Experience with Hornady Interlocks

[powdergun]

Just wondering if any one else has observed the following results using interloks. Just came back from a hunt where I observed two deer being shot with the interloks. Both deer were taken with a solid shoulder shot. The only strange thing observed was that on the hit the deer did not even flinch both calmly walked a bit then calmly laid down and died after about a minute.

On examination the shots did what was required but the lack shock reaction has me perplexed. The load is 150 gr bullet in front of 44 gr of 4064 out of a .308. I've shot and seen many others shot and there has always been some sort of reaction to the hit. It was if it was a clean miss. Since this was not a one time event I was wondering if anyone else has observed the same.

BTW the shots were at 90 and 150 yards

 

[Mount Sweetness]

I shot a doe through the heart 2 weeks ago with my 7x57 from 25 yards. 139gr Interlocks, she bounced up off all legs and ran 50 yards. The bullet split the heart, exited and damaged the off side leg. Good blood and dead in less than 15 seconds.

 

[TheTooner]

Not yet, but I have bought those bullets to reload for a newly acquired .308, when I finish the factory ammo (my normal method of acquiring brass) so I'll be interested to see if my results are similar.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

I'm using them in my 308. The 150 grainers powered by 44 or 45 grains of IMR4895. They seem to work fine on deer.

 

[powdergun]

Just finished working on some of the deer. I found two bullets in each of two deer that was full mushroomed but only penetrated the skin. WTF. One of the shots that was taken dropped the deer at the further range.

WTF. Any one who reloads have any advice on what could be the problem ? The gun shoots where its aimed but for some reason some of the shots didn't seem to have much power behind them. I've been loading for over 20 years and have never seen anything like this.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm stumped.

 

[limit time]

To much velocity for the short distance?

 

[7mmlefty]

Ive been hunting deer with the 130 gr 308 hornady, out of my 88 winchester for quite a few years.
Last season, a large buck ran 200 yds and into a slough, with the heart split wide open.
No sign of a hit but sure bowled over when he ran out of gas.

 

[mahony1977]

Just finished working on some of the deer. I found two bullets in each of two deer that was full mushroomed but only penetrated the skin. WTF. One of the shots that was taken dropped the deer at the further range.

WTF. Any one who reloads have any advice on what could be the problem ? The gun shoots where its aimed but for some reason some of the shots didn't seem to have much power behind them. I've been loading for over 20 years and have never seen anything like this.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm stumped.

Did you find the bullet on the opposite side ? Or are you saying it only penetrated the entrance side ?

 

[powdergun]

Entrance side. This is a very strange thing seeing the bullet was fully mushroomed.

 

[mahony1977]

What did it die of ? No reason that load shoudn't have penetrated , they should be clocking around 2700 fps . I load my brother's to 47 gr behind a 150 Nosler BT @ around 2850-2900 fps

 

[powdergun]

That deer ran another 50 or so yards. I fired a second shot and it tipped right over. I know this all sounds strange but it sure has me puzzled. The other deer showed a bit more penetration and there was some tissue and bone damage on the front shoulder but nothing near as close to what it should of. It laid down after the shot and I got close enough for a head shot.

I am thankful I was able to harvest the animals and not lose them.

 

[limit time]

That deer ran another 50 or so yards. I fired a second shot and it tipped right over. I know this all sounds strange but it sure has me puzzled. The other deer showed a bit more penetration and there was some tissue and bone damage on the front shoulder but nothing near as close to what it should of. It laid down after the shot and I got close enough for a head shot.

I am thankful I was able to harvest the animals and not lose them.

Was the second one shot at the 150yrds?

 

[powdergun]

yup

 

[martinbns]

I dumped a whitetail doe and a buck this week with a 129 gr Hornady spirepoint, two bangflops. Massive internal damage and a nice big exit hole in both. The doe was shot a bit over 100 yards and the buck at 254, the gun is a 6.5x55 an dmuzzle velocity would have been right around 2900 fps.

 

[Longwalker]

I have used that exact same bullet from several .308's on about 8-10 deer, no problems and only good performance and penetration. You story has me stumped.

 

[Jordan Smith]

That deer ran another 50 or so yards. I fired a second shot and it tipped right over. I know this all sounds strange but it sure has me puzzled. The other deer showed a bit more penetration and there was some tissue and bone damage on the front shoulder but nothing near as close to what it should of. It laid down after the shot and I got close enough for a head shot.

I am thankful I was able to harvest the animals and not lose them.

Was the rifle's report as loud as normal? The bullet fully expands within 1" of entrance, but if it was a squib load, it wouldn't have a whole lot of velocity behind it, nor would it be as loud as normal.

 

[snoopycda]

hornaday interlocks work as well as any bullet given the ranges and velocity. with super bullets you may have seen more penetration or maybe not. deer are not bullet proof, i would check my load. have you got a chronograph? keep in mind that dead is dead there are no degrees of dead. to me a bullet that does its intended job,has done it well and i don't care who's name is on it.

 

[powdergun]

Was the rifle's report as loud as normal? The bullet fully expands within 1" of entrance, but if it was a squib load, it wouldn't have a whole lot of velocity behind it, nor would it be as loud as normal.

It sounded normal and hit right where it was aimed. This has me totally perplexed. Come warm weather and when time permits I'll give the remaining rounds a thorough testing for penetration with some phone books or other set up. I'll buy some factory ammo as a comparison and go from there.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

[roccoskeet]

It sounded normal and hit right where it was aimed. This has me totally perplexed. Come warm weather and when time permits I'll give the remaining rounds a thorough testing for penetration with some phone books or other set up. I'll buy some factory ammo as a comparison and go from there.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Ill ask the obvious , no chance it hit anything before the deer ? Tree branch ect.

 

[Dugga Hunter]

Sounds like you might have had a bad bullet - I wouldn't give up on the Interlocks they are are good bullet for hunting anywhere used them in my 270 Winchester for the last 20years plus. Took some 270 grain Interlocks in 375 HH to South Africa in 2007 worked excellent on warthog, kudu and a blue wildebeest. Saw the bullet under the exit side of the wildebeest hide and later given to me by one of the skinners - perfect mushroom in appearance. Shot at about 100 yards - still ran 20 yeards before it tumbled - one tough animal.