Speer Grand Slam Bullets

[Greg Duerr]

Has anyone hunted useing the Speer Grand Slam bullets?

I was recomended these bullets for use in my .243 AI for Black Bear hunting this fall..........................

I realize that a 100gr bullet might be to light but this is the only Rifle I have......................

G

 

[Pdvdh]

I've used them before on moose. They're a decent bullet for ranges less than ~400 yards. With a .243, you might want to limit your range to less than 200 yards. The front of the bullet will expand to inflict hydraulic shock and damage, and the rear portion of the bullet will stay intact to help ensure sufficient penetration. They fit the category of controlled expansion bullets. They don't have the highest BC rating, but that doesn't matter for closer range shots.

 

[Trickymissfit]

I've used them before on moose. They're a decent bullet for ranges less than ~400 yards. With a .243, you might want to limit your range to less than 200 yards. The front of the bullet will expand to inflict hydraulic shock and damage, and the rear portion of the bullet will stay intact to help ensure sufficient penetration. They fit the category of controlled expansion bullets. They don't have the highest BC rating, but that doesn't matter for closer range shots.

I think it's most important for the bullet to stay in one piece with big boned critters. How well did the Speer bullets hold up?
gary

 

[Pdvdh]

They provided a good combination of frontal expansion and retained weight in the base half of the bullet. I've shot moose with the Speer Grand Slam with a .375 Weatherby and with a .338 Win Mag. This was 15 or more years ago and at that time, the front of this jacketed bullet used a softer lead, and the rear portion used a harder lead to interrupt expansion in the base half of the bullet. They may or may not be made the same way today. I haven't used them for about 15 years.

I specifically remember one recovered bullet from a 55" bull moose shot at about 400 yds with the .375 Weatherby. I believe the bullet weight was 285 grains. The bullet struck the large heavy front leg bone on the entrance side and continued on to end up in the offside hide on a broadside shot. That large bone sheared off about 2/3 of the forward portion of the bullet, but the bullet still penetrated to the off-side in the lower portion of the chest. The hit was too low to be lethal, as the bullet passed just under the chest cavity, in the upper part of the brisket. But the bull wasn't going anywhere fast, and a second shot placed by my hunting partner with a .338 Win Mag put the bull down.

Other .338 250 grain Speer Grand Slam bullets recovered in moose performed similarly, except that no large bones were struck and the bullets retained more of their weight. About 60% weight retention on the other recovered bullets.

They have more of a soft point tip than a pointed tip, so the BC isn't the highest. Not really a long range bullet, but a good bullet for closer range shots on large, tough, or mean-tempered animals.

 

[Trickymissfit]

They provided a good combination of frontal expansion and retained weight in the base half of the bullet. I've shot moose with the Speer Grand Slam with a .375 Weatherby and with a .338 Win Mag. This was 15 or more years ago and at that time, the front of this jacketed bullet used a softer lead, and the rear portion used a harder lead to interrupt expansion in the base half of the bullet. They may or may not be made the same way today. I haven't used them for about 15 years.

I specifically remember one recovered bullet from a 55" bull moose shot at about 400 yds with the .375 Weatherby. I believe the bullet weight was 285 grains. The bullet struck the large heavy front leg bone on the entrance side and continued on to end up in the offside hide on a broadside shot. That large bone sheared off about 2/3 of the forward portion of the bullet, but the bullet still penetrated to the off-side in the lower portion of the chest. The hit was too low to be lethal, as the bullet passed just under the chest cavity, in the upper part of the brisket. But the bull wasn't going anywhere fast, and a second shot placed by my hunting partner with a .338 Win Mag put the bull down.

Other .338 250 grain Speer Grand Slam bullets recovered in moose performed similarly, except that no large bones were struck and the bullets retained more of their weight. About 60% weight retention on the other recovered bullets.

