Speer 243 Grand Slam Bullets

[ThomasT]

I just bought a new Ruger American in 243 and am looking at loading for it. I considered buying some Nosler 100gr Partitions but at $36.49 for 50 bullets I looked a little more. I saw Midway had Speer Grand Slam bullets for $10.39 for a box of 50 and bought two boxes of those instead.

I plan on using IMR 4350 for powder at about 41grs. Anyone have any experience with these bullets or a favorite load for them?

 

[JimKirk]

Either bullet will kill deer with no problems. For the price the Speer will be fine!

I would look to a slower burning powder to get a little more velocity .... Reloder 22, IMR 4831 or other powders in that burn range...

 

[FROGO207]

I use that type of bullet in my 270 Savage bolt. I use the 130 grain size. They shoot extremely well at 100 YDS for me. Hope they work as well in your 243. I think you will be quite pleased with them as most users report good accuracy.

 

[Random 8]

Not in your caliber, but I LOVE these bullets in 145 gr/ .280 Remington on large bodied whitetail. Good balance of penetration and expansion, easy to find a good load for. I just seat mine to cannelure depth and run with it. I think you'll be pleased with them on deer sized game.

 

[troy fairweather]

Speer makes a good bullet for the money. They work great in the 243.

 

[ThomasT]

Either bullet will kill deer with no problems. For the price the Speer will be fine!

I would look to a slower burning powder to get a little more velocity .... Reloder 22, IMR 4831 or other powders in that burn range...

My Speer manual shows speeds of 2880 for 4350, 2913 for 4198 and 2960 for reloader 22. Not enough difference for me to use another powder. My target speed was 2850fps anyway. That should be more than fast enough for the bullet to work. Sighted in one inch high at 100 yards I shouldn't be more than an inch low at 200 yards and that is as far as I care to shoot. And where I hunt at 200 yards shots would be very hard to set up. Most shots are a hundred yards or less.

Now that the are has houses built around where we hunt we are very careful about which way we shoot. My bud has a feeder set up across the field that is around 65 yards wide with a hill for a backstop. I don't like hunting feeders and prefer to set up and watch trails and crossings instead but safety says that is no longer a good idea. But at least there are lots of deer including a couple of big bucks he has seen already.

 

[JimKirk]

My Speer manual shows speeds of 2880 for 4350, 2913 for 4198 and 2960 for reloader 22. Not enough difference for me to use another powder. My target speed was 2850fps anyway. That should be more than fast enough for the bullet to work. Sighted in one inch high at 100 yards I shouldn't be more than an inch low at 200 yards and that is as far as I care to shoot. And where I hunt at 200 yards shots would be very hard to set up. Most shots are a hundred yards or less.

Your choice ....but there are powders that will add 200 fps to the 2850 fps muzzle velocity ....but again it is your choice...

 

[ThomasT]

Your choice ....but there are powders that will add 200 fps to the 2850 fps muzzle velocity ....but again it is your choice...

Thanks but I'm not looking for the magic "3,000 fps" that everyone seems to want to reach. Bullets hold together better and brass and barrels last longer at a slightly reduced velocity. And like I stated this is for a less than 100 yard shot. That much speed is not wanted or needed. But thanks for the reply. If I were heading out west for an Antelope hunt I would be all over higher velocity. Maybe.

 

[troy fairweather]

I've learned with the 6mms a bonded bullets hitting a deer close will plug right through, if you don't hit anything hard. I had a doe turn just as I pulled the trigger, she was ~30 yards. The bullet hit the ribs and the deer ran 100 yards, the blood trail was massive tho. It was a hornady interbond.95.

 

[DM~]

I just bought a new Ruger American in 243 and am looking at loading for it. I considered buying some Nosler 100gr Partitions but at $36.49 for 50 bullets I looked a little more. I saw Midway had Speer Grand Slam bullets for $10.39 for a box of 50 and bought two boxes of those instead.

This is one time you get what you pay for. Just don't expect those Gran Slams to perform like the Nosler Partitions...

You may not need them, but the NP's are a MILE better when you get a tough shot!

DM

 

[ThomasT]

This is one time you get what you pay for. Just don't expect those Gran Slams to perform like the Nosler Partitions...

You may not need them, but the NP's are a MILE better when you get a tough shot!

Thanks DM. I did read all the reviews on the Midway site about the Grand Slams and most of the reviews were positive about performance and accuracy. And if they don't shoot well in my gun I will give them to my bud to shoot in his 6mm rifles. The price was cheap enough to merit giving them a try. And I still have 67 Nosler 100gr bullets left and I loaded 20 today so I have enough for any deer seasons I have left. But I can't pass up a deal. I counted all the 243 bullets I have on hand now and the total was 1,040. So I didn't need another hundred bullets. But what the hey. Life is short and long we are dead.

