The Accurate Reloading Forums
Speer Grand Slams

This topic can be found at:
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3221043/m/3841008381

02 January 2013, 04:24
Dave Bush
Speer Grand Slams
Anyone shooting Grand Slams? I was thinking about trying them in .338. I remember they used to be dual core bullets. I tried them back then and had problems with accuracy but I don't think they have a dual core anymore, do they?


Dave
DRSS
Chapuis 9.3X74
Chapuis "Jungle" .375 FL
Krieghoff 500/.416 NE
Krieghoff 500 NE

"Git as close as y can laddie an then git ten yards closer"

"If the biggest, baddest animals on the planet are on the menu, and you'd rather pay a taxidermist than a mortician, consider the 500 NE as the last word in life insurance." Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading (8th Edition).
02 January 2013, 05:12
friarmeier
Dave, you're right, they no longer have a dual-core.

When they did, I tried some 150 gr. Factory Nitrex loads in my .270. They did not give me good accuracy either.

I have not tried the new single-core GSs.

Good luck,

friar


Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.
03 January 2013, 05:06
scottfromdallas
I hear they are good bullets, not the best BC. Now they are basically a hot core with a thick shank. Good design but I think they are a little overpriced for the way they are constructed. Speer took away the dual core and harder manufacturing process but kept the premium price.



03 January 2013, 10:31
Frank Martinez
I've been using the .375 GS for a while. It shoots very well in one of my Whitworth Rifles. I am testing it now in my RUM at considerably higher velocities.
Here is the info posted on the Midway site.
Frank

Product Information
Shop more Speer Bullets products Speer Grand Slam Bullets were developed to give hunters a tough, dependable bullet that would provide better integrity and retained weight retention over similar bullets. Since first being introduced in the 1970's the Grand Slam bullet has gained a reputation for providing hunters superior performance, exceptional accuracy and real knockdown power. The bullet has a tapered, precision-drawn jacket with internal flutes which are fused to the soft lead through the Hot-Cor process. This core fusion and jacket design help the bullet to deliver reliable, symmetrical, consistent expansion upon impact. The long nose profile helps to provide a flatter shooting bullet that will take down game at the edge of your rifles capability. This is not loaded ammunition.

Technical Information
Caliber: 375 Caliber
Bullet Diameter: .375"
Bullet Weight: 285 Grains
Bullet Length: 1.215"
Bullet Style: Grand Slam Soft Point
Bullet Coating: Non-Coated


Ballistics Information:
Sectional Density: 0.290
Ballistics Coefficient: 0.354
03 January 2013, 18:32
buckshot
quote:
Speer took away the dual core and harder manufacturing process but kept the premium price.


This has always been my criticism of Speer. I don't know if the modern rendition is better or not, don't care, and see no reason to replace the Sierra and Nosler bullets I'm happy with.
03 January 2013, 19:21
Doubless
Well, here I go again, being an outlyer on a thread...

I started shooting the Speer GS in both 270 and '06 well over 20 years ago, and have had nothing but exceptional accuracy as well as extremely good weight retention. I haven't tried any of the new ones, but I can't expect anything but improved accuracy with the new design. I can see where the pure lead nose and antimonial lead core in the original design could have caused some accuracy issues, since the projectile had to be "double poured".

I really hope they work for you. I have always thought the GS was an exceptional bullet when used as originally designed.
05 January 2013, 23:12
Atkinson
The 285 gr. Speer Grand Slam is/was as good a bullet as you could get in the .375....It never failed, was an accurate bullet..I suppose today with all the great bullets out there it just didn't sell????????? I loved them but I won't miss them since we have Woodleigh, North fork, GS Customs, Nosler partitions and still have the old Corelokt..


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
10 January 2013, 12:42
Walter Prociuk
The 250 grain Speer Grand Slam bullets in .338 diameter are fine bullets in a .338 Winchester magnum. They do open up, but I have never had a jacket separation in this calibre, this includes shots into earthen backstops at 100 yards. Because of this large frontal area, they do not penetrate as well as a Nosler Partition in a .338 Winchester. But they do hit very hard because of this.In my custom .338 Winchester, they are more accurate than any other 250 grain bullet I have tried. I like them and have found such powders as VV N-160, IMR 4350, Reloder 19, and other common powders work well.
10 January 2013, 16:56
Terry Blauwkamp
The "new" single core 225 GS has been a great bullet for me.


Remember, forgivness is easier to get than permission.
11 January 2013, 15:41
Wstrnhuntr
I personaly believe that the new GS is the same bullet as the old deep shok. (not deep curl). the deep shok was not around for long and the "new" GS appeared shortly after the DS went away, and the description of the two is identical.

I still have a box of the old DS bullets and they are an outstanding bullet. Like Hornadys and core locks, they have a fluted tip for good expansion at even low velocities and the shank is extra thick to keep it all together. I dont think speer would have done away with the old GS if they didnt have great confidence in the new ones. But unfortunatley, I do think they are price gouging with them. Precisley because they know it is a good product.

Another thing I like about the design is that the nose is fully protected by the long, fluted jacket tip. That helps accuracy by avoiding a distorted, exposed lead soft point.



AK-47
The only Communist Idea that Liberals don't like.
11 January 2013, 20:00
Blacktailer
Good bullets for thin skinned game.


Have gun- Will travel
The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark
11 January 2013, 20:38
Glen71
Have loaded 180gr 30 caliber Grand Slams for my brother's 300 Wby Mag for 15 years. He gets 3/4 MOA and one shot kills. It's the only bullet he has ever used in that rifle.
15 January 2013, 05:40
Longwalker
Not a .338 but I have used the 250 GS .358 bullet from several 35 whelens to take over a dozen elk, and a couple moose and a big caribou. Perfect performance on big critters. Good expansion and deep penetration, normally with an exit. Was very disappointed with them on deer, had a couple of very long tracking jobs with deer shot in the chest - they are just too hard for 2500 fps muzzle velocity to expand much on a deer. Ou of a .338 they may be more ideal for a variety of game.