I'm looking for an inexpensive alternative to the 8mm 200gr Nosler Partitions, even if I just use them for practice. @ around $.80 a pop, it's hard to do much shooting W/the Partitions on my limited income. The Accubonds aren't a whole lot more affordable.

The Speer 200gr Hot Core bullets are close in OAL & the BC is not that far off from the Parttions. I'm hoping that they will shoot to a similar POI @ the same zero. They are about 1/2 the cost of the Partitions.

@ 2700 fps Mv they might even do just fine as far as terminal performance on medium to large game.

Does anyone have experience W/this particular bullet or any input as far as the Hot Core bullet line in general?

Are they acurate?

How do they perform on game @ moderate Mv?

Ive shot alot of them through my 8mag. There accurate and do well on game. I do prefer the partition though as it guarantees enough penetration if the shot happens to come a bit closer. My gun does not shoot them to the same point of aim though. I just looked in my loading log and have written in there that they shoot 2 inches higher and 3 inches to the left of the same load using partions. Now dont get discouraged as your gun will no doubt be different and you might get luck.

I loaded some last year for my Yugoslav 24/47 with the intent of taking a deer. They seemed to shoot fine at the range, but I have not shot a deer with the rounds. Since that time I have just been working up cast loads for 8mm Mauser. I believe that bullet is plenty soft for what you are wanting to do.

quote:

Originally posted by Lloyd Smale:
I do prefer the partition though as it guarantees enough penetration if the shot happens to come a bit closer. My gun does not shoot them to the same point of aim though. I just looked in my loading log and have written in there that they shoot 2 inches higher and 3 inches to the left of the same load using partions. Now dont get discouraged as your gun will no doubt be different and you might get luck.

At 8X57 Mv in the 2700 fps range, I think that they would hold together enough for penetration.

If they do shoot well, I may just use them instead of the P:artitions. I am getting 1/2" & smaller 3 shot groups @ 100 yds W/the Partitions though.

W/the Partitions costing what they do I'm sending a dollar bill down range every time I pull the trigger.

Based on the same reasoning I used them with a 8x75 RS, not loaded to it's full potential but rather, 8x57 level. They seem to be a little hard for roe but very good on boar.

After doing some research it seems that Speer is discontinuing the Hot Core line of bulets in 2011.

They are to be replaced by the "deep Curl" line of bonded bulklets.

Guess what? No offering of this new bullet line (@ this time)in 8mm!

quote:

Originally posted by wildcat junkie:
After doing some research it seems that Speer is discontinuing the Hot Core line of bulets in 2011.

They are to be replaced by the "deep Curl" line of bonded bulklets.

Guess what? No offering of this new bullet line (@ this time)in 8mm!

Have a good look at Hornady's interlocks in 200 grains.....very good stuff IMO.

Ahh.. Too bad... I just traded off 400 of these babies..

I used them to a limited extent some years ago in a K-98 on local pig populations.. Worked very well. Just as accurate as anything else. Held together with all being pass through s. Vel=2700fps. 125-175lb pigs.

Sadly, I could never get the Speer 200 grs SP bullet to shoot in any of my 8mm's. The Hornady 195 grs (I think?) SP was easier to get to shoot. YMMV...

- mike

quote:

Originally posted by mho:
Sadly, I could never get the Speer 200 grs SP bullet to shoot in any of my 8mm's. The Hornady 195 grs (I think?) SP was easier to get to shoot. YMMV...

- mike

Well, since the Speer 200 gr .323 Hot Core is going to be discontinued, I've alread decided to go W/the Hornady 195 gr .323. Interlock.

Your post is good news in that case.

I wouldn't worry about shooting game with the "hot-core" or the "interlocks". Both have performed well on plains game for me. I have not seen anything kill better than the "hot-core"..........Tom

the 195 interlock is a good 8mag bullet. Id use it myself but my gun just doesnt like it.

quote:

Originally posted by Lloyd Smale:
the 195 interlock is a good 8mag bullet. Id use it myself but my gun just doesnt like it.

What's the barel twist on "your gun"

Mine is the military twist, 1 in 8 3/4" I think.

I used the 200 grain hot core in a 338 win mag. Only shot deer with them but from looking at the wound channels I thought I would not hesitate to use them on larger game. Whats not to like about a quarter sized through and through hole. Except for one neck shot that left a softball sized exit after hitting the vertebrae dead center.

dont know off hand what the twist rate is in it. Its a bdl 8mag. i know it does fine with other 200 grain bullets though. It shoots partitions into less then an inch at a 100 yards.

I'd better stock up on the 105gr 6mms which have served me very well.

Buy up as many hotcore 200grainers as you can now, and stay with that bullet as long as you can. Best 8mm choice around. It's the only bullet I use for handloads in both 8x75RS and 8x57JRS. These are true big game bullets.