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Keyholeing

wfk
Just bought a 25-06 interarms on GB and took it to the range today and it key holed every shot. Is there any solution other than rebarreling?
thanks for your input

Walt
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • bobski
    check your loads, then check your crown.
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  • SilverBox
    I concur.. Crown is the most likely culprit.
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  • JustC
    are the bullets 257dia? it wouldn't be the first time that an undersized pill was loaded and fired. If not that or the crown,..look to see how much rifling is left in the bore.

    why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
    Got Balistics?
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  • linemech
    Please put me in the know. How and why would the crowning cause the keyholeing?
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  • Hangfire
    quote:Originally posted by linemech
    Please put me in the know. How and why would the crowning cause the keyholeing?



    If the crown is damaged and therefore not true, the bullet's path can be dramatically distorted as it exits the barrel.This damage can be from an impact, or repeated cleaning from the muzzle end. That is why it is recommended to clean from the breech if possible, or at least use a bore guide if needed.

    Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
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  • bobski
    picture it like this...an astronaut leaves the shuttle in perfect form in zero g with is arms stretched out like superman. just as he pushes off and clears the door, his buddy back at the door flicks his heal and he starts to spin. thats what a bad crown will do to a perfect bullet exiting the bbl. viola...keyholes.

    former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction. NRA certified instructor.
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  • 01DUSE
    Bring on the new barrel!!!

    Men, like bullets, go farthest when they are smoothest.
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  • wfk
    OK! Now that we know what the problem is can it be fixed.

    Walt
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  • TWalker
    Another thing that causes keyholing is a bullet that is too long or heavy for the rifling twist. If your rifle has a slow twist rate, try shorter or lighter bullets. Most rifles have about a 1:10 or faster spin or twist rate. Check for the twist rate by looking up your rifle's spec's on the internet. Anything like a 1:12 or slower likes light bullets best. Heavy and long bullets need a fast rate to keep them stable in flight. What bullet weight have you been using?
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  • TRAP55
    quote:OK! Now that we know what the problem is can it be fixed.
    Yes, have the barrel crown recut. If thats what it is, and not the twist rate vs. bullet weight like TWalker suggested.
    quote:,..look to see how much rifling is left in the bore.

    Throat erosion and bore erosion can contibute to keyholing too.
    Things you/we need to know before diagnosing:
    Twist rate
    Bullet weight
    Throat & bore erosion
    Freebore (distance from bullet to rifleing)
    Damage to the muzzle crown

    JustC, Did I miss anything else?


    "Aim small...Miss small"
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  • bobski
    as was my very first suggestion on the thread...the cheapest way to begin the fix is....check your loads. shoot a couple different weights with your loads and see if it corrects it.
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  • wfk
    Have another interarms 24", howa 22", ruger #1B 26" all in 25-06 and use 120gr. Hornady spire HP with 48.5gr. of 4350 and a CCI 200 primer with great results

    Walt
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