Question for JJ (or others with experience) re the Interbond

[NimrodRx]

JJ, I went back and reviewed a few of your posts on terminal effectiveness and bullet failures.  Very insightful. 

I too am a big fan of the Interbond.  Until now I have not been shooting anything larger than a .308 dia bullet and nothing traveling faster than 2875 fps.  As you mention, the Interbond seems to shine under these circumstances.  My .30-06 loves them.

This fall I will be taking a .338 WM to BC, Canada on an elk hunt.  It shoots the 225gr Hornady Interlock and Interbond MOA at 2780 fps.  The Interbond is/was going to be my hunting bullet.  I then noticed in your posts that you don’t like the Interbond when it is traveling in excess of 3000 fps (agreed) or in bores .338 and up.

Have you seen failures with the Interbond in .338 dia and larger? 

Anyone else have any experience?   

[JJHACK]

I prefer a much stiffer bullet for the potential close range shots.  Over 3000fps is a lot of stress on a bullet at close range. The Swift Aframe and TSX are exceptional in this application. The interbond is a very soft bullet. it will expand at long range and rather low velocity. The Aframe will not expand nearly as easy.

It's not a failure issue at all, just a matter of getting the best performance possible within the velocity window you have available. If I were shooting all my game with a magnum rifle(over 3000fps) over 300 yards the interbond would be great. If not I would opt for a stiffer projectile.

[NimrodRx]

Thanks JJ.

My "magnum" rifle is a .338 wm.  Even at 15 ft from the muzzle, I'm still only at 2780 fps with the 225gr IB.  Sounds like the IB is still a good choice.

On a whim, I picked up 50 of the 225gr PP SN Woodleighs.  I'm anxious to see how my bore likes them.  If it doesn't, I'll go back to the Interbond and never look back. 

Thanks again!

[JJHACK]

If you read the posts I've put up before you will see that the velocity window in my opinion is sub 3000fps, but I also mentioned game under 500 pounds. Game over 500 pounds has enough mass and is typically soilid enough to create substantial impact deformation of softer bullets. A 338 justifies the Aframe or the TSX in my opinion. Placement is 90% of the debate that we all agree on. It's only the remaining 10% we may see differently.

My line in the sand for the lightly constructed bonded core or even cup and core bullets is 3000fps and under 500 pounds.

Faster or heavier then that,..... I will always opt for the Aframe and the TSX.

[NimrodRx]

That makes sense.  Thank you for the response.  You will find no argument from me.

If the Woodleighs don't work out, I will give the A-Frames a try.  I have heard nothing but praise about that bullet.  I know the Woodleigh is a bit soft, but it seems to hold together exceptionally well and gets stellar reports when driven at the appropriate speed.  If it shoots well out of my bore (I'll know on Mon), I will likely stop there.  The hunt is only four months away and I really want a load settled on.

Thank you again for the advice!

[JJHACK]

The woodys are good bullets,.... but for me difficult to locate from time to time. The Aframes always seem to be available someplace. The TSX bullets are usually on the shelf all the time. That is my main reason for those two choices over the woodleighs. Once I develop a good load I like to shoot and hunt more then tinker with new ammo development. It's only happened once but it's annoying as heck to be out of your component without any available.

[NimrodRx]

Worked up to 70 gr of H4350 with the 225 gr Woodleigh Weldcores.

The first four down the tube were just under an inch and averaged 2780 fps.  I'm done tinkering.  Time to stock up on some while they're available.  An added plus, POI is nearly identicle to the Hornady Interlock - my practice bullet.