Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Speer boat tail vs hot core??

I wasn't aware the GS was ever made with a BT.

Slooowwwwww the fhuqk down,take a deep breath and simply Start At The Fhuqking Start. HINT.

EXACTLY what rifle/make/model? EXACTLY what scope mounting system/make/model? EXACTLY what scope/make/model? Hint.

Undoubtedly it's a Goat Fhuqk,but the start is how you begin to connect dots. Not that "field boat tails" weren't/aren't a fhuqking RIOT. Hint.

I'll give you one chance. Hint..........

They weren't.

I've shot a bunch of older and current production Grandslams and I haven't been able to see any difference in how they act on game. If anything, the new version is more accurate.

What bullet and cartridge are you using that you're seeing the fragments with?

The Hotcors are not going to be tougher.

Based on 2700 fps from a 375 H&H. 270 BT

Interesting. I have no experience with that particular bullet. What did you shoot it into?

Is anyone here hunting elk with 7mm-08 and 145 Hot Cor? What are the results?

If I were to use a Hot Core in 7MM, I believe I would go with the 160 gr. I run that one at 2600 FPS from a 7x57 using 7-08 data. My rifle is a modern Winchester M70 Featherweight. Even cow elk can be big and tough so I prefer more bullet weight. I would think if you went fo a lungs shot the 145 gr. bullet would work. Proper placement is was does the trick.
PJ

I can't comment on "elk", but that 160 Hotcor is an awesome bullet. I loaded some 160 Grandslams in my 7mm-08 as back up for a moose hunt last year and they work great, too.

Speer hot core 160 worked well for me in full loaded 7x57 on mule deer and elk.

That's a classic combo!

What is your max distance you will encounter in "the fields" you hunt?

There isn't much real life difference in trajectory between flat-base (FB) spitzers vs boat tails (BT) out to easily 300 yards (and pushing 350-400 yards). Makes for an easy pragmatic decision to pass on BT design as result-if you want for those hunting distances.

In my view, if you plan to shoot "long distance" (however you define that, ie >400+++ yards), you should have a laser range finder to get the correct distance. If you have the ability to obtain an accurate distance, then the bullet design (FB vs BT) is moot, as you simply adjust your elevation setting for the bullet drop at that determined range. This approach negates any trajectory advantage a BT may have over a FB bullet.

I like to use "heavy for caliber" flat base Speer bullets, for their high sectional density. I used to use .277" 150 grain Speer HotCor flat-base bullets (sold off my 270 Win rifle 15+ years ago), but now use 0.308" 200 grain Speer HotCor flat-base spitzers in my 30-06 rifles. They have high ballistic coefficients (and high sectional density values) for "flat" shooting. I don't typically shoot "long range" for deer. Here in Maine, my deer shots are woods range. I just like high sectional density bullets for good penetration at any angle; but, if I post up on the edge of a clear cut, I feel comfortable taking a 300+ yard shot with my flat-base bullets. I don't have a laser range finder.

Speer bullets have been very accurate in my rifles (have also used 0.308" flat-base HotCor 165, 170 flat point, and 180 grain spitzers).

Go ahead with the Speer HotCor flat-base spitzers. Know your distance. Drag your game home.

my 2c.