Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Bullet Test - .277 150 Interlock

Decided to do a little "in the field" bullet testing with the 150 Interlock out of my 270 win over the past 4 days. Handloads are a blistering 2800 fps out of my Tikka superlite . I was using a 3-10 SHV with the MOAR reticle.

First test: Cow elk at 250 yards. Slightly quartering away, hit her on the last rib angled forward. Caught the front of a very full paunch, liver, and lung. She ran about 50 yards, stood for a minute and fell over. Found the bullet in the rib cage against the offside still in the chest cavity. Bullet weighed 101.8 grains or 68% weight retention.







Second test was on a bedded buck at 238 yards. Broke both shoulders and found the bullet under the hide on the offside. The deer never got out of his bed. Bullet weighed 84.6 grains or 56% weight retention.









Over the past 25 years or so I have shot primarily accubonds and partitions for almost all my big game hunting. But with the current component shortage, Hornady seems to be the one manufacturer that is able to keep some bullets on the shelf. I would have no issue using the standard Interlock under 2900-3000 fps. I'm a fan.

Andy

They shot great for me but seem like too much bullet for smaller Texas deer so I went to something faster opening. No questioning their elk performance it seems.

This is good to hear. My Tikka .270 loves this bullet as well. It also shoots the 150 Partition to the same POI with the same load but the Partitions aren't as accurate.





Thanks for sharing your results and congrats on your critters! Nice freezer queen and buck! I've never used the .277 150's but have plenty of other interlocks and I've always had very similar recovery stories as yours. I will not hesitate to use them.

Todd

Oddly in my rifle the 150 accubond has the same POI at 200 yards as the 150 interlock.... there is about 40 fps difference between the loads. The 150 interlock are slightly more accurate. Unfortunately, I haven't found the 150 accubonds for purchase in over two years.

Andy

well done, also have a Tikka T3 lite .270 and have been thinking about the 150 gr ,never tried them

If it ain't broke----don't fix it. I would use that load the rest of my born days.

Fantastic bullet testing and steaks to boot Andy 💪
My 270 Montana loves 150 IL’s and Partitions. A fella could hunt the world and never be hungry.

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the report and congrats on the nice critters! All should be great on the table.

Like you said the shortage has me looking at Hornady real hard.

I've pretty much used a 130 Sierra Gameking or a 130 Partition for everything. Hornady 145 ELDX seems to be showing up on shelf's around here, has anyone used these on game?

I've heard that same comment a few times lately. Good on Hornady for keeping shooters supplied.

A few yrs ago I was miffed at Hornady for dropping some bullet lines that I used and started using other brands instead. Good luck trying to buy a NBT in Canada these days or any other Nosler for that matter. I had to re-think that decision and stocked up on Hornady again.

Thanks for sharing. I always use 150 partitions for mine, but had tested a few loads with old Hornady 150gr spire point (pre-interlock) that literally put three bullets in the same hole. Have been tempted ever since to pick up some 150 interlocks with they hope they would shoot the same and provide a good practice/economical hunting load.

308 w/150 sp works great, about 40 yds or so.

Congrats Andy - appears that new SuperLite is getting a workout this year. Nice buck, I'll be in similar country this weekend, decided to try hunting the last 5 days of our season hoping to avoid the crowds

More and more you hear that same sentiment coming from folks about what they choose to use. Availability is a big deal as well as not gouging folks. I'm also at the same juncture where I doubt if I'll purchase nosler again after I use up the ones I've got left which is probably a lifetime

yes sir I have more red boxes on my shelf than ever before because i could get them and the price they were offered at....
the 25-30 dollar ballistic tip prices at SPS has pretty much done it for me..

Good luck Frank! Hopefully it cools off a little. Mid 80’s kept the deer movement down. For whatever reason the buck I killed decided to bed on an open hillside in the sun… maybe he was lost. 😂

aheider,

The 150 Spire Point has long been one of my favorites in the .270. First stated using them in the mid-1970s, long before Hornady added the Interlock ring, partly because they were extremely accurate in my Remington 700 ADL. Using the original mil-surp H4831, muzzle velocity was around 2850--though I didn't know that until a few years later, after purchasing my first chronograph. That load would group 3 shots in an inch--at 300 yards.

