Keyholing rifle rounds, what gives?

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Lennyjoe
February 5, 2006, 05:53 PM
Noticed today that my 22-250 had a few rounds keyhole.

Standard load is Varget and 50gr V-max doing 3900fps. 95% of them shoot fine but out of 30 rounds I had 2 keyhole

Also, loaded some 50gr Sierra SP and when I got near max with Varget (36gr) all 5 rounds keyholed. Loads from 33.5 and up fired fine but when I got to the 36gr loads they all went haywire. I used the printed COL for this load as well.

Is it something I'm doing or is my barrel suspect?
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TexasRifleman
February 5, 2006, 05:55 PM
What's the barrel twist rate?
Jim Watson
February 5, 2006, 07:54 PM
Bullets are fragile for the velocity produced. They are getting deformed from barrel heat and centrifugal force. Load a little hotter and they will break up entirely.
Lennyjoe
February 5, 2006, 08:02 PM
You could be right Jim. The barrel was getting pretty hot.

As for twist rate, 1-12.
NMshooter
February 5, 2006, 08:07 PM
3900!:eek:

Who needs a Swift...:D
redneck2
February 5, 2006, 08:23 PM
I had a friend that had a Swift. He'd load them high, and they'd get maybe 50 yards out and you'd see a little grey "poof". I think you're close.
jerkface11
February 5, 2006, 08:39 PM
Add some more powder exploding bullets are cool. :D
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