I've been reading these and plenty of other forums for awhile about hunting, reloading, etc. And it is obvious we all have favorite bullets for various reasons. I know I do.

However, Speer bullets seem to be at the bottom of the list that I read about from the most popular and common brands: Nosler, Sierra, Hornady, Swift, and Speer. I know there's others, but I think these are really the most common.

Why do you all suppose there's so little posted about these bullets? I've had good success with their accuracy and performance on game. I admit it's not my favorite bullet, but for no real reason. I simply like others more. For deer, I really cannot argue that anything else is needed for deer sized game than a plain jane Speer hot core.

Maybe I'll do a poll.

Speer, essentially, has been out-innovated and out-marketed by the others.

As part of the "blount" family, and their successive series of owners since, there was not a lot of money for investment, improvement or marketing.

No flashy plastic tips, no super duper bonded bullet, not pizzaz. Perhaps even a bit lower quality due to minimally maintained machines.

Fortunately, ATK (the current owner) has chosen to put substantial amounts of money into the outfit, and there are several very innovative Speer/Federal products coming out (the Fusion bullet, for example). Machines are being upgraded, and the employees seem to be walking a little taller these days.

I'm expecting good things to come out of Lewiston over the next couple of years..... JMO, Dutch.

In my case, I use bullets for the bench and the premimum game bullets. I have used the grand slam, but the company offers little in the way of either type of bullet. What they do offer is a cheap bullet if you want to throw a lot of lead in the air, but thats not what I am looking for.
I like more options, so hopefully the new management can make some changes.

I "wish" I could like Speers... the HotCore's would make a great practice companion to NP's (and deer bullet)... I've just never been able to get them to group in my rifles, try as I might. I did pick up a box of 250's for my 350 Rem Mag... perhap's these will be the exception?

I've used Speer HotCores extensively for whitetails in both my .243 and 6mm Remington. The bullets have performed flawlessly thus far. As far as larger game, i.e. mule deer through elk, my larger caliber rifles prefer other bullets for some reason. As a result on mule deer on up to big elk I have always used Nosler Partitions.

Speers gold dot is my favorite jacketed hollow point for handgun loads and calibers. I also use the .308 130gn hollow point it shoots well in one of my varmint guns and is priced right.

Although I haven't had the chance to load them yet, I recently took notice of Speer's reasonable price on a lot of different bullets (specifically the 7mm 145 HPBT) and am looking forward to sending a few down range in my 7mm-08. High hopes for now...

I actually have better accuracy in several of my rifles using Speer HC than Hornady's. They are mostly a practice bullet for me, especially since the GS went to a more conventional cup/core design.

There was a mention that Speer finally got a bullet comparator. In the past I have had some Speer bullets that did not group well in accurate rifles so I never even considered them for competition. I do read however that some use Speers .224" bullets for varmints now.

On big game Speers bullets have done very well for me as long as they are matched to the game and impact velocity.

Speer went in circles with the Grand Slam and have made little effort in the way of innovations. Blount seems to be a collection of cash cows.

There was a mention that Speer finally got a bullet comparator. In the past I have had some Speer bullets that did not group well in accurate rifles so I never even considered them for competition. I do read however that some use Speers .224" bullets for varmints now.

On big game Speers bullets have done very well for me as long as they are matched to the game and impact velocity.

Speer went in circles with the Grand Slam and have made little effort in the way of innovations.

An awful lot of speculation on this thread but I get the distinct impression very few have actually tried them. They're not as big into advertising and hype as some but if you need a job done the old fashioned boring way with consistency, the Grand Slam gets it done every time. Too many hunters I see get caught up in keeping up with the Joneses instead of just getting it done.

I've tried the GS in my 300 and 7 Mag and two different "regular" speers in my 243 and I could never get acceptable accuracy compared to other brands.

I have used Speer Hotcores in 150grn in my .308 for deer for many years. They seem a little soft for Reds as they rarely exit but kill them all the same...for our smaller deer they work well; borely consistant as someone else said..

I don't see the need for a Premium bullet for deer and even if I were to build a load especially for Reds I would probably just step up a weight..

