.22 WMR Revolver Question....

[TripleO7]

OK, I'm posting in the rimfire section, so if it needs to be moved, I apologize.

I bought Mrs. a Heritage Rough Rider Convertible Revolver last year. We were out shooting and I put some 50 grain Federal Game-Shok .22 WMR in it and noticed that after a bit, I didn't take note of the distance, keyholing in the target. I'd guess 7 yards plus.

It has a 4.75 barrel with, 1:14 RH twist.

Gun issue, or ammo issue? Bullet to heavy to stabilize? I've not noticed this with any of the .22LR ammo we've used or lighter weight bullet .22 WMR.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[3ought2]

Your target had a backer, such as plywood, and not just hanging in the breeze?

 

[TripleO7]

Hanging cardboard...pretty well shot up cardboard. Hanging from the clip on the rail.

 

[Alfred]

I'm no rimfire expert, so take this with a grain of salt-

My understanding is that .22 WMR keyholing is either a barrel issue ( twist, leading or bore) or that the particular round is a load better suited to rifle length barrels. Its possible the 50 gr rounds develop higher pressures that are still expanding way beyond the barrel- I have no idea what the rimfire mfrs do in terms of adjusting powder charges to accommodate different projectile weights. The .22 WMR huge fireball/flash/ bang out of a handgun vs the same out of a rifle.

I remember trying a friends Keltec PMR30 at the range one day and at least a third of the hits on the target were sorta keyholed at 10 yards.

 

[molonlabe]

There are some rounds developed for handguns to have less flash and also get the most out of the shorter barrel. The Speer Gold Dot and Winchester Defence ammo are meant for short barrels and considered the best options. The review I read on them did not mention much about keyholing so I cant speak on that.

 

[TripleO7]

Thanks for the responses. If all goes as planned, I'll be doing some scientific testing this weekend. Got a few ideas.