Bullets not hitting target correctly

hobbles said:

Mornin Tony,
Your bullets are key holing at 50 feet huh? I had a high point that did that at my 21 foot target and High point replaced the barrel, and that fixed my problem. But that might not be your problem at 50 feet. None of them are key holing at your 35 foot mark?

Click to expand...

The 35 foot distance is fine only the 50 foot distance was bad, I was using the following ammo.
PPU - 94gr
Monarch - 94gr
But not sure which one was used at 50 feet.

Is this problem called Key Holing????

Thanks

hobbles said:

Yes Tony, it's called key holing.
When it hits the target at the 50 foot mark, does it still have good penetration?

Click to expand...

They are all paper targets the range provides to it customers so they make big holes.

Nico said:

were you using hollow points or the rounds with a semi flat tip? They have a tendency to do that more often.
Still seems like a problem to call BERSA for and ask them, the rounds shouldn't be key holing at all

Click to expand...

I was firing FMJ round nose range ammo only. I wonder if going to a heavier round like the re-manufactured 100gr bullets i have seen ads for?

Nico said:

It shouldn't be doing that regardless... Hmm ya call Bersa yet? They're not such a pain to talk to and they know plenty and will probably fix the gun for you or give ya a tip as to how. Maybe they'll just mail you a new barrel or something?

Click to expand...

I will know how best to proceed on my problem on my next range trip. I will be taking 3 different brands of ammo to check out.
Monarch 380 FMJ 94gr
Remington UMC 380 FMJ 95gr
PMC 380 FMJ 90gr - My favorite ammo.
Plus a bunch of targets.

robhic said:

I had a 22 that did that but it was because the barrel leaded up something AWFUL!!! I had to almost chisel the lead from the barrel. Once out -- problem fixed. Maybe try cleaning the barrel really, really good. My theory being that the rifling isn't taking effect enough at 50 ft. That really doesn't sound right but I'm grasping at straws here. Either that or too low power causing the bullets to kinda "drift" at the longer range, but, again, 50 ft. should absolutely NOT be so far that that would be a problem! Five HUNDRED feet, maybe, but 50 I'd doubt. Grasping at those straws again. Start simple with a cleaning and some more powerful ammo if at all possible. Good luck.

Click to expand...

That is an idea, I do clean my barrel with Hoppe's nitro power solvent every couple of months however I have been using the same bore cleaning brush for maybe 10 years. I guess I will invest in a new bore cleaning brush, this brush may be worn out and another bottle of bore solvent.
I am planning on making a range trip next week with several types of ammo and targets to check at what distance the bullets tumble. I will clean after my next range trip and maybe I will know what is what...

Nother good product for cleaning is WD-40. It won't get the lead out, but it will get the black out better than anything I have ever used, even in my smoke pole. A good way to test it is to clean your barrel like normal, then before you put it away, run another patch down the clean barrel with about 6 drops of oil on it. The run a clean patch down the barrel. I always see some black on it. Now clean it with WD-40, do the same with the oily patch then a clean one. No more black. Darn stuff works. WD -40 will clean it,, but it don't oil it. You still need to lightly oil the moving parts. Best thing about WD-40, you can get the oil out of the firing pin and ejector. You need to use an air hose to blow all the WD-40 and all the black out of the weapon, but it works.
WD-40 is also good for starting any engine, it's easier on it then starting fluid and it will seat any tire back on a rim.

Well if the wife is feeling better tomorrow since she had 2 teeth pulled Tuesday, I will be heading out to the range for some fun and serious testing of my Bersa. I sure hope some of the suggestions I received and implemented works to keep my bullets from Key holing around 35 feet.