KEY HOLE PROBLEM

[skipglo]

I have a browning Xbolt long range max in 6.5 PRC 7" twist 26" heavy sporter with a random key hole problem (see attached ) shooting 147 gr ELD match, H1000 or H4831SC moderate loads. action is torqued per mfg specs scope as well. bedded and full floated, I am shooting off a Sinclair F class bipod and rear bag. when I say random it may be 3,4, 5th shot, not over heated. I am very carefull with reloading, ES 12, SD 4.3, seat depth .050, neck tension seems fine. I am lost, never had this problem with any other guns, first plastic stock I ever had, I am thinking stock, bipod problem? HELP!! hop JE responds to this. Thanks for any ideas. Jim

You definitely are experiencing a stabilizing problem. Try 143 gr. or 140

 

[foul bore]

Have you tried a heavier bullet like a 156 eol berger or the 150 SMK?

no not yet, have some Bergers on the way

 

[beto]

I have a browning Xbolt long range max in 6.5 PRC 7" twist 26" heavy sporter with a random key hole problem (see attached ) shooting 147 gr ELD match, H1000 or H4831SC moderate loads. action is torqued per mfg specs scope as well. bedded and full floated, I am shooting off a Sinclair F class bipod and rear bag. when I say random it may be 3,4, 5th shot, not over heated. I am very carefull with reloading, ES 12, SD 4.3, seat depth .050, neck tension seems fine. I am lost, never had this problem with any other guns, first plastic stock I ever had, I am thinking stock, bipod problem? HELP!! hop JE responds to this. Thanks for any ideas. Jim

Sounds like you might try lighter bullets.

 

[Pinoniper]

Maybe there's a little bit too much sand in your rear bag. ;-)

 

[257Tony]

Had a killer load in my 28 with 180 ELD-M @3200 fps, nearly every time I'd fire a 3 shot group, shot #3 would mysteriously vaporize on it's way down range. Switched over to Berger 180 Hybrids, no problems since then!

 

[Wayne Huff]

sorry had trouble with attachmentView attachment 218707

I believe your target has a jacket separated and hit at 5L , not true key hole !

 

[Lee Goodwin]

I vote lighter bullets.

 

[vancewalker007]

I have a browning Xbolt long range max in 6.5 PRC 7" twist 26" heavy sporter with a random key hole problem (see attached ) shooting 147 gr ELD match, H1000 or H4831SC moderate loads. action is torqued per mfg specs scope as well. bedded and full floated, I am shooting off a Sinclair F class bipod and rear bag. when I say random it may be 3,4, 5th shot, not over heated. I am very carefull with reloading, ES 12, SD 4.3, seat depth .050, neck tension seems fine. I am lost, never had this problem with any other guns, first plastic stock I ever had, I am thinking stock, bipod problem? HELP!! hop JE responds to this. Thanks for any ideas. Jim

A lot of people on the 3 6.5 PRC Facebook groups I'm on have reported problems with the 147 in certain rifling configurations and usually with a1:7 twist. The bullets jackets are giving way at the high twist rate. I want to say it's the 4 groove barrels doing it the worst. So it's likely not a stability issue but a mechanical issue with the bullet jacket splitting apart. At least that's been reported a lot with the 147 ELDM. If you tried a longer distance you might notice the bullet coming completely apart.

 

[Tulsa Reiner]

That is jacket separation. Here is keyholeing.

53gr TSX 223 out of a 1 in 14 barrel at 30ft.

Is that a subsonic load? (That's where I saw it from my .223.) Had to go to a 1:7 twist and fixed it.

 

[Tulsa Reiner]

I plan on a super clean job including carbon ring. I dont use this gun for my hunting, just steel and targets at this time, thanks

Let us know if that corrects the problem.

 

[Tulsa Reiner]

actual twist is 7 1/2 checked 4 times at different locations in bore, loaded some 140gr Sierra to try I am confident this is going to cure, also cleaned carbon ect, super clean

I've had no problem with ELD-X 143 grain bullets from my 6.5 PRC, 1:7.5" twist. And I've shot a couple hundred thru it.

 

[foul bore]

I want to thank all of you for your help. I believe that I can now shoot without slinging shrapnel everywhere. I will post results after I go to my range. Again you guys are the best.

 

[Zorack]

I vote lighter bullets.

With the 7.5t he has, the heavier the better. A lighter bullet will come apart from spinning to fast.

 

[Lee Goodwin]

With the 7.5t he has, the heavier the better. A lighter bullet will come apart from spinning to fast.

Just as a test to see if it helps. Use all copper .?