I think Speers problem is that they are just not "sexy"...Like "magnum mania" in rifles I think there is a trend for "premium mania" too, probably caused by shooting a magnum in the first place!

Regards,

Pete

I have shot a lot of speer bullets matter of fact that is what Iam shooting in my 416 now their 350 gr mag tip.

They seem to work as well as any other conventional hunting bullet and for most game that is all one needs.

I think a lot of it goes back a long ways. 30 years ago, Speer simply did not have a really good bonded bullet. They never got into the accuracy crowd with any real depth either. I used to buy their plinking bullets, but even the accuracy on those was questionable, at least in my rifles.

Today they do have the Grand Slam. But when you compare price, it simply does not make sense to go with them for a premium hunting bullet when there are so many good options available.

Finally, many of the other bullet makers seem to have formed alliances with the ammunition makers. It is now possible to buy fully loaded ammunition that uses Nosler, etc.

I wish they would find a good niche. But despite all this, they are still around, so someone must be using them.

120gr Hot Core in a 257AI; 145gr Hot Core in a 280 and 7Mag; 120gr BT in a 25/06...been using them for decades and they've always worked great! Sooooo...don't tell anyone that they are great bullets, they might raise the price!

Oh yeah, the 120gr Hot Core is shooting great in my new 25WSSM, also.

I have used them for years in my hunting rifles and consider them tougher than Hornady's or Sierra bullets. The heavy for caliber bullets hold together real well and the aforementioned 150 grain 30 caliber Hotcor is my favorite deer bullet and it has taken many Mule deer for me with mostly exits on them.

I use the Speer TNT 90 gr. in my 260 and the 125 TNT in my 308. They have been very accurate and consistent through several different lots in my rifles. And both of them blow big holes in coyotes. I have also shot some of their 168 gr. HPBT Match bullets in my 308's and they shot pretty well, but not as good as the Sierra MatchKings. No complaints with the old Speer flat base 180 gr out a 308 either. Kills deer well for me.

RBRN

I prefer Sierra bullets for accuracy, utilizing their match bullets, and their varmint bullets and their hollow points. When it comes to a softpoint bullet Sierra is at the bottom of my list.

I think a lot of us use Hornady because they are available at a reasonable price. I for one prefer a Speer, if the bullets being compared in the same bullet weight, say 160 grain in a 7 mm or some sort, I will buy the Speer any day.

The only "premium bullet" I ever spend money one is the Nosler Partitions and Ballistic tips, but I really don't feel that I gain tons comparing a 160 grain partition and a 160 grain Speer Mag tip.

I love most of Speers bullets! And instead of all the new trendy stuff, they and all the other bullet makers can bring back the old Round Noses and Semi Pointed bullets and I would be a happy camper!

Cheers
seafire

I will be using the Speer TBBC 400 gn solids in my 416 Rigby in Tanzania this July for buff. They hit to the exact point of aim as my 400 gn NP's, and the TBBC is very very accurate out of my Ruger RSM. I like them alot...........JJ

Hey Doc, I’ve had just excellent performance with the Speer Hot-Cor, Boat Tail, Mag Tip and Grand Slam bullets over many years. And I can say the same thing for the Original Fred Barnes bullets, Hornady, Nosler, Remington, Sierra and Winchester jacketed bullets.

Most of the time the Speer bullets are very accurate in my rifles, but occasionally there is a specific rifle that just won’t shoot the specific bullet I want to use with enough accuracy to meet my requirements. The really strange thing is you might try those exact same bullets in another rifle of the same caliber and have them shoot great in it. (Same is true for all bullet brands.)

I don’t take Gut Shots(raking) or shots at the Wrong End(aft) on unwounded game, so my thoughts are based on that criteria. For people that do use those shots, a Premium Bullet gives them a much better chance at making a recoverable kill than any Standard Grade bullet.

Typically Standard Bullets will work for about 95% of the shots I really want to take. A Premium allows me to take perhaps another 3% that I usually pass on now. And I just have to smile at the last 2% knowing the game walks irregardless of the bullet or rifle.

