.358 Speer 220 FNSP trials.

[flinter54]

I have had my Ruger Hawkeye now for going on 4 years and I absolutely love it. So far, everything I have fed it, it has shot very well. Last fall I loaded up the the 220 Speer for our deer season but unfortunately was not able to use it. So recently I picked up another box of these to improve on what I loaded last year. Which honestly wasn't all that great, good enough for deer hunting in timber but outside of that I don't think I could hit water from a boat.


I have tried multiple loads using AA2520, IMR 3031 and Win 748 as well as loads with Federal Magnum primers, Winchesters LR and CCI LR primers. So do I chalk this up to "My rifle just doesn't like this particular bullet"? Is this bullet sensitive to seating depth? Or, am I just expecting to much.


I'm just a little stumped, in that I haven't had this issue with other bullets I have tried. The Sierra Game King 225 I've been able to attain Sub Moa, the 200gr Sierra and 200 gr Hornady's have been Moa and the 200gr Hornady Flex Tip has come in at an acceptable 1 1/4 moa. The Speer I'm having a heck of a time breaking sub 2moa at 100 yards.


Unfortunately, I believe this rifle just does not like product

[omegahunter]

It could be that you are correct in your assumption that your rifle just does not like that bullet.  I had the same thing happen in my Savage .223 Tactical.  I have loaded several brands and profiles of 50 and 55 grain bullets and the only one that did not give touching holes at 100 yards were Speer 55 grain softpoints.  It was still around an inch group, but nothing I wanted to attempt to play with with the others shooting so tight right off the bat.  I have had very good experiences with other Speer bullets in other calibers, so I did not jump to the conclusion that it was because they were Speer bullets; just that my rifle did not perform well with that particular bullet.

[cwlongshot]

I have had my Ruger Hawkeye now for going on 4 years and I absolutely love it. So far, everything I have fed it, it has shot very well. Last fall I loaded up the the 220 Speer for our deer season but unfortunately was not able to use it. So recently I picked up another box of these to improve on what I loaded last year. Which honestly wasn't all that great, good enough for deer hunting in timber but outside of that I don't think I could hit water from a boat.


I have tried multiple loads using AA2520, IMR 3031 and Win 748 as well as loads with Federal Magnum primers, Winchesters LR and CCI LR primers. So do I chalk this up to "My rifle just doesn't like this particular bullet"? Is this bullet sensitive to seating depth? Or, am I just expecting to much.


I'm just a little stumped, in that I haven't had this issue with other bullets I have tried. The Sierra Game King 225 I've been able to attain Sub Moa, the 200gr Sierra and 200 gr Hornady's have been Moa and the 200gr Hornady Flex Tip has come in at an acceptable 1 1/4 moa. The Speer I'm having a heck of a time breaking sub 2moa at 100 yards.


Unfortunately, I believe this rifle just does not like product

Thats half the fun of it!!!

My FAVORITE 358 load is IMR 4320 powder and a regular 200g Hornady spitzer!! I did substitute the FTX and had good results.

I do very much like the 220g Speer too! Its my #1 bullet for my 356! In that my best load was H335.

Good luck,
CW

[Mckie Hollow]

No problems in a couple 35 Whelens & a 350 Rem. Mag.. May want to try a different powder like RL15,Varget, or 4320.

[Bearcat 74]

47grs H4895 and CCI200's in my Hawkeye

[flinter54]

Thanks for all the information. I will have to pick up the powders that you guys have mentioned and give them each a try. I'm sure there will be one combination that will provide good results. I have a couple of months to find a good load for it, so I should have plenty of time.


I do look forward to seeing how it performs on deer and hogs, I'm sure it will hammer them. Thanks again for your help and recommendations.


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[BBF]

You could also try their 180 grainers. They will work on deer and bigger without a problem.

[cwlongshot]

One thing I have found.
These 220's can take some velocity. Yet still expand the noses if velocity drops or in cases of say 35 rem still work very well. The std 200's are about tapped out by 2600 impact vel. They come apart if bones are hit. Again NOT muzzle vel. Impact vel.

I have read a number of excellent results from the FTX. But I KT shot one animal with them. Worked fine for me. I tried the std 200 in my Whelen at 2900 fps and wow great on lung shots but steer clear of any bones! (At these velocities) now I load it with only two bullets a 225 accubond and a Speer 250 RN.
I have shot dozens of deer with the 200 std Hornady at 2500 fps from a 358 BLR. It is best fastest most efficient killer I have ever used. BAR none! The only other bullet I like as much is the old Speer 250 RN

The Speer 220's are a real good bullet. I just don't have quite the "history" with it I do with the others.

CW

[petemi]

I shoot the 200 gr. Hornady Sptizer in my Handi in both .356 and .358 over Varget for MOA accuracy.  I like BTs in my .308s and am eager to try the 225 gr. Sierra Gameking in the .35 calibers, if I can ever find them in stock anywhere.  With Sierra tied up with the big government contract and the panic buying, it may be quite a while before they are available again.  It looks to me to be about a year or more.  Sierra has other bullets to make that sell faster. 

Pete

[cwlongshot]

I shoot the 200 gr. Hornady Sptizer in my Handi in both .356 and .358 over Varget for MOA accuracy.  I like BTs in my .308s and am eager to try the 225 gr. Sierra Gameking in the .35 calibers, if I can ever find them in stock anywhere.  With Sierra tied up with the big government contract and the panic buying, it may be quite a while before they are available again.  It looks to me to be about a year or more.  Sierra has other bullets to make that sell faster. 

Pete

Pete, go check your PM's. 

CW

[flinter54]

Yeah I think the 220 Speer will be a great bullet once I can get it to group well. The only experience I have with it has been at the range, however I did a water jug test with it and I was happy with the outcome. It penetrated 5 one gallon milk jugs, expanded to 62 caliber and retained 86% of its weight so I can't argue with that. So far the only bullets I have experience with in the field are the 225 game kings and the 200 Hornady RN. Although both worked very well, I would have to say the Game King had a more profound affect on our deer here in MI and one Hog in TN.


I've heard nothing but great things about the 200gr Spitzer from Hornady. They are definitely on my list to try out as are the various 250gr and 225 gr products.


Flinter.