Published: 2024 | Last updated: June 2026
Introduction
The Hornady InterLock has been a production hunting bullet for several decades, serving as the reliable workhorse of Hornady’s hunting bullet lineup across a wide caliber range from .224 to .375 inches. Its design follows the traditional cup-and-core philosophy – a lead core inside a gilding metal jacket – but with Hornady’s specific mechanical innovation: the InterLock ring, a raised cannelure-like band inside the jacket that physically engages with the lead core to prevent core-jacket separation during expansion. This mechanical interlock is the bullet’s defining feature and the source of its name.
Understanding where the InterLock fits in Hornady’s product hierarchy is useful context. It sits below the premium Hornady ELD-X (bonded, Heat Shield tipped), the Hornady SST (polymer-tipped, higher BC), and the discontinued-but-historically-significant Hornady InterBond (bonded), and above basic flat-base exposed-tip designs with no interlock mechanism. The InterLock’s position as an affordable, reliable hunting bullet that delivers consistent expansion and reasonable weight retention without the price premium of bonded or tip-enhanced alternatives has sustained it across many decades of production.
One technical characterization in the original article warrants correction: the description of the InterLock as using a “secant ogive profile” overstates the bullet’s aerodynamic sophistication. A true secant ogive in the precision sense – as used in the Berger VLD Target, Berger VLD Hunting, and Sierra MatchKing – is a specific, engineered profile optimized for maximum BC with defined seating-depth sensitivity characteristics. The InterLock uses a conventional spitzer profile that is more aerodynamic than round-nose designs, but describing it as a secant ogive in the same technical sense as a precision match bullet is an overstatement. This should be read as “more aerodynamically efficient than traditional blunt-nose designs” rather than placing it in the same category as high-precision ogive designs.
For trajectory context on the cartridges most commonly paired with this bullet, see the 30-06 Springfield ballistics guide, 270 Winchester ballistics guide, and 308 Winchester ballistics guide.
The InterLock’s competitor BC comparisons are broadly reasonable. The Sierra GameKing and Nosler Partition comparison ranges (both 0.200-0.500) are in a reasonable ballpark for those bullets, and the Remington Core-Lokt at 0.150-0.400 is plausible for that bullet’s conventional soft-point lineup. These comparisons do not require the same explicit corrections as the MatchKing/AccuBond figures flagged throughout the match and precision hunting bullet series.
Disclaimer: Reloading is an inherently dangerous activity. Always consult current published load data from reputable sources (Hornady, Hodgdon) before loading any cartridge. Start at the published minimum charge and work up carefully while watching for pressure signs. Never exceed maximum published loads. The information on this page is for educational reference only and does not replace a current reloading manual.
Technical Characteristics
InterLock ring – the defining mechanical feature: This is a raised band machined or drawn into the interior of the copper jacket that interlocks with the lead core material as the core is seated. When the bullet expands and the jacket begins to fold back, this ring prevents the jacket and core from separating entirely – what engineers call “core-jacket separation” or “core loss.” Core separation is a failure mode of older conventional cup-and-core designs where the jacket peels back and separates from the core, leaving the core to continue alone with poor wound channel characteristics. The InterLock ring mechanically prevents this, producing more reliable, controlled expansion particularly at high impact velocities and on heavy bone.
Cup-and-core lead core construction: Standard gilding metal jacket over a swaged lead core. The 70-90% weight retention figure reflects the InterLock ring’s effectiveness at preventing core separation – higher than an unmodified cup-and-core without an interlock mechanism would typically achieve, but lower than bonded designs like the AccuBond or chemically bonded competitors. For context, this puts the InterLock closer to the bonded-design retention range than a basic unmodified cup-and-core would achieve, which explains why its field performance on game is well-regarded even if the retention figure is not as high as premium bonded designs. The lead core itself is standard, unalloyed material, and the jacket is conventional gilding metal (copper-zinc alloy) – the same materials used across this entire price tier of hunting bullets.
1,800 fps expansion threshold: Reliable across a range of hunting scenarios, from close-range shots where impact velocity may approach or exceed 3,000 fps to moderate-range shots where retained velocity is lower.
Exposed lead tip (soft-point): The InterLock is a traditional soft-point design – exposed lead at the tip initiates expansion rapidly on impact. This is the standard approach for most conventional hunting bullets in this category. The lead tip is more vulnerable to in-transport deformation than a polymer-tipped design, but for hunting applications where bullets are stored in a box and loaded individually, this is rarely a practical problem.
