Speer HotCors and BTSP

[byronick87]

Thanks for everyone’s input.
I’ll have to try the suggestions.
Maybe I’ll try and find the lower node.
In bumping the shoulder .002 every time on a hornady custom die set.
I just really want these speers to work really badly. Love a classic bullet in a classic cartridge.
I guess another question is of all powders listed: IMR 4064, H414, IMR and H4895
What would be your choice for 308 150/165gr
Cheers everyone

 

[bearhunter]

.308 Win 150gr Hotcor BTSP over 45gr Varget at 2.8” in Fed brass and CCI200 has worked very for me.

If your rifle likes Varget, it will love W748, identical burn rates but you can get 100fps more velocity at the same pressure and almost identical harmonics.

 

[jamesharrison]

Sounds like your rifle doesn't like BT bullets.

 

[bearhunter]

Thanks for everyone’s input.
I’ll have to try the suggestions.
Maybe I’ll try and find the lower node.
In bumping the shoulder .002 every time on a hornady custom die set.
I just really want these speers to work really badly. Love a classic bullet in a classic cartridge.
I guess another question is of all powders listed: IMR 4064, H414, IMR and H4895
What would be your choice for 308 150/165gr
Cheers everyone

If those are what you're stuck with IMR4064, will produce good velocities and the powder is similar in burn rate to what the 308Win was first loaded with. Harmonics should be much more manageable.

Harmonics can go awry very quickly in some barrels when pressures are at the top end. The odd rifle will settle down but they are one offs.

 

[bearhunter]

Sounds like your rifle doesn't like BT bullets.

That's a great observation and may be the answer.

 

[byronick87]

Sounds like your rifle doesn't like BT bullets.

Even the hotcors don’t group well tho. Flat base variant
Will report back with a change in powder charge

 

[Lastgun]

After reading the OP's post I was curious so I switched out 155gr SMK's with 150gr Hot Cors in a tack driver ATRS 308...The rifle shoots the SMK's sub half inch easily...My load is identical to Kyaker's in an earlier post except I use CCI 250's.

At 400 yards tonight in -20C conditions the SMK's grouped 2 inch and the Speer Hot Cors did just a hair over 4 inch and had very close to the same POI...I realise this was just a quick and simple comparison.

I'd say the Hot Cors are as advertised and are plenty accurate enough for hunting.

 

[remington jim]

Thanks for everyone’s input.
I’ll have to try the suggestions.
Maybe I’ll try and find the lower node.
In bumping the shoulder .002 every time on a hornady custom die set.
I just really want these speers to work really badly. Love a classic bullet in a classic cartridge.
I guess another question is of all powders listed: IMR 4064, H414, IMR and H4895
What would be your choice for 308 150/165gr
Cheers everyone

I shoot Varget and IMR4064 in my 308 BR rifle . Both give Great Accuracy . RJ

 

[jethunter]

The Hot Cores aren't match grade and aren't marketed as such. If shooting the smallest of small groups is what you enjoy about rifle shooting, then there are other (more expensive) bullets with higher potential to make you happy.

I have been shooting more hot cores lately for the simple reason they were available when nothing else was. And they work well on game if you don't push them too fast.

If you don't feel a need to wear out barrels developing a tenth of an inch smaller group, and like to practice for big game hunting from various field positions and distances, then the hot core will do nicely.

 

[boxhitch]

At 400 yards tonight in -20C conditions the SMK's grouped 2 inch and the Speer Hot Cors did just a hair over 4 inch and had very close to the same POI...I realise this was just a quick and simple comparison.

Like saying both apples and oranges are round

 

[legi0n]

indeed cup and core don't seem to like max loads
I backed up a bit and ...

 

[jethunter]

Like saying both apples and oranges are round

... so it is a true statement, then?

 

[ishelohim]

Long story short; I’ve had one hell of a time trying to get a solid consistent grouping out of my Speer hotcors and BTSP at 100 yds.
I’ve tried 150 hot cors
165 BTSP
180 BTSP
I’m around around 42-45 gr of varget in federal GMM brass and CCI 200 primers
I’ve tried them in my Sauer 100, m70, and tikka t3x
None of them were able to shoot the speers consistently
Am I going crazy?? I’ve had very good luck with them years ago when they were I the yellow and black packaging.

have their tolerances gone down? I doubt it but…

I really want them to work because I’ve had nothing but great luck with them and I’m a big fan of not overly complicated marketing.
Let me know your thoughts and findings!

With the 165 hotcor try 50-51gr h4350 and 49-50 gr with the 180 hotcor.

 

[Hitzy]

My go to target load for 308 and 168gn BTHP is 42.5 Varget, or 42 IMR 4064. Both run the same velocity with little tiny ES.
It's definitely on the slower lower node side, I gotta get up 46-47 to hit the upper, it's accurate, not as accurate as the lighter load, brass lasts lots longer down there.
I never bought a Speer bullet that didn't shoot well with some minor tweeking. I load to 2.800, don't get all caught up in that too much, it works.

 

[struff55]

After reading the OP's post I was curious so I switched out 155gr SMK's with 150gr Hot Cors in a tack driver ATRS 308...The rifle shoots the SMK's sub half inch easily...My load is identical to Kyaker's in an earlier post except I use CCI 250's.

At 400 yards tonight in -20C conditions the SMK's grouped 2 inch and the Speer Hot Cors did just a hair over 4 inch and had very close to the same POI...I realise this was just a quick and simple comparison.

I'd say the Hot Cors are as advertised and are plenty accurate enough for hunting.

please post pics of 400 ud groups

 

[Lastgun]

^^^ I'll get right on that...Never repainted the gong in the -30 degree weather we've been getting...HA.

 

[Lastgun]

Here are a couple 3 shot groups @ 400 yards out of 2 different rifles shooting 150gr HotCors...45gr Varget, Federal brass, CCI 250's...Ambient this evening was -20C.