Anyone have a favorite Hornaday bullet for plains game? I am reloading a .280 Rem and want to try a Hornady bullet. Which would you choose?

Obviously, go with the one that shoots the best in your gun, but I'd start with the Interbond. Personally, I use Nosler Partitions in all my rifles for plains game.

My favorite Hornady bullets for plains game:

1. For a 357 Herrett, the 158 gr. XTP HP.

2. For a 460 S&W Magnum, the Hornady 250 gr. SST/ML.

3. For a 375 H&H Mag., the Hornady 300 gr. BT SP or the 300 gr. FMJ RN.

As Labman said, go with the one that shoots best in your gun.

For the .280, I'd recommend the Hornady 165gr interbond. But, if it were me hunting African plains game, I'd use the Nosler 160gr partition.

I have shot a bunch of plainsgame (as well as North American game) with the Hornady interlock and they have always worked well. (7mm, 30 cal, 338, and 375)
The interbond did not shoot as accurately in my rifle.

I've always heard the .284 175gr. Hornady RN is a very tough bullet, and penetrates exceptionally well.

I have heard mixed results on it's expansion.

Some claim it expands well, even on deer size game. Others claim that the bullet is too hard and doesn't open and expand well on light deer sized game unless bone is struck.

With all that is invested in a Safari, I'd personally be inclined to use a NF, SAF, Woodleigh, TSX, or even a Partition.

I would use the 154g 7mm bullet -

Either the SST or interbond will work great.

The SST opens a little faster and the Interbond penetrates a little farther in my experience.

Mike

160gr or heavier in the Interbond. You simply can't go wrong with that set up.

I've used the 165 grain Interbond in my .30-06 quite a lot, and I like it.
Inexpensive, accurate and retain the weight good.
I have good experience with this bullet on small, medium and a couple of bigger sized PG.

154 Interbond. Look no further for anything up to about kudu.

I have not used the .284 Interlocks, but I have used the .308 in 165 grn and the .338 in 225 grn and both have been outstanding on plains game. Penetration was better than I expected and I had picture perfect mushrooms right to the ring. I have used Interlocks on African game from springbuck to eland. I was not hunting eland but needed to finish a badly hit one injured by another hunter. I shot it three times in the shoulder with the 225 grn Interbonds. They held together surprisingly well well out of the .338 Win Mag at less than 100 yards. When I hunted eland a couple years later with the .338, I used a Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, but the performance of the Interbond showed that the bullet is a very good one.

Terminal Ballistics


Knowledge Base


Glenn

139 gr sst

Might try their 139-grain GMX, Hornady's version of the Barnes TSX tipped.

The GMX is an excellent choice. I have used it both in Africa and in the states. Good choice.

Try the new Hornady Zombie Max

http://www.hornady.com/ammunition/zombiemax

spire points... put one thru a zebra at 120 yds.

Mike

In my 280 Ackley Imp I have used the 139 Interlock a fair bit for light animals. But for african hunting I would be happy to use the 154 gr Interlock

Hornady 154 Interlock Spt (if it shoots accurately in your rifle). It was used by an acquaintance on plains game in a 7RM so in a .280 it will hold together even better. It is my 'tough' bullet in my 7x57.