Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Hornady spire points

Can someone enlighten me of the performance on medium game by this bullet?

Exits? Weight retention?

Thanks......

I`ve used them and like them on deer in 6.5mm, 7mm, and 30cal and have never recovered one.

I have to like anything that has a "secant ogive"... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

I've used the 7mm 139 gr and the .257 100 gr quite a bit on deer and antelope; and the .358 250 gr RN on caribou and mule deer. I think Hornady Interlocks are terrific bullets, used at reasonable velocities.

I have no idea how they would hold up at hyperspeed -- cause I just don't shoot bullets that fast... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />.

100 grainers in the .257 for 35 years. Dead blacktails all over the place, a number of pigs.
Pass-throughs, under-skinners, jellied lungs, broken bones; reasonable weight & finished profile.

Not to worry.

They're "nanner-peels" on Critters,but shoot nicely..................

I'll have to show you the 250 gr RN I recovered from the mule deer's neck after it shattered the neckbone and was stopped by the rock said neck was laying on. Perfect mushroom; 80%+ weight; and perfectly straight shank.

That's the only one I've ever recovered, and the rock backstop was the only reason I got that one <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Thanks guys......sounds like a good deer round for the .260 in 100 grains......appreciate the feedback....

I'd lean toward the 129 grain Interlock for deer in the 260. Try H-4350, H-4831 (regular or SC), and Reloder 19 for full power loads.

Thanks mathman.....I've gone that route but the lighter quicker bullets are my preference....kills like lightning on these Texas whitetails.....

I use 45 gr of H4350 with good accuracy....

In your first post you asked about exits and weight retention so I thought you might have been looking for some of each. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> The 260 can push a 100 grainer pretty fast, and at those speeds Hornady considers them to be explosive varmint bullets. Have you considered the 100 grain Partition? The front end will smack 'em hard and the back end will provide an exit.

mathman

Sure have considered the partition....just haven't got my hands on any yet....H4350 will only push them to 3200 or so....I called Hornady and they said for my application they should hold up plenty well.....

Sorry if the weight retention/exit sounded confusing...just looking for field experience feedback....I get consistent exits from 100gr ballistic tips FWIW.....

Appreciate your feedback.....Greg

I have used them on deer in .25 and .30 cal they work great.

All the major, standard grade bullets work well from 2100 to 2800 fps at impact.

Below that, they do not open reliably, and pass right through the game.

Above that, they don't hold together well, or mushroom too much, giving limited penetration. Speer, Sierra, and Hornady all perform basically the same in this respect.

If the bullet hits a major bone, a standard bullet is probably not going to do as well as a premium bullet.

Partitions open at 1700 fps, and do very well up to 3100 fps at impact, and probably beyond.

So look at your probable impact speeds, and make your decision based on that. Most of the time, standard bullets are just fine.

Gmoney,

I have shot many WT deer with 139 and 154 Hornadys from my .280 at 3150 and 3000fps respecticly, and several with 100s in my .243 at 3000fps. Mostly 139s. Even on double shoulders hits there is 100% pass through with good destruction. They expand and work well on rib pass throughs as well. Many a bang flop with lung hits. On quartering shots I get exits, but usually full penetration with recovered nice tidy mushrooms in the off side hide. I have never had one blow up at those velocities, but my buddy has had the 139s blow up when fired from his 7mmRM at close to 3400fps. The most extreme shot was a running shot at a decent 8 point I jumped. I put the 139 about 4 ribs behind the left shoulder...it travelled in to the neck, destroyed several vertabrae running lengthwise up the neck and lodged in the neck meat. Bang flop! Recovered a nice mushroom.


Wt retention? I have never weighed...but its good...like I said, pretty mushrooms. I regard Hornady Interlock as the frugal man's premium bullet. It works.

Here is how good they work...I'd love to shoot partitions or other premiums...but the Horn. Interlocks shoot good and work...I keep coming back to them in most guns.

For those Tx whitetails I'd sure give the 95 V Max a go and also the 100 NBT. I also think the Sierra makes a MK in the 107 weight or so and they would work well also.

Either one of those would work just fine.

As for the Horn spire points I've always found them to shoot very well to excellent. Of the ones that I found only one was beat up really bad it was on adownhill angle on a spike bull-@ 200 yds. It went thru the spine and front shoulder and not tons left under the skin. Of course the bull hit the terra firma right quick.

The rest of the slugs we've found over the years have shown very good frontal areas and 50-75% weight retention.

I feel it is a very good slug.

Good luck to ya.

Mark D

A few years back i shot a moose and mulie buck with factory Hornady 190 grain BTSP from my 300 win.That combo was very accurate in my rifle.I never recovered a bullet from either animal.Their was a really good wound channel in the moose with some bloodshot meat but not too much.The deer was close so i shot it in the neck.It was a pretty small hole in and out if memory serves me right.

I shot a doe with a 130gr in .270 WSM. Popped her through the lungs from 30 yrds she ran 15 yrds and piled up.

Mike

Completely agree with the 100s in 243 and 139/154s in 280. For bigger animals or higher speeds the Partition gets the nod from me. The Hornady Interlock is the first bullet I reach when developing loads.

RH

The only reason that I changed fron 139gr. Hornady's to 140TSX's, in my 7X57AI is that the TSX's shoot better...
I load my buddy's 243 with 100gr.Hornadys and he has had good results with both accuracy and dead critters...
Bart

Gmoney,

Now you've got my attention. What size are those deer you're getting exits on? I might have to brew up some 100 grainers for my buddy's Low Wall 260. This could see some time this season as a doe collector.

mathman