1.5-2x diameter expansion: This is a standard hunting bullet expansion target, consistent with what this site has documented for other conventional hunting bullets. Full expansion to approximately 0.570 inches from a .308-inch bullet provides an adequate wound channel for reliable game harvest on deer-sized game.
“Secant ogive profile” description – calibration note: As discussed in the introduction, this description from the original article overstates the InterLock’s ogive sophistication relative to dedicated precision designs. The InterLock’s spitzer profile is certainly more aerodynamic than round-nose or flat-nose alternatives, as reflected in its reasonable BCs across the product line. But calling it a secant ogive in the technical precision sense is inaccurate – it is a conventional spitzer hunting bullet profile, well-designed for its purpose, without the specific ogive engineering that defines bullets like the VLD or Hybrid Target.
Ballistics and Performance
G1 BCs from 0.229 to 0.495 are appropriate for a conventional cup-and-core hunting bullet spanning this caliber and weight range. These are not the high BCs of precision match or premium polymer-tipped hunting bullets, but they are solid figures for reliable hunting use at the distances where the InterLock is primarily applied – out to approximately 400 yards per the original article’s practical range estimate, which is realistic for this bullet and cartridge class. Comparing these figures to the BCs documented throughout this site’s match and premium hunting bullet series puts the InterLock’s performance in context: the highest BC entry in this table (0.495 at 375/220-grain) is below the minimum BC of the Berger LRHT’s lightest offering (0.524), which illustrates the gap between a conventional hunting bullet at this price tier and the extreme-range precision designs that top this series. Within its intended use envelope, however, the InterLock’s BCs are well-suited to its application.
The 55-grain .224-inch at BC 0.235 and SD 0.157 covers 223 Remington for varmint and light game applications at close-to-moderate range. This is the InterLock’s lightest offering and the only one in the varmint weight class – somewhat unusual for a soft-point hunting design, though a 55-grain spitzer in 223 Remington has a long established history as a light deer and varmint bullet in many jurisdictions where it is legal for deer-sized game.
The 100-grain .243-inch at BC 0.405 and SD 0.242 covers 243 Winchester for deer and antelope. At BC 0.405, this is a solid figure for a conventional soft-point at this weight and diameter.
The 129-grain .264-inch (6.5mm) at BC 0.445 and SD 0.264 covers 6.5 Creedmoor for deer and elk at moderate range. The field test reference (0.5-0.8 MOA at 300 yards with ES/SD under 15 fps) is the accuracy standard expected from a quality production hunting bullet in a well-prepared load – not the match-grade precision of the premium bullets this site has covered, but reliable for hunting purposes.
The 150-grain .277-inch at BC 0.462 and SD 0.279 covers 270 Winchester for deer and elk – the primary application for this caliber in North American hunting.
The 154-grain .284-inch (7mm) at BC 0.433 and SD 0.273 covers 7mm-08 Remington and 7mm Remington Magnum.
The 150-grain, 165-grain, and 180-grain .308-inch variants at BC 0.338, 0.387, and 0.452 cover 308 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield for the full range of North American deer and elk hunting. The 180-grain at BC 0.452 is the strongest .308-inch entry in the table, covering elk at moderate range. The three-weight .308-inch offering is the broadest in the table, reflecting how central this caliber is to American hunting. The 150-grain is typically the preferred deer weight for its flat trajectory; the 165-grain balances trajectory and sectional density for dual deer/elk use; the 180-grain maximizes penetration and energy for elk and heavier game.
The 200-grain .338-inch at BC 0.414 covers 338 Winchester Magnum for large game. The BC 0.414 at this weight class is competitive for a conventional soft-point design, and the InterLock ring becomes particularly valuable in .338-inch magnum applications where high impact velocities on large game could otherwise cause core separation in a less robust design.
The 220-grain .375-inch at BC 0.495 and SD 0.223 covers .375 H&H and similar dangerous-game cartridges.
