I've shot quite a few critters with the 225-.338 Hornady, always had excellent results. That was long ago and at about 2850-2900 fps. Won't be useing them in my 338/378, it shoot the TSXs very well, can't wait to hit something with them.
Hornady Spire Point InterLock bullet
- Thread starter albertacowboy
- Start date
I still believe a good rule of thumb is if your cartridge propels a bullet over 2800 fps at the muzzle, you should load a premium controlled expansion bullet. Even more so if you're hunting with a smaller cartridge like a 270 or 7mm for moose/elk.
I could happily hunt elk or moose with a 35 whelen loaded with 250 gr Interlocks. I couldnt say the same if I was hunting with a 270 WSM loaded with 150 gr Interlocks. Now, put a Swift A Frame or Barnes TSX or similar in the 270, and my confidence in the hunt would go back up.
If its just deer, Im pretty sure you're fine with Interlocks, just expect some meat damage and dont expect extreme penetration (not that its needed usually for deer anyways). If I was using something small like a 25-06, I wouldnt choose a 117 gr BTSP Interlock as my first choice. If it was a 308, a 165 gr Interlock would be a good pick, if it shot well in your rifle
one good thing about Hornady is they usually shoot good. and they're inexpensive
I could happily hunt elk or moose with a 35 whelen loaded with 250 gr Interlocks. I couldnt say the same if I was hunting with a 270 WSM loaded with 150 gr Interlocks. Now, put a Swift A Frame or Barnes TSX or similar in the 270, and my confidence in the hunt would go back up.
If its just deer, Im pretty sure you're fine with Interlocks, just expect some meat damage and dont expect extreme penetration (not that its needed usually for deer anyways). If I was using something small like a 25-06, I wouldnt choose a 117 gr BTSP Interlock as my first choice. If it was a 308, a 165 gr Interlock would be a good pick, if it shot well in your rifle
one good thing about Hornady is they usually shoot good. and they're inexpensive
I agree that the Interlock is an excellent deer bullet.
I also agree with the other posters who've switched to TSX for hunting. What the hell -- why not use the Barnes bullets exclusively for big game hunting? They shoot well and they work, and I won't go through 20 hunting cartridges in the field in five years. So who cares if they're a little more expensive? I shoot so few of them that it doesn't matter.
If truth be told, the vast, vast majority of my shooting, even with "hunting rifles" is at the range. I don't see the need to use TSXs there, other than to work up the load and confirm the zero before going hunting. These days, I use Interlocks primarily for plinking and paper punching practice, and they work great in that capacity. In fact, they still make up the majority of the bullets that I shoot (because I do the majority of my shooting on paper).
There is one special exception in my battery where I use Hornady Interlocks exclusively, and that's with my FN-made Brazillian Mauser carbine in 7x57. That rifle loves the 175 Roundnose Interlock and it spits them out at 2,400 with a stout load of WC 852, even though its barrel is barely over 18 inches. I use this rifle with an aperture sight and don't plan to shoot it beyond about 150 yards. I've never been much of a lever action fan, so this is what I pass off as my ".30-30 equivalent" rifle. Though I've never tested the penetration, everything I have read or heard about this issue tells me that the Hornady RN bullet works like a miracle in that cartridge at that velocity level. Consequently, I'd not hesitate to use it on moose (if I were ever forced to go moose hunting with that rifle). What this load essentially does is duplicate the classic 100-year-old 7x57 load that gained the cartridge its reputation. Nothing more and nothing less.
However, if I had a modern 7x57 and used a scope, I'd almost certainly avoid this load and go with a TSX for all my hunting, using the Hornday for paper punching practice, just like I do with my .30-06 hunting rifle.
I also agree with the other posters who've switched to TSX for hunting. What the hell -- why not use the Barnes bullets exclusively for big game hunting? They shoot well and they work, and I won't go through 20 hunting cartridges in the field in five years. So who cares if they're a little more expensive? I shoot so few of them that it doesn't matter.
