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I recently purchased a large quantity of 30 caliber Hornady IL SP and in comparing them to the older Hornadys that I developed my load with I find that jam length in my rifle is quite a bit shorter additionally the weights on a sample of the new bullets varies by more than a grain whereas the older lot varied by half that
This is frustrating for several reasons. The new bullets at my prior OAL are 30 thousands past "jam" necessitating redeveloping a load and as the previous load was lightly compressed, just seating them deeper is not optimal
Have others found the new Hornadys lacking in QC compared to those of several years ago? These were not bulk bullets or seconds but hundred count boxes, btw
Thanks
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They are a hunting bullet. They are more than sufficient for hunting accuracy. If you are splitting hairs with reasonably-priced hunting bullet, then maybe you need to follow the target-bullet-for-hunting crowd.
New, or old, I have never had issues getting Interlocks to shoot 1/2-1 moa in ANY of my rifles. You are over-thinking this and making a problem where it does not exist.
You did not "seen" anything, you "saw" it. A "creek" has water in it, a "crick" is what you get in your neck. Liberals with guns are nothing but hypocrites.
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Tell you what, old bullets 15 thou off the lands shoot 1 moa and cases extract without the slightest difficulty. New bullets seated to the same depth are 15 thousands into the lands and I have to pry the bolt handle open
Pretty sure I'm not overthinking it
Last edited by tcp; 10/17/16.
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Compared to the old bullets are the new ogives fatter for longer after the break from the full shank diameter, and are the lead tips a bit more blunt and rounded?
Those are the changes that moved me off the 150 flat base Interlock. None of my rifles liked them as well as the older ones.
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Hornady (and others) are chasing a market that some of us aren't really represented by as much. It's annoying alright.But I'm sure you can work up a good load that will replicate the way the former bullet was shooting.
Sometimes, the air you 'let in'matters less than the air you 'let out'.
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Tips are relatively the same in appearance. Ogives are different in profile, as I had to adjust my seating stem .015" deeper to move the portion that the ogive "jams" at .030" deeper.
Hopefully, the performance is similar to the "old" product.
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At least they haven't cancelled production of the bullet like they have some of their ILs.
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Tell you what, old bullets 15 thou off the lands shoot 1 moa and cases extract without the slightest difficulty. New bullets seated to the same depth are 30 thousands into the lands and I have to pry the bolt handle open
Pretty sure I'm not overthinking it
I'm positive you're not over thinking this. I have 6-700 of these on my bench - my 308 loves them. I've noticed 0.020 difference in mine. I changed the OAL to ensure the bullet ogive was the exact same distance from the L&G. It appears accuracy is similar. But - I noticed 0.030 difference in the Nosler Partition 180 cal. I tried to keep the ogive- rifling relationship the same but accuracy suffered. Could have been some difference in bullet concentricity between differing lots of bullets but accuracy changed. I'd try to keep the ogive- relationship the same and see what happens. Let us know what you find. Look at the positive - you get more trigger time either confirming or developing a new load
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Hornady ogives do seem to change from time to time. I've always had good luck just keeping the ogive to land distance the same. As a matter of fact I don't even keep my reloading records by OAl anymore. When they went to the different taper i always felt bad for beginning Reloaders because where they put the cannelure was just plain wrong......if people seated by the canelure i can only imagine how many people were jamming the rifling.
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My experience is the same as Kracky's - dealt with this on Hornady 308/165 grain IL's years ago - varying ogives. You just have to check each bullet lot to ensure you are not spiking pressure due to being in the rifling with too hot a charge. Has also happened over the years with other brands - new tooling, new machine = slight difference in the bullet.
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Both bullets are 165gr Hornady flat base bullets but out of different boxes/lots. The seating stem is set the same. The cannelures have a different location on the shank.
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After the production change the 150's I mentioned earlier didn't respond to seating depth adjustment well enough to equal the performance of the older bullets.