When people have a Bullet Problem I’ve found it is generally due to:
1. The bullet is too "light in weight" for the specific shot being attempted and can result in poor penetration.
2. The Impact Velocity is too "high" for the design envelope of the specific bullet and can result in poor penetration.
3. The bullet is being used for something it was never intended for and can result in poor penetration or no expansion at all as it passes through.
4. Poor accuracy.

The next problems are often attributed to the bullet. In reality they are not bullet problems, but Trigger Yanker problems.
5. Poor placement.
6. Impact with an unseen twig, limb, etc. prior to reaching the game.

By using Premium Bullets, the first three are reduced to a level where they are never an actual issue. Or the person could stick with Standard Bullets, study the design and use the proper Standard Bullet within it’s performance envelope without problems.

There are situations where I simply prefer a different Standard Grade bullet over a Speer. Like the 35cal 200gr Hornady SP or the 22cal 50gr Remington PLHP. Both of those bullets have killed so well, over many years, that I have a lot of confidence in them.

quote:

Why do you all suppose there's so little posted about these bullets?

I would suspect it is because the people that use them are happy with the results and have no great desire to brag on how well a regular old-design(well proven), Standard Grade bullet works for them. Tends to make them look out of step with the latest and greatest hype.

Typically all that does is invite people to say how much better the bullet they are using is. Perhaps the responder had the first one mentioned not perform as they expected it would for them and/or don’t understand the 4 things concerning Bullet Problems. But it doesn’t matter. In their situation, the bullet they prefer might actually be better for the conditions and game where they use it.

Doc,
I like Speer bullets. I have taken deer, antelope, and one elk with them. I think some of the other posters have hit on the answer. They don't have the flash that other bullets have and they are boringly consistent. Have you ever seen what a 85 gr. Speer BTSP out of a .243 does to a prairie dog? It flat scrambles them. The same load is also very effective on antelope too. One shot produces some mighty fine eating. Just my $.02 worth.

I only saw one response about the trophy bonded bear claw (everyone else is of the opinion that speer doesn't make a premium bullet). A bullet I would think the equivalent of any premium bullet on the market. I have no experience with them because they also seem to be the most expensive bullet on the market (more than a buck a piece!) If the price were more competitive with say a barnes or even swift, more of us would have stories and opinions about them. I have one box (of 25 of course) that I am hesitant to shoot because they are worth their weight in gold.

Well, I do not know the full history of the Trophy bonded Bear Claw bullet but I was under the impression that it was not DESIGNED by Speer. Speer just bought the design and began producing it some time ago.

Therefore, I do not consider it a "Speer" bullet.

I may be wrong about its history.

And, for the game I hunt, I do not see myself spending over a dollar per bullet anytime anywhere. Barnes and Swift is as expensive as I'll go. Until I see firm evidence that shows me that an A Frame or a Triple Shock cannot handle the task at hand, I will never try a TBBC.

Just my thoughts.

Doc- Last year I shot 6 plainsgame animals in Namibia using 285 grain Grand Slams in my .375 H & H. All animals died with one shot. 5 bullets went completely through the shoulders of warthog, Oryx, Kudu, Wildebeest and Red Hartebeest. The only bullet I recovered was from my Zebra which was a 170 yard shot into the chest. The bullet was recovered in a wad of grass in the stomach. I have not weighed it but looks like it retained a great deal of weight with a perfect mushroom.

I am favorably impressed with the Grand Slam and will be using them again on African game this year.

John

The Speer 50 gr TNT HP is one of the best shooting bullets out of my Savage and CZ .223s. Over 27 gr of H-335, it just plain liquifies ground squirrels, and groups under a half-inch.

From the Speer sight(Designed by renowned big game hunter Jack Carter, Bear Claw bullets combine deep penetration, maximum and fast expansion, and incredibly high retained weights. The jacket is machined from gilding metal, producing a cavity for a front core, and a solid rear shank for integrity. .)

I have used the Trophy Bonded in my 270 on Elk and Deer and it is second to none in penetration including the Noslers on Elk.My choice in the .270 for Elk.I also use the Speer Unicores in my .454 and it also is one tough bullet.I have yet had it come apart on me when the Cor-Bon 300 JSP has.

