.375 Hornady 300 grains Round Nose Interlock

[Qc_BearHunter]

I have a few hundreds of them. They are superbly accurate in my BRNO ZKK 602 over 75.5 grains of IMR4350. Anyone tried them on game and what performance did you get?

 

[375er]

Velodog??? We need you!

 

[Longwalker]

Used for one moose, at exactly 300 long steps away. Muzzle velocity was 2500 fps. Perfect performance. Quick kill with a forward double lung shot, short death dash, bullet exited, good internal damage.

 

[Frederik]

Works fine on normal plainsgame the bullet fragments depending on speed and distance the animal was hit at and it you recover the bullet mostly broken up but they kill.
So if you are not too concerend about wasting meat on thin skinned game go for it you have them and they will drop game.

I would avoid bad angling shots for larger game on moose and elk if you need to enter from rumen side and aim for vitals though.

 

[Kevin375]

I used them in the past, but the Interlock in this caliber is definitely not my favorite bullet.
For small and medium sized games, why not, but for bigger animals, I prefer a good bonded bullet.
My feedback : https://www.africahunting.com/threads/375-h-h-300-gr-hornady-interlock.91445/#post-1400618

 

[F. Vaccaro]

I have a few hundreds of them. They are superbly accurate in my BRNO ZKK 602 over 75.5 grains of IMR4350. Anyone tried them on game and what performance did you get?

I've shot a couple of deer with them DRT, & no bullet recovery exit from any angle.

 

[Doug3006]

Hands down the most accurate bullet in both of my 375’s. Good for plains game….buffalo not so much. Wish I still had hundreds of them!

 

[1972RedNeck]

I've been trying to get my hands on them for elk through my 375 weatherby but they seem to be discontinued...

 

[Ray B]

A hunting acquaintance 30 years ago used them for elk- but performance was as noted by @Frederik and last I knew he had switched to sturdier bullets for big elk.

 

[Frederik]

I've been trying to get my hands on them for elk through my 375 weatherby but they seem to be discontinued...

Speed of your Weatherby will let that bullet explode without sufficient penetration.
I would not recommend impact speed above 2300fps with this bullet on larger game like elk.

 

[1972RedNeck]

Speed of your Weatherby will let that bullet explode without sufficient penetration.
I would not recommend impact speed above 2300fps with this bullet on larger game like elk.

Depends on the distance...

 

[Frederik]

Depends on the distance...

IMPACT SPEED not muzzle velocity.

 

[1972RedNeck]

IMPACT SPEED not muzzle velocity.

Yes. I agree and was agreeing with you. "Speed of the Weatherby" that you mentioned only applies inside of 200 yards.

Round nose flat base bullets have relatively poor BCs but I have found them to be extremely accurate and stable. Velocity drops quickly so higher muzzle velocity helps shoot a little flatter.

If I'm in the woods where I expect to be shooting under 300 yards my 1886 in 45-90 is my preferred elk rifle. Out to 500 yards and the Weatherby gets the nod.

 

[Nhoro]

I agree with Frederik, this is not a bullet for high velocity. I use interlock in my 30-06, on smaller game like impala. I guess I would take a wildebeest side on but no quartering shots. It is a soft bullet and in 375, I would say it would probably be ok on a broadside eland but there are better options. It makes me feel like you are downgrading the strengths of a 375 and I would say you are better served by a 300 win mag and a frames- probably even a 30-06 or 308 and a frames.

 

[pilar]

I like them ! 80.0 gr 4350 in my 375R very much a deadly beast on everything till you get to buffalo
True story I was talking to my outfitters about my elk hunt and told them what I was shooting, and he said ditch them and bring some federal TBBC because elk are super tough, my uncle was eavesdropping next to me and after I hung up, he looked at me and said “ that guy is F nuts, you just run what you bring , that’s what we loaded for our Alaska trip “
Two shots and a dead elk & big bear later.
They work great on nilgai also

 

[UpNorthMI]

It's a great value bullet and they shoot well in my .375 rifles, they are ideal for practice and for hunting soft skin game. They are not for consideration when hunting large dangerous game.