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After the production change the 150's I mentioned earlier didn't respond to seating depth adjustment well enough to equal the performance of the older bullets. I had the same thing happen in 6.5mm with their 140 grain interlocks. 2006 lot = Very good accuracy (just shy of MOA for 5 shots) 2010 lot = Ogive moved +0.38". Still have 1/2 box left as I haven't found a decent shooting load.
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Hornady (and others) are chasing a market that some of us aren't really represented by as much. It's annoying alright.But I'm sure you can work up a good load that will replicate the way the former bullet was shooting. I'm in agreement with you and mathman. Hornady really chaps my hide recently. That's one of the reasons I have almost all but switched to just using Nosler partitions. Seconds from SPS of course and they are even cheaper than most Hornady interlocks as well...
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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I've been lucky with the 170 FPs for the .30-30, the new ones seem to have changed shape, they aren't quite as blunt as they used to be, but shoot as good as their older counterparts.
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Here is a 165gr Hornady Interlock fired from a 300WSM- mv 3030fps(58.3grs after recovery).I shot 4 whitetail does 125-130lbs,100-125yds all square in the shoulders as per ranchers request.All 4 bullets stopped in the offside shoulder,zero exits,both shoulders extremely bloodshot.Had I shot tight up against the shoulders and through the ribs the results may have been complete pass through and not as messy.They are very accurate bullets,but seem to be just a little too soft,shedding nearly 2/3rds of their weight with a lot of bone/flesh contact.
Last edited by baldhunter; 10/23/16.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~ As Bob Hagel would say"You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong."Good words of wisdom...............
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Both bullets are 165gr Hornady flat base bullets but out of different boxes/lots. The seating stem is set the same. The cannelures have a different location on the shank. They changed the ogive location about 4 years ago if my memory serves me right.. I had to work up new loads and adjust seating depths for the newer bullets. I've also heard they are not as tough as before. One of the reasons for switching back to Nosler partitions. Like I said, Hornady really chaps my hide. However, I'll be using some oldstyle 225gr. interlocks in my 338 win mag, on my elk hunt this year. I haven't bought a new box of interlocks in a few years. Hornady should listen up to some of us real hunters and re-think what they should be offering in their line-up. Get rid of the fu cking pos plastic tipped sob's and pull your (Hornady) head out..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Here is a 165gr Hornady Interlock fired from a 300WSM- mv 3030fps(58.3grs).I shot 4 whitetail does 125-130lbs,100-125yds all square in the shoulders as per ranchers request.All 4 bullets stopped in the offside shoulder,zero exits,both shoulders extremely bloodshot.Had I shot tight up against the shoulders and through the ribs the results may have been complete pass through and not as messy.They are very accurate bullets,but seem to be just a little too soft,shedding nearly 2/3rds of their weight with a lot of bone/flesh contact. That does not look like soft to me. A standard bullet hitting bone and looking that good, is a good bullet in my opinion. They are not a premium. I'll bet a Partition would have lost as much weight.
You did not "seen" anything, you "saw" it. A "creek" has water in it, a "crick" is what you get in your neck. Liberals with guns are nothing but hypocrites.
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Tell you what, old bullets 15 thou off the lands shoot 1 moa and cases extract without the slightest difficulty. New bullets seated to the same depth are 15 thousands into the lands and I have to pry the bolt handle open
Pretty sure I'm not overthinking it
Which powder are you using. Extruded powders can take a lot of compression with no ill effect. With any of the stick powders,just seat the bullets 30/1000ths deeper and rock on. I would put a couple over a chronograph to see exactly what is happening. One of the best loads I ever worked with was 63 gr H4831 behind a 190 Hornady btsp in a 30-06. Now, that is a compressed load.
People who choose to brew up their own storms bitch loudest about the rain.
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That does not look like soft to me. A standard bullet hitting bone and looking that good, is a good bullet in my opinion. They are not a premium. I'll bet a Partition would have lost as much weight. Especially considering 300 WSM velocity. A mid-weight standard cup/core bullet whizzing along circa 3000 fps through two shoulders, this and a lot of bloodshot meat is what I'd expect.
