Ever Lose a Bullet?

[AccelR8]

So there I was, shooting my 222 Remington. 100 yards. I was shooting Nosler 40 grain tipped, flat base Varmageddon bullets. I was shooting 3 groups on 3 different targets, which were 1” diameter orange spots. Groups were about .6 to .7 inch.

My last shot never struck the target. Bi pod, rear bag, very stable platform and the shot broke with nearly perfect scope picture, 1/8 MOA dot reticle right on the center of that orange spot.

It did not make a hole in the target. Anywhere. The orange spot is about 6” from the edge of the paper so it's hard to think it missed the point of aim by more than 6 inches, when all previous rounds had hit their respective points of aim within well under an inch.

It registered on the chronograph so it did exit the muzzle. 3,254 fps. 12 twist so that comes out to 195,240 rpm. It shouldn't have come apart. It was my last shot literally, I had fired all my rounds and had no more to try and see if, for example, my scope had failed internally.

It seems whenever I go to the range I come home with more questions than answers sometimes!

 

[afret]

It might have gone through the same hole as a prior shot?

 

[AccelR8]

It might have gone through the same hole as a prior shot?

If that's the case it made a perfect pass through, precisely centering up in an existing hole.

The other holes in the group were cleanly cut separate holes, individual on the paper. No ragged hole.

 

[Bill Norris]

If that's the case it made a perfect pass through, precisely centering up in an existing hole.

The other holes in the group were cleanly cut separate holes, individual on the paper. No ragged hole.

Thats about the only assumption reasonable.

 

[dstoenner]

Or it went poof before it got there. That is where light bullets pushed hard in fast twist barrels explode. It could have simply been a flaw in the copper jacket not visible on the outside.

David

 

[7887mm08]

It might have gone through the same hole as a prior shot?

It happens!

 

[Laurie]

Or it went poof before it got there. That is where light bullets pushed hard in fast twist barrels explode. It could have simply been a flaw in the copper jacket not visible on the outside.

David

By far the most likely cause. What's your rifling pitch rate and do you know your MV?

It doesn't have to be a jacket flaw. Some 0.224 varmint bullets have very thin and hence relatively fragile jackets and will often explode in flight if their rotational speed is too high.

 

[littlebuddybr]

Probably went through the same hole

 

[AccelR8]

I guess I'm liking the "same hole" explanation.

 

[K22]

It's rare, very rare but I've had it happen to me a few time also with my match grade Douglas barrel in 223 Rem. This rifle is a sub 1/4 moa rifle. However even with a magnifying glass I couldn't detect a double but a double was the only conclusion I could reach. The bullet were Nosler 55 grain moving at about 3,100 feet / sec. and the target in question was at 100 yards so a miss in highly improbable.

The "fragile bullet" concept didn't seem to apply with this well constructed bullet moving at a relatively modest velocity but I guess I could be wrong - there's no way I can prove either possibility.

 

[Bill K]

I would say that bullet went right through a existing hole, I the group you were shooting.

 

[Twicepop]

Judge Crater has it.

 

[rwj]

I would say that bullet went right through a existing hole...

How would this be scored in a sanctioned match?

 

[rsmithsr50]

TAKE THE TARGET AND TURN IT OVER.
it is often easier to see a second shot thru one hole this way.
A lot depends on the target paper quality and the backer.

 

[Ranger188]

One of two things,
It went into the same hole or the bullet blew up.
How many rounds do you have down this barrel?

 

[rayporter]

How would this be scored in a sanctioned match?


in a sanctioned match they have moving backers behind the target that will record all shots. the backer is constantly moving and if there is only 4 holes in the backer you get a one inch penalty.

 

[AccelR8]

How many rounds do you have down this barrel?

87 including the one in question.

 

[Ranger188]

With 87 down the barrel, I wouldn't think that's the problem. Don't sell yourself short. It probably went into the same hole.
Now if you start doing that all the time, you got something....

 

[mike a]

I guess I'm liking the "same hole" explanation.

Happens to me ALL the time. I just live with it. Mike

 

[xswanted]

It either went through another hole OR have you inspected the bore? Make sure it’s not stuck in there from a squib charge.

I’ve not seen it happen with a centerfire but dealt with a number of 17HMRs that had a blown apart action and stock from a bullet stuck in the bore.