Swaged bullets keyhole

[labopr]

I built a rifle using a Ruger 458 Win Mag takeoff barrel 1-14 twist and a Savage breech plug. With 50 to 60 grains 4198 it shoots 40/45 saboted bullets into 2-3" groups at 100 yards. I want to work with sabotless so I tried some Sierra 240 grain 0.4515 and got some really good groups but not consistently. The 0.4515 is very difficult to seat uniformly. I ran some 225 Hornady 0.452 FXT through a bullet swage die and got them to 0.451. They load well but they all key hole. What is wrong with these? Thanks Labopr

[Deleted]

What is your powder charge?

[hunter]

sometimes using a wad under the bullet will stop this

[labopr]

I use a 0.060 King fiber wad and have tried 50, 55 and 60 grains IMR4198.

labopr

[labopr]

I use a 0.060 King fiber wad and have tried 50, 55 and 60 grains IMR4198.

labopr

[lwh723]

Probably not kicking them hard enough to obturate into the rifling. Something like a Parker 275BE would probably do the trick.

[bestill]

Wouldn't a 1-14 twist way over stabilize a 225 gr bullet???
Seems a 327 mh or 310 apb be better suited

[GMB54-120]

I had the same problem in a Knight rifle with BH209. The Parkers shot fine but the 225gr FTX did not (key holed) until i sized them tighter and increased the charge.

[hemicuda]

Full form size them. I had the same problem with smooth sizing. Keep the card wad.

[labopr]

Before I go to the cost of a full form sizer I'm going to knurl them up to .453, try R7 a little faster than 4198 and  a poly .060 wad. Richard in his load data said the .452 200 grain FXT, made for the 460 S&W, was his most accurate sabotless bullet. Other than weight what is the difference between the 200 grain and the 225 grain, intended for the 45 Colt I am trying? I'm going to asked Hornady. Does anyone make a knurling tool? The rolling between files may work but seems a little uncontrolled to me.

thanks

labopr

[GMB54-120]

200gr FTX has a thicker jacket than the 225gr FTX

[dannoboone]

Seems like Richard was giving the 200FTX a good swift kick
with a fast primer charge to get accuracy. I used N110/N130
with good accuracy in a McGowen barrel, but 2 PacNor's
didn't seem to like them with anything. (All full formed)
No key holing, just not great accuracy.

A few of us have made our own knurling tools. Mine does
work, but not very handy. Parts like the wheels can be
had from Amazon, McMaster-Carr, etc.

As a side note, with a little case trimming, the 200FTX
works great in a Colt .45 round.

[10ga]

I'm thinking you need to go to heavier bullet. Those lighter bullets and slower powder seem to be inconsistent as single powder units, your burn is probably not consistent. Personally I'd go to 250 grain bullets as minimum and 300 or 325 would be even better. That barrel, 458 Win Mag, was made for heavy bullets and heavy charges and going that way should help more than anything else you can do. JMHO. 10 ga

[edge]

You have plenty of twist so they are not obturating...kick them harder...probably with a duplex or knurl them to the point of needing a short starter IMO.

edge.

[Richard]

If you have a Swinglock smooth sizing die, you could "over" knurl them and then size them down equally if you are worried about inconsistency? I have found kicking them with 10 gr. of Clays or Red Dot is the way to go. Also, your bearing surface is going to be a bit more on the 225's. The main problem with the lighter bullets comes when you try to stretch out the distance. They just don't hold accuracy as well as the heavier bullets..................Too short and stubby with poor BC.

[ourway77]

ads.midwayusa.com/product/739373/walters-wads-45-caliber-462-diameter-0060-thickness-bag-of-1000 Are these the wads you are talking about to use in a 45 Caliber barrel or should I use the same make but in .451 diameter

[hemicuda]

Use the .462 wads, they seal well.