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I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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Sorry I'm coming late to the party.
Yes! This is the same exact problem I had with 165 grain Hornady SP's. I made the mistake of trying to mix two boxes, one old and one new. Yikes!
The ogive is definitely different. I would go as far as to say radically so. My last box of the old bullets were probably purchased around 2008 or so. The box the new ones came from Grafs earlier this year. So far I have not seen a change in performance.
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Shaman: just curious. What is your avatar?
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sbhooper,
You've recovered Nosler Partitions that lost 2/3 of their weight?
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Something similar happened to the 180 interlocks several years ago as well. They use to have a ring above the cannelure, its gone now. I also hate having to re-tweak loads. Maybe the Nosler 2nds is the way to go...
Stuck in airports, Terrorized Sent to meetings, Hypnotized Over-exposed, Commercialized Handle me with Care... -Traveling Wilbury's
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My solution is and has been to buy all I expect I will need for a given diameter when I am pleased with the performance of a particular bullet. I am all for "technology" and new stuff but these days, IMO, the bullet suppliers are cutting RCH's for hunting rounds.
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My solution is and has been to buy all I expect I will need for a given diameter when I am pleased with the performance of a particular bullet. I am all for "technology" and new stuff but these days, IMO, the bullet suppliers are cutting RCH's for hunting rounds. Exactly what I did try to do, but the change in ogive occurred somewhere between the first box (obtained here in classifieds) and the multiple boxes recently ordered. FWIW Sierra Pro hunters from 15 years ago and last year are the same- too bad they don't make a 165 grain Pro hunter.
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sbhooper,
You've recovered Nosler Partitions that lost 2/3 of their weight? That question is a bear trap.
Scott
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sbhooper,
You've recovered Nosler Partitions that lost 2/3 of their weight? No,I have never recovered one, but you know as well as anybody, that Partitions are made to shed the front half of the bullet. They also cost much more than the Hornady and that is what I was referring to. A bullet that looks that good after hitting all of that bone, is nothing to scoff at. Hornady bullets are inexpensive and still perform just fine, even at 300 velocities. You are splitting hairs by trying to figure out if it lost 2/3, 1/2, 5/8, or whatever amount of its weight.
Last edited by sbhooper; 10/26/16.
You did not "seen" anything, you "saw" it. A "creek" has water in it, a "crick" is what you get in your neck. Liberals with guns are nothing but hypocrites.
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sbhooper,
First, I'm a big fan of Hornady Interlocks and have used them to take several species of big game in weights from 100-250 grains and calibers from .25 to .35. The ones I've recovered have averaged about 50% weight retention, but two separated core and jacket. Once it didn't matter because the animal died anyway, but it did matter on the other animal, which had to be shot again because the first didn't make it into the chest after hitting the shoulder joint.
Second, Nosler Partitions are NOT made to shed the "front half" of the bullet. They're designed to lose the front core, which isn't anywhere near half the weight. The models at the smaller end of the line-up, in caliber and weight, typically lose about 30-35% of their weight, and the heaviest models lose around 10-20%.
This makes a considerable difference in penetration over the Hornady Interlock. I once shot a mule deer buck facing me in lodgepole timber with a 140-grain 7mm Partition. The bullet didn't exit but I couldn't find it inside the buck's innards. Found it a year later when biting into a round steak, retaining 60% of its weight. Also once shot a 200-grain Nosler Partition through the middle of the big joint of a 6-point elk's shoulder as the bull quartered toward me, and the bullet exited the rear of the ribcage on the other side, several feet of penetration AFTER breaking the thickest chunk of bone in an elk's body.
As noted earlier, Hornady Interlocks are good bullets, but they are NOT Nosler Partitions.