 

[Velo Dog]

I have a few hundreds of them. They are superbly accurate in my BRNO ZKK 602 over 75.5 grains of IMR4350. Anyone tried them on game and what performance did you get?

Greetings Qc_BearHunter,

Yes, I have used that bullet on animals, both in Alaska and in Africa.
It is a favorite of mine in several calibers, from 6.5 diameter up to and including .458 Diameter.

However it is very important to note that, they are not designed for high velocity.
On this topic, it is my firm opinion that, today’s standard factory loaded .375 H&H with 300 grain bullet @ 2550 fps, is treading into the realm of too much velocity.
I’ve never seen said Hornady RNSP fail at factory velocity but, I have heard people say they’ve seen failures from same.
This bullet is not a good choice for African buffaloes, IMO.
But for Eland and moose size non-dangerous game, it likely is one of the best choices.
I do not know but would bet a large pizza that it would crumple the grumpiest lion or grizzly bear.

Either way, I for one prefer to load this excellent hunting bullet at 2400 fps, unless hunting conditions might call for a shot beyond about 300 meters.
I’ve shot quite a few animals with this “bush load” and enjoyed perfect success.
Celebrated PH, Wildlife Veterinarian and Author, Dr. Kevin “Doctari” Robertson has mentioned this exact thing more than once in his excellent writings.

Hunters who are enamored with extra-high velocity cartridges are barking up the wrong tree, especially when planning an Africa hunt.

Anyway, stay safe and practice shooting from field positions (especially from the shooting sticks), more than you think is enough.

Best Regards,
Velo Dog.

 

[Nhoro]

Greetings Qc_BearHunter,

Yes, I have used that bullet on animals, both in Alaska and in Africa.
It is a favorite of mine in several calibers, from 6.5 diameter up to and including .458 Diameter.

However it is very important to note that, they are not designed for high velocity.
On this topic, it is my firm opinion that, today’s standard factory loaded .375 H&H with 300 grain bullet @ 2550 fps, is treading into the realm of too much velocity.
I’ve never seen said Hornady RNSP fail at factory velocity but, I have heard people say they’ve seen failures from same.
This bullet is not a good choice for African buffaloes, IMO.
But for Eland and moose size non-dangerous game, it likely is one of the best choices.
I do not know but would bet a large pizza that it would crumple the grumpiest lion or grizzly bear.

Either way, I for one prefer to load this excellent hunting bullet at 2400 fps, unless hunting conditions might call for a shot beyond about 300 meters.
I’ve shot quite a few animals with this “bush load” and enjoyed perfect success.
Celebrated PH, Wildlife Veterinarian and Author, Dr. Kevin “Doctari” Robertson has mentioned this exact thing more than once in his excellent writings.

Hunters who are enamored with extra-high velocity cartridges are barking up the wrong tree, especially when planning an Africa hunt.

Anyway, stay safe and practice shooting from field positions (especially from the shooting sticks), more than you think is enough.

Best Regards,
Velo Dog.

I agree. I use interlocks in my 3006. I believe all bullets need to be used within design specs. Interlocks are basically a cup and core bullet with a mechanical ring locking the lead core in. If they over expand, they will come apart. Good for smaller animals in the calibre capability ie good for impala etc in 3006 and plainsgame up to Eland with a 375 but avoid the shoulder bone. And don't pick light bullets because extra velocity will cause problems. I shot an impala in April, it was a poor shot, offhand at about 65 m. The shot was too far back and luckily hit the liver. But I was using soft cup and core bullets, 220 gr in my 3006. It expanded well even though no bones were hit, not even a rib. It damaged the lungs and diaphragm and the impala was down. A copper expanding bullet would have whistled through without expanding and it could have been a long follow up.

High velocity is probably what causes so much feeling over interlocks and hornady bullets in general. If you want to see high velocity numbers then look to copper bullets. And Interlock is not a good choice for buffalo, it would work on a perfect broadside shoulder bones shot but you don't know what you will be faced with. I like swift A-frame or Peregrine VRG3(all copper soft)

 

[Luvthunt]

Good wisdom and experience in this thread.