What happen to this RELOAD?

[cowtownup]

I was shooting some of my reloads in 40 S&W today with my brother. We were taking turns shooting through 2 different pistols. Upon approaching the targets I noticed this bullet on the ground. I immediately noticed the marks of the rifling in the barrel so I know it went through one of the two barrels. The only thing I could think of was a light charge or possibly no charge at all in that particular reload. The thing that confuses me is how clean the base of the bullet is (no powder residue). I never felt a unusual recoil and he didn't mention experiencing one either, but I'm almost positive I would have noticed if I shot a round that was not charged.. Anyhow, just wanted to get others opinion on what possibly could have occurred here... I call myself being extra careful in a batch style reloading process that I use, but I know I'm not perfect... Thanks for your help in advance...

 

[tacxted]

usually when I see this at my range it is after the snow melts. bullets hit the snow and ice and slow down enough without major deformation, and when the snow melts, I wonder how the bullet didn't deform when I shot it. at least that's my best explanation

 

[Reefinmike]

It fired out of your barrel, hit something and bounced to where you found it... Ive shot plated 357 loads into layers of soft sandstone and they looked brand new besides the rifling marks

and yes, the base of the bullet shouldnt be very dirty at all after firing... is your barrel black and sooty after each shot? well if not, you shouldnt expect the base of the bullet to be.

 

[Broken Bottles]

I've found quite a few 9mm and .45 bullets on the longer distance ranges during cease fires. I've heard people say it's because it was a light load and just didn't penetrate the backstop(I've only found them at places with dirt back stops btw) very deeply so it eventually came out. Of all the explanations I've heard, that one makes the most sense.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Are you sure that bullet came from your gun or is it possible someone else shot it?

 

[cowtownup]

It came from one of my two guns... We were shooting in the field behind my house and nobody shoots there but me... I can't say for 100% sure that it was fired today, but I feel very certain that it was... I just wish it was me on the trigger so I could have observed the feel of such round...

 

[glc24]

I don't think those are unusual at all. I find these all the time where I shoot on my property. They are Berry .40 S&W 180 gr plated flat points. This is after it "worm burned" for about 10 feet too.

Greg

 

[1SOW]

In your pics, that 40 cal (?) looks smaller than my 9mm. ??????
Sure doesn't look like a 165gr +/- bullet in the pic.
Maybe it's just my old eyes.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

This reminds me of a big group shoot that our Texas based forum had recently in Gatesville. I was walking from the pistol ranges back to the rifle range and noticed a deformed .45 laying well behind any of the firing lines. I'd imagine this came from the pistol steel range a good 100 yds away, someone hitting steel at an angle and it ricocheted all the way this far. Granted if it only went 100 yds then it probably had way too little velocity to cause more damage than a nice bruise or lump on somebody's head but still kinda made my heart jump a bit.

In your pics, that 40 cal (?) looks smaller than my 9mm. ??????
Sure doesn't look like a 165gr +/- bullet in the pic.
Maybe it's just my old eyes.

Hate to be a downer but I think its your old eyes. That bullet definitely looks bigger than my 9mm bullets in my hands (which are rather small).

In fact I just just ejected one of my SD rounds and matched my hand up to the picture on my screen and his bullet is clearly bigger than mine. Definitely a .40.

 

[cowtownup]

Thanks guys... It is a 155 Grain Berry's bullet in 40 S&W..