Keyhole Shots?

Tiribulus · Mar 9, 2021

How would somebody like to be a hip n groovy dood and tell me whether these are keyhole shots from my M&P 45 2.0 (4.6)?

I was doing 3 round speed drills today at 5 yards and noticed these odd shaped holes. They don't look like keyhole shots I've found pix of online. There's a bunch, but I obviously outlined a couple.

Any insight would be fabulous.
Thanks

https://i.imgur.com/KxP9HJr.jpg

mckenney99 · Mar 9, 2021

I believe it has more to do with the type of paper used by the printers for the target, (not a high enough rag content) and there not being a cardboard backer. The paper is just tearing out. Why not all of them? I can't answer that.

lihpster · Mar 9, 2021

I concur with my colleague ^^^^.

Tiribulus · Mar 9, 2021

Thank YOU guys

I've heard about keyholes so when I saw that it kinda flipped me out, but this is a new gun. Less than a thousand rounds. Although cheap Winchester white box ball ammo.

The pix I found look like perfect profile holes of the bullet.

I actually thought of maybe some inconsistencies in the paper, but thought it best to ask some folks who would know better than me.

mckenney99 · Mar 9, 2021

When you see an actual bullet keyhole on target, it is unmistakable.

lihpster · Mar 9, 2021

Also, keyholing is usually neither a sign of gun or ammo defect, but operator error in choosing the wrong ammo for the gun. Keyholing happens when the bullet is not in stabilized flight. That can happen due to defects, but usually is a twist rate/bullet mismatch. My AR has a 1 in 9 twist, meaning that it makes one full revolution for every 9 inches it travels down the barrel. It shoots 55 grain ammo fine, but heavier stuff can keyhole. To stabilize the heavier projectiles requires a faster twist. 1 in 8 or 7 for example. With .45 projectiles it's rarer because the shorter length is easier to stabilize. Hope this helps.

swsig · Mar 10, 2021

.45 cal. FMJ target rounds definitely will tear the target unless you tape some cardboard backing to it. I like to use cardboard from sturdy shipping boxes, but even thin cardboard from cereal boxes used as backing will reduce the tearing.

stansdds · Mar 10, 2021

To me it looks like the lack of a target backer is allowing the paper to tear rather than leaving clean holes.

Saudade · Mar 10, 2021

Next time just flip the target over and gently press all the paper back down. When you flip it back to the front, you'll be able to better see the holes and even detect multiple rounds in a ragged hole.

Jim Watson · Mar 10, 2021

Yup, tears in a dangling paper target.

Competitors don't like that, so they prevent it.
My F class rifle targets were pasted to five ply cardboard backers.
My IDPA and USPSA targets ARE cardboard.

NRA pistol targets are typically tagboard or "target paper" selected to give clean holes. Some of the old timers would even bake targets in the oven to make the paper brittle and give good holes for easy scoring.

Tiribulus · Mar 10, 2021

Thanks guys.

Very helpful.

gwpercle · Mar 10, 2021

Make sure your target has a firm backing/backboard and the target is taped or stapled at all 4 corners so the target doesn't flap in the breeze .
The target not having a backboard and not being secured to it will cause oblong holes .
Also Some targets are not made of a thick enough or soft enough paper and this causes the holes to be wonky . I get this with some targets I print out on copy paper... print them on cheap grade school construction paper and the holes will cut clean and round ... they still need a backer or some method where they don't flap in the breeze.
Gary

Targets Guy · Mar 10, 2021

Use wadcutters.

Keyhole Shots?

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