Expert Ballistics Table – Hornady InterLock Variants
Data from Hornady specifications. BCs are G1. Verify current figures at hornady.com.
| Diameter (inches) | Weight (grains) | BC (G1) | Sectional Density | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .224 | 55 | 0.235 | 0.157 | Varmint, deer in 223 Remington |
| .243 | 100 | 0.405 | 0.242 | Deer in 243 Winchester |
| .264 | 129 | 0.445 | 0.264 | Elk, deer in 6.5 Creedmoor |
| .277 | 150 | 0.462 | 0.279 | Elk in 270 Winchester |
| .284 | 154 | 0.433 | 0.273 | Deer in 7mm-08 Remington |
| .308 | 150 | 0.338 | 0.226 | Deer in 308 Winchester |
| .308 | 165 | 0.387 | 0.248 | Deer, elk in 308 Winchester |
| .308 | 180 | 0.452 | 0.271 | Elk in 30-06 Springfield |
| .338 | 200 | 0.414 | 0.250 | Large game in 338 Winchester Magnum |
| .375 | 220 | 0.495 | 0.223 | Dangerous game in .375 H&H |
Comparison Bullets
The original article’s comparison set – Sierra GameKing, Nosler Partition, and Remington Core-Lokt – covers the primary conventional alternatives and premium comparison point for this bullet class. The BC comparisons (GameKing 0.200-0.500, Partition 0.200-0.500, Core-Lokt 0.150-0.400) are broadly plausible and do not require the explicit primary-source corrections this series applied to the MatchKing and AccuBond figures. This may reflect that these conventional hunting bullet BC ranges are simpler to cite accurately than the higher-BC precision bullets that were consistently understated across the premium series.
The Sierra GameKing is the InterLock’s closest architectural competitor – both are conventional spitzer soft-point hunting bullets at similar price points, with similar BC profiles. The original article’s claim that they “match” in BC is broadly accurate, as the products genuinely overlap considerably in their respective ranges.
The Nosler Partition is a meaningfully more sophisticated design – its dual-core construction with a physical partition between front and rear cores provides the deep penetration characteristic the original article notes, with the rear core providing structural integrity even after the front core has expanded and shed. The “5-10% less bone penetration than Partition” comparison is reasonable as a directional characterization, though the specific percentage is difficult to verify independently. The Partition’s construction also commands a higher price than the InterLock, and for typical deer hunting applications inside 300 yards where bone penetration requirements are modest, the InterLock’s cost advantage is meaningful without significant practical performance sacrifice. The Partition’s design advantage becomes more relevant for larger, tougher game like elk and bears where deep penetration through heavy bone is a priority.
The Remington Core-Lokt is the InterLock’s primary price-tier competitor – both are affordable, proven hunting bullets without the premium price of bonded designs. The Core-Lokt uses a tapered jacket rather than a mechanical interlock ring, which is a different approach to the same core-jacket separation problem.
The Federal Power-Shok is a further comparison in the same budget-friendly hunting bullet tier, worth noting even though the original article does not include it. The Sierra Pro Hunter is an additional conventional soft-point at the same price tier, covering much of the same caliber range as the InterLock with Sierra’s manufacturing quality.
The Hornady SST is the natural within-brand upgrade from the InterLock – adding a polymer tip for improved BC and better long-range expansion consistency, at a modest price premium.
Comparison Table – Conventional Hunting Bullets
| Bullet | BC Range | Construction | Core Retention Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady InterLock | 0.229-0.495 | Cup-and-core | Mechanical ring interlock |
| Sierra GameKing | 0.200-0.500 | Cup-and-core | Tapered jacket |
| Nosler Partition | 0.200-0.500 | Dual-core, partitioned | Physical partition between cores |
| Remington Core-Lokt | 0.150-0.400 | Cup-and-core | Tapered/notched jacket |
| Federal Power-Shok | 0.160-0.290 | Cup-and-core | Soft-point, standard |
Applications and Practical Aspects
Varmint and light game (.224-inch, 55 grains): 223 Remington for close-range varmint and small deer applications. Hodgdon Varget and Hodgdon H4895 are standard choices.
Deer and antelope (.243-.264-inch, 100-129 grains): 243 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor for deer-class game at moderate range. Hodgdon H4350 and IMR 4350 are standard choices. The 6.5 Grendel is an additional 6.5mm cartridge that pairs well with InterLock weights in this range for AR-platform deer hunters. The 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics guide provides trajectory comparison data showing what to expect from the 129-grain InterLock at varying distances.
Mid-range elk and deer (.277-.284-inch, 150-154 grains): 270 Winchester and 7mm-08 Remington for elk and large deer. Hodgdon H4350 and Alliant Reloder 19 are standard choices. The 280 Remington is a further .284-inch platform where the 154-grain InterLock is a proven field choice.
