130 grain Hot Cors

[James B]

Has anyone used the 284 diameter 130 grain SP's in the smaller 7MM's (7mm-08)? I have been shooting the Sierra 120 Pro-Hunters but they are back ordered everywhere that I have tried to get them. Maybe Sierra is quiting that bullet. I see that Speer makes both a 120 and a 130 Hot-Cor. Just wondered if anyone has tried them. Thanks.

[Chantecler111]

Yes, they work very good James, they don't explode on game like the Hot Cor's in magnum calibers.

[James B]

Thanks. I hit a mulie in the shoulder once with a 145 HotCor from a hot loaded 280. Lord did ever do a job on the whole front half. That 280 had a 24 inch barrel and usually run only about 50 fps behind the Model 70 that I had in 7MM Mag when using the same bullet weights. That was a poor 7MM Mag. When I would get near the max loads for it, it would start dropping velocity fast. It just couldn't burn a full load of powder for some reason.

[Chantecler111]

ORIGINAL: James B

Thanks. I hit a mulie in the shoulder once with a 145 HotCor from a hot loaded 280. Lord did ever do a job on the whole front half. That 280 had a 24 inch barrel and usually run only about 50 fps behind the Model 70 that I had in 7MM Mag when using the same bullet weights. That was a poor 7MM Mag. When I would get near the max loads for it, it would start dropping velocity fast. It just couldn't burn a full load of powder for some reason.

The .280 is a very underrated cartridge,I would rather have it as 7mm Mag. Also, the bullet should perform great in the 7mm-08. BTW, what kinda powder were you using in the 7mm mag?

[Mykey]

James,
I can't comment on the exact bullet/caliber that you're asking about because i've never used that caliber but i can comment on the hot-cor bullets. I load the 120gr Spitzerin my 25.06 andi've also used the 150gr in my 30.06. I've found them to be very accurate and they did an excellent job on the deer i've shot with them. I don't think you would be disappointed with the speer hot-cor, they are good bullets.

Just a side note on the sierra pro hunters.I just recentlyworked up a load for a good friend with the 100gr pro hunters and his 243. The rifle is a Rem Mod 7 and only has a 18" barrelbut it's very accurate with these bullets. He's killed three deer in the last two weeks with that bullet with the closest being 150yds and the other two at about 200yds.He made good shots and they all fell right there, no tracking needed.I was very impressed at the internal damage those bullets did as the inside of the deers vitals were mush.

[herman]

Have shot them at paper but not deer.They shot well in the 7/08,280 and 7 mm.The 145 sp shot good on paper also.
I tried the hornady 120sp this year on deer because they were so accurate at 100 and300 yds,several less than inch groups at 300, shot one at 240 yds ,behind shoulder hit, small hole going in and about 50 cent piece out,pass through.hit a little farward back than I wanted to because it was walking pretty fast.It went about 75 yds think that was because of shot placement,not the bullet.
Have shot the 120 sierra too but the hornady was a tad more accurate in my rifle.