Hornady InterLock 35 Caliber .358 200 GR Round Nose Bullets: Precision Performance for Discerning Hunters and Handloaders

For hunters and handloaders who demand uncompromising performance and ethical accuracy in the field, the choice of bullet is paramount. The Hornady InterLock 35 Caliber .358 200 GR Round Nose bullet stands as a testament to this commitment, engineered to deliver controlled expansion, exceptional weight retention, and deep penetration crucial for cleanly harvesting medium to large game. This component is not just a projectile; it's a meticulously designed solution for achieving reliable terminal performance with every shot.

Are you searching for the ideal bullet for your .35 caliber rifle, perhaps a classic lever-action chambered in .35 Remington, or a potent .35 Whelen? Do you seek a component that ensures consistent performance, whether you're stalking deer through dense woods or pursuing larger game in open terrain? The Hornady InterLock bullet is specifically crafted to meet these challenges, providing the confidence that comes from using a projectile renowned for its integrity and effectiveness.

The Ingenuity Behind the InterLock Design: Unpacking Hornady's Core-Jacket Fusion

What truly sets the Hornady InterLock bullet apart from conventional designs? It’s Hornady’s innovative InterLock technology, a sophisticated fusion of core and jacket that ensures unparalleled integrity upon impact. This proprietary design is a cornerstone of the bullet's ability to perform consistently and predictably, shot after shot.

• The InterLock Ring: At the heart of this technology is a raised ring, strategically placed inside the bullet's jacket. This ring is embedded into the lead core during the manufacturing process, creating a mechanical lock that physically binds the core and jacket together. Why is this critical? In a traditional bullet, the core and jacket can separate upon impact, leading to fragmentation and reduced weight retention. The InterLock ring actively prevents this, ensuring that the bullet's mass is maintained throughout its penetration path. This translates directly into more energy delivered to the target and a more effective wound channel.
• Tapered Jacket Thickness: Precision is paramount in bullet manufacturing, and Hornady exemplifies this with its tapered jacket design. The copper jacket's thickness is meticulously controlled, varying along the bullet's length. This controlled tapering allows for optimal expansion across a wide range of impact velocities. Whether the bullet strikes at high speed from a magnum cartridge or at a reduced velocity from a shorter range or a lower-velocity cartridge, the jacket is designed to peel back consistently, initiating expansion reliably without over-fragmenting or under-expanding. This adaptability is vital for hunters who encounter varied shooting scenarios and ranges.
• One-Piece Core: Complementing the jacket is a robust, one-piece lead core. Unlike some bullet designs that use segmented or bonded cores that can still separate under extreme stress, the Hornady InterLock's solid core contributes significantly to its structural integrity. This unified construction works in concert with the InterLock ring to ensure the bullet remains a single, coherent unit as it expands and penetrates, maximizing energy transfer and minimizing bullet failure.
• The Cannelure: The cannelure, a circumferential groove on the bullet's shank, serves multiple critical functions. For handloaders, it provides an accurate and consistent crimping point, ensuring that the bullet is securely held in the case, preventing setback under recoil or during feeding in repeating firearms. Beyond its reloading utility, the cannelure also works synergistically with the InterLock ring, further securing the core and jacket. This dual-purpose feature reinforces the bullet's structural integrity, ensuring dependable performance when it matters most.

Mastering Ballistics: The 200 Grain Round Nose Advantage

Understanding bullet ballistics is key to selecting the right component for your hunting and shooting needs. The Hornady InterLock 35 Caliber .358 200 GR Round Nose bullet possesses specific ballistic characteristics that make it exceptionally effective for its intended applications.

• 200 Grain Weight: At 200 grains, this bullet offers a superb balance of momentum and velocity for .35 caliber cartridges. For medium game like deer, black bear, or wild hogs, 200 grains provides ample mass to deliver significant kinetic energy and create an effective wound channel. For larger game, this weight contributes to the necessary momentum for deep penetration, reaching vital organs even through tough hides and bone. It strikes an excellent balance between delivering powerful impact and maintaining manageable recoil, especially in lighter hunting rifles.
• Round Nose Design: The round nose profile is a classic and highly effective design, particularly for cartridges used in lever-action rifles with tubular magazines. This design mitigates the risk of primer ignition from the nose of a pointed bullet touching the primer of the cartridge in front of it in the magazine, a critical safety feature. Beyond safety, the round nose offers a large frontal area, which can contribute to reliable expansion upon impact, even at lower velocities often associated with .35 caliber rounds at typical hunting ranges. While not designed for extreme long-range ballistic efficiency, its performance within practical hunting distances is exceptional.
• Bullet Diameter (.358): The .358-inch diameter makes this bullet perfectly suited for a range of popular .35 caliber cartridges, including but not limited to .35 Remington, .35 Whelen, .358 Winchester, and .350 Legend (with appropriate loading data). This precise diameter ensures optimal bore engagement, contributing to accuracy and consistent pressure generation within the cartridge.
• Sectional Density (.223): Sectional density (SD) is a crucial indicator of a bullet's penetrating capability. With an SD of .223, the Hornady InterLock 200 GR bullet boasts a high sectional density for its weight and caliber. A higher SD generally means the bullet is longer and more slender in proportion to its diameter, allowing it to overcome resistance and penetrate deeply. This characteristic is vital for reaching vital organs on larger game, ensuring a clean and ethical harvest.
• Ballistic Coefficient (.195): The ballistic coefficient (BC) of .195 indicates how efficiently the bullet flies through the air. While a round nose bullet, by nature, will have a lower BC compared to a spitzer boat-tail design, this BC is perfectly adequate for the typical ranges at which .35 caliber hunting is conducted. For most medium to large game hunting scenarios where shots are often within 200 yards, the slight ballistic drop or wind drift associated with this BC is negligible and easily compensated for, particularly given the bullet's primary design strengths in terminal performance.

