Keyholeing 380 Automatic

[Frozen North]

I was out shooting today and decided to see how many rounds I could hit at 50 yards with my 380. The pistol was a Bersa Thunder 380 CC. I was surprised to find that I was able to put 12 out of 18 rounds into a steel barrel lid. When I inspected the steel lid, I saw that many of the bullet holes were profile shaped! Is it normal for a 380 bullet to begin tumbling at 50 yards or do I just have a poor barrel on this pistol?

Ammo was MagTec 95gr FMC 380A and Blazer 95gr TMJ. I am unsure if both loads were keyholeing or just one. I shot a mag of each before inspecting the target.

I think it is strange that I could hit so reliably if so much energy was lost at that range...hmmmm?

 

[Giterboosted]

Fwiw I have a bersa thunder 380 and it hasn't ever given me this issue

 

[Frozen North]

I am also surprised that it would punch through the steel at those ranges. 50 yards is allot for a 380 and the barrel lid was heavier than most.

Maybe the bullet is tipping over on impact and not actually tumbling before it gets there.

 

[GRIZ22]

Maybe the bullet is tipping over on impact and not actually tumbling before it gets there.
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This could be it. Try shooting paper targets next time. I know 38 target wadcutters from a 2" will start to wobble and keyhole at 50 yds.

 

[Uteridge]

It's hard to tell without testing out each load and like Frozen North said it could be something that happens on impact. I would try to find out but I wouldn't worry too much; you are not likely to be taking a 50 yard shot as a civilian. It would be good to know which bullet is doing it though if it is only one of the two.

 

[788Ham]

+1 for Grizz22. I seriously doubt that .380 had that much power left at 50 yds to penetrate a "steel lid". JMHO

 

[Frozen North]

That is a good idea, I will shoot paper next time. I will most likely never mess around with the aluminum cased Blazer again. IMO, the price difference is not worth the drop in quality. It is not nearly as accurate, it burns dirty as and old diesel, and the cases can't (shouldn't) be reloaded. I bought a bunch, it is gone, no more. I like the magtech much more.

I would never expect to use a 380 for any reason at that range. Practice and training exercises are good, but it is just fun to shoot sometimes too. It is also nice to see what a gun can do in the real world. Me and the guys I shoot with will often burn shells trying to ring a 400 yard gong with our Glocks. There is no reason for it, it's just fun.

+1 for Grizz22. I seriously doubt that .380 had that much power left at 50 yds to penetrate a "steel lid". JMHO

It surprised the heck out of me too. I was expecting dents not holes! They all went clean through! I'm sure most of you guys have seen a steel 55 gallon drum lid. They have a seal and clamp onto the barrel. We tape our targets on them, they can take allot of hits before they are junk.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I go with others try paper next time . I haven't had any reports of key holing at 50 yds but 99% of people with a Bersa or any 380 never shoot 50yds.

 

[murf]

amazing what a full metal jacket round will go through. nice shootin!


murf

 

[schnarrgj]

+1 for using paper next time. Also if the rounds were tumbling, accuracy would go out the window and you would be lucky to hit a barn if you were standing in it.

 

[makarovnik]

Yup. Try paper targets and take a looksie. Tumbling might not be a bad thing for self defense as long as it hits the target. Just like a little blender.