Any experiance with the Hornady intrelock or the Sierra Pro Hunter. I am looking for a 6.5mm 160 bullet for hunting. The muzzel velocity would be moderate, about 2700 fps. My real question is terminal performance of these two bullets.

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Robin
from Tucson, AZ

At a muzzle velocity of 2700 fps, and a much slower terminal velocity due to the fairly rapid decelaration of the blunt-nosed bullet, either bullet should perform similarly.

I have taken a few head of game with the 175 Interlock at 2800 in a 7 Rem Mag. I am ahppy with its performace.

Hornady seems to make an accurate bullet as well.

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www.rifleshooter.com

Save a plant, shoot a deer!

Sierras are usually a little more accurate for me but I give up on them for hunting and started using the Hornadys, they have been more dependable.

I've shot deer with both. Both will do the job on deer sized game. The Hornadys hold together allowing deeper penetration which is why I would opt for the Hornadys. I've never shot the Hornady flat based spire point but I hear it is extremely accurate. The boattail Hornadys I shoot have been accurate enough(.5") so far so I have not tried the flat base. sure-shot

Gentlemen,

I have had experience with both bullets on game, and at moderate velocites, either will do well. I would lean towards the Hornady bullet, as they tend to be very very accurate in my 7mm Rem Mag. I have had consistent 1/2" groups and smaller with the 175 gr. interlock over a charge of Reloader 22.

Joel Slate
Slate & Associates, LLC
The Safari Specialists
www.slatesafaris.com

7mm Rem Mag Page www.slatesafaris.com/7mm.htm

In the case of the two bullets you mention - the 6.5 mm 160 gr RN or semi-spitzer designs - I predict that the Sierra will prove harder and expand less at any velocity than the Hornady (based on the performance of 220 grain .308 caliber bullets of similar form produced by these two manufacturers). The Hornady will probably make a larger wound but penetrate less deeply. All of that is pure speculation because its no more than conjecture that these two have analogous features to their larger brethren. Sierra tend to make their heavy RNs with relatively hard alloy cores (that are brittle) and thick tapered jackets, but the 6.5 mm cartridges usually do not have high velocities so they may have moderated the hardness on this one. The best way to know is to test both side by side.