What is with Speer Hot Core bullets ?

powdergun

powdergun

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So I keep a supply of these and usually they end up getting used for break in of rifles and sighting in when I start with a new scope on a gun. As they are on the lower end of cost and are not considered premium or target I don't expect much. Typically I just put together a basic load and shoot away.

However, every time I start with these they print well under MOA at 100 yards. I first thought this is a coincidence but today it happened again on yet another rifle. ( five different guns so far)

So much for premium high end uber sleek and high priced bullets. I am thinking good old Speer Hot Cores may need some serious looking in to. Lol...
 
I have been using those in 165 grain since early 1980's - when a Sierra 165 SPBT totally "blew up" hitting a white tail doe on the spine - killed her dead, but I was not impressed by that bullet performance - as if I was an "expert", then. I do not get many tags a year - did not want to chance that again - have been using those Speer HotCor ever since in that 308 Win - quite acceptable accuracy on targets, and no complaints about performance on game. Many dozen mule deer and white tail, and a couple elk, will agree that they worked fine. Is less than 500 left - was not sure that I could get any more - Speer #2035

EDIT: 29-Apr-2022 - thank you to both CGN readers that PM'd to me with leads to retailers with Speer #2035 in stock - I now have some on the way, as per that retailer.
 
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Likewise for me regarding less costly bullets. I start load development with Nosler ballistic tips and then switch to Accubond once the right load is founded.
 
Nothing wrong with them at all, they're just effective as any other bullet for deer from what I've seen.

I've gone back to "cup and core" bullets myself, after witnessing several deer run off after being shot with so called premium bullets.

I've also seen premium bonded bullets retain less than 50% of their weight after being recovered from game,

I'll stick to tried and true C&C bullets from now on, at least for deer sized game, if I was hunting dangerous game, I might consider something else.
 
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I have shot several head of Game with Speer "Hot Core" bullets.
My second heaviest moose fell to a 30-06 shooting the 165 grain
Hot-Core. One shot, and done. For a C&C bullet, they generally
work fine as long as you do not chase them too hard. Dave.
 
I always liked the hot cores. Better than their boat tails. Almost a poor man's bonded bullet. Hold together amazingly well.

They are around. I would like to find a stash of 105gr 6mm hot cores. Shot incredible in my old 6mm rem.
 
I developed a “reduced” load with 235g hot-cor for my 375 ruger. About 2500fps and it shoots sub moa out to 200yrds.
Hope to put one into a bear this spring to see the results
 
I tried some 145 grain hotcores I had laying around in my combo 7x57r. I figured match an old school rifle with old school bullet. They shot so good I had to scramble around to find some more. Im hoping to bag a deer with em this year��
 
Speer hotcors are good bullets for the money. Shoot great and I've had good experience's the few times i got to harvest some game. Recovered one bullet, had great retention and held up well at close range.
 
Speer Hot Core bullets will work just fine in most cartridges, other than magnum cases, IMHO.

They aren't built to be pushed over 2900fps and start to become a bit fragile when they are pushed beyond that velocity.

With magnum velocities, they still work good as long as your shots are at least 150 yards out there and velocities have dropped below 3000fps.

My biggest problem with Speer bullets, is that they can be difficult to find on short notice.

If you insist on hot rodding your loads, don't use Speer Hot Core.

If your loads are where the best performance is rated for the bullets, then Speer Hot Core bullets will do what they're designed to do with extremely reliable results.

If you think you can make an exception, don't believe it.

Like any other device, once you start operating outside of its design parameters, you're looking for miracles and the real suffering is done by the game animal you shoot with them.
 
Isn't federal using speer hot-core in their factory 'american whitetail ' loads? Last year's deer had no complaints about the 140gr federal factory ammo, but I did get more consistent groups with 143gr ELDX in my 6.5 Creedmoor.
 
Hot core bullets are very uniform and punch above their weight. Shot my first elk with a .300 WM and 200 grain hot cores. Worked just fine. Like the Speers so much I then tried the Speer Grand Slams and found them to be even better.
 
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