Sierra Game King vs. Hornady Interlock

[bigpower491]

I agree with others saying take your pick for deer. Either will take em no worries. I myself shoot interlock in my 338-06, and I use that rifle for deer. I load it accordingly for the intended purpose

 

[1948CJ2A]

In 30-06 velocities you're probably good with either choice. Shoot them both and see which shoots better in your rifle.

I loaded up some 130gr Sierra Pro-Hunter bullets in my 270 Weatherby Mag 10 years ago and shot a 10-point with a single shot to the lungs. The bullet ended up doing some weird stuff after it entered and hit a rib bone. I don't remember the velocity of the load but it was well north of 3000 fps. For the higher velocity loads like this one, I went with a bonded bullet construction and that seems to work better.

I also shot a bobcat 15 years ago with a 240 Weatherby Mag 95 gr Nosler ballistic tip. The exit wound was like a grapefruit. I think we clocked those loads at 3500-3600 fps. Again, I changed to a different bullet type (less aggressive/expansive).

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Edited to add: I just checked. Natchez doesn't show the 165-grain Game King any more but they show the 180-grain for $38.69 per hundred, along with some Hornady Interlocks.

I’m pretty fond of that 180gr RNSP over 42gr of IMR 4064. But that price just gives me shivers. I guess that’s just part of the New Normal but I sure do miss the pre-plandemic, mean tweets economy.

 

[Varminterror]

I'm not sure I get the thrust of your question (if it's not a jest), but the sun was setting, deer season was winding down, and I didnt' have a deer in the freezer yet.

It seems you did understand my intent.

We can’t blame bullets when we rush ourselves into bad shots for whatever reason we choose to do so.

 

[CZguy75]

The 165 hpbt gameking out of an 06 is...explosive...on deer. Sure, the deer died, but it was a mess and the front shoulder and lungs LIQUIFIED. Best I can remember the exit hole was about 3". In my 308 with the 165 SPBT gameking, the effect was much less dramatic. I shoot the Gamekings because they shoot better than the Hornady bullets.

 

[FROGO207]

Yes I have, and, in fact, recently loaded 150-grain FP bullets in 30-06 cases with reduced charges of IMR 4895, in an attempt to replicate 30-30 ballistics from a 30-06; and just last week I loaded 170-grain flat points with a reduced charge of IMR 4895 (and I posted about both these loadings on THR, I guess you didn't see the posts). So, I'm exploring every avenue I can think of, also including hunting with .45 Colt or 12-gauge shotgun with slugs. I've killed quite a few deer with the latter, with much less tissue damage to the deer.

Edited to add: Where I hunt, the vegetation is very thick, and I don't anticipate any shots much beyond 50 yards. I'm thinking of putting up a tree stand in a different part of that property, or another property where I have permission, that might, potentially, give me a 100 yard shot, but there wouldn't be anything beyond that range.

Looking at this post and distances stated I would be suggesting a traditional heavy 30-30 bullet ( blunt RN or flat nosed made to expand at 30-30speeds and IMR 3031) pushed at traditional 30-30 velocities. This would be an accurate slow moving low deflection round that would get through the brush with minimal deflection. I have done this exact thing in 30-06 using 200 grain round nose bullets at standard velocities for longer shots in brush prone areas for under 300 YDS use. Lots of old timers up here in Maine loaded this way to counter the deflection problems in our undergrowth using their 30-06 they already owned rather than buy an additional 30-30.

 

[AJC1]

The 165 hpbt gameking out of an 06 is...explosive...on deer. Sure, the deer died, but it was a mess and the front shoulder and lungs LIQUIFIED. Best I can remember the exit hole was about 3". In my 308 with the 165 SPBT gameking, the effect was much less dramatic. I shoot the Gamekings because they shoot better than the Hornady bullets.

Those 165 Sierras and the equivalent speer 165 is what I buy load and shoot in bulk. Just about an all purpose as I think there is. I run the 69rmr for the same reason.

 

[Lennyjoe]

The 165 hpbt gameking out of an 06 is...explosive...on deer. Sure, the deer died, but it was a mess and the front shoulder and lungs LIQUIFIED. Best I can remember the exit hole was about 3". In my 308 with the 165 SPBT gameking, the effect was much less dramatic. I shoot the Gamekings because they shoot better than the Hornady bullets.

