9 MM cast Bullets "Keyholing" in targets

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  • Last Post 26 January 2016
Fred Wahl posted this 23 January 2016

Hey, All   I've been trying to work up some good cast bullet loads for two of my Hi Point 9 MM pistols, and have run into a LOT of “Keyholes” in the targets. Strangely, the accuracy, even with the “keyholes” isn't that bad. Cast bullets in my two .45 ACP Hi Points are fine, and the accuracy is equal to any of my other .45 ACP handguns.   I even tried sizing the bullets at .357 instead of .356, thinking they would obturate enough to make up for a slightly oversized bore, but that didn't help. I don't know what the barrel twist rate is for the Hi Points, but both bores are in great shape, and they shoot A.O.K. with jacketed/plated bullets. I even tried using some “Space Coast” commercially cast 125 Gr. “Truncated Cone".356 bullets, which also keyholed in both guns. (My home brew cast bullets are the Lee 115 Grain LRN with Alox lube, and the Lee 125Gr. “Tumble Lube Truncated Cone” , both of which I sized to .357, and all are scale weighed to be the same weight.I also used Bullseye powder in all 3 loads, with an MV of 1085   I was shooting at 25 yards from a rest, at a 4” bullseye target.   Anyone have any ideas?CheersFred (Honcho)Fred

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onondaga posted this 23 January 2016

http://castbulletassoc.org/view_user.php?id=9511>Fred Wahl

When you approach or achieve the largest bullet diameter that will function in any of your pistols you have the best opportunity to find all the accuracy your firearm is capable of achieving with a particular bullet,  and twist is less important.

Your .357” sizing could well be wrong and too small.  Have you tried the bullet un-sized? If it will function un-sized, that is a symptom of being too small if it functions un-sized and you need a mold/alloy that casts larger.

WHY?

Gauges and measurements are worthless compared to what you can see on a bullet after inking it and cycling it. Even bearing ink slide markings all the way around and verifiable function is the beginning point to start looking for your best load.

Gary

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 23 January 2016

hey let's get those hi-point 9 ( s ) shooting ....i am a fan of those, although i let my buddies buy and load for them ... ( g ) ... i love the carbines, they don't seem excessively bulky and heavy .

sounds like your twist is ok, and agree with gary that it is likely that your chambers are oversize, probably in the ” throat ” where the lead slug is bouncing upon firing . the stronger mj bullets just shrug that off ...even though they would benefit some from a better fitting throat .

please let us know how everything turns out, it will add to our short list of things we know about cast bullets .

ken

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giorgio the slim one posted this 24 January 2016

I had keyhole problems with a Tanfoglio 9x21 (in Italy  the 9mm Luger pistols are illegal) with standard Nato 1-10 twist and 125 truncated cone Lyman bullets . The Lee i25  did too . My present STI Spartan (1911 clone) has a 1-18 twist of the standard 38 sp revolver twist and gives no problems with 147  accurate molds or 150 Lee round noses . The 9 mm  work at a pressure that is double of the 38 sp and 45 ACP, and  strss the cast bullets . Keyholing depends from a host of factors ,,Short driving bands , soft bullets , sizing to 356, the desire to duplicate factory loads ,follow the old manuals  and you ll have  keyholes .  The slowest heavy bullets , at the largest diameter (unsized) that your chamber will accept are the right recipe . I use old wheel weights ,or range scrap  and quench from the mold .

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giorgio the slim one posted this 24 January 2016

This is a story by CE HARRIS  ,everything you might like to know is here. Mail me your email address,

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Fred Wahl posted this 26 January 2016

Giorgio, Bongiorno! I was lucky enough to travel in your great country, during my hitch in the Army, many years ago, and loved it's food, people, and scenery!   My E-Mail address is: [email protected] and I thank you in advance, for trying to help out.Ciao!Fred

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