Fixed my "keyholing" problem

charlie brown · 06-05-2004, 09:54 PM

The other day, I posted a pic in the gun forum of a target that I shot with cast loads from my .30-06. I was using 30 grains of AA 2460, and had poor accuracy, as well as "keyholing" in the target. The velocities were around 1800 fps I decided to actually drop the velocities rather than raise them anymore, so I bought a pound of Unique and loaded the same bullet with 12 grains of powder. I went to the range this evening, and there was no such problem. The holes were perfect in the target. Only problem that I encountered was the velocites varied greatly, but I was able to trace that problem back to the powder measure, as the Unique was not flowing well through the measure, which gave me some hot and light loads. I averaged just under 1500 fps, with the exception of the four that were bad, which two came out close to 1000, and the other two were closer to 1800. I was also able to recover some bullets, and the ones which the bases were not damaged at all had no gas cutting that I could see, so I think I have a load that should work. BTW, the bullet was a Meister bullet .309" 165 gr RNFP with no gas check. Next time, I will measure each load by hand for these loads, unless anyone has any suggestions. I will post a pic of today's target shortly, after I put my groceries and guns stuff away.

charlie brown · 06-06-2004, 07:52 AM

Here is a pic of three bullets that I recovered from wet magazines, with this load.

Charley · 06-06-2004, 02:12 PM

Glad they are working for you. Unique is a fairly good cast bullet powder in rifles. You might also try 2400, 4198 (H or IMR) and SR4759. Among these, Unique might not be the best, but is definately the most versatile. I'd be lost without it.
Now we just have to make you start casting on your own, and quit buying them...

charlie brown · 06-06-2004, 04:50 PM

That is in the plans for the near future. Right now this works for me. The main reason keeping me from casting my own right now is the fact that I live in an apartment and don't have too much room outside to work with. I have come SOOOO close to buying the stuff, at least to load round balls for my ML, but have decided against it several times for the time being.