A good example of the penetration was a big Montana mule deer buck, which weighed 232 pounds field-dressed AFTER a week of hanging. This was in the steep, thick timber country next to the Idaho Panhandle, and the buck was uphill at about 25 yards. At the shot it collapsed, because after entering the chest the bullet broke the spine at at the rear of the ribcage--and exited.

The Interlock version penetrates even better, as you have proven--which is why I always keep a sufficient supply on hand....

A lot of guys think the partition or other controlled expansion bullet is needed. As the op in this thread shows, the good ol Hornady interlock works just fine. I've been using them for years. I shoot a lot though and like using what I practice with. The interlock allows you to do this. There is a reason people call these bullets "the poor man's partition". Think about it.. With Nosler raising their prices like they have and screwing its customers over, I have gone far away from them. I still have a bunch, but don't plan on buying anymore. Like I said before, Bend is getting overran with Californian's and they are screwing things up in that central Oregon town. A shame really.. The way Nosler is going, they won't be around in 10 years.

Bend been overran by Californians since the early 90’s. I can only imagine what it’s like now. Hwy 20 towards burns at one point many moons ago after pilot butte only thing out their was the hospital and sage brush. Bend was a sawmill town but Billy Clinton’s policies on logging in National forest old growth logging shut all the mills down in eastern oregon. I think bend had 5 sawmills at one point. I could see nosler moving their operations to Idaho or Wyoming.

Its a shame really. I know old John Nosler is rolling over in his grave right now. His offspring is killing off his business..

John,

That's a huge buck.... For reference the one I killed above was silly fat and only weighed 150 lbs hanging (no head, hide, lower legs, etc...)

Just wondering, does anyone shoot the INTERBOND? Seems to me they would be even better than the interlock.

The .277 IL works!

I also shoot the Interbond in my 270 wsm. It works too, if your rifle likes it. Similar weight retention as the Interlocks. I thought it would be higher, but out of the few I've found, they are all around 55% retention.

That’s a big wound.

Have used quite a few Interbonds, but they don't usually group as well as Interlocks. The best results I've seen were Hornady .30-06 factory loads with the 165 Interbond, in a Sauer 303 autoloader--which I used on an "industry" pig hunt in 2011, near Abilene, Texas. They sent me the rifle afterward for further testing, and largest 3-shot groups with that ammo went under an inch, and most were smaller. But have handloaded some Interbonds in other calibers, if I recall correctly the smallest a .270. They're not nearly as consistent as Interlocks, and since I've never seen either the 130- or 150-grain Interlock spire-point "fail" quit using them.

I've also had great results with the Interlock. I bought a bunch of .24, .25 , and .27cal cheap. I'm gonna hunt with the 100gr. in a smokin .270 Win load a few years. I bet It'll do great.

Good information, and good shooting! Just played musical scopes on my rifles, plus did some tweaking on my old lefty Ruger .270. I have a new stock, new scope, and a new box of the Hornady Interlock 140gr BTSP. Hopefully it shoots and performs similar to your setup!

I perforated several moose hides with the old 270 - 150 spire point. Several at 300 to 400 yards in the old burns. This was back in the 60's and 70's. Before the interlock and some before the innergroove. Some bullets were recovered and none exited. Usually took a couple of rib cage hits before they tipped over. One old bull at 300 yds dropped like a stone. High rib cage hit, steep uphill and nicked the spine. A smaller bull was knocked down so fast all I could see was 4 feet waving when I got my scope back on him. Not sure of the hit as my brother took the carcass to the butcher
We had a target set up at 500 yards on the ranch. Practiced lots on this and could get 4-5 inch groups from a rest. I stiil shoot lots of these great bullets.

I have no doubt it will work!

