I saw something interesting Sunday. Maybe I have seen this before, but never "noticed" it so blatantly.
All holes 300Blk, at the same distance, same backer (not moved). Basically 5 rounds fired, may reloaded next 5 rounds fired. Only difference was loads.
I was by no means going for groups. This was just testing loads on the low range of the loading to see if they would cycle the action with different barrels. But this target was just one barrel (16")
5 holes were 125gr probably in 1900 ft/sec range.
5 holes were 200gr and maybe just over super sonic (intent was to be subsonic with 10.5").
I didn't chrono loads.
What I found interesting is the difference in hole size. I suspect the bigger holes/tears were the faster loads, but can't confirm. I wasn't paying attention when firing them.
Has anyone else noticed such a large difference when going form "light/fast" to "heavy/slow" bullets? (all fast and slow and light and heavy are relative). Or maybe it was bullet shape. short/stubby vs long/lean...?
I'm not a ballistics expert by any means, but it looks like there could possibly be some slight bullet tumbling/instability going on with the larger holes.
Another possibility, depending on what the target was mounted on, could be support of the target by the backing. For example, if the target was mounted on cardboard that already had previous holes shot out of it could explain bigger holes, while the "virgin" backing has the smaller holes.
They get changed out every few days. And it was Sunday evening...
But that said, I would assume the backing holes to be random. I wouldn't expect to see 5 and 5.
Of course, it could be that the 5 holes that look bigger were not from the same loads... it is an assumption that they were from the same set of loads because there were 5 and 5 holes and 5 and 5 rounds.... I didn't pay attention to which holes were which...
I'd back up and look for keyholing in whichever round proves to be making those elongated tears. If the bullet isn't tumbling I wouldn't give it much thought but it is interesting. Looks to me like the nose of the bullets is much different.
Those type holes are caused by the paper target not in full contact with the target supporting back board.
There's a space between the two and it causes that ripping that you see, versus a clean hole that you would see if the target paper was in full contact with its backing.
The solution is to make sure your target lays completely flat against its wood backing.
The bullet holes only appear to be different sizes.
The air space between your target and the backing it's attached to allows the target to move when the bullet strikes it. This space varies, so does the size of the holes ripped in the target.
Do an experiment:
Hang a target so it's suspended in air with nothing behind it.
Hang another target so it's completely flat against its backing support.
Shoot at each target, then look at the holes, and all your questions will be answered.
Looks to me like the paper was not supported by a backer for some of the shots.
Up against cardboard you get nice clean holes. Just hanging out there, smaller & not perfectly round holes.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Glock Talk
21M posts
185.2K members
Since 1999
A forum community dedicated to Glock firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, troubleshooting, accessories, classifieds, and more!