Strange marks on these targets!

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nofishbob

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I was trying out some loads for my S&W 500, 10.5", and noticed these marks on some of the targets:

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It looks like powder is swirling off of the bullet as it passes through the target.

Details:

-350gr Hornady XTP

-42gr H110

-I was about 15 yards from the target

It seems counter intuitive to think that there is so much unburned powder present and that it would still be spraying from the bullets 15 yards downrange, and all in one jet or spray from each bullet.

Notice how on the top target they are all oriented the same way?

What do you think caused this? Have you ever seen this?

Thanks!

Bob
 
Lessee?
Near max load of H-110.

My WAG is the bullet jackets are rupturing along the rifling grooves and thats lead spray coming out of the stuffing.
High muzzle pressure/blast is upsetting the base of the bullet causing the jacket to rupture along the grooves.

I have seen the same thing with my 25-20 WCF shooting Rem 86 grain jacketed bullets at moderate velocity at 50 yards, and thats the only explanation I could come up with.

Pretty darn sure it isn't unburned powder making it that far downrange with the bullet.

rc.
 
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If rcmodel is correct, it would seem like you have one very rough or tall land in your barrel. To cause this kind of damage to the bullet, I would think it would be visible to the naked eye.
 
I was thinking the bullet can't take the pressure/velocity but when I checked the Hornady site I see it's a Magnum rated bullet so it's not that. Too bad you don't know someone with a high speed video camera to see what the bullet is doing downrange. Please keep us updated on this one, it's very interesting.
 
Ash residue from the 42gr of H110 . About 1/3 of the powder charge is burn right away as the primer flash hits it. The other 2/3 of the powder is slammed against the bullets base where it burns. Pressure & the vacuum* keeps the ash at the bullets base till it reaches 15 yards. *Vacum, like NASCAR drafting. Thats my guess.
 
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My guess is sub-atomic particles spun off as the bullet passed through a 4th dimension. You know, the European Union has spent 664 million Euro and have a staff of 9000 scientists working full-time on this at CERN and you've got the proof for under $500. Chalk another one up to American know-how.

Champagne for everyone! :D
 
that's the lead that the bullet pulled out of your barrel, or the comet effect of terminal ballistics, or the bullet's smiley-face at the nice group you shot.

murf
 
It seems counter intuitive to think that there is so much unburned powder present
Click to expand...

It isn't "unburned" powder, its "burned" powder residue. Do you think that any solid just converts to gas, heat and light that dissipates in the atmosphere like a combusted gas? Powder leaves residue from the combustion just like burning wood leaves ash. More powder used, more residue left. We see it when we clean our guns and forensic scientists test for it to determine the distance a shot was fired from.
 
Molten Lead Core Vaporizing in Rifles

In rifles, certain bore conditions cause the lead core to melt, air friction keeps the bullet molten till it reaches the target, vaporizing lead as it goes. Some bullets will never make it to the target @ 100yds. This i have seen, and its been proven. :)
 
Thanks for the replies!

I am going to try out more loads this weekend, and keep better track of which loads, if any, make these marks.

Bob
 
Shoot at 25yds and see how it looks. That should eliminate some of the possibilities.
 
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