If truth be told, the vast, vast majority of my shooting, even with "hunting rifles" is at the range. I don't see the need to use TSXs there, other than to work up the load and confirm the zero before going hunting. These days, I use Interlocks primarily for plinking and paper punching practice, and they work great in that capacity. In fact, they still make up the majority of the bullets that I shoot (because I do the majority of my shooting on paper).
There is one special exception in my battery where I use Hornady Interlocks exclusively, and that's with my FN-made Brazillian Mauser carbine in 7x57. That rifle loves the 175 Roundnose Interlock and it spits them out at 2,400 with a stout load of WC 852, even though its barrel is barely over 18 inches. I use this rifle with an aperture sight and don't plan to shoot it beyond about 150 yards. I've never been much of a lever action fan, so this is what I pass off as my ".30-30 equivalent" rifle. Though I've never tested the penetration, everything I have read or heard about this issue tells me that the Hornady RN bullet works like a miracle in that cartridge at that velocity level. Consequently, I'd not hesitate to use it on moose (if I were ever forced to go moose hunting with that rifle). What this load essentially does is duplicate the classic 100-year-old 7x57 load that gained the cartridge its reputation. Nothing more and nothing less.
However, if I had a modern 7x57 and used a scope, I'd almost certainly avoid this load and go with a TSX for all my hunting, using the Hornday for paper punching practice, just like I do with my .30-06 hunting rifle.
Hornady SST's with Interlock
Hello there. Has anyone got any feedback for the Interlocks used in the 160 grain 6.5 bullet for the Swede Mauser. I have some 125 partition loads ready to sight in and will use them to hunt with. The new Hornady SST with the Interlock 30 cal 150's boattails work well in my 30-06's moderate handloads for big game. They are accurate and expand reliably even at extended range and or at somewhat reduced load velocities. I have also been checking out some Sierra 200 handloads in my M94 Swede action Carl Gustav sporter rifle and would like to see how they perform on big game. These loads in deference to the action are to about 2500fps which should be sufficient to perform as expected. Safe hunting and shooting to all. Regards
Hello there. Has anyone got any feedback for the Interlocks used in the 160 grain 6.5 bullet for the Swede Mauser. I have some 125 partition loads ready to sight in and will use them to hunt with. The new Hornady SST with the Interlock 30 cal 150's boattails work well in my 30-06's moderate handloads for big game. They are accurate and expand reliably even at extended range and or at somewhat reduced load velocities. I have also been checking out some Sierra 200 handloads in my M94 Swede action Carl Gustav sporter rifle and would like to see how they perform on big game. These loads in deference to the action are to about 2500fps which should be sufficient to perform as expected. Safe hunting and shooting to all. Regards
This year i decided try some new ammo,
165gr Hornady BTSP 300 win mag, 165gr Hornady BTSP 308win, 150gr Hornady Custom Ammo Interbonds 30-06 . the 308 held a 1"group at 100y, 30-06 did 1 1/2"grp 100y all shots done without shooting rest and the rem 7400 30-06 was, shoot as fast as i could aim. I was shooting at a wrecker 1990 acclaim i have here. 30-06 went thru drivers door and passanger no problem tearing big whole on exit. 308 didnt go thru because its exit lined up with door pillar and hinges but destroyed that. 300 win mag went thru both sides including passenger door closeing latch and pillar. So far i have not tried on game but i think at a 100yards any these bullets going to go thru a deer for sure.