Exactly what I experienced with the 165 BTHP. That’s why I moved to the BTSP and it performs great with far less damage.

 

[Random 8]

I have not experienced the SGK, but from what I understand, they have a reputation for being on the "soft" side.

I have a lot of experience with the Hornady interlock on deer. Probably 30 or more animals. From 250+ dressed weight bucks to fawns at almost any impact angle and shot placement you can imagine from good to bad. We did a lot of drives and deer were equated to "corn rats" with liberal bag limits back on the farm LOL. .30 cal and 7mm. I've found the IL to be a very reliable bullet that is easy on meat IF you don't hot-rod it. Tried that in my 280 Rem and proofed a lot of venison. I find them to be very sweet under 2600FPS impact velocity. This is easily accomplished in 30-06, with the benefit of low recoil. You'll tend to get pass throughs with sufficient but not excessive meat damage provided you don't bullseye a shoulder, HQ, bunghole or spine. Head and high neck shots are reliably DRT. They just plain work and work well. I'm also a big fan of the Speer Hot Core. I tend to get better accuracy and similar performance to the Hornady IL.

 

[Savage30L]

I have not experienced the SGK, but from what I understand, they have a reputation for being on the "soft" side.

I have a lot of experience with the Hornady interlock on deer. Probably 30 or more animals. From 250+ dressed weight bucks to fawns at almost any impact angle and shot placement you can imagine from good to bad. We did a lot of drives and deer were equated to "corn rats" with liberal bag limits back on the farm LOL. .30 cal and 7mm. I've found the IL to be a very reliable bullet that is easy on meat IF you don't hot-rod it. Tried that in my 280 Rem and proofed a lot of venison. I find them to be very sweet under 2600FPS impact velocity. This is easily accomplished in 30-06, with the benefit of low recoil. You'll tend to get pass throughs with sufficient but not excessive meat damage provided you don't bullseye a shoulder, HQ, bunghole or spine. Head and high neck shots are reliably DRT. They just plain work and work well. I'm also a big fan of the Speer Hot Core. I tend to get better accuracy and similar performance to the Hornady IL.

This is just what I'm looking for. I can load them to 2450 or so using 4895, and probably other propellants. Thanks.

 

[Show Me]

Apples and oranges

 

[LocoGringo]

Lay off the shoulder. If you don’t shoot through meat, you won’t ruin it.

I went through a lot of bullets over the years, just trying different methods and different designs - and for the last ~15-16 years, I preferentially hunt deer with extremely rapid expanding bullets, and I pick deer out of the dirt where they were short far more often than I did when I was “punching shoulders” and “breaking down deer” or “knocking a wheel off” or “anchoring deer” with more “traditional hunting bullets”…

Where do you aim to hit? Asking to learn...

 

[Nature Boy]

Q: SGK or Hornady Interlocks

A: which ever is more accurate in your rifle

From a performance standpoint, I’ve killed deer with both, multiple times with multiple calibers in multiple rifles

 

[Varminterror]

Where do you aim to hit? Asking to learn...

 

[Bartojc]

I'd go with the "which ever works best in YOUR rifle " crowd. I've never been able to get Hornady Interlocks to work in my rifle. Every time I tried Sierra in a number of calibers they worked. Thats what worked for me, your combo may be different. I'd bet you could make either work well enough though.

-Jeff

 

[emb]

I'm in the "lay off the shoulder" crowd. I want to hit behind the shoulder and center body or below. Very little useable meat on the ribs. You'll end up with a lung or heart shot. But, I dearly love some fresh fried heart for dinner that night. So, I lay off of that as well-if possible. Sometimes, s---- happens. I've used both bullets, and both perform well. Like stated above-"they're deer". Work up a load that works for you and quit fretting about it.

 

[FROGO207]

Before you go all out and buy hundreds I would try a box of each weight/brand and pick whatever the rifle likes best. Then stock deep if you can afford it. Nothing like boxes of bullets you can't get to work sitting around that cost good money.