Speer Deep Curl .30

[utbrowningman]

Stopped by my local store today with the intention of picking up some reloading supplies. Went for the Barnes TSX and then saw the Speer Deep Curl for much less and 2X the number of bullets. I'd like to keep things simple and reload with one powder (IMR 4895) and a few bullet types - one for paper and one for hunting. The hunting round I'd like to be the same for mule deer and elk. I'm thinking the Speer DC in 165 should do the job. This will be for a .30-06 Browning X-Bolt 22" barrel with a 1/10 twist.

What say ye?

 

[heathkiks]

While not sure what the gun is chambered in, I have had good luck with the 165gr in an '06 for antelope to caribou to elk

 

[blarby]

The speer "Deep Curl" is a fantastic bullet design. I've never used it in rifle, but it works incredibly well in pistol. They used to just be Gold Dots.... and they expand very well even at limited velocity thanks to the jacket composition and incredibly soft lead.

With practice, and some reliable test media, im sure you can tailor your load to exactly the expansion you want at given distances.... the expansion properties of gold dots are very repeatable in my experience.

Let us know your results !

 

[41 Mag]

As for that particular bullet, I have little experience with it. The 165gr range however I have shot plenty of through several '06's and they have all for the most part done VERY well.

I used the Hot Core in several calibers a dozen years back somewhat as a test against what the others had been doing. I didn't have any issues putting deer down with any of them. Some were as accurate some not as accurate, but that might have simply been corrected with another powder or primer switch, I just didn't dig into it that deeply.

For your intended purpose I would say give them a shot, and if they group well go forth and bag some deer.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Deep Curl bullet is a bonded bullet and Speer claims it is suitable for big game so I see no reason why it won't work for the game you're hunting. I also like the 165gr bullet weight in the 30-06.

Please let us know how well that bullets works on game. I don't shoot Speer bullets in rifle ammo, I usually shoot Sierra GameKings, Nosler Accubond and Nosler Partition bullets. (depending on the game and distances)

 

[helotaxi]

The Deep Curl is actually a plated bullet, just like the Gold Dot and UniCor bullets. They differ from the normal bulk plated bullet in that the plating is much thicker and behaves more like a jacket. However since it is pure copper, not an alloy, it is much softer and behaves differently in the barrel and Speer cautions not to use reloading data for jacketed bullets with the Deep Curls as a result.

The fact that they are plated means that they do act like a bonded bullet with respect to terminal performance. They should hold together very well and the softer copper "jacket", compared to gilding metal, means that they will expand reliably at lower velocities.

 

[bfoosh006]

FYI, Speer recommends specific reloading data for deep curl bullets, that doesn't mean you couldn't work up a load using IMR 4895, just be aware of the difference.

http://www.speer-bullets.com/products/reloading_manual/default.aspx

 

[sage5907]

Speer makes excellent bullets and every time I try some other brand I always end up back with Speer. I've had problems with other brands but never with Speer. Their 30 caliber 165 grain boattail is fantastic for big deer. I haven't tried the deepcurl but I've shot a lot of the hotcor version. Shooter