Elk and large deer (.308-inch, 150-180 grains): 308 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield for the most common North American big-game hunting platforms. These are the InterLock’s most widely used weights given how prevalent these cartridges are in North American hunting. The 165-grain is the most popular deer/elk crossover weight: heavy enough for elk at moderate distance but not so heavy that trajectory at 300 yards becomes a significant challenge in 30-06 Springfield or 308 Winchester. The 180-grain provides more penetration for elk and large bear at the cost of slightly lower trajectory. Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon H4895, and IMR 4064 are standard choices across this weight range. The 308 Winchester ballistics guide and 30-06 Springfield ballistics guide document trajectory specifics relevant to the 165-grain and 180-grain InterLock loads.
Large game and bear (.338-inch, 200 grains): 338 Winchester Magnum for the heavier end of the InterLock’s application range. The .338-inch InterLock is where the bullet’s mechanical interlock ring pays dividends beyond the smaller calibers – at .338 Magnum impact velocities on large game, the forces acting to separate core from jacket are substantially greater, and the InterLock ring’s mechanical engagement is the structural mechanism preventing the core loss that a simpler cup-and-core design might experience. Alliant Reloder 22 and Hodgdon H4831SC are standard choices.
Reloading
The InterLock is one of the most straightforward hunting bullets to reload given its conventional cup-and-core construction and lack of the specific ogive-sensitivity or seating-depth requirements that characterize premium match and precision hunting bullets.
Primers: CCI 200 and Federal 210 are standard large rifle primer choices for most InterLock applications. Federal 215 magnum primers for 338 Winchester Magnum and similar cartridges. Remington 9½ is a further standard large rifle option. CCI 400 for the small rifle primer applications.
Cases: Standard brass from Winchester, Remington, Federal, or Hornady. The InterLock does not require premium brass; consistent trimming to length and standard preparation are the main case prep requirements.
Seating depth: 0.010-0.050 inches off the lands is the standard hunting bullet range, appropriate here. The InterLock’s conventional spitzer design is less seating-sensitive than the VLD or hybrid ogive match designs covered elsewhere in this site’s series.
Crimp: Light roll crimp in the cannelure for cartridges used in semi-automatic or lever-action rifles where setback could be an issue. Not needed for most bolt-action hunting applications.
Powder Selection by Application:
| Application | Caliber | Bullet Weight | Recommended Powders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varmint/light deer | 223 Rem | 55 gr | Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon H4895, IMR 3031, Alliant Reloder 15 |
| Deer/antelope | 243 Win | 100 gr | Hodgdon H4350, IMR 4350, Alliant Reloder 19, Alliant Reloder 23 |
| Deer/elk | 30-06 Springfield | 165-180 gr | Hodgdon H4895, IMR 4064, Hodgdon Varget |
| Large game | 338 Win Mag | 200 gr | Alliant Reloder 22, Hodgdon H4831SC, IMR 7828 |
Reloading Parameters Summary:
| Parameter | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Neck tension | 0.002-0.004 inch interference |
| Seating depth | 0.010-0.050 inch off lands |
| Crimp | Light roll crimp in cannelure for semi-auto; generally not needed for bolt-action |
| Expansion threshold | 1,800 fps at impact |
| Weight retention | 70-90% |
| ES target | Under 15 fps for hunting accuracy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the InterLock ring and how does it differ from a bonded bullet?
A: The InterLock ring is a raised band inside the copper jacket that mechanically locks onto the lead core, preventing core-jacket separation during expansion. It is a mechanical interlock – the ring and core physically engage. A bonded bullet like the Nosler AccuBond or Hornady ELD-X achieves core-jacket adhesion through a chemical or heat process that fuses the two materials together rather than mechanically interlocking them. Bonded designs typically achieve higher weight retention (85%+) than the InterLock’s 70-90%, and bonded designs are generally more consistent on heavy bone at high impact velocity.
Q: The original article describes the InterLock as having a “secant ogive profile.” Is this accurate?
A: Not in the precision sense the term implies when used for match bullets. A true secant ogive is a specific aerodynamic design with defined engineering characteristics, used in bullets like the Berger VLD Hunting and Sierra MatchKing. The InterLock uses a conventional spitzer profile that is certainly more aerodynamic than round-nose or flat-nose designs – as its BC figures reflect – but “secant ogive” overstates the technical sophistication of the design. This should be read as “pointed spitzer profile” rather than as a precision ogive specification.
Q: How does the InterLock compare to the Hornady SST for hunting use?
