Hornady interlock, have you used it on anything?

[Tbitty]

Forgot to add that I also use the 200 grain version for 35 Whelen with great success.

 

[KoedoePoesPienk]

Elk, WT and mule deer.
.270 130gr
7x57, 139gr and 154gr
30-06 180gr

 

[mark-hunter]

That bullet is more popular than I thought!

 

[Piet Brood]

Started out with 150gr in my 308Win then moved up to 165gr. I’ve taken numerous springbuck, blesbuck and kudu with them. Always performed satisfactory. Prefer the 165gr at slightly lower velocity to limit meat damage as I mostly hunt for the pot.

 

[MS 9x56]

My servant wish is that bullet makers bring back the 165 grain roundnose bullets. They are perfect and the most accurate bullet in my 308 Savage 99.

 

[MS 9x56]

My servant wish is that bullet makers bring back the 165 grain roundnose bullets. They are perfect and the most accurate bullet in my 308 Savage 99.

Damn auto correct, should read fervent wish. I have recently purchased a box of 9.3 286 grain bullets but have yet to load them.

 

[Badboymelvin]

Glad I stumbled upon this thread; I'm planning a Fallow deer hunt and am using my .303 British loaded with the 150gn Interlock at a sedate 2450fps.
After reading this I have every confidence it will do a great job.

Russ

 

[fourfive8]

The Hornady Interlock is nothing more than a common, cheap, thin jacketed, non-bonded cup and core bullet that gained a foothold in the false marketing lexicon promoted by Hornady and others years ago when few premium hunting bullets were available. Same applies to Remington CoreLokt, etc, No way that small internal nub ring in the jacket “locks” the core into the jacket as the bullet starts to come apart past certain threshold of stress. It really makes no difference the type of bullet if shooting smallish big game with something like a 30 cal 180 gr bullet starting out at muzzle vel of 2700 fps. Even a pure lead bullet would work. Larger, tougher game with high vel, relatively smaller bullets is where poor bullet choice issues become clear.

 

[fourfive8]

OP’s question was, “have you used Hornady Interlock for game?” Answer, “yes, one time when they first came out… about mid-late 70s”

Result… junk, frangible bullet. Shot a mule deer buck, +/- 180-90 lbs @ 150 yards with 130 gr 270 bullet loaded to conservative mv of about 2800 fps. Shoulder hit, large cavity wound but did not penetrate into thoracic cavity. Disabled deer but did not kill it. Required 2nd shot. Years later, out of curiosity, I tested the Interlock into wet pack ballistic media- same result. The Interlock nomenclature is a marketing ploy that Hornady continues to peddle. They did the same thing with their so-called Dangerous Game Expanding (DGX) for years before having to change the design… but only after many, many failures on dangerous game. They did it after denials and dragging their feet for YEARS. The late Joyce Hornady’s famous quote in response to criticisms of his frangible big game bullets should be remembered. It went some like, “why are you complaining, the animal is dead isn’t it”.

 

[F. Vaccaro]

I have used it in the : .308 165gr spire point Elk.
.375H&H Mag 270 spire point & 300ge RN deer
(I used to hunt exclusively with the .375!)

 

[UpNorthMI]

OP’s question was, “have you used Hornady Interlock for game?” Answer, “yes, one time when they first came out… about mid-late 70s”

Result… junk, frangible bullet. Shot a mule deer buck, +/- 180-90 lbs @ 150 yards with 130 gr 270 bullet loaded to conservative mv of about 2800 fps. Shoulder hit, large cavity wound but did not penetrate into thoracic cavity. Disabled deer but did not kill it. Required 2nd shot. Years later, out of curiosity, I tested the Interlock into wet pack ballistic media- same result. The Interlock nomenclature is a marketing ploy that Hornady continues to peddle. They did the same thing with their so-called Dangerous Game Expanding (DGX) for years before having to change the design… but only after many, many failures on dangerous game. They did it after denials and dragging their feet for YEARS. The late Joyce Hornady’s famous quote in response to criticisms of his frangible big game bullets should be remembered. It went some like, “why are you complaining, the animal is dead isn’t it”.

The 70's was a long time ago, I think you are right that Hornady has had some issues in it's past however the OP is looking for thoughts on their current products. The Hornady Intelock is sold as an entry level bullet, as you said "common & cheap".

My experiences for practice and soft skinned game, such as whitetail deer is that they perform well overall if shot at reasonable velocities for the relative caliber. I've recovered a couple that expanded well and retained at least 70% of their initial weight just as I have with Remmington Corelokt bullets. These are not bullets to smash shoulder bones on larger animals such as mule deer. I'm not sure that was a claim being made by Hornady. As you know there is a great range of other bullets that will do much better on larger game, none of these bullets are entry level cheap bullets, premium performance comes at a premium price.