 

[ThomasT]

I've learned with the 6mms a bonded bullets hitting a deer close will plug right through, if you don't hit anything hard. I had a doe turn just as I pulled the trigger, she was ~30 yards. The bullet hit the ribs and the deer ran 100 yards, the blood trail was massive tho. It was a hornady interbond.95.

Five or six years ago I shot a big doe with a 240gr soft point from my Marlin 44 mag rifle at 50 yards and she ran 125 yards or so and then just fell over dead in the middle of the field. Its nice when a deer drops right where they are standing but I really don't mind if they run a little and bleed out. And that deer was dry of blood. I don't like blood filled meat.

My son is studying to be a Physicians assistant and wanted a deer heart to disect. So I purposely shot a little far back and got a perfect heart for him to work on. That explains why the deer ran so far. But I don't think that bullet expanded at all. It was a Magtech 240gr bullet. They are accurate but strong bullets. At least I know a hard cast lead bullet would have killed just as well and even better if I had of shot a little closer to the shoulder.

 

[troy fairweather]

Thanks DM. I did read all the reviews on the Midway site about the Grand Slams and most of the reviews were positive about performance and accuracy. And if they don't shoot well in my gun I will give them to my bud to shoot in his 6mm rifles. The price was cheap enough to merit giving them a try. And I still have 67 Nosler 100gr bullets left and I loaded 20 today so I have enough for any deer seasons I have left. But I can't pass up a deal. I counted all the 243 bullets I have on hand now and the total was 1,040. So I didn't need another hundred bullets. But what the hey. Life is short and long we are dead.

For the fps your planing to run I think the would be about perfect. A harder bullet will not open as much. Plus there are those guys that said the bullet failed, when they are cutting the animal up lol. Or the ones that just missed and are ashamed to admit it.

 

[ThomasT]

For the fps your planing to run I think the would be about perfect. A harder bullet will not open as much. Plus there are those guys that said the bullet failed, when they are cutting the animal up lol. Or the ones that just missed and are ashamed to admit it.

I have missed a couple deer and don't mind admitting it. I also shot one deer with a 243 at around 40 yards and had it run off never to be found. I even went back the next day to see if the buzzards had found it but they didn't. I have tested several 243 bullets and most don't hold together at high impact speeds. Thats one of the reasons I decided to target a lower velocity. I laid awake a lot of nights worrying about that lost deer. I know nothing goes to waste in the forest but just the same I regretted my loss.

 

[troy fairweather]

Five or six years ago I shot a big doe with a 240gr soft point from my Marlin 44 mag rifle at 50 yards and she ran 125 yards or so and then just fell over dead in the middle of the field. Its nice when a deer drops right where they are standing but I really don't mind if they run a little and bleed out. And that deer was dry of blood. I don't like blood filled meat.

My son is studying to be a Physicians assistant and wanted a deer heart to disect. So I purposely shot a little far back and got a perfect heart for him to work on. That explains why the deer ran so far. But I don't think that bullet expanded at all. It was a Magtech 240gr bullet. They are accurate but strong bullets. At least I know a hard cast lead bullet would have killed just as well and even better if I had of shot a little closer to the shoulder.

Ben I was young my dad shot a buck with a 44 mag ruger carbine, I seen it hit and the deer just ran off like nothing happened, never found blood but Brown hair. I guess it plugged through to. I shoulder shoot like my dad and after every deer a way why did I shoot it there, I like the heart lol.

Old timers said a running deer will have adrenalin in the meat and be off as nail, but I've never seen it tho only a few deer I shot have run. The far back hit deer was drained out, all the blood that was not on the ground was in the chest cavity.

 

[troy fairweather]

I have missed a couple deer and don't mind admitting it. I also shot one deer with a 243 at around 40 yards and had it run off never to be found. I even went back the next day to see if the buzzards had found it but they didn't. I have tested several 243 bullets and most don't hold together at high impact speeds. Thats one of the reasons I decided to target a lower velocity. I laid awake a lot of nights worrying about that lost deer. I know nothing goes to waste in the forest but just the same I regretted my loss.

I've been lucky I've never missed one, but I've never shot at one that was running or where it would be a hard shot. Most time I get them to stop with a yelp or whistle. I did lose two deer, one was a big buck in Alabama that rolled down a hill onto the next property over, the owner would not let me retrieve it. The other I shot standing about 200 yards out, looked like a good hit. But only found a lot of white hair, think I hit the brisket. It was -7 out and I think the powder lost some power. Both where with a 3006 so I think I am cursed.

 

[ThomasT]

Right now I am up to 30 deer and two elk. Not much by some but enough to have an opinion. Most have been like you said. A chest full of blood except what ran out the bullet hole. And of all the deer I have killed only one had an "off" taste. And it was swollen from the rut. It was so bad tasteing even my dog wouldn't eat it. I ended up throwing it away. And it was my trophy deer with a 12 point rack. I prefer to shoot large does or rag horn bucks and leave the big deer to the hunters who want a bragging deer. I hunt for meat and have never had a head mounted.

