Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Speer Hot Cor vs BTSP

Does anybody know if the Speer BTSP are constructed the same way as the Hot Cor bullets? I cannot find it on their website.

If I understand correctly, the Hot Cor is a "bonded" bullet.

If it matters, I am looking at the .257 100 gr bullets.

Neither is bonded. The BTSP is a cold inserted slug core; the Flat base (Hot Cors) are poured in molten. Either is a good bullet when chosen and applied properly.

Thanks!

So will one hold together better for deer?

The first blood shed by my 257 AI was by a coworker's son using a 100 gr Speer HC from about 250 yds. One shot one kill, and a nice little buck at that! I don't think a deer would know the difference between the HC and BTSP versions, all else being equal, and wouldn't turn up my nose to either of em cept perhaps in my Weatherby Mag.

That having been said, I have a couple 25s and LOVE the 100 gr Interlock. Big game & varmints HATE em!

I've had better luck shooting deer with the hot-cor than the BTSP, but I shoot at close range where the impact velocity is still high. I shot a whitetail doe at 17 yards with the 150 gr. BTSP out of a .270, impact velocity was around 2850 or so. There were four exit wounds as pieces of the bullet found their way out of the deer. I found a few fragments still inside. Did the bullet fail? No, the deer died. Would I use it for that sort of shot again, no. It would have been much better at 200 yards or so. I've shot several deer with the .257 100 gr. hot-cor and the .308 165 gr. hot-cor, and they both work perfectly. However, the 150/.270, the 100/.257 BTSP didn't work so well at the ranges I shoot. YMMV.

The BTSP have a huge BC advantage over the flat base spitzer HC's. That said, I've run the 150/.308 HC spitzer FB with great success accuracy and terminal performance wise. If I want a boat tail design that won't come apart, I'd look at the NAB before using the Speer BTSP.

Two completely different bullet designs, same applications on game,both are well proven, take your pick, neither is a bad choice.

According to Speer, the boat tails are of lighter construction and expand faster than the Hot-Cor.

I'm sorry, for some reason I thought you were comparing Hot-Cors to Hornady BTSP even though you stated clearly otherwise. The Speer BTSP is softer than the the Hot Cor, best for use on deer and smaller IMO.

I'd go with the Hot Cor myself between the two, think it's a little tougher.