Keyholing .38 spl wadcutters - The Firearms Forum

getgot · 02-06-2010, 09:45 PM

shooting a Missouri 148 gr. DBWC on top of 3.1. Bullseye, out of a S&W model 10, 2 ". Been getting some keyholing for the first time in a long time. Any suggestions as to the reason(s) the bullet is tumbling?

Alpo · 02-06-2010, 10:25 PM

I don't know your abbreviation. HBWC is hollow base WC. BBWC is bevel base WC (solid bullet). What the heck's a DBWC?

LDBennett · 02-07-2010, 04:52 AM

I believe it is a wad cutter that can be used with either end in the case (??).

Things that make bullets tumble are wrong twist (but any 38SPL gun has the right twist for that bullet), a damaged barrel crown, bullets that are the wrong diameter (rifling in barrel looses grip on the bullet), voids in the bullets, bullets so soft the rifling strips the bullet rather than turn it, a leaded up barrel, cylinder timing off and bullet gets damaged trying to enter the barrel from the cylinder (spiting lead out the cylinder to barrel gap should show you that is the case, I would think).

Checkout the gun and if seems OK suspect the bullets (measure diameter and weigh some looking for an abundance of voids in that batch).

LDBennett

carver · 02-07-2010, 05:51 AM

Did you mean DEWC (double ended wad cutter)? Other than what LDBennet posted the only other thing I can think of is a hot load that would lead the barrel. I haven't taken the time to go look up the load you are using so I don't know how fast the bullet is moving.

old semperfi · 02-07-2010, 08:15 AM

most likely its bullet diameter,try sluging barrel and see what is the diameter.your wadcutters should be at least 2-4 thousands above barrel diameter.the other option is to check for excess leading in barrel. old semperfi

02-06-2010, 09:45 PM	#1
getgot Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: texas Posts: 26	Keyholing .38 spl wadcutters shooting a Missouri 148 gr. DBWC on top of 3.1. Bullseye, out of a S&W model 10, 2 ". Been getting some keyholing for the first time in a long time. Any suggestions as to the reason(s) the bullet is tumbling? -->

02-06-2010, 10:25 PM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,664	Re: Keyholing .38 spl wadcutters I don't know your abbreviation. HBWC is hollow base WC. BBWC is bevel base WC (solid bullet). What the heck's a DBWC? __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

02-07-2010, 04:52 AM	#3
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,719	Re: Keyholing .38 spl wadcutters I believe it is a wad cutter that can be used with either end in the case (??). Things that make bullets tumble are wrong twist (but any 38SPL gun has the right twist for that bullet), a damaged barrel crown, bullets that are the wrong diameter (rifling in barrel looses grip on the bullet), voids in the bullets, bullets so soft the rifling strips the bullet rather than turn it, a leaded up barrel, cylinder timing off and bullet gets damaged trying to enter the barrel from the cylinder (spiting lead out the cylinder to barrel gap should show you that is the case, I would think). Checkout the gun and if seems OK suspect the bullets (measure diameter and weigh some looking for an abundance of voids in that batch). LDBennett

02-07-2010, 05:51 AM	#4
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,292	Re: Keyholing .38 spl wadcutters Did you mean DEWC (double ended wad cutter)? Other than what LDBennet posted the only other thing I can think of is a hot load that would lead the barrel. I haven't taken the time to go look up the load you are using so I don't know how fast the bullet is moving. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

02-07-2010, 08:15 AM	#5
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: Keyholing .38 spl wadcutters most likely its bullet diameter,try sluging barrel and see what is the diameter.your wadcutters should be at least 2-4 thousands above barrel diameter.the other option is to check for excess leading in barrel. old semperfi