My question is "Why are some of my bullet holes cut cleanly for approx. 180 degrees circumferentially and the other 180 degrees is not cut completely but have the typical carbon rubbed off look, I'm thinking the bullets are tipping into the wind and entering the paper target at an angle. Others have said they don't think so. These are .30 cal. holes made with 125 grn. bullets from a 17 twist Krieger brl. 2950 FPS. Thanks !
Bullet hole
- Thread starter Steve Ladino
- Start date
Tighten your paper on the target . Larry
200 out to 400 yds
Could be, I will check the other guy's bullet holes and see if theirs are similar, using heavy target paper now, like the type used at matches.
Pull them down tight . Larry
There are several explanations which may apply in addition to the loose paper target. The direction of the 180 degrees may give some indication of the cause. If it is horrizontal or close to horrizontal then it could be due to wind induced yaw as you speculated or yaw of repose, though the latter will be very small. If the direction is random then it could be launch induced yaw which has not damped out. Some bullet/gun combinations are better at rapidly damping out yaw than others though I would expect an increase in group size compared to well damped bullets.
I'm not positive its loose paper at least where I shoot. Usually the irregularity is at the 300/400 yd. distance. The winds are often switching and can be worth 6/7 inches at 400 yds. with strong head winds and strong 4o'clock or 2 o'clock winds at 300 yds. or at 200 yds. all at once, it's a challenge ! I don't recall this condition on a calm day as most are not but the next time it's calm I will eliminate the wind caused effect and go with loose paper if the holes still are irregular looking......Thanks everyone !
I noticed that with my 308Win that using 2206H (H4895 in the US) with 155.5gn Berger FB's the holes in 100m targets were not clean cut compared to using BM8208 (XBR8208) in tuned loads.
The BM8208 loads on target looked like wadcutter holes they were that clean cut. I put it down to less bullet upset upon exiting the muzzle. The velocities were similar between the two above powder types but BM8208 is a faster powder resulting in less pressure in the barrel at the time of bullet exit. There is a definite reduction in felt recoil too, using the faster powder. Both powders can produce exceptionally good groups.
The BM8208 loads on target looked like wadcutter holes they were that clean cut. I put it down to less bullet upset upon exiting the muzzle. The velocities were similar between the two above powder types but BM8208 is a faster powder resulting in less pressure in the barrel at the time of bullet exit. There is a definite reduction in felt recoil too, using the faster powder. Both powders can produce exceptionally good groups.
nmkid
Gold $$ Contributor
Looks like one is. I can expand the picture out with my fingers.
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