key holing 9 mm

[BEARMAN]

A friends 9 mm reloads are key holing . My guess is he needs a grain or more powder to stabilize the bullet. He is in the lower half of the powder range for his bullet weight. They are being fired from a p-o8 LUGER so he was trying to keep it not too hot, they work fine other than the key holing. Any other suggestions.

 

[RePete]

He may be crimping too much and swagging down the bullet.

Also, have him slug the bore - may be oversize.

RePete.

 

[sillymike]

Is he shooting plated or cast bullet? I've came across a lot of lead 9mm that were undersized... most of them keyholed at 25 yards.

Michel.

 

[chuckwagon]

I would try less crimp as said or try the ammo in another 9mm for a test.

 

[sunray]

Keyholing is caused by undersized bullets or a lack of lube on a cast bullet. A worn out or heavily fouled barrel will do it too. What weight bullet is he using?

 

[BEARMAN]

bullet weight is 125 gr. lead commercial bullets.