[Ltdoptions]

I went to the range this weekend trying to decide which glock to purchase the G22 or the G21, I shot the G21 first and noticed that the bullets seemed to keyhole at least 50% of the time. Is this a function of the ammo, gun, or just the model? The G21 did look dirty so I thought maybe it was a combination of a dirty gun and range reloads. Makes me lean towards the G22. Any thoughts? Thx

 

[AK47Man]

Keyholed? Explain?

 

[Ltdoptions]

Keyholing is a firearms term which refers to the shape of the hole left in a paper target by a bullet fired down a gun barrel which has a diameter larger than the bullet. A bullet fired in this manner tends to wobble or tumble as it moves through the air and leaves a "keyhole" shaped hole in a paper target instead of a round one.

 

[DEADLYACCURATE]

Keyholed? Explain?

.223 keyholing

 

[Butch]

The G21 did look dirty so I thought maybe it was a combination of a dirty gun and range reloads.

A very likely answer, especially if the reloads were made with unjacketed lead, or cheap (poor quality) plated bullets.

Makes me lean towards the G22. Any thoughts? Thx

It would not be a reason to lean towards the G22 for me.

 

[hounds2]

the only issue i ever had even close to that was with my tarus .40 while working up a reload. i went from fmj to berrys plated. it was just a bit too fast for the berrys and evidently was pushing the softer bullet right thru the rifleing. i had some keyholing and a total loss of accuracy. slowed it down to about 800 fps and those problems went away.

good luck----scott

 

[rfd339]

Keyholed? Explain?

Bullet tumbling though the air instead of in a straight line motion. My g21 did this and had to keep the crown of the barrel clean from crud that would build up from dirty rounds.

 

[LoadedTech]

The G21 did look dirty so I thought maybe it was a combination of a dirty gun and range reloads.

The highlighted part was the problem. I reload the cheapest plated bullets I can find and never had a keyhole. Is it bad bullets or crappy powder that causes this?

Cool pic DeadA, you can see where the bullet hit sideways.

 

[JETHRO38]

I watched a episode of Lock and Load with Gunny and he refered to Keyholing as to when you shot 2 bullets on top of one another and it makes a hole that looks like a Keyhole.I'm no expert but what is the true meaning of Keyholing? And I know what I heard from Gunny and he is no beginer! Any thoughts? And I also know not to believe everything you see on TV! But I was hoping I could have faith in what Gunny says! Thats my boy!

 

[snipe1]

The G22 will be cheaper to shoot and the ammo is much easier to find...right now anyway. :wavey:

 

[Glock 17L]

Lead in the Polygonal rifling will/can cause this..
Also Glock recomends factory ammo, No Reloads, Plus the ammo be jacketed..

 

[ipscshooter]

I shot the G21 first and noticed that the bullets seemed to keyhole at least 50% of the time.

Most likely undersized bullet or leaded up bore.

 

[Palouse]

Lead in the Polygonal rifling will/can cause this..
Also Glock recomends factory ammo, No Reloads, Plus the ammo be jacketed..

What pistol mfr doesn't recommend factory loads?

 

[mustang6112]

I watched a episode of Lock and Load with Gunny and he refered to Keyholing as to when you shot 2 bullets on top of one another and it makes a hole that looks like a Keyhole.I'm no expert but what is the true meaning of Keyholing? And I know what I heard from Gunny and he is no beginer! Any thoughts? And I also know not to believe everything you see on TV! But I was hoping I could have faith in what Gunny says! Thats my boy!

This is the only context I have heard the term "keyholing" used in.
Maybe it's a Marine thing....:usmc:

 

[ipscshooter]

I watched a episode of Lock and Load with Gunny and he refered to Keyholing as to when you shot 2 bullets on top of one another and it makes a hole that looks like a Keyhole.

Gunny is mistaken or has been misinformed.

Google is your friend. Gunny might give it a try as well. :supergrin:

 

[Glock 17L]

I met R. Lee Ermy @ The Knob Creek Machine gun shoot & also at a local gunshow were he was signing autographs..
He's the only "Honorary" Gunnery Sergent..
He's a cut up & I realy liked him in Full Metal Jacket,Texas Chainsaw & Mail Call

Keyholing has always meant to me anyway when a bullet turns & leaves a slice instead of a round hole = BAD..

 

[OrangeDonkey]

It's the ammo that you were shooting, not the the gun or caliber.....

 

[ChrisJn]

I suspect the powder in the reloads.
I had similar problem with G22 and G27 with Berrys bullets(copper plated) 155gr using Accurate #2 and also Titegroup. Changed the powder to HS6 and the problem went away.

 

[WiskyT]

I suspect the powder in the reloads.
I had similar problem with G22 and G27 with Berrys bullets(copper plated) 155gr using Accurate #2 and also Titegroup. Changed the powder to HS6 and the problem went away.

This. Full dose of fast powder with a fragile bullet will get you keyholing.

 

[davewms]

I watched a episode of Lock and Load with Gunny and he refered to Keyholing as to when you shot 2 bullets on top of one another and it makes a hole that looks like a Keyhole.

I doubt that is the explanation for the target shot by the .223; Look how many times that would have had to have happen!

Those slugs were going in nearly sideways!! (Barrel damage of some kind?)