Hornady InterLock , Opinions Please

[Thunder F/X]

I load them in my 300 Weatherby Mag at well over 3000fps Kills stuff DEAD!
They are highly under rated and are a great hunting bullet. I know I know... they are not sold as a hot rod "premium" bullet but I have taken Elk and Moose with one shot kills at 50 yds and all the way out to 450yds DRT.
Load em and shoot em! If you find you have too many I would gladly help you out of some of them!!!

Thunder

 

[blacksmithden]

I use them in my 300 win mags. They've served me very well and you won't be disappointed.

 

[normanrd]

I too have used these for many years in my 300 Weatherby. It has performed well out of all 3 barrels it has had on it, and killed all kinds of stuff along the way with excellent efficiency! Load them up and have no fears of poor performance at all!

 

[senior]

For what it is worth there have been some claims that the current production Hornady Interlock is not the same design - or as tough - as the original. There has been a fair bit of discussion at 24 Hour Campfire on the subject.

I have always had good results with Interlocks.
The new Horns are now called "Interbond" I think????
I do know of 1 failure on deer at 30-06 velocity with the new Horns.

Could you perhaps give us a link to the discussion

 

[crazy_davey]

I have always had good results with Interlocks.
The new Horns are now called "Interbond" I think????

Interbonds are different bullets from Interlocks.

InterBond®


Features:
Bonded design for deep penetration and 90%+ weight retention.
Streamlined design delivers ultra-flat trajectories.
Devastating terminal performance across a wide velocity range.
Unequaled accuracy and terminal performance for long-range shots.

InterLock®


Features:
Aerodynamic secant ogive delivers flat trajectories and great accuracy.
Tapered jacket for deep penetration and controlled expansion.
InterLock ring locks core and jacket together.
Lead alloy core is tough enough for any game.

 

[rookie wildcat]

I haven't used any of the "new" hornady's mine are all more than 5 years old so I cannot say if the new ones are as good. I have never had anything complain when I hit them with 180gn bullet from my .303. Holes through and through. Hard to gauge retention. Only time I was able to was when I hit a Buck at 80yds with a 123gn hornady interlock from my SKS. 2ribs, heart, bullet just under skin on far side. more than half weight retention, 68gn.

 

[bearhunter]

I have used the "New" Hornady "SST Interlock" bullets on game and I can vouch for how well they work. They do everything they are supposed to. They hold up well and penetrate will at both long and short ranges.

In one instance, a bear at 35 yards, the 140 grain 6.5 bullet went through both shoulders and didn't break up. It obviously mushroomed properly, from the size of the exit channel, about 2cm. You can't ask for much better close range performance than that. At 200 yards, the same weight bullet and calibre did a similar job on a 2 point Whitetail. I will admit though the bullet went in just behind the front leg and exited out the opposite shoulder. Minimal meat destruction and fantastic accuracy.

 

[gaddye]

Well I'm impressed !!!!!

I shot a 6 round 1 1/8 group at 100 yrds off the hood of my truck. Then I shot a green fur log at 100 , 200 , and 300 yrds , then cut and split the log to find the projectiles. The projectiles were all expanded but not broke up at all. I know a fur log isn't a game animal but, I think there isn't a bone out there that will fragment these projectiles.

Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the input guys

 

[mbogo3]

286gr Hornady 9.3x62 on moose shoulder blade 200 yards.

 

[mbogo3]

180gr Hornady failed to expand at 3000fps from .308 NM frontal chest shot on mulie doe penetrated 3 feet!

 

[gaddye]

Would the flat base make a difference ? I've got BT

 

['Boo]

Would the flat base make a difference ? I've got BT

Not really. You bullets will perform just fine it is only the newest production Interlocks that are in question. I have used the older 180 BTSP bullets in my 300 WSM with good luck and wouldn't worry about them in your 300 Win.

I think I will try and find a few boxes of current production bullets in different calibres and section them so I can compare them to older versions I have on hand. Should be a good winter project.

 

[blargon]

Not really. You bullets will perform just fine it is only the newest production Interlocks that are in question. I have used the older 180 BTSP bullets in my 300 WSM with good luck and wouldn't worry about them in your 300 Win.

I think I will try and fund a few boxes of current production bullets in different calibres and section them so I can compare them to older versions I have on hand. Should be a good winter project.

I have some of each. Whats the cleanest way to section them?

 

[legi0n]

hmmm, I only have 4 boxes of older interlocks.
Guess I'll have to find a replacement.

 

[BwanaDave]

I clamp them in wood and run a 3/8 end mill through em on the milling machine

 

[Big Jon]

I could swear there were pics of sectiond interlocks on here last fall...it sprouted from this same topic.

...I could be remembering something that never actually happened though.

 

[Noel]

I use the Interlocks most of the time in 25,7mm,30cal,303 currently and have used them in 6mm,270,338 and 375. Results have been mixed from finding just jackets like Harold to finding very nice mushrooms. This is more for reference if it helps you guys as I don't use magnums. Up close any cup/core bullet is going to loose more and depending on what it impacts even at long range it can be suprising the outcome.

This seems like pretty typical performance for the 7mm 154gr

The SST in 7mm is more fragile than the Interlock, Interbond is a fair bit stronger/harder than either.

On the left is a 375 300gr shot from a 38-55 into a pine log lengthwise with the grain, I forget the penetration but it was a solid log and over 24" penetration, that is much easier going than across the grain tho.
On the right is a 375 300gr after going thru the head of a beef steer point blank and three vertabrae, out of a 38-55.

This 30cal 165gr went through the head of a whitetail at over 200 yds, sideways just below the eye. Anyone familiar with the bone structure there knows there's a fair bit but it is light bone. The jacket was found stuck in the hide offside much to my suprise.
And for the tinfoil hats, no I did not mean to hit ii there (in the head). The stupid thing died right there and didn't give me a chance to shoot it in the lungs.

In the 25cal I have been very impressed with the 117gr Round nose in both the 25 Rem and 250HP. Have had three complete pass thrus with a 1 to 1 1/4" hole bored thru the animal and only one needed a follow up shot.

Buy them up!

 

[blargon]

I could swear there were pics of sectiond interlocks on here last fall...it sprouted from this same topic.

...I could be remembering something that never actually happened though.

I remember that thread too, but can't find it. I think the newer ones have a thinner jacket and the locking ring was moved further back.

 

[martinbns]

Care to explain, is this not a good big game projectile ?

It's a good projectile, but no cup and core bullet will withstand high velocities as well as a TSX. At normal velocities they work great, but don't stand up to high velocites very well.

 

[normanrd]

I have some of each. Whats the cleanest way to section them?

I have used an angle grinder with a real fine blending disc on it to section pistol bullets before. I hold them lightly in a vise between blocks of wood.