Unlocking Precision and Performance: The Hornady InterLock 25 Caliber .257 117 GR Boat Tail Spire Point Bullet

Are you a dedicated hunter seeking a reliable and effective projectile for medium game? Do you reload your own ammunition and demand consistent, high-performance components? The Hornady InterLock 25 Caliber .257 117 GR Boat Tail Spire Point bullet is meticulously engineered to answer these critical needs, providing exceptional accuracy and devastating terminal performance. This bullet is a cornerstone for serious outdoorsmen who understand that success in the field hinges on superior equipment.

What Makes the Hornady InterLock an Ideal Choice for Hunters and Reloaders?

For decades, the Hornady InterLock series has been a trusted name among hunters. It's renowned for its ability to deliver deep penetration and controlled expansion, ensuring quick, humane kills on game like deer, antelope, and wild hogs. But what specific features contribute to this stellar reputation, and how do they benefit you in real-world hunting scenarios or at the reloading bench?

The core innovation of the Hornady InterLock bullet lies in its unique construction, designed to maintain structural integrity upon impact. Unlike many conventional bullets where the core and jacket can separate, the InterLock design actively prevents this. This robust construction is crucial for maximizing energy transfer and ensuring that the bullet delivers its full potential even after encountering tough hide and bone.

Here's a closer look at the key design elements:

• The InterLock Ring: This is the signature feature. A raised ring is strategically molded into the bullet's jacket, then embedded into the lead core. This mechanical lock between the jacket and core is engineered to keep them united during the most violent expansion, which means the bullet retains more of its original weight. Why is weight retention important? It directly correlates to deeper penetration, increasing the likelihood of reaching vital organs and ensuring a clean pass-through, which can aid in tracking.
• Tapered Jacket Thickness: Hornady precisely controls the jacket's thickness, making it thinner at the nose and gradually thicker towards the base. This engineered taper allows for controlled, uniform expansion across a broad range of impact velocities. Whether your shot is close-range and high-velocity or a longer-range shot with reduced velocity, the bullet is designed to expand reliably without fragmenting prematurely or failing to expand at all. This consistency is invaluable in varied hunting environments.
• One-Piece Lead Core: The bullet features a robust, one-piece lead alloy core that resists separation. This unified core works in conjunction with the InterLock ring to ensure maximum energy transfer to the target. A solid core that doesn't fragment excessively means more energy is delivered directly into the animal, minimizing superficial wounds and maximizing terminal ballistics.
• Cannelure: The cannelure is a circumferential groove pressed into the bullet's jacket. For reloaders, this provides an accurate and consistent crimp, which is essential for uniform pressure and reliable ignition. In hunting applications, the cannelure also works synergistically with the InterLock ring, further locking the core and jacket together, adding another layer of security against separation during expansion. This contributes to improved shot-to-shot consistency and performance.
• Boat Tail Spire Point Design: The "Boat Tail" refers to the tapered base of the bullet, which reduces drag and improves aerodynamic efficiency. This results in a higher ballistic coefficient and flatter trajectories, especially at longer ranges. The "Spire Point" refers to the sharp, pointed nose, which also contributes to excellent aerodynamics and facilitates initial penetration upon impact. For hunters taking ethical, longer-range shots, these aerodynamic properties are critical for maintaining accuracy and energy downrange.

Practical Applications: Where Does This Bullet Excel?

The Hornady InterLock 25 Caliber .257 117 GR bullet is specifically tailored for specific hunting scenarios and calibers.

• Hunting Medium Game: Its primary application is medium-sized game animals. This includes, but is not limited to, whitetail deer, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, feral hogs, and various types of sheep and goats. The 117-grain weight, combined with the .257 caliber diameter, strikes an excellent balance between velocity, energy, and bullet mass, making it highly effective for these animals.
• Popular Calibers: This .257 diameter bullet is ideal for popular cartridges such as the .25-06 Remington, .257 Roberts, and .250 Savage. These calibers are widely used for deer hunting across North America, and the 117-grain InterLock is often considered a standard or preferred bullet weight for achieving optimal performance in them.
• Reloading Enthusiasts: For individuals who handload their ammunition, the Hornady InterLock provides a consistent and reliable component. Its uniform construction ensures that each bullet behaves predictably, allowing reloaders to fine-tune their loads for maximum accuracy and performance from their specific rifle. Many experienced reloaders attest to the bullet's ease of loading and consistent seating.

