Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Speer Hot-Cor or Hornady Interlock for on game performance?

While working up loads for this year's deer season recently I started to reflect on how Speer Hot-Cors and Hornady Interlocks have performed for me in the past.

My experience shows that the Flat-Base Interlock is typically easier to get accurate loads for, while the Hot-Cor may have a slight edge in terminal performance. Both do a fine job on deer and hogs.

What does the board's collective experience say? Does one hold together better? Does one kill more consistantly?

Thanks,
Mark in GA

markinGa i shoot the hornady and the speer with the same load in my 30-06 and can not tell witch is better deer hit with either of them just fall over very little tracking job needed

IME, some rifles will prefer one over the other accuracy-wise. Terminal performance is indistinquishable.

I've always used Speers and Hornadys in several cartridges. Both bullets seem to shoot well consistently. As southtexas said, "terminal perfomrance is indistinguishable." I have found that the .284" 154gr Hornady and the .308" 165grn Hot-Cor act more like a premium bullet than a cup and core generic.

I kind of favor the Speer's performance on game.

There is one difference worth considering. The Hornadys will open up with impact speeds in the 1700-1800 FPS range. The Speers have to be going at least 2100 at impact, or they don't open well. The Hornadys give you an edge on long shots where the bullet isn't carrying much speed.

I've been very pleased with the hot cors.

Shot more game with Hornies than all other combined. Never ever had a problem.

I've killed bunches with Hot Cores but the Interlock has never let me down either.

I`ve never lost an animal shot with either bullet, nor recovered a bullet after. I tend to use a lot more Hornadies though, just because I seem to get them to shoot better in my rifles.

where did you read that? Not arguing, just never have seen that anywhere.

Hornady flat base seems to be the first bullet I try in most guns .If they shoot well then I'll try the more expensive bullets

My go to .30 is the Speer Mag Tip, they perform like Grand Slams but cost less.
Also loading the 160 Mag tip for a 7 mag,they work well.

I use the hot cor almost exclusively. Both work well.