If I wasn't happy with the 180/200 Noslers in my .300 Win Mag,The Trophy Bonded would be my next bullet for it from what I have seen from the .270.

Jayco

quote:

Originally posted by Calif. Hunter:
The Speer 50 gr TNT HP is one of the best shooting bullets out of my Savage and CZ .223s. Over 27 gr of H-335, it just plain liquifies ground squirrels, and groups under a half-inch.

A lot of people are having good results with the 50 grs, .224 cal TNTs. And what is more, they are sold at very reasonable prices these days.

I have used GS 285 grs (or so?) in my .375 H&H with good results on game as heavy as musk-ox. Though, I have to admit the number of animals I have shot with that bullet hardly constitutes a statistically significant sample.
- mike

I've only bought one flavor of Speer anything in more than 20 years! I like the 52gr. FBHP for the mini-14.

I didn't like what they did out of a 30-06 years back and have had no reason to try them since. The Sierra's and Hornady's are good "soft" bullets.

I guess in answering the question,.....no, they're not well liked. Nate

I have or am using them in 30/06 180 gr rn, 9.3x62 270 gr spitzer and the 45/70 400 gr flat nose (used that at various times). I have found the 180 gr rn's to be quite hard and the 400 gr 45/70 and 270 gr 9.3 to be fairly soft. For there purpose I do not see anything wrong with them. Oh I have also used the 235 gr .375 bullet. They are a bit cheaper than hornady's and sierra's here in oz.

PC,

Have you recovered a 270 gr Speer 9.3 from game yet? How deep did it penetrate, and how much weight did it retain? Did it break up?

Thanks!

I like the assessment that 500grains makes- I shoot the 270 grain Speer in my 9.3x64. Its the ONLY reasonably priced 9.3 bullet out there, while testing the new rifle, I shot several through a cottonwood stump at 25 yds. They were perfectly mushroomed, retained 78- 85% of their original weight, and penetrated well.

I also shoot the 130gr. spitzer BT in my .280 Remington. I wish they made heavier bullets in each diameter.

Hit a hog last year with a 270 gr Speer fired from a 9,3x74R at about 2250 fps. Range was about 70 yards, Impact was behind the shoulder. Bullet veared badly and exited on the other side in the front of the back leg ... traversing the entire gut.

The entry and exit wounds had chunks of bullet core in them.

Saw a similar thing with Whitetails the same season.

These are too soft to shoot at game. Used 286 gr Nosler partitions at 2425 from a 9,3x62 in Africa last year. Performance was stellar! Instant drops on Warthog and Zebra. 95's amaxing to see a Zebra go down on its kn ees.) The Wildebeast and Impala bolted but did not go far. The Kudu had obviously not read "The perfect Shot."

The Nosler also worked just fine on deer ... even at the lower velocity provided by the 9,3x74R.

quote:

Originally posted by 375 AI:

Today they do have the Grand Slam. But when you compare price, it simply does not make sense to go with them for a premium hunting bullet when there are so many good options available.

I have used the grand slams with much success in the 0.300 caliber (300 Wthby and 300 WSM). This past winter, I shot several deer using both the "new" Hornady Interbond and the Speer Grand Slam. In all cases, the GS outperformed the IB in retention, penetration, and knockout. The Hornady IB shoots a bit better groups for me but nothing that would make me use it again for hunting - I have had several (more than three) fail on deer.

Also, I don't believe that a product has to be high priced for it to be effective. I put the GS in that category. I do consider the GS a premium hunting bullet and one that is of good value.

Doug

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
PC,

Have you recovered a 270 gr Speer 9.3 from game yet? How deep did it penetrate, and how much weight did it retain? Did it break up?

Thanks!

500 I have only shot thin skinned stuff and have not recovered a bullet even after smashing through some heavy spine and hips............there was some evidence that there was some bullet fragmentation but I still had exits on the dozen or so animals I have shot. It definitely is not a bullet for srub bulls or buff granted but for pigs, deer etc. no drama's especially seeing as the speeds of the 9.3x62 do not set the world on fire.