They have more of a soft point tip than a pointed tip, so the BC isn't the highest. Not really a long range bullet, but a good bullet for closer range shots on large, tough, or mean-tempered animals.

are you using the .378 case or the older .375 Weatherby mag? Reason I ask is that maybe there was a little too much velocity on impact. But the bobe structure of a bull moose is nothing short of a battleship!
gary

 

[Pdvdh]

are you using the .378 case or the older .375 Weatherby mag? Reason I ask is that maybe there was a little too much velocity on impact. But the bobe structure of a bull moose is nothing short of a battleship!
gary

I have the original .375 Weatherby cartridge. Maybe 100 fps more at the muzzle than the parent case - .375 H&H. And at 400 yds, the bullet with its flat nose would have slowed a fair amount. It was a direct hit on the big front leg bone. Paul

 

[Greg Duerr]

This bullet selection would not be that big of an issue if I was using anything bigger than a .243. Im mostly a varmint hunter but ever since my son moved into the mountains he has been facinated with all the black bears he sees close to his home.
I ordered some 100gr Grand Slams. My first choice were the 90gr Scirocco's but from everyone who has used them they could not get the accuracy that they wanted. I heard from one person on this sight that the 90gr Scirocco really needs a 1x8 twist .................Time will tell and if I do get a bear it will be interesting to see what the bullet does.
Next year I hope to have something a little larger ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,my facination is with the .264 diameter Cartridges................................

Greg

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

This bullet selection would not be that big of an issue if I was using anything bigger than a .243. Im mostly a varmint hunter but ever since my son moved into the mountains he has been facinated with all the black bears he sees close to his home.
I ordered some 100gr Grand Slams. My first choice were the 90gr Scirocco's but from everyone who has used them they could not get the accuracy that they wanted. I heard from one person on this sight that the 90gr Scirocco really needs a 1x8 twist .................Time will tell and if I do get a bear it will be interesting to see what the bullet does.
Next year I hope to have something a little larger ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,my facination is with the .264 diameter Cartridges................................

Greg

I used the 100 gr grand slam in speer's old factories and they grouped so poor that I didn't get anymore to load up. I've had bang-up luck with the hornady 100 grain interlock. They will go stem to stern on northern deer and will hold 60% or better doing so. If you can get the groups, the speer will do you well, if you can't then p.m. me and I'll tell you a few loads we have used in 243's over the years with 100 grain hornadys. My dad has probably shot over 100 deer with a 243, but hasn't used one in a number of years on deer. 25's and 7's lately.

 

[Greg Duerr]

Lefty

I really appreciate the offer I will let you know..............I will be using them on Black Bear this fall, and I felling a little apprehensive about using a .243.

Once I do a load developement I will drop you a line..............


Greg

 

[Aussie Hunter Steve]

Speer Grand Slams are reliable performers although my experience with them is limited to 7mm, .30 cal and .338. My experience is that flat based bullets are always the more reliable killer when game is at the upper end of the cartridges capability.

 

[ALGONQUIN RON]

Has anyone hunted useing the Speer Grand Slam bullets?

I was recomended these bullets for use in my .243 AI for Black Bear hunting this fall..........................

I realize that a 100gr bullet might be to light but this is the only Rifle I have......................

G

Harvested a 6×6 Rocky Mt. Bull Elk w/ 145 G.S. in 284 Win. Browning Micro Medallion.
334 yds Quartering to,passed through Upper leg bone(Tough)pulverized vitals,stopped under hide of far shoulder.
Ran 70yds.-Dead on his feet.
Recovered Bullet weight 139gr.Perfect Mushroom. Great Game Bullet!!
Monolithic Copper bullets are great when using small for game calibers too.
I'd recommend Hammer Bullets also.
Good Luck,Center Punch a Good one!!

 

[Monster Toms]

Another divine resurrection!

 

[adk hunter]

Ten year old thread dig!
Nice!

 

[nksmfamjp]

So did he get his bear?