What is this "Speer hot-core bullet" from Federal

Mike-in-WV · Post by **Mike-in-WV** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:08 am

Can anyone tell me what the difference is in these new bullets that Federal is offering in 20-20? I have shot and hunted with the Federal 170 gr Soft point RN but have no idea what this "Speer hot-core bullet is"or how it reacts or expands in Deer or Bear. Mike

"All of Federal's Classic rifle options are exclusively available under the Power-Shok name and the most popular big game cartridges now feature either jacketed soft point or speer hot-core bullets."

RSY · Post by **RSY** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:17 am

Go here and click on full story:

http://www.speer-bullets.com/default.as ... s2=7&s3=14

In actuality they're not that much better than regular old cup-n-core bullets.

John in MS · Post by **John in MS** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:42 pm

Federal used to buy a bunch of their bullets from Sierra years ago. When they and Speer became related companies, they switched many of their bullets from Sierras to Speers. You will see Federal .17 HMR ammo with Speer TNT's, etc. Sierra used to make a nifty 30 gr. hollowpoint .22 magnum bullet for Federal that was popular and accurate, but Federal dropped them, etc.
John

Mike-in-WV · Post by **Mike-in-WV** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:11 pm

Thanks guys, I still learn something new every day

Mike

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:35 pm

I use the hot cores in my 30/30. I have also used them in 308 the spitzers. I have done ok with them and they have a good BC in the 30/30 offering but I do know of a batch that landed in Britain of the spitzers that would seperate easily. I like them and know alot of folk that condemed them around these parts but I have killed plenty with them. Interestingly I bought some Hornadys and tried them on the same powder charge and could not believe the slower perfomance. The drop was alot more. I know- the load would need development but it did immpress on me what I was getting from the Speers

Mike-in-WV · Post by **Mike-in-WV** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:57 pm

Thanks Nath, That info really helps. I saved a couple of 170 gr. Federal 30-30 Power-shok soft point RN and after they did there job and they still were a perfect mushroom and had all the jacket in tact. It makes me wonder if there is really enough difference in all these "special loads and bullets" to switch for hunting Deer, Bear or Hog?
The more questions I ask about this the the more I'm leaning to stay with what has worked so well in the past . There are so many new loads and bullets out by Federal and Winchester that it can drive you nut's. I have brought this up before on this site and I'm sure some of the guy's are getting tired of giving me there opinions. Just trying to find a reason or excuse to spend $32.00 a box for some Federal Fusion 30-30 or just stick with the $10.00 a box Power-Shok

Thanks again, Mike

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:21 pm

Just remember thier goal is to entice you to part with your cash. What ever it is put it in the rite spot-the deer won't tell the differance.
Nath.

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:57 pm

If theyre all like the .458 350 grain Hot Core theyre relatively tough.
Not that I wouldn't use them. Just passing on what I found playing with them, Hornady 350 RP & FP & 405 Remingtons.
By far the Hot cores were tougher getting shot into logs.
I never shot one at a deer but I would, I'd just push them fast if I wanted them to open.

Left to right theyre Speer, Hornady & Rem. The Remington split the log & I only found the jacket. They were pushed about 1700 FPS shot into an 8" Green sugar maple log end ways. None made it more than a foot.

Mike-in-WV · Post by **Mike-in-WV** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:32 pm

Thanks guy's. Here is one of the 170 gr, 30-30 Federal Super-Shok soft point RN that sells for about $10.00 a box now. They mushroom great and seem to hold together too.They seem to work good to me but if there is something better I'm willing to try it. I just don't like being Fed a bunch of bull from some of these company's

Mike

Scott Young · Post by **Scott Young** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:55 pm

i have shot speer bullets for a long time. i like to buy reloading sell outs from garage sales and auctions. i have bought stuff in six different states it seems speer is favored. my guess it is because they are cheap. i have found them to be accurate and well built.

one of my favorite is the speer tnt. i load it in a .223. it is wicked on coyotes. i also have loaded it in a .22 hornet and my buddy has loaded it in a .218 bee. it has performed well in all of them. as far as accuracy is concerned i have three ag's (5 groups of 5 shots) that measure under .25 moa shot at an f-class match. i was very pleased with the accuracy of the speer bullets. the rifle was a savage! i was the scourge of the shoot HA!!

i use a 200 grain speer for my .338 win mag when hunting deer. a fellow had three boxes of them that i bought out. i would not have bought them from a store, but i have found i like them they do the job quite nicely. i hit one dee that was facing me and the bullet entered the chest and passed through exiting the hip. i have shot deer inside 50 to roughly 400 yards with these and have always had complete pass through.

they also perform exceptionally well in a .243 i have several boxes of 105 and 100 grainers. these have proven themselves on paper and animals.

i have loaded them in .30-30 and .35 rem and 44 mag just to name a few levers i have loaded them in.