Hornady's Interbond vs. SST vs. Interlock

[Craiger12]

Can sombody please try to explain the difference between these bullets for me. When comparing the same weight bullet in .308 the Interbond and the SST appear to be ballistic twins (numbers taken from Hornady) while the SST and Interlock appear to share a similar construction. Will the expansion of the Interbond be significantly more controlled than the other two and when would you prefer this for deer hunting? Would one design be better than the other for closer shots (say < 100 yards) vs. longer shots (say > 200 yards)? How might this change when moving to a smaller faster caliber like .243? Sorry for all the questions at once. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

The SST in 7mm.08 gave me a bit of a problem with close range (50 yards and closer) with blowing up. I had them cooking off between 3000 and 3100 and they would blow all to hell at close range on hogs and a deer or 2. I switched to the Interloc and the Interbonds (Locs for deer bonds for hog) and have yet to have that problem since.

 

[Craiger12]

I know that you have settled on the Interlock, but do you think the Interbond (in 150gr and 165gr from a .308) would be overkill on whitetail deer or might you prefer it at closer ranges for better penetration? Does anyone find over penetration to be an issue when deer hunting?

 

[627PCFan]

Interlock for deer is more than adequate. Bonded bullets just are a waste on thin skinned game.....

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

The Interbond is a bit tougher of a bullet than the Loc. In the .308 cartridge, in the weights you specified, they would be fine if you wanted to use them but not really needed for deer. They SHOULD open up some but only if they connected with a pretty solid bone. Personally, for white-tail, I would stick to the Interloc. Little bit tougher than the SST and pretty good medicine for deer. I like the Bonds for hog because a hog, 250+ boar, is a pretty dense animal and I don't like head shots and I also don't like just shooting an animal and let it go off to suffer and die no matter how big of a pest animal it is so I try to pick the best bullet for the job and place my shots in the vitals rather than taking a chance on missing a VERY small target such as the brain and busting its jaw for it to suffer a lingering death.

 

[bad_aim_billy]

but do you think the Interbond (in 150gr and 165gr from a .308) would be overkill on whitetail deer or might you prefer it at closer ranges for better penetration? Does anyone find over penetration to be an issue when deer hunting?

Interbonds are devastating on deer. Are they necessary? No. But they're not super expensive, so if your gun likes them, go for it. Expect a clean pass through with minimal meat damage.

They SHOULD open up some but only if they connected with a pretty solid bone.

Nope, they'll open up on anything in my experience. I've shot several deer with them out of an /06, and all the exit holes have been rather large, regardless of shot placement or distance...

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Ah, well billy I have only shot one deer with a bond and it didn't open up to well at all. Just hit the rib right behind the shoulder and exited out just in front of the off side shoulder. Opened up very little which I why I would recommend hitting shoulder with them. Killed the deer effectively and quickly as it only took like 10 bounds before it fell over but again it opened up very little judging from the exit hole. Looked to be only 8mm (7mm.08 cartridge) exit hole size. But in its defense, the lungs and heart were pretty well hammered which is the goal.