progressing. Oops, ranting.
All in all though, good bullets.
Unfortunately, I would be lying if I said I didn't have beef with Speer as of late; I was disappointed that they came out with the awesome idea of making an affordable bonded bullet (Deep Curl) only to drop the idea years later after they had already claimed it was essentially going to take over their whole bullet lineup (and I had spent many days of tedious load development with them). Not only that, but their availability and pricing has been dissipating and increasing, respectively, in the last few years. Maybe there are justifiable reasons that I am just not aware of, but I find it hard to cope with. I have been waiting for a 15th edition manual for quite some time, and I can only imagine it has been held back considerably due to their constant backtracking. I can only hope they know what they are doing, and are still focused on progressing. Oops, ranting.
All in all though, good bullets.
I prefer Speer Gold Dot pistol bullets, I hand these arrangements out to the people at the range that keep shooting and shooting and hold me up from checking my targets.
(My $19.95 Tasco spotting scope fogged up so I have to walk to the target boards to check the targets)
(My $19.95 Tasco spotting scope fogged up so I have to walk to the target boards to check the targets)
Trade Ex has them. $33.50/box.
I've been loading 285 grand slams in my 375h&h on paper they group good in the wind out to 200. I also tried out some 160 bear claws this week end in one of my 7 rem mags. I bought a few boxes at wss when they had their clearance sale this winter I thought they were boxes of 50 so I only have half as many as I thought which will hurt my load development to keep some for hunting.
Snakehunter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Kenora, Ontario
I second the previous posters frustration with the "Deep Curl" situation. I tinkered with 165gr. loads in my .300 Winmag and when I got a load I really liked I couldn't get more bullets!
I've only used the 52gr varmint bullets. I loaded some up for my 223AI to fire form brass and get sighted in. Was getting frustrated when I couldn't get them on paper. I noticed some bullets splashing in odd places so I tried some 5.56 Norinco ammo. Few shots later, I'm on paper. Switch back to the Speer Varmints and again can't find poi. So I set up a round in the chamber, set the rifle on target and sat up to watch what was going on. After watching the first two shots, I recorded the cause of my grief.
Approximately 20 yards out, "poof" goes the jacket. I didn't think I was pushing them very hard. I picked a load 3/4 up the load data for a regular 223 and went with that to fire form and sight in.
Not bashing their stuff, just my experience.
Approximately 20 yards out, "poof" goes the jacket. I didn't think I was pushing them very hard. I picked a load 3/4 up the load data for a regular 223 and went with that to fire form and sight in.
Not bashing their stuff, just my experience.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
I've been using Speer bullets since I was a teenager reloading for my .270.
I've never had a problem with them besides supplies coming and going.
I still use them extensively in most every caliber I shoot.
Just good old, reliable, cup and core bullets at a resonable price keeps me coming back year after year.
I've never had a problem with them besides supplies coming and going.
I still use them extensively in most every caliber I shoot.
Just good old, reliable, cup and core bullets at a resonable price keeps me coming back year after year.
I prefer Speer Gold Dot pistol bullets, I hand these arrangements out to the people at the range that keep shooting and shooting and hold me up from checking my targets.
(My $19.95 Tasco spotting scope fogged up so I have to walk to the target boards to check the targets)
Ah yes. The guy who needs to go downrange every 5 minutes to check his target.
There's one at every range.