Understanding Key Ballistic Data

To truly appreciate the performance capabilities of the Hornady InterLock 117 GR bullet, it's helpful to understand some key ballistic specifications:

• Ballistic Coefficient (BC): .391: The ballistic coefficient is a measure of a bullet's ability to overcome air resistance during flight. A higher BC indicates less drag and a flatter trajectory. A BC of .391 for a 117-grain hunting bullet is very respectable, indicating good aerodynamic efficiency for its class, which translates to less bullet drop and wind deflection at extended ranges. This is crucial for maintaining accuracy in varying field conditions.
• Sectional Density (SD): .253: Sectional density describes the bullet's mass in relation to its diameter. A higher SD indicates that a bullet is slender for its weight, which typically leads to better penetration. An SD of .253 suggests excellent penetration potential, particularly beneficial when encountering bone or tough hide on medium game. It means the bullet is designed to push through rather than just expanding on the surface.
• Weight: 117 Grains: The 117-grain weight is a sweet spot for .257 caliber cartridges, providing enough mass for terminal energy transfer while still allowing for good muzzle velocities. This weight is generally considered heavy for caliber, enhancing stability and retained energy downrange.

Why Choose Hornady for Your Ammunition Components?

Hornady has been at the forefront of ammunition innovation for over 75 years, building a reputation for precision, performance, and reliability. When you choose Hornady components, you are investing in:

• Decades of Expertise: Hornady's engineering and manufacturing processes are refined through years of research and real-world testing.
• Quality Control: Every Hornady InterLock bullet undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure consistency in weight, diameter, and construction. This attention to detail means more consistent performance from box to box and shot to shot.
• Proven Performance: The InterLock design is not new; it's a time-tested and field-proven design that hunters have relied upon for generations. Its success stories are abundant, making it a benchmark for conventional hunting bullet performance.
• Ethical Hunting: By choosing a bullet engineered for controlled expansion and deep penetration, hunters contribute to ethical harvesting practices, ensuring quick and humane takedowns.

Where to Purchase and Additional Considerations

The Hornady InterLock 25 Caliber .257 117 GR Boat Tail Spire Point bullets, packaged conveniently in 100-count boxes, are available for purchase at reputable retailers like DEGuns.com. When buying components for reloading, it's important to:

• Consult Reloading Manuals: Always refer to current reloading manuals for appropriate powder types, charge weights, and overall cartridge length specific to your chosen caliber and firearm.
• Batch Consistency: Purchasing bullets in larger quantities or from the same production batch can help ensure the utmost consistency for competitive shooting or critical hunting loads.

In summary, for hunters and reloaders seeking a dependable, high-performing bullet for medium game, the Hornady InterLock 25 Caliber .257 117 GR Boat Tail Spire Point stands out. Its unique InterLock design, combined with a tapered jacket, solid core, cannelure, and aerodynamic boat tail spire point, ensures controlled expansion, deep penetration, and superior accuracy. This bullet isn't just a component; it's a commitment to performance, reliability, and successful hunting excursions.

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Product Specifications Overview

Attribute	Detail	Additional Info
Brand	Hornady	A leader in ammunition and components
Model	InterLock	Signature bonding technology
Caliber	25 Cal	Compatible with .25-06, .257 Roberts, etc.
Bullet Diameter	.257	Precise bore fit
Bullet Type	Boat Tail Spire Point	Aerodynamic, aids penetration
Weight	117 gr	Optimized for medium game
Core Material	Lead	Traditional, effective core
Jacket Material	Copper	Durable, aids expansion
Application	Medium Game	Ideal for deer, antelope, hogs
Coefficient (BC)	.391	Good aerodynamic efficiency
Sectional Density (SD)	.253	Excellent penetration potential
Rounds Per Box	100	Convenient for reloading
Boxes Per Case	25	Bulk purchasing option
SKU	86649	Internal tracking code
MPN	2552	Manufacturer's Part Number
UPC	090255225525	Universal Product Code