165gr Hornady BTSP 300 win mag, 165gr Hornady BTSP 308win, 150gr Hornady Custom Ammo Interbonds 30-06 . the 308 held a 1"group at 100y, 30-06 did 1 1/2"grp 100y all shots done without shooting rest and the rem 7400 30-06 was, shoot as fast as i could aim. I was shooting at a wrecker 1990 acclaim i have here. 30-06 went thru drivers door and passanger no problem tearing big whole on exit. 308 didnt go thru because its exit lined up with door pillar and hinges but destroyed that. 300 win mag went thru both sides including passenger door closeing latch and pillar. So far i have not tried on game but i think at a 100yards any these bullets going to go thru a deer for sure.
interlocks
I've shot the 160 grain 6.5 Hornady some and it shoots very well in military rifles. If you don't mind the slower speed they will do any job a small bore should. I also really like the 125 Partition in the Swede as a deer load as well as the 129 Hornady Interlock. Both of these have always penetrated completely on deer and caribou.
I have used the 190 grain BTSP Interlock in a .300 H&H on three moose and all were one shot kills. The closest was about 50 yards and while the bullet flew apart it did penetrate to the far side of a nice bull. I will soon switch to a 180 grain Partition though as I only use this rifle for moose and sometimes bears. Interlocks are great bullets but for game bigger than deer I like the little bit of insurance than comes with a Partition.
Regards,
Outdoors
service rifleman1 said:
I've shot the 160 grain 6.5 Hornady some and it shoots very well in military rifles. If you don't mind the slower speed they will do any job a small bore should. I also really like the 125 Partition in the Swede as a deer load as well as the 129 Hornady Interlock. Both of these have always penetrated completely on deer and caribou.
I have used the 190 grain BTSP Interlock in a .300 H&H on three moose and all were one shot kills. The closest was about 50 yards and while the bullet flew apart it did penetrate to the far side of a nice bull. I will soon switch to a 180 grain Partition though as I only use this rifle for moose and sometimes bears. Interlocks are great bullets but for game bigger than deer I like the little bit of insurance than comes with a Partition.
Regards,
Outdoors
Hornady Slugs
Hi there. I have many different types of 6.5 bullets and have used both factory and handloads for hunting and have predominantly used the Swede for most of my hunting duties. Will be using the 125 Partitions for now but I would like to try out some 140's by Speer and the 129 and 140 hornady Sp's. I used the Super X 140 Winchester load with good results although now I am certain that the tougher partition will hold together if the shot angle is not ideal for penetration where a more frangible load like the 100 Ballistic tip would fly apart. Really like the accuaracy of the 100 grain ballistic tips under IMR 4350 producing about 2800 fps. Maybe more suitable for coyotes these bullets dropped some nice whitetails and lost nary a one. Yup the partition 125 gets the nod and I will sight them in today. The 6.5 * 55 rig is a Tikka Master Trapper that is a joy to hunt and shoot with. Regards
Hi there. I have many different types of 6.5 bullets and have used both factory and handloads for hunting and have predominantly used the Swede for most of my hunting duties. Will be using the 125 Partitions for now but I would like to try out some 140's by Speer and the 129 and 140 hornady Sp's. I used the Super X 140 Winchester load with good results although now I am certain that the tougher partition will hold together if the shot angle is not ideal for penetration where a more frangible load like the 100 Ballistic tip would fly apart. Really like the accuaracy of the 100 grain ballistic tips under IMR 4350 producing about 2800 fps. Maybe more suitable for coyotes these bullets dropped some nice whitetails and lost nary a one. Yup the partition 125 gets the nod and I will sight them in today. The 6.5 * 55 rig is a Tikka Master Trapper that is a joy to hunt and shoot with. Regards
- Location
- South Cariboo, BC
todbartell said:they make them smarter than I thought up north...
I bet he used a calculator.
I've driven 139 grain Interlocks up to 3500 fps in my 7 mm STW with jaw dropping results on whitetail and mulies. Most of the bullets were exits, but not all. In an attempt to get a little more penetration for bad angles and bigger animals I moved up to 154 grains at 3250-3300 fps. Elk, moose, caribou and a lot more deer died to that combo but it wasn't the kind of thing that would shoot through a deer lengthwise either. The 140 Barnes TSX that I use now is probably a better choice at 3500, but I never lost a single animal to the Hornadys either. Once you slow velocities down to below 3000 or so, I wouldn't worry about Flatbase Interlocks failing to do the job.