A: The SST adds a polymer tip that improves BC, extends the effective range of the bullet somewhat, and provides more consistent expansion initiation at longer range where impact velocity is lower. For hunting inside 300 yards in most calibers, the InterLock and SST perform similarly on game given the InterLock’s 1,800 fps expansion threshold. Beyond 300 yards, the SST’s higher BC advantage becomes more meaningful for trajectory and the polymer tip’s low-velocity expansion advantage matters more. The SST costs more but delivers a meaningful performance upgrade for extended-range hunting; for close-range, wooded terrain hunting at typical distances, the InterLock is a cost-effective alternative.
Q: Is the InterLock appropriate for elk at extended range?
A: Yes for ranges within the cartridge’s practical performance envelope – typically 300-400 yards depending on the specific cartridge. The InterLock’s 1,800 fps expansion threshold combined with its 70-90% weight retention provides reliable terminal performance on elk at distances where retained velocity is sufficient. Beyond 400 yards in most standard cartridges, the lower BC relative to premium hunting bullets produces more pronounced trajectory drop and wind drift that reduce ethical shot confidence, and a higher-BC option like the SST or ELD-X becomes more appropriate.
Q: Can I use InterLock load data from one manual for different InterLock weights in the same caliber?
A: No – always use data specifically published for the weight and bullet you are loading. Different bullet weights have different seating depths, bearing surface lengths, and pressure behaviors even within the same brand and caliber. The Hornady reloading manual is the primary reference for InterLock-specific load data across calibers and weights.
Q: Is the InterLock appropriate for California hunting?
A: No. The InterLock contains a lead core and is not legal for hunting in California’s lead-restricted condor zones and other restricted areas. For lead-free alternatives at a comparable price tier, the Hornady GMX and Barnes TTSX are the primary options.
Conclusion
The Hornady InterLock is a reliable, affordable, proven hunting bullet that has served North American hunters across multiple generations. Its InterLock ring mechanical core-jacket interlock provides meaningful reliability improvement over basic cup-and-core designs without a premium price. The comparison BC figures are broadly accurate and the product category comparisons with the GameKing, Partition, and Core-Lokt are reasonable and appropriate. This contrasts with the match and premium hunting bullet comparison articles earlier in this series, where competitor BC figures were systematically understated – the InterLock article’s comparisons against other conventional hunting bullets at similar price tiers appear more reliable, possibly because these bullets are more commonly reviewed together in the same sources and the secondhand BC figures circulate with less distortion than the MatchKing and AccuBond figures consistently did.
Choose the InterLock if: you want a reliable, proven hunting bullet at an affordable price; you hunt within 300-400 yards where the InterLock’s moderate BC is not a limiting factor; or you want Hornady construction quality without the SST or ELD-X price premium.
Choose something else if: you need to hunt beyond 400 yards and want a higher BC – the Hornady SST or Hornady ELD-X are the natural within-brand upgrades. If you need a lead-free option for restricted jurisdictions, see Hornady GMX or Barnes TTSX. If you specifically want the deepest possible bone penetration, the Nosler Partition‘s dual-core design provides a structural advantage. If you want a conventional cup-and-core at a similar price tier in 300 Winchester Magnum, the Winchester Power Point is a further comparison worth evaluating. For maximum bonded-core weight retention at the same price tier as the InterLock, the Federal Fusion is worth comparing.
Disclaimer: Reloading involves inherent risks. Always use current load data from Hornady or other published manuals. Start below maximum charges and increase gradually. The InterLock is appropriate for hunting with lead-core regulations in force – it is not legal for California condor zone hunting. Wear eye protection at all times. The author and myreloading.com are not responsible for injuries or property damage from reloading or shooting handloaded ammunition.
Have you loaded and hunted with the Hornady InterLock? Leave a comment with your weight, cartridge, powder, charge, and what you observed on game. Field comparisons between the InterLock and SST in the same caliber are especially useful for hunters evaluating whether the SST upgrade is worth it for their specific use case.
Editorial note: Originally published 2024, revised June 2026. The update noted that the original article’s description of the InterLock as having a “secant ogive profile” overstates the technical precision of the design relative to dedicated precision match and hunting bullet ogive profiles covered elsewhere in this site’s series. The InterLock uses a conventional spitzer profile, well-suited to its hunting application, but not a precision-engineered secant ogive in the technical sense. Confirmed that the competitor BC comparison figures (GameKing, Partition, Core-Lokt) are broadly plausible and do not require the same explicit corrections applied to the MatchKing and AccuBond figures throughout the match and premium hunting bullet series. Added the Hornady SST and Federal Fusion to the comparison discussion. Added FAQ covering six common questions. Applied full internal linking throughout.
