500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
-
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:09 pm
- Location: Central Missouri
500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
Many years ago, I bought a supply of Oregon Trail Laser Cast bullets to try out. They are 500 grain, .459" in diameter and 1.27" in length, with 4 grease grooves. I don't know what lube they used. I tried them in my 45 x 2-7/8, (Shiloh), and my 45-70, (Ruger). I don't recall the loads, but trust they were not barn burners. At any rate, these darned things consistently key-holed at 50 yards. I kind of put them away.
Rummaging through my reloading supplies the other day, I came across them again. I'd really like to get them to work at least reasonably well. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Rummaging through my reloading supplies the other day, I came across them again. I'd really like to get them to work at least reasonably well. Any suggestions? Thanks.
David E. Stark
Life Member NRA
Life Member NAHC
Just an old cowboy, happily annoying liberals since 1976.
Life Member NRA
Life Member NAHC
Just an old cowboy, happily annoying liberals since 1976.
-
- Posts: 11708
- Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:47 pm
Re: 500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
I think your going to need to catch a few in oiled saw dust for examination.
- desert deuce
- Posts: 3870
- Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:51 pm
- Location: Rio Rico, Arizona
Re: 500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
Or diagonally into the deep end of a 10 foot deep swimming pool
As an aside, there is a reason most folks that shoot these old calibers cast or swage their own bullets.
As an aside, there is a reason most folks that shoot these old calibers cast or swage their own bullets.
Sometimes you get the chicken, and sometimes you get the feathers!
-
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:07 am
- Location: Central Wi
Re: 500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
Deputy Dave,
I presume these are plain based, no gas check?
Did you use Black Powder or smokeless.
Also, did you use a good wad under the bullets , for instance a LDPE wad or at least a felt wad?
beltfed/arnie
I presume these are plain based, no gas check?
Did you use Black Powder or smokeless.
Also, did you use a good wad under the bullets , for instance a LDPE wad or at least a felt wad?
beltfed/arnie
-
- Posts: 531
- Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:28 am
- Location: Southwest Utah
- Contact:
Re: 500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
I had the same problem with 32 caliber (32-40) 165 grain laser cast bullets.
All other bullets worked great but those Laser Cast would key hole every time.
The Laser Cast bullets were sized .001 over groove diameter.
Never did figure out why they did that.
All other bullets worked great but those Laser Cast would key hole every time.
The Laser Cast bullets were sized .001 over groove diameter.
Never did figure out why they did that.
SASS Life Member
NRA Life Member....
Which rifle should I shoot today???
NRA Life Member....
Which rifle should I shoot today???
- Lumpy Grits
- Posts: 7679
- Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2003 7:58 pm
- Location: Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
Re: 500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
Had the same issue back in the day.
Stopped using them and I've been casting my own since then.
It's a known issue with that bullet maker.
Gary
Stopped using them and I've been casting my own since then.
It's a known issue with that bullet maker.
Gary
"Hav'n you along, is like loose'n two good men"
-
- Posts: 1517
- Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 8:55 am
- Location: GA.
-
- Posts: 11708
- Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:47 pm
Re: 500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
That makes sense as wad cutters are super accurate in pistol cartridges to 50 yards and are often key holing or tumbling by 75 yards.
Re: 500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
I find the "too short" comment interesting only because these are 500 grain bullets. My Paul Jones 45 cal. hunting bullet is only 480 grains and they shoot fine they are not very long either. I suspect it has something to do with the alloy or how they are being loaded. Something else is not right here.I always have cast my own bullets. That way I only have to look in the mirror when there are quality control issues.
-
- Posts: 11708
- Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:47 pm
Re: 500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
I'm guessing base or nose problems as the diameter seems correct for most .45 cal barrels and pretty much any alloy hardness should work to keep them end on at least.
Wad cutters go awry down range because they are blunt cylinders which of course is a frontal dynamic that causes them to loose stability.
Wad cutters go awry down range because they are blunt cylinders which of course is a frontal dynamic that causes them to loose stability.
- desert deuce
- Posts: 3870
- Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:51 pm
- Location: Rio Rico, Arizona
Re: 500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
Or that dreaded white powder.
Sometimes you get the chicken, and sometimes you get the feathers!
-
- Posts: 11708
- Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:47 pm
Re: 500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
Well,the base is what primarily steers the bullet ! if it's being compromised by gas blow by then that could cause the key hole thing. A recovered bullet would soon tell the tale me thinks.
-
- Posts: 339
- Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2015 5:09 pm
- Location: Payson Arizona
- Contact:
Re: 500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
If memory serves, Laser Cast bullets are made from a hard alloy and are designed for smokeless powder/higher velocity in order to seal properly. I think if you were to shoot those rounds at 1,700 fps they would stabilize just fine.
Dennis
Dennis
Experience trumps intelligence every time.
-
- Posts: 1254
- Joined: Fri May 02, 2003 7:47 am
- Location: Casper, Wyoming
Re: 500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
Sounds like great material for fishing weights.
I remember the "too hard alloy" comments from the past and suspect that is the first problem with them. Buy better bullets from vendors that know what you want to do with them or better yet, spend the time learning to cast your own. We've all learned from our mistakes or those of our shooting friends. We're mostly friends who share knowledge and experience when asked.
Bryan
I remember the "too hard alloy" comments from the past and suspect that is the first problem with them. Buy better bullets from vendors that know what you want to do with them or better yet, spend the time learning to cast your own. We've all learned from our mistakes or those of our shooting friends. We're mostly friends who share knowledge and experience when asked.
Bryan
“I wonder if God created man because He was disappointed with the monkey.” Mark Twain
-
- Posts: 8428
- Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:28 pm
- Location: Not Far enough NW in Illinois
Re: 500 Grain Laser Cast Bullets Keyholing
Activity has fallen off at our local range. I actually have the range to myself a lot of times that I could only get when it's raining. I think they are running out of shells and primers.
You might take those bullets and drill a 1/16" hole through them and thread a fishing line through that bullet, put a small 1/8" split shot under that bullet about 30" above the hook, put a blue gill on that hook and go catch some flat head or blue catfish.
Works good for me.
You might take those bullets and drill a 1/16" hole through them and thread a fishing line through that bullet, put a small 1/8" split shot under that bullet about 30" above the hook, put a blue gill on that hook and go catch some flat head or blue catfish.
Works good for me.
The reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"Winston Churchill
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"Winston Churchill