I have nothing against TSXs, and use them in a couple of rifles that shoot them well. I have yet to see a single shooter practicing offhand with a premium bullet yet.
I have nothing against TSXs, and use them in a couple of rifles that shoot them well. I have yet to see a single shooter practicing offhand with a premium bullet yet.
- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
interlocks
After 200 yards the 2800 fps mark is substantially lower where most bullets hold together and a premium bullet is not required. I guess our forefathers who shot nothing but pure lead were all vegetarians. The only ones who ate meat were the ones who finally got to shoot TSX bullets and got reloading data from TB.
After 200 yards the 2800 fps mark is substantially lower where most bullets hold together and a premium bullet is not required. I guess our forefathers who shot nothing but pure lead were all vegetarians. The only ones who ate meat were the ones who finally got to shoot TSX bullets and got reloading data from TB.
Dogleg said:
I work up a load with the premium bullet that I want.
Then, using a less expensive bullet, I work up a load that (very closely or exactly) duplicates the premium load with velocity, POI etc.
This way you can practice to your hearts content, wihtout busting the bank!
303carbine said:After 200 yards the 2800 fps mark is substantially lower where most bullets hold together and a premium bullet is not required. I guess our forefathers who shot nothing but pure lead were all vegetarians. The only ones who ate meat were the ones who finally got to shoot TSX bullets and got reloading data from TB.
Everyoen shoudl stop shooting at game under 200 yards.
JohnnyJ said:
I agree however deer and game move not always possible, however the ones that are hit in the vitals what i find is there is a far bit of shrapnel from the bullet that end up cutting into organs that you don't want open ie. stomach.
Gatehouse said:I work up a load with the premium bullet that I want.
Then, using a less expensive bullet, I work up a load that (very closely or exactly) duplicates the premium load with velocity, POI etc.
This way you can practice to your hearts content, wihtout busting the bank!
That would be the right way to handle it. The few rifles that I use premium bullets in, have a cheaper practice load. I don't particularly care if they shoot to the same POI though, sighting only takes a minute. The chances are it will be loaded with a ball powder as well, for speed of assembly. I shot 16 pounds of surplus ball powder from Higginson through my 375 alone this spring (I lost track on the others), using cheap old Hornadys as well as all the rejected "Premium" bullets that didn't shoot for beans. So I guess I have used a few boxes of Speer Grand Slams, and Nosler Partitions as plinking ammo. I guess they lost their premium status when they shot patterns instead of groups. I went hunting with TSXs though, they shot great.Didn't bounce off either I'm happy to report.
If you ever find your way down to our Saskatoon range and see someone shooting offhand and sitting, rotating hot rifles and surrounded by brass come over and say Hi. It'll be me, trying to learn how to shoot.
Dogleg
I like them to have a similar POI for 2 reasons:
1. It's easier. I dont' have to rezero back to the premiums when I switch.
2. It is useful. If you just want to take a shot to verify that your scope is fine after some transit, you can just use a cheapo. Also, if you have a coupe in your pocket and you get hungry, it is a less expensive way to remove some grouse heads!
1. It's easier. I dont' have to rezero back to the premiums when I switch.
2. It is useful. If you just want to take a shot to verify that your scope is fine after some transit, you can just use a cheapo. Also, if you have a coupe in your pocket and you get hungry, it is a less expensive way to remove some grouse heads!
- Location
- South Cariboo, BC
Gate - your method certainly sounds ideal.
Is it generally difficult to find a practice load that mimicks the hunting load, and do they typically follow the same trajectory for practice say at 300 yards?
Is it generally difficult to find a practice load that mimicks the hunting load, and do they typically follow the same trajectory for practice say at 300 yards?
