WvBowhunterKE Posted November 20, 2005 Report Share Posted November 20, 2005 I was sighting in my gun at a shooting range and I started off at about 25 yards. The bullet hit the target and hit it side ways. I thought well the bullet must have been defective so I went to 100 yards and shot and it hit bullseyes and it hit like a small pin hole. I was using a 22.250...Any ideas why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popgun Posted November 20, 2005 Report Share Posted November 20, 2005 Re: Ever heard of keyholing? I could be wrong, but the way I understand the concept, is that "all" bullets wobble to a certain extent after they leave the barrel. Depending upon the number of twist in your barrel and the speed of the bullet, which is a deciding factor in how far the bullet travels out of the barrel before it settles down. (also the length of the bullet itself, as well as the length of the barrel.) I don't really think you have a problem. Even if the bullet hits the animal before it settles into a graceful spin it will still kill the varmit. The mushroom effect on the bullet may be lopsided but it will still do the job. Maybe if this thread gets moved to the Rifles and Accessories room, AJ can give you a better, or more definitive answer. ....popgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted November 20, 2005 Report Share Posted November 20, 2005 Re: Ever heard of keyholing? Personally, I'd step up your caliber. 22.250 is a bit small, isn't it? If your bullet is tumbling, I think there's something pretty wrong with your barrel. Sounds more like to me that your target might have just been attached weird. Don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cutter Posted November 20, 2005 Report Share Posted November 20, 2005 Re: Ever heard of keyholing? I had an old 303 enfield that did that I was told the barrel was shot out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbduck Posted November 20, 2005 Report Share Posted November 20, 2005 Re: Ever heard of keyholing? Yes, I believe it means that the bullet is tumbling as it travels towards its target causing a rip in the target(paper) as apposed to a straight line(small hole). Not sure what the causes is though. Might need some pros here. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooBear Posted November 20, 2005 Report Share Posted November 20, 2005 Re: Ever heard of keyholing? I would have my barrel and crown checked out by a good smith. You have a real problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_Spike_King Posted November 20, 2005 Report Share Posted November 20, 2005 Re: Ever heard of keyholing? Well I will put my 2cents in here. I have a co-worker\hunting friend that had a 22-250 built and it did the same exact thing. Now what he was doing was he was trying to shoot to heavy of a bullet with the wrong twist. He went back to the man that built the gun for him and he changed the barrel to the twist to fit the bullet. I hope this helps you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted November 20, 2005 Report Share Posted November 20, 2005 Re: Ever heard of keyholing? Eric has the best response so far. It sounds like you are using bullets that are too heavy for that twist. For there to be enough yaw induced by a crooked bullet, the ammo should not be able to chamber. Bullets do not tumble unless there is a problem or after they hit something. You could have excessive fouling built up in the bore or an extremely rough bore that is tearing up the jackets inducing an off balance scenario that will destroy good groups. What ammo are you using? What is the twist or make and model of the gun? Did this gun shoot well before? What are the groups like at 100 yards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robk Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 Re: Ever heard of keyholing? it is not unusual to see a bullet tumble as 22 caliber bullets are known to do so and it would of been for many reasons. in the 22 caliber bullet if your shooting bullseyes and hitting the hole like a bullet is supposed to then i would guess you have some other problem and it may have to do with the ammo and not the gun. take and shoot some groups with the same bullets at 25 yards and then go shoot some at 50 and then at 100 yards and shoot groups of 3 to 5 bullets for each group. good luck and i bet it was either a one time thing or the bullet may be the problem and not the gun barrel. are these factory bullets or reloads as well as that too couold be a problem with how they were loaded as well rob k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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