 

[ThomasT]

It was -7 out and I think the powder lost some power. Both where with a 3006 so I think I am cursed.

The 30-06 is simply one of the best rounds you can use. Bad hits happen if you hunt enough. But the 30-06 works so well it is boring. So like me you feel like trying something else. I killed most of my deer with a custom 7x57 built by my grandfather. What a perfect deer caliber. Tomorrow when I sight in the new 243 I am also sighting in my 7-08. Its dialed in for 120gr bullets I loaded for a young girl to shoot but now its time for some 139 and 150gr bullet test to see which groups best. The 7-08 is the modern answer to the 7x57 and so far has been just as good of a killer of deer. Its great to have choices.

 

[troy fairweather]

The 30-06 is simply one of the best rounds you can use. Bad hits happen if you hunt enough. But the 30-06 works so well it is boring. So like me you feel like trying something else. I killed most of my deer with a custom 7x57 built by my grandfather. What a perfect deer caliber. Tomorrow when I sight in the new 243 I am also sighting in my 7-08. Its dialed in for 120gr bullets I loaded for a young girl to shoot but now its time for some 139 and 150gr bullet test to see which groups best. The 7-08 is the modern answer to the 7x57 and so far has been just as good of a killer of deer. Its great to have choices.

yup I like me some 7mms my to main rifles are I ruger 77 7x57 the other is a Browning A-bolt 7wsm. I've killed a lot of deer with 22-250s and 234s.

 

[Random 8]

This is one time you get what you pay for. Just don't expect those Gran Slams to perform like the Nosler Partitions...

You may not need them, but the NP's are a MILE better when you get a tough shot!

DM

Don't know what your experience is with the GS, but mine are nothing but positive. I've driven a lot of them through Northwoods deer, several in excess of 200lb dressed including some tough angles. I have yet to have one disappoint. Pass through penetration on tough shots, good expansion on clean double lungers. I could ask for nothing more from my .280 Rem. I'm shooting relatively light for caliber at 145 grains also. I'm not a fanboy of any brand, I just use what works, and the GS works at half the price so why not?

 

[Jeff Flannery]

I just bought a new Ruger American in 243 and am looking at loading for it. I considered buying some Nosler 100gr Partitions but at $36.49 for 50 bullets I looked a little more. I saw Midway had Speer Grand Slam bullets for $10.39 for a box of 50 and bought two boxes of those instead.

I plan on using IMR 4350 for powder at about 41grs. Anyone have any experience with these bullets or a favorite load for them?

I have a ruger American .243 and I LOVES Hornady bullets. 100gr bullets with 31gr imr 3031 powder. A real tack driver

 

[DM~]

Don't know what your experience is with the GS, but mine are nothing but positive. I've driven a lot of them through Northwoods deer, several in excess of 200lb dressed including some tough angles. I have yet to have one disappoint. Pass through penetration on tough shots, good expansion on clean double lungers. I could ask for nothing more from my .280 Rem. I'm shooting relatively light for caliber at 145 grains also. I'm not a fanboy of any brand, I just use what works, and the GS works at half the price so why not?

And what does a "7mm" Gran Slam have anything to do in comparison with a "6mm" Gran Slam??

Not much, other than the name!! As they are two completely different bullets!

I've tried several GS' in tougher game, they had NO comparison as to how they hold together, to an NP...

BTW, MY 280 performs on deer with std. 145 grain Speer Hot Cores pretty much the same as it does with 145 GS'... As it should, as there's not much difference between the two bullets!

DM

 

[FROGO207]

When you get right down to it at 100 YDS the simple old Remington CorLokt works just fine for my needs at about one half the cost of fancier bullets. The whitetails I have tagged are usually DRT when you do your part and aim well. Still as I said above the GS is more accurate further out in my 270. YMMV

 

[Virginia Jim]

After several attempts to get Nosler Partitions to group satisfactorily in any of my 5 .270’s, I switched to Speer Grand Slams. The starting charge weight of 4350 produces the best groups for me. Factory Remington CorLokts being my benchmark, I am well pleased with the Grand Slams.
Addendum: three whitetail deer I shot with Nosler reloads did not drop dead in their tracks. On two occasions, the bullets passed through the chest cavity and out the other side.

 

[ThomasT]

I have a ruger American .243 and I LOVES Hornady bullets. 100gr bullets with 31gr imr 3031 powder. A real tack driver

Thats not a powder you normally think of as being a 243 powder. But years ago I had some Speer 100gr round nose bullets loaded by my uncle with 3031 that shot like crazy. I don't remember the powder charge. But I do have a new box of those Speer 100gr RN bullets set back. I don't really want to shoot them because I can't get anymore of them.

I did go shoot today and sighted in with Nosler Partician 100gr bullets pushed by 41grs of IMR 4350. I have the gun putting three rounds in to about a 1.5" group at 100 yards dead center in the bullseye. I took a picture of the target but will have to post it later. I am tired. I think the barrel is breaking in. The more I shot the better the groups kept getting.