The current Hornady DGX Bonded version performs really well, my son & I shot 32 buffalo on our last trip, here's a few bullets that were recovered in .416 / 400 grain.

I personally think Hornady are doing a good job currently in their availability of their products and supporting the lower cost / entry sector in the bullet market. It was not until covid and the shelves were bare except for Hornady that I ever purchased some of their entry level bullets. There were no Nosler ballistic tip available which is what I would usually use.

 

[KoedoePoesPienk]

My servant wish is that bullet makers bring back the 165 grain roundnose bullets. They are perfect and the most accurate bullet in my 308 Savage 99.

Can you add the 154gr 7mm RN to your list for us?

 

[KoedoePoesPienk]

Elk, WT and mule deer.
.270 130gr
7x57, 139gr and 154gr
30-06 180gr

Just remembered that I also used 180gr Interlocks in my .300H&H, Worked just fine.

 

[BruceS]

So, have you used Hornady interlocks, what caliber, how many grains, and at what game?
Experiences?

I've used them in my 375hh (300 grain) for many African plainsgame with great success. Stateside the 140 btsp has worked great for deer in my 270 win.

 

[wolfhunter]

On my first Black bear hunt in Ontario using 270 gr. In a 375 HH recovered 3 bullets they all were impressive 7' cinnamon . I don't think I would use Hornady on cape Buffalo non dangerous game they do fine . although now I perty much load nosler Barnes Swift

 

[Kiwifire111]

Glad I stumbled upon this thread; I'm planning a Fallow deer hunt and am using my .303 British loaded with the 150gn Interlock at a sedate 2450fps.
After reading this I have every confidence it will do a great job.

Russ

I couldn't pick a better load for the.303Br.
In a previous life in New Zealand I loaded custom hunting ammo, and recommended and personally used Hornady interlock bullets. All wortlrked as planned.
From my own hunting and a deal with customers bringing recovered bullets back to Mr, I amassed a formidable collection of spent bullets.
There were many different types and variations from a large range of manufacturers as per customer's preferences.
The totally was nearly 200 by the time I was recruited through my work to ACT FIRE & RESCUE at which time I gave them away!
Remington Corelokt, Nosler solid base, Partitions and sundry other brands.
By far the biggest proportion at 65- 70%
We're Hornady Inter lock of many varied calibres.
If I loading 303 for a learner kid, that would be the combination with the most accurate load, regardless of Velocity.
Don't disregard round nose bullets, I use H interlock 170gr RN in my 8mm/06
I an currently on 14 bang -flop on consecutive Deer.
The biggest lesson learned in this is the the bullets stayed within the target animal as were recover! Every scrap of kinetic energy was transferred to the animal producing the required effect, a dead deer on the spot or within an acceptable distance.
Using bullets that are specifically designed to kill deer is essential for quick, humane and recoverable kills.
Interlocks are the best!!

Mal the Kiwi.

 

[Philip Glass]

Wouldn't consider it myself. Too many better choices.

 

[johnnybow]

7 rem mag with 139 soft point boat tails. Works on whitetail

 

[TarletonJake]

I’ve used them in a handful of calibers over the years and have not had problems, but I stick to heavy for caliber bullets when using the Interlock.

Jake

 

[F. Vaccaro]

I couldn't pick a better load for the.303Br.
In a previous life in New Zealand I loaded custom hunting ammo, and recommended and personally used Hornady interlock bullets. All wortlrked as planned.
From my own hunting and a deal with customers bringing recovered bullets back to Mr, I amassed a formidable collection of spent bullets.
There were many different types and variations from a large range of manufacturers as per customer's preferences.
The totally was nearly 200 by the time I was recruited through my work to ACT FIRE & RESCUE at which time I gave them away!
Remington Corelokt, Nosler solid base, Partitions and sundry other brands.
By far the biggest proportion at 65- 70%
We're Hornady Inter lock of many varied calibres.
If I loading 303 for a learner kid, that would be the combination with the most accurate load, regardless of Velocity.
Don't disregard round nose bullets, I use H interlock 170gr RN in my 8mm/06
I an currently on 14 bang -flop on consecutive Deer.
The biggest lesson learned in this is the the bullets stayed within the target animal as were recover! Every scrap of kinetic energy was transferred to the animal producing the required effect, a dead deer on the spot or within an acceptable distance.
Using bullets that are specifically designed to kill deer is essential for quick, humane and recoverable kills.
Interlocks are the best!!

Mal the Kiwi.

I am with you on the RN bullet, deadly & won't make a bit of difference in drop till you cross the 300 yard line!