Hornady 30 cal 180gr SP Interlock bullet?


(Tecumseh, OH)

I just mailed my Application for a 2012 Montana Elk tag and have a question about the Bullet I plan on using in my 300 WSM. I have a super accurate load worked up with a Hornady 180gr SP with 66ge of RL-22, It worked great on a cow elk I got a couple of years ago and have no doubt it would perform great on a bull. I just wondered what everyone's experience has been using this bullet?

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Nov 18, 2021
 Horanady 30 cal 180gr sp
by: 7horse

I have used 180 gr sp interlocks on elk for many years, and have taken over 20 elk with them. In my 30-06 They shoot well.
On elk I almost always find them under the hide on the opposite side. They show a nearly perfect looking mushroom. Ranges from less than 50y to over 300y.
Nov 04, 2019
 Just an answer please
by: Anonymous

Can anyone actually answer his question? What are your experiences with the 180 Interlock on elk
Dec 28, 2017
 180 gr sp.
by: Anonymousbad b rad

My 300 w by mag loves the 180 sp. Hornady. Winchester not so much . Every gun is different. Find what touches bullets and stay. Best luck I've had reloading was chinchaga bullets xtreme rnge.
May 07, 2014
 hornady bullets
by: mountain walker

I shot these once in my 30-06 ,in a 180 grain custom bullet. At a 100 yards out of my savage bolt rifle they seem to group all to the left high,about 4 inches.Shot my old stand by 180 grain federal blue box was in the bulls eye . My gun did not like them . My buddy shot hornady sp interlock all his life said they killed all the game he shot at. He did tell me he shot a big bull Elk three times to kill it. Ask him why he was shooting 150 grain sp. in a 300 mag.He would never give me a good answer to that one? I think, He should be using there interbond bullet in a 180 grain, it would work better I think . There is always the chance you could hit bone ,it would stay together better,I think.Oh bye the way ,I shot out of my 30-06 i use Federals 180grain troupe bonded bear claw pointed plastic tip ,as I do not hand load .I like these a lot there are fairly hot loaded!
Jan 22, 2014
 180 gr SP
by: kentucky KP

started shooting 180gr SP bullets thru my 300 weatherby 35 yrs ago because that was what weatherby said was used on my test target which was shipped with rifle.(three holes touching) Since I have taken probably 20 bulls at distances of 300 to 600 yds with the bullet working flawlessly every time. if laid out the bullets side by side they basiclly all look pretty close to same (good mushrooming down to ring witth penetration being completely thru front quarter and found under skin on other side. there are other newer good projectiles out there, but I will sstick with what i've proven. kp
Jul 15, 2012
 Hornady Interlock Bullets
by:

I've used 30 caliber Hornady interlock bullets to kill several elk. I have killed a couple cows and three raghorn bulls with 190 grain Hornady interlocks in a .300 Winchester magnum. The ranges I killed these elk ranged anywhere from 25 yards to 300 yards. Oddly enough the only bullet I recovered was from a cow shot at approximately 50 yards shot through both shoulder blades. It was just underneath the hide on the off shoulder and was recovered when we were skinning it out. It weighed 124 grains and was in pretty decent shape.
I am going to try the Hornady 225 grain interbond in a 338/06 A-Square this fall. With a little luck I will be able to report the results.
Apr 26, 2012
 180 gr Interbonds
by: butte, MT

I used Hornady 180 InterBONDs with 65 gr of IMR 4350 for 3 years. Got 2 bulls over 300 inches and a cow. The furthest they ran was 80 yds. Nice load. You'll have no problems. Sight to 200 and let er rip. Dont think there's much of a difference between Interbonds and Interlocks.
Jan 27, 2012
 180 Gr. Hornady SST
by: Anonymous

Just worked up a load myself with RL22. About 2,900 F.P.S. with a 300Win Mag. Plan to hunt Montana myself this fall. 180 Gr. Hornady SST should have plenty of what it takes to do what I need it to do. MY B.C. is 0.480 so the only thing better from Hornady is the A Max bullet which I believe is intended for long range target. Your Interlock Bullet has the same identical B.C. as the SST, so you should have very little problems with it cutting through the air towards the target. Great choice in caliber!
You can't go wrong with the 3's.
Jan 23, 2012
 Hornady Heavy Mag 300 SP Interlock
by: Dave, Elk Hunting Tips (MT)

My son and I killed several elk with a 300 Win Mag loaded with Hornady Heavy Mag 180 grain SP Interlocks. The last one was at a little over 200 yards. The big cow went down quickly, but we found the bullet just inside the opposite hide on a quartering away shot. I was a little surprised that it didn't exit. I'm not a ballistics guy. "Just tell me what's the best and I'll take your word for it." I don't have the interest to do exhaustive research.

I have been using 180 grain Nosler Partition bullets recently in Federal Premium Vital Shock ammo in my 300 Win Mag. I haven't had many chances to use them, since I've been successful with a bow, but I killed an elk last year with it at rather close range.
Jan 23, 2012
 Testing bullets
by: Pat Cassidy

While I have no personal experience with this Hornady bullet I do have some suggestions as to effective Elk bullets.

My favorite way to test for a suitable Elk bullet is to fill two plastic 5 gallon buckets (with lids) with water, lay them on their sides lined up length ways and shoot through them. If the bullet completely penetrates both buckets it is a good Elk bullet. If it doesn't I shoot them at varmints!I always test at 100 yards for consistency.

I have tested quite a few .308 bullets from 180 to 220 grain this way and found it to be a good indicator as to how well they will penetrate bone and muscle.

While almost any bullet will work on a perfect broad-side shot, that does not always present itself in the field. I always want to be able to take a long raking shot and be assured the bullet will penetrate.

Good luck with your hunt!

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