.222 Anschutz Keyholing

Tazzy

Tazzy

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Ok I've been searching for a whole day but can't find an answer. I can't seem to find an answer as to why my bullets are keyholing even at 20 yards. Winchester factory ammo shoots fine, just not the best groupings 1.5 inch.

Help! New to reloading I have no problems with my .223

Bullets loaded

Remington brass ...new
50 gr varmint grenades
CFE 223 24.5gr
Winchester primer

Remington Brass
53 gr VMax
CFE 223 24gr
Winchester primer

WW super brass
53gr VMax
21gr
Winchester primer
 
I would say there is not a fast enough twist in the barrel to stablize those bullets.
Varmit grenades and similar, need more twist for the same weight, than does rounder nosed, or steeper taper bullets.
 
That is what I was thinking. Both the factory bullets and my loads have the same COAL but the VMaxes have to make quite a jump to hit the lands.

Any bullet recommendations?
 
It's not the same, but Varmint Grenades would not even group in my Browning .22 Hornet either.

Bullets to try in your case, Hornady SPSX 50 grain with IMR 4198(this bullet was/is specifically designed for the 222) Winchester 46 grain hollow point designed for the Hornet using WW-748. Try the same weight in Calhoon double hollow points, also with the Winchester powder.
These are my GTG loads for my .222 Remington rifle.

The above mentioned should work for you.
 
Those bullets would seem to be more like the design of the factory Winchesters. Bullet selection in my neck of the woods is very slim. I'll see if I can get some brought in.
 
I`ve been using 50gr hornady sx bullets for years in my old 222 for gophers. 53 gr win hp match where the best but hard to find, other 52 and 53 gr match bullets gave almost as good groups. Tried the varmint grenades but they didn`t expand reliably on gophers. Twist could very well be the problem, haven`t tried any vmax in the duece as i have a very large supply of the sx.
 
I had the other bullets for my .223 so I thought I would try them first. I think the twist rate is 1:14 maybe even 1:16. Very frustrating when a Anzchutz won't shoot well.
I was hoping to try some 35gr NTX but I don't think that'll work either.
 
My BSA .222 just loves the 50 gr V-Max pushed by 23 grains of IMR3031 no special brand of brass and remington primers.
. Absolutely deadly at 200 yards (loonies). Just ask the local coyotes....but wait...they cannot answer you if it sees them first...
 
With the VMax and especially the varmint grenades they are so long that I have to set them very far back so that they can fit in the magazine. They have to make a big jump to get to the rifling. Would that damage the bullet enough to make them keyhole at 20 yards?
 
Personally I don't think damage is the issue here. If one does a side by side comparison of a 'traditional' varmint bullet such as the prolific Hornday 50 SX alongside the newer and sleaker/lighter/longer Varmint Grenades, there seems to be a more steeper narrowing profile to these newer varmint bullets. Whereas the SX has a wider/rounded/fuller more bullbous nose ogive. Probably the SX engage the rifling more quickly IMO.

maybe
 
Tazzy said:
This is all great info. I'm learning a lot.
Click to expand...

Tazzy
I shoot 40 and 50gr vmax's in a pair of my 222's, the other likes 50gr Speer TnT bullets. Some of the powders I use are for the 40gr Reloder 7 and Vhitavouri 133 and for 50gr the 133 and 4198, H322. FS
 
I have a Remington 700 "Classic" in 222 Rem.
It has a 1-14" twist.
It absolutely loves the 50 V-Max, chased by [now obsolete] RL12, or W748.
These V-max bullets often will cluster 5 into ½" at 100.
The 50 Ballistic Tip is not far behind in accuracy with the same loads.
Regards, Eagleye
 
Brutus said:
It's not the same, but Varmint Grenades would not even group in my Browning .22 Hornet either.

Bullets to try in your case, Hornady SPSX 50 grain with IMR 4198(this bullet was/is specifically designed for the 222) Winchester 46 grain hollow point designed for the Hornet using WW-748. Try the same weight in Calhoon double hollow points, also with the Winchester powder.
These are my GTG loads for my .222 Remington rifle.

The above mentioned should work for you.
Click to expand...

sorry to highjack but where can you find calhoon bullets. I got some at an auction and they shoot very well. Hveèt been able to find any anymor.
 
I would bump the charges you are just over min with those.
Min is 23.9 and max is 25.8-26.2gr

My buddy shoots 55gr form his sako 222 and they shoot darn good. He is also shooting close to max charges

If the bullets are a bit long for your twist push em faster. I shoot 77gr bergers form my 223 with a 1:9 twist. From everything I read they will not work but they shoot pretty darn great. I am pushing them hard though at 2gr over max.
 
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