Speer Deep Curl Handgun Bullets

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ligonierbill

New member
Can anyone share their experience using these in a hunting handgun? Or more specifically, do they hold any performance advantage over Hornady XTP? It seems like I can never find the Speer in stock, but almost always the Hornady. If there is truly an advantage, I'll be patient and get Deep Curl when I can.
 
I've used them and there's no advantage that I can see. It might depend on the caliber though and you didn't say what caliber you were interested in using them in. I used them in .357mag and .357max. Also depends on weight, powder charge, velocity, distance, etc. A sample size of "1" from anyone is pretty meaningless. I can tell you that the XTP's shot just a bit better for me (I have pages of test data with different bullets, powders, etc) but not enough to make that a determining factor. Both were accurate enough for deer hunting. What are you planning on using them in, and what for?
 
I'm kind of a caliber nut, so I would consider using them in everything from .357 Mag up. However, just now I'm loading .480 Ruger for hunting.
 
Well, based on my experience I wouldn't use them unless they were readily available every time I needed some. I don't see them offering anything over the XTP, and I can get all of them I want. I haven't hunted any really large game with the handgun, but I have shot over fifty deer with just the .357mag in a handgun. Based on my results I have absolutely no problem using the XTP in either the 158 grain or the 180 grain. To date I haven't lost a single deer with the .357mag and the XTP's have worked great. Don't over think it with a handgun. It's all about bullet placement, not so much what bullet.
 
Thanks. I renewed my supply of XTP (in stock, of course) and loaded up my remaining (20) Deep Curls for practice. BTW, 158 XTP is my primary .357 load. You're right, no sense in overthinking when you have something that works.
 
There's no real performance advantage to using either over the other for most cartridges.
For the few applicable cartridges that I load, I choose what's available - and that's usually XTPs.

But, for .480 Ruger and .475 Tremor, it's the opposite. I can almost never find the XTPs in stock when I want them, but often run across good deals on the Deep Curls and/or find them in stock when I need/want more.
So, it seems to be the opposite of your situation. I've 'standardized' and settled on Deep Curls because that's what I can get and get good deals on. But if XTPs were more available, I'd probably use them instead. (The nose shape would be easier to feed in the .475 Tremor, too.)

I will say, though... The XTPs are always clean, pretty, and in good shape in their bag-in-a-box. The Deep Curls are always filthy, ugly, and dinged up.
 
I have used the 270 gr in a 44 magnum at about 1275 fps to take a nice 8-point whitetail a few years ago. Very, very accurate using Accurate 4100 powder, but it really is too tough a bullet for handgun velocities on deer. The XTP definitely opens more quickly.
 
Well, you probably have me to blame for the shortage of Deep Curl's in .475"

I use Speer Bullets in all my hanguns and prefer them over the XTP myself. I find them to be less expensive, softer, accurate, and I like the way they look. ;)

For Deer, most manuals recommend the Speer 275g Hollow Point. I bought all those I could find. I also like the 325g DCSP which leaves my SBH around 1500 FPS, that will put down anything. Speer and Hornady used to sell a 400 Grain which was geared towards the 475 Linebaugh and must not have sold many because they seem to be gone from the market.

I do wish Speer would start making bullets again, all the online stores are out of them in most calibers right now.

I think the 270 .429" bullet is made for the 444 Marlin and is a little hard for the 44 as you say. It would probably be nice in a 20" 44 Carbine though...
 
They're making plenty, it's just that the loaded ammunition market is hot enough that they are having trouble keeping up with it. Handloaders get whatever is left over after the ammo factory has its demand met because live ammunition is more profitable.
 
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