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Hornady Interlocks ... but it did matter on the other animal, which had to be shot again because the first didn't make it into the chest after hitting the shoulder joint. J.B., do you recall the cartridge particulars, caliber, bullet weight and range for the one which didn't penetrate? I had a .358 Win 200gr Interlock SP not make it all the way through a shoulder. Fortunately, it was the off-side shoulder as I shot the buck quartering away, bullet entered towards the rear of left rib cage, destroyed the lungs, shattered the off-side scapula and lodged in the ball joint. Range was short ... about 30 to 35 yards. Charge was 47.5 grains IMR 3031. It left me wondering if the Interlock would have penetrated to vitals if I'd hit him in the shoulder at entrance. I've pondered moving up to 250 grains, although I try to avoid hitting shoulders to save meat anyways.
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Not an apples to apples comparison but I spent a period of time culling horses and was using the 270 Win for the most part. Initially was using 150g Interlocks launched around 2950fps then went to 160g NPTs launched around 2850. Shoulder shots were the norm...
No I didn't recover any because at most we would only take the hind quarters for dog meat, but the horses hit with the Partitions went down more quickly and not many needed a second shot. With the Interlocks some of them would not succumb straight away with shoulder shots.
I've not submitted bullets to any harsher tests than that, but the Partitions did impress me.
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sbhooper,
First, I'm a big fan of Hornady Interlocks and have used them to take several species of big game in weights from 100-250 grains and calibers from .25 to .35. The ones I've recovered have averaged about 50% weight retention, but two separated core and jacket. Once it didn't matter because the animal died anyway, but it did matter on the other animal, which had to be shot again because the first didn't make it into the chest after hitting the shoulder joint.
Second, Nosler Partitions are NOT made to shed the "front half" of the bullet. They're designed to lose the front core, which isn't anywhere near half the weight. The models at the smaller end of the line-up, in caliber and weight, typically lose about 30-35% of their weight, and the heaviest models lose around 10-20%.
This makes a considerable difference in penetration over the Hornady Interlock. I once shot a mule deer buck facing me in lodgepole timber with a 140-grain 7mm Partition. The bullet didn't exit but I couldn't find it inside the buck's innards. Found it a year later when biting into a round steak, retaining 60% of its weight. Also once shot a 200-grain Nosler Partition through the middle of the big joint of a 6-point elk's shoulder as the bull quartered toward me, and the bullet exited the rear of the ribcage on the other side, several feet of penetration AFTER breaking the thickest chunk of bone in an elk's body.
As noted earlier, Hornady Interlocks are good bullets, but they are NOT Nosler Partitions.
I have never once said that Interlocks were Partitions. You are splitting hairs again. I used the wrong terminology when I said front half, instead of core. After total penetration, 50-60 percent of weight retention is not a problem in my book. For me, the problem is when a bullet fragments badly, which neither have done for me over the years. Partitions SHOULD perform better than Interlocks, as they are a premium bullet and quite a bit more expensive(unless you do what I do and buy seconds). I use both types of bullets and have never had a problem with either one killing and usually exiting on elk, antelope and deer. I cannot comment on bears etc., as I have yet to get a test medium! I have usually gotten better accuracy out of the Hornady, also. There again, splitting hairs, as I have never had an issue getting hunting (moa) accuracy from either one.
Last edited by sbhooper; 10/27/16.
You did not "seen" anything, you "saw" it. A "creek" has water in it, a "crick" is what you get in your neck. Liberals with guns are nothing but hypocrites.
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Gringo Loco,
The Interlock that didn't penetrate was a 117-grain .25 boattail from the .257 Roberts, muzzle velocity a little over 2900 fps. The animal was a mature mule deer doe, standing quartering toward us. My cousin was the hunter, and he put the bullet in the shoulder joint so it would angle through the chest. It would have if it hadn't come apart, but instead what was left of the jacket and core stopped in the ribcage.
The doe turned sideaway after the shot and started limping away, so he shot again, behind the shoulder, and that bullet went all the way through, putting the deer down.