Unwavering Performance: Why Hunters and Reloaders Choose InterLock

The cumulative effect of Hornady's design choices in the InterLock 35 Caliber .358 200 GR Round Nose bullet translates into significant advantages for the end-user.

• Reliable, Controlled Expansion: The tapered jacket and round nose profile work in harmony to ensure that the bullet expands consistently and reliably upon impact. This controlled expansion creates a wide and effective wound channel, maximizing tissue damage and energy transfer without causing excessive fragmentation that could compromise penetration.
• Exceptional Weight Retention: Thanks to the patented InterLock ring and robust one-piece core, these bullets are engineered for superior weight retention. By maintaining most of its original mass, the bullet carries more momentum deeper into the target, increasing the likelihood of a pass-through shot and ensuring maximum energy is deposited where it counts – in the vital organs. This capability is paramount for achieving quick, humane kills.
• Deep, Predictable Penetration: The combination of high sectional density, 200-grain weight, and stellar weight retention results in excellent penetration capabilities. This bullet is designed to punch through bone and muscle, reaching critical areas even on heavily muscled or large-boned game animals, reducing the chance of a wounded animal escaping.
• Ethical Hunting Outcomes: For the ethical hunter, the objective is always a swift, humane harvest. The consistent expansion, high weight retention, and deep penetration characteristics of the Hornady InterLock bullet contribute directly to achieving this goal, providing the stopping power needed for a clean kill.
• Unparalleled Consistency for Handloaders: Handloaders appreciate the precise manufacturing tolerances of Hornady bullets. The uniform dimensions, consistent weight, and well-defined cannelure of the InterLock 3515 make them incredibly easy to load accurately and consistently, leading to repeatable results at the range and in the field. This consistency is fundamental to developing precise and reliable ammunition tailored to your specific firearm.

Who Benefits Most from the Hornady InterLock 35 Caliber 200 GR Round Nose?

This particular Hornady InterLock bullet is an outstanding choice for several distinct user groups:

• Hunters of Medium to Large Game: Whether pursuing whitetail deer, black bear, wild hogs, or similar-sized animals, this 200-grain bullet provides the terminal performance necessary for effective and ethical harvests. Its design excels in scenarios where deep penetration and reliable expansion are critical.
• Lever-Action Rifle Enthusiasts: For owners of iconic lever-action rifles chambered in .35 Remington or other compatible cartridges, the round nose profile is a safety imperative for tubular magazines and provides classic aesthetics with modern performance.
• Reloaders and Handloaders: Individuals who enjoy crafting their own ammunition will find the Hornady InterLock a joy to work with. Its consistent construction facilitates easy loading and helps achieve optimal accuracy and velocity tailored to specific rifles. This allows for fine-tuning ammunition performance for different hunting conditions or firearms.
• Those Seeking Dependable, Proven Performance: If you prioritize a bullet that has a long-standing reputation for reliability and effectiveness, the Hornady InterLock, with its decades of proven field performance, is an excellent selection. It’s a component trusted by generations of hunters.

Optimizing Your Handloads with Hornady InterLock Bullets

When incorporating Hornady InterLock 35 Caliber .358 200 GR Round Nose bullets into your reloading regimen, consider these tips for optimal results:

• Consult Reputable Load Data: Always begin with published reloading data from trusted sources like the Hornady Reloading Handbook. This ensures safety and helps you achieve desired performance levels.
• Consistency is Key: Pay close attention to consistency in all aspects of your reloading process, including powder charges, overall length (OAL), and crimp. This contributes significantly to accuracy and repeatable bullet performance.
• Proper Crimp Application: Utilize the cannelure for a firm, consistent crimp. This is especially important for tubular magazine rifles to prevent bullet setback under recoil.
• Match Components: Pair these high-quality bullets with appropriate primers and powders recommended for .35 caliber cartridges to unlock their full potential.

The Hornady Legacy: A Commitment to Excellence

Hornady has built an unparalleled reputation in the ammunition and component industry, synonymous with innovation, quality, and performance. For over 70 years, Hornady has been at the forefront of ballistic research and development, continuously pushing the boundaries of what's possible in projectile design. The InterLock series, including this 35 Caliber 200 GR Round Nose, is a prime example of their dedication to providing hunters and shooters with superior products that instill confidence and deliver results. Choosing Hornady means choosing a brand trusted by professionals and enthusiasts worldwide for its precision engineering and unwavering commitment to ethical hunting and shooting.

Where to Purchase Your Hornady InterLock Bullets

To ensure you are acquiring genuine Hornady InterLock 35 Caliber .358 200 GR Round Nose bullets (UPC: 090255235159), look no further than a reputable supplier. These high-performance reloading components are readily available at DEGuns, a trusted online retailer known for its extensive selection of firearms, ammunition, and reloading supplies. DEGuns provides a reliable source for serious reloaders and hunters seeking to equip themselves with the best.

Hornady InterLock 35 Caliber Bullet Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	InterLock
Caliber	35 Cal
Bullet Type	Round Nose
Weight	200 Grain (GR)
Diameter	.358 inch
Rounds/Box	100
Core Material	Lead
Jacket Material	Copper
Application	Medium-Large Game
Coefficient	.195 (Ballistic)
Density	.223 (Sectional)
SKU	86692
MPN	3515
UPC	090255235159