Weird, ol man’s been runnin 162’s since I can remember,bout 40 plus years, Hornadys have been the benchmark for decades, but the flatbills been wantin the magic cart … Hornadys, the hunter bullet

Excellent post! Thanks for sharing

I like Hornady and Speer bullets, shot a lot of game with both brands 150 grain flat based .277 bullets. Stocked up on 130 and 140 grain Partitions back when SPS had em pretty cheap and use them nowadays. They do work also.

Good work. I’ve been wondering about the performance of that bullet. Thanks for sharing

Thanks for sharing. Valuable information.

I have used the Interlocks for many years in several different cartridges. I have never experienced inaccuracy with them, nor failure to perform. The 150, 30 cal is my preferred bullet in both my -06 and .308. I stocked up before things got stupid. The 129 in my .260 has killed more than a few deer at both short and longer ranges.

Cartridges of moderate velocity do not need premium bullets to perform adequately on game.

Interlock test update: Tikka T3x Superlight, 270 win, 150 Hornady Interlock at 2800 fps. 3-10 SHV MOAR

After 5 relatively slow days in the Idaho backcountry I finally found a buck bedded at 485 yards. My plan was to wait until he stood, but patience isn't my strong suit. He was quartered toward me with most of his front half exposed and I felt confident I could slip a bullet behind the shoulder. Shot felt good and I could see him obviously hit well. The bullet landed tight behind the shoulder but with the angle and the low profile being bedded it exited his spine.

As he was sliding down extremely steep hillside and trying to regain his feet I sent another one that landed mid body angled back.

The first bullet exited and was never to be seen... The second bullet was found just under the hide. The jacket had separated but the core was in the exact same location. Total weight of both pieces was 123 grains or 82% weight retention.

Heck yeah son! Nice buck and pic, great shooting too. Your stacking up the steaks.
🥩

Witnessed some 270win performance recently. Some of the 130gr bullets are great for small deer but that's it. Those Rem Core Lokt 130gr are shallow penetrators and too frangable. I'm happy that I picked up a pile of Hornady 150 Interlocks, 150gr Speers, and a bunch of old 150gr Winchester Power Points. I'm set for life. I'll use the 130gr stuff for vermin coyote duty.

Didn't see anyone mention it so I will the 150 gr .277" SP works just as good started at 3150 fps out of my Mk V 270 Weatherby Magnum. Full penetration...mb
.

I use to use NBT bullets and I still have quite a few of 150 gr NBT's on the bench but the past few years I have started using Hornady 154 gr SST's in my 280. They shoot lights out with a healthy charge of IMR7828.

Here's one I caught in a buck I shot a couple years ago. Buck was facing me at 60 yds. Put the crosshairs on his neck and run the bullet through his neck into the chest cavity. Found the bullet in the liver. With the availability of Hornady bullets I'm not planning on changing back anytime soon.

Very awesome! Nice buck again and thanks for sharing!

Todd

Pretty good prices on 130 and 140 gr...

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010475722?pid=321817

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010472453?pid=162016

Great prices. I would be on some, if I did not already have a lifetime supply.

I really like the horn andy interlock and the swift a frame in 270 at 150 grains. They are deadly rounds and elevate the 270 as a great game killer, I think.

Thanks for that heads up! I stocked up on the 130 grainers.

Loaded 50 of these up last night in some new WW brass, have a few different .270’s so going to zero them all up and use as my back up guns for the rest of this year. Trying to shoot something with the .338-06 I’ve had for years and neglected.

Good to learn some first hand info about them. If I end up using one I will report back as well.


Mike

midway had blems for 20 a box

I got 2,000 from Midsouth Shooters Supply 15 or more years ago and just never got around to using any.

That's a healthy supply!

They were blems but I don’t see anything wrong with them and others have had good luck shooting the various blems over the years

I'd run Interlocks in a minute. Great factory bullet IMO. They should really elevate a 270's game, and that's saying a lot.