The 250 roundnose Interlock is a good one in the .358 Winchester, though of course trajectory isn't very flat! I used to handload them for one of my hunting mentors for his Savage 99 after Winchester quit making 250 factory loads, and he liked the way they didn't shoot up meta and penetrated well. Among other animals he took a BIG 6x6 elk with them, but also a lot of eating-size deer. I inherited the rifle and used them as well, but Hornady eventually discontinued the round-nose, though I see them at gun shows now and then. I switched to 225 Partitions, which work very well.
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Thanks for background info on that load MD.
I have a box of 250 round nose interlocks and two boxes of 250 SP's, but I'll probably hunt with 200 grains this season again instead of working up a new load. The season after that 200 IL SP didn't exit, I loaded the 200 grain round nose and shot another buck at about the same yardage. Didn't hit any shoulders that time though, and the bullet exited. I've heard that the round noses are tougher, but that's only heresay. Trajectory at these ranges is a moot point. It's rock throwing range, lol. I didn't realize Hornady had stopped producing the 250 RN, shaking my head.
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Yeah, I shook my head on that one too. But bullet companies prefer making money, like any other business, so eventually drop bullets that don't sell enough to justify machine time.
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sbhooper,
First, I'm a big fan of Hornady Interlocks and have used them to take several species of big game in weights from 100-250 grains and calibers from .25 to .35. The ones I've recovered have averaged about 50% weight retention, but two separated core and jacket. Once it didn't matter because the animal died anyway, but it did matter on the other animal, which had to be shot again because the first didn't make it into the chest after hitting the shoulder joint.
Second, Nosler Partitions are NOT made to shed the "front half" of the bullet. They're designed to lose the front core, which isn't anywhere near half the weight. The models at the smaller end of the line-up, in caliber and weight, typically lose about 30-35% of their weight, and the heaviest models lose around 10-20%.
This makes a considerable difference in penetration over the Hornady Interlock. I once shot a mule deer buck facing me in lodgepole timber with a 140-grain 7mm Partition. The bullet didn't exit but I couldn't find it inside the buck's innards. Found it a year later when biting into a round steak, retaining 60% of its weight. Also once shot a 200-grain Nosler Partition through the middle of the big joint of a 6-point elk's shoulder as the bull quartered toward me, and the bullet exited the rear of the ribcage on the other side, several feet of penetration AFTER breaking the thickest chunk of bone in an elk's body.
As noted earlier, Hornady Interlocks are good bullets, but they are NOT Nosler Partitions.
Great post John. I have caught some 180gr. partitions in critters shot from 30-06 and 300wsm that lost about 1/3 of their weight. I still have 1 of those bullets around here somewhere from a more recent bull (2014) I shot and it looks like the front end of the bullet just smeared off. That was from a 300 WSM moving it along about 3,000 fps. I'll have to look around and find it and weigh it to be 100% sure of what weight it retained. The rubbery hide on the offside caught that one. This year I used my old 06 with 200gr. partitions and bullet penetrated with no problems. Same same on the buck I shot with that bullet this year too...
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Gringo Loco,
The Interlock that didn't penetrate was a 117-grain .25 boattail from the .257 Roberts, muzzle velocity a little over 2900 fps. The animal was a mature mule deer doe, standing quartering toward us. My cousin was the hunter, and he put the bullet in the shoulder joint so it would angle through the chest. It would have if it hadn't come apart, but instead what was left of the jacket and core stopped in the ribcage.
The doe turned sideaway after the shot and started limping away, so he shot again, behind the shoulder, and that bullet went all the way through, putting the deer down.
The 250 roundnose Interlock is a good one in the .358 Winchester, though of course trajectory isn't very flat! I used to handload them for one of my hunting mentors for his Savage 99 after Winchester quit making 250 factory loads, and he liked the way they didn't shoot up meta and penetrated well. Among other animals he took a BIG 6x6 elk with them, but also a lot of eating-size deer. I inherited the rifle and used them as well, but Hornady eventually discontinued the round-nose, though I see them at gun shows now and then. I switched to 225 Partitions, which work very well. Interesting. The only time I have had a penetration problem with an Interlock was with a 117 .25-06 load started at about 2900 fps.
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