'Lil Help hornadt interlock speed question.

[new210/22]

Thanks,

I am about to load up a batch I test fired a while ago, and see that I loaded my #3031 150gr SP Interlock in 308 WIN with 45.5gr of Varget. That is within tolerances of the Lee manual range of 44-47gr for a 150gr jacketed bullet.

The hornady handbook has this bullet listed at 35.9-44.5gr of Varget.

I had no signs of over-pressure and shot to 47gr in my testing so I am nit concerned about pressures, my concern is: Am I pushing this bullet too fast to perform well on impact? What does Horady know about this bullet that I don't?

I have always found the hornady manual to be on the conservative side, but I wanted to put this out there.

As for performance I got 4 shots touching and a flyer 3/4'' high. No notes from the day indicating it was a known flinch, but for my hunting ranges this will do just fine. Hopefully after testing the coming batch I will fix that flyer.

 

[bearhunter]

That bullet will perform just fine with the load you're using.

You don't give much information to go on for velocities and that is your main concern when it comes to terminal performance at very close range and extended ranges.

Hornady does a lot of performance testing in the field as well as in media gel. The load they list has more to do with their pressure barrels than it does with the performance of the bullets at higher velocities.

The same bullet you're using is also used in the 300WSM at much higher velocities and performs very well.

 

[bigedp51]

The Hornady reloading manual lists the muzzle velocity range for the #3031 150gr SP Interlock is 2700 to 3600 fps.

 

[Eagleye]

I'll be willing to bet a fair chunk of change that at 3600 fps, and close range, that 150 IL will
come unglued. But it is a decent bullet, and stays pretty well intact up to 3100 or so. Dave.

 

[new210/22]

Thanks for the feedback, I didn't have access to a crony that day, so velocities at this point are unknown. I have loaded a small batch and will chrony them before using in the field. Thank you everyone for confirming what I believed was true.

 

[bearhunter]

Thanks for the feedback, I didn't have access to a crony that day, so velocities at this point are unknown. I have loaded a small batch and will chrony them before using in the field. Thank you everyone for confirming what I believed was true.

Eagleye is correct about the extreme velocities at close range.

As for your load, it's right in the middle of the acceptable velocity range and will be fine for the ranges most people hunt/shoot, which is sub 300 meters. That doesn't mean it isn't capable of good performance at longer ranges, but then you may start having to worry about whether the bullet will have enough energy to expand properly beyond 400+ meters.

I would say you're biggest worry now, is to shoot the rifle at different ranges so that you know the trajectory of that bullet, with your load, from your rifle.