Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 139 Hornady Spire Point in 280 Remington

As luck would have it, this bullet is, by far, the most accurate bullet in my 280 Rem Mk V Ultra Lightweight. I'm running 57.0 grains RL-19 (max charge) and am getting sub-MOA 5-shot groups provided I let the barrel cool between shots (a must with this rifle). Velocity is averaging 2,995 fps, and standard deviation is right at 4 fps.

Here's my question: For those of you who have actually hunted this bullet, how did it do on large deer or similar game? I'm a high shoulder-shot guy normally, but I'd probably choose a heart/lung shot with a cup-and-core bullet such as the SP. This is just a little lighter and faster combo than I have experience with, so I'm interested in feedback.

I have tested this rifle with the 140 Ballistic Tip, 140 Partition, 150 Partition, 150 Ballistic Tip, and 139 SP. Of course, as is often the case, the SP was the accuracy king.

It is perfect for deer. You're good!

That Hornady 139gr Spire Point has been one of the most accurate loads in a lot of 7mm rifles.

It is not a fragile bullet either -- I know one guy who has killed at least 3 moose with that bullet.

John

That bullet has nearly no equal in cup & core design.

My favorite bullet in my 280 Ruger as well. Loves max loads of either IMR 4831 or H4831 and H4350.

No problems on large body Manitoba, Saskatchewan ,and Alberta Whitetail and Mule Deer. from 80 to approx 300 yds.

Would not hesitate to use it in that rifle for larger game.

Flyer

Hornady American Whitetail Ammunition 7mm Remington Magnum 139 Grain Interlock Spire Point

3150fps

Relevance?

Link didn't show. A few positive reviews using the bullet at a bit faster than he'll be pushing it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/31...terlock-spire-point-box-of-20#reviewHead

You the thread police?

Your link didn't show, as you said. Post didn't make a whole lot of sense without it.

You the thread BLM?

Being one step above dial up I couldn't compete even if I wanted to. Good people though.

I've used the 139 SP on few thousand pounds of caribou (7mm-08). It's my favorite cup and core in the 7mm (and also like the similar 129 in the 6.5).

I will echo that and at Weatherby velocities. They would not be my choice for moose, but I have taken quite a few deer and BIG hogs with the 139gr and all shoulder shots. Good little bullet.

I've used the 139 flat-base Interlock on a bunch of big game from the .280, up to big caribou in size, all at 3100+ fps. Might not be my first choice for elk, but if it was all I had wouldn't pout and stay home.

Yep, big deer are absolutely no problem for the 139-grain Hornady Interlocked in the .280 Remington. I've used it quite a bit and it performs perfectly every time.

On a few occasions, I've been hunting deer with my .280 Ackley loaded with 139s when a legal elk showed up. Trust me, the 139 kills elk just fine and dandy.

Like Johnny, given a choice, I'd probably opt for a slightly heavier bullet for elk (like the fabulous 154-grain Interlocked), but the five or six bulls I've killed with the 139 simply dropped most sincerely dead.

Steve

Might have to try those in my .280 some day.

Interlocks generally are fairly tough for cup/cores. I've never used that 139gr bullet but my truck gun is an 18" stainless 7mm-08 RAR and it likes the 139gr factory ammo. At $21.99 a box, I can't argue with it. Empty Hornady cases aren't much cheaper. At carbine speeds of 300-400fps less than the .280, it should be plenty tough for hogs and deer.

We'll find out.

I'm fueling my 7mm-08 Tikka T3 with the 139 Hornady Interlocked factory "American Whitetail" ammo this year.

Deer, elk, bears. I'll try to fling one at each and report back!

I hit a big body muley with it at 385 yards and it dropped right there....and this was launched by a 7-08 at 2820fps. I'd think you're fine for any deer

Load em up and fill some freezers. Probably close to half of the deer I have killed have been with those bullets out of a 7 mag and I have had no issue's. If my old Beretta would shoot them I would still be using them but it like the Barnes.

I killed these dinks each with a single 139. Works for me.

Go forth and kill the sh1t out of stuff

God Bless,

Steve