Hornady Interlock: A Classic Performer?

[General RE LEE]

I loaded up a ladder for my Tikka T3x 3006 of 165 grain Hornady Interlocks last night. 56-57.5 grains of H4350 to see what groups best.

My goal is to find a simple, affordable bullet that will anchor whitetail at ranges from 0-300 yards.

Anyone have experience, feedback with the Hornady Interlocks? I used them in factory American Whitetail ammo in a 308 and it laid them down.

 

[257Tony]

I've used them a few times over the years on deer, .270/130, .308/165, .264/140, all the deer are dead with no drama. Have a buddy that's shot them for close to 20 years now, 180 btsp out of his .300 WM, killed countless deer and Elk, almost always with one shot.

 

[Calvin45]

Oh you're gonna get feedback haha! You defined the interlock in your own parameters: a simple, affordable bullet that will anchor whitetail inside 300 yards (and a good bit further too). They were the first bullets I started my handloading adventure with in my .270. 130, 140 btsp, 150…They're all as accurate as anything else, I've killed whitetail with all of them, in my experience the flat base ones kill more emphatically though I have no idea why that should be, just what I've seen (not out of a huge sample size either, so bear that in mind, could be fluke). The 130 interlock shall always be among my favourite 270 projectiles. And the interlock ring works as advertised in my experience. Basically a much more affordable and precise shooting partition if I may be so blasphemous! And this is from experience shooting through both shoulders of a mature whitetail buck. Recovered offside under the hide, exactly perfect performance.

 

[Another Casual]

For me they have always shot better than they should for the price. I get a little nervous about losing meat if impact velocity is going to be above 3,000fps. I've switched to solid copper on those rifles. Interlocks are best of the cup and core bullets, in my opinion.

 

[SSTX]

I've used the 154gr in 7mm RM and the 100gr in a .257AI, both worked well but I kept them to broadside heart/lung shots. Both exhibited good accuracy. My Dad used the 154gr 7RM bullet to take his largest whitetail in South Texas years ago at a bit over 400yds. IMHO, they are solid, economical hunting bullets.

 

[Hard rock]

For me they have always shot better than they should for the price. I get a little nervous about losing meat if impact velocity is going to be above 3,000fps. I've switched to solid copper on those rifles. Interlocks are best of the cup and core bullets, in my opinion.

The Hornady Interlock is a good cup and core bullet have loaded and killed a lot of deer with various calibers, but have moved on too Hammer bullets for ease of load development, availability, higher velocity less fouling and less blood shot meat loss .They cost a little more but it takes 15 too 20 bullets too find a good load , If you have Hornadys use them then in the future give the Hammer a try if your a avid reloader you will be surprised

 

[Old Rooster]

There is no way to count the amount of deer I have shot with 100 gr Hornady Interlock in 243,150 gr Interlock for 308 and 30-06.
270 as well took many and like others here "they just work"!
I still have some of the old flat base bullets in 30 cal and feel confidence in them with any caliber.
Hornady kept the Interlock alive by giving it a boattail and plastic tip in the form of the SST

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

In these parts of north Idaho hunters often call them the poor man's partition. Well - put me in that poor man category! 180 spire point in 30-06 / 300 wsm has proven to be a fantastic all-purpose bullet under 400 yards!

 

[memtb]

Generally speaking.....a great bullet for your listed desires. Like any other bullet.....it has it's limitations! If you stay within those limitations.....you will be a "Happy Camper"! memtb

 

[LVJ76]

Great penetration and fast kills. Lung shots or shoulder shots, don't matter, it works for both.

Obviously not the highest BC bullets for longer range, but for the ranges you mentioned, they are perfect.

Have used the 139gr on the 7mm-08 and 154gr on the 280 Rem, both worked great up to 400 yds and they leave a nice exit hole too.

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

@General RE LEE If you can't source the interlock - look for the speer grand slam. Another SOLID performer. They shed weight and create a great wound channel as well.

 

[memtb]

For me they have always shot better than they should for the price. I get a little nervous about losing meat if impact velocity is going to be above 3,000fps. I've switched to solid copper on those rifles. Interlocks are best of the cup and core bullets, in my opinion.

My findings as well! Close range shots (under 100) with mv's exceeding 2900 caused (IMO) pretty violent (though they held together quite well) expansion with more bullet weight loss than I was comfortable with. Also, went to monos in the early '90's for the higher velocity stuff! memtb

 

[Andrew Massi]

I killed my first deer with a 154 interlock out of a 7mm wby no complaints. If anything on deer I've had less stellar results with "premium" bonded bullets than the more traditional bullets a la interlock, partition et el.

 

[Andrew Massi]

@General RE LEE If you can't source the interlock - look for the speer grand slam. Another SOLID performer. They shed weight and create a great wound channel as well.

I believe the federal fusion is a Speer bullet, perhaps the grand slam