That bullet is for our bear loads here in Wisconsin. Only one 206 lb bear but it went through the front shoulders and out the rib cage . Bear went 20'. I use mostly Hornady now days cause I can get them. However , I have been buying Speer bullets cause they are considerably cheaper, but only used them on one doe my son shot , a .243 Win 100 gr.

Thanks for posting this

I have used a LOT of them but I never shot an elk with one.
I did kill a lot of deer with them as well as a few horses and cows on the ranch. When my Mauser 270 had it's 1st and it's 2nd barrels in it I shot more of that particular bullet from that rifle than any other. If something needed to be shot and I had the 270 with me that was the bullet it usually got shot with. I think elk is the only exception. Why.?...just because I typically had Partitions in my rifle if I was after elk, but looking back at what I saw killing those horses, I am pretty sure I would not have been disappointed if I'd have used an Inner Lock.

Like Mule Deer I also used WW2 surplus 4831 and I used a lot of GI 30-06 brass that I neck-sized down. I found in my Mauser that the same load of powder and the same primer would group the 150 Gr Nosler Partition and the 150 Gr Hornady Spire Points on top of each other. So for years I used the same load of powder with both bullets and never had a complaint.

I would buy them wrapped in clear plastic sleeves with 5 boxes together and most times I'd buy 2 or 3 of those at a time. I shot them a lot and loved them. My M70 Winchester shot them into just slightly over 1" and my Mauser with the 1st and the 2nd barrel shot them well under 1 inch The 2nd barrel was freakishly accurate for a long time---- until I shot the rifling's out of the throat.

Awesome animals. I use the original 140 interlock at creed speeds in my 6.5 cm. Great in the timber. For my 270 I bought a bunch of the 145gr eldx with the interlock on sale before the craziness happened. I have a bunch to last me a long time. I have had good luck with them too.

Calvin , what’s your load with the 145 x?

59 of rl22. Almost out of 22 so will be looking elsewhere. I have a few boxes of precision Hunter and that was very accurate for me too.

Why is Hornady keeping the shelves full and other manufacturers can’t ? Could it be that folks are buying the “other” bullets instead? Interlocks have shot fine in my handloads. Interbonds not so much…

Many years ago, a gun shop owner suggested I try the new Hornady Custom factory load with the 140 gr. Interlock bullet. It shot very well in my Weatherby Vanguard, within the factory accuracy guarantee. The rifle was new at the time and had severely disappointed me with Federal Premium 150 gr. loads which shot 6" patterns (not groups) at 100, so the 140 IL presented a refreshing contrast in performance. I handloaded some 140s and got similar results. I have had consistent pass-throughs with significant wound channels (like in the hole-in-the-ribs picture earlier in this thread) so I have not felt any pressing need to look for a different bullet.

I'm an interlock lifer. Have always trusted that bullet.

Interlocks work! When I moved to Wyoming in my early 20's I owned just one rifle. Model 70 Pre '64 FWT in .270 Winchester. I used the 130gr. Hornady Interlock and that .270 on the first 13 elk in 13 seasons that I killed and kept elk meat in the freezer every year. No one told the elk back then that a .270 wasn't a big enough rifle and you must use super premium bonded bullets like we're told now days. Long live the Hornady Interlock.

Not sure if this is another bullet that’s been tweaked in the last few years but I’ve shot and killed several deer with 130 hornady spire points in the past 2-3 years. . All were one shot kills and all deer were recovered but all of the 130’s i recovered had expanded clear to their bases and had spit out their cores. All I ever found was a mangled jacket. They killed very well though and I ordered another sleeve of 500 so I guess I’m not too mad at them.

A couple of years ago, I killed a little black bear at 353 yards with one .308" 180-grain Interlock flat-base spitzer at about 2,689 fps. That's about as old-school as you can get while still using smokeless powder but it worked just fine.


Okie John

We only have one kill with that bullet. My son shot a 206 lb gutted bear . It went 20'. It went through the shoulders and out the ribs . Lots of mess inside.