HW30 pellet deformation

[WeihrauchMan]

I picked up some 177 9.2 grain crow magnums and shot into one gallon thick clear water filled plastic bottles. I am getting 550 FPS whereas I am getting 660 with JSB 7.33 exact rating. The crows would not penetrate at 31 yards but would at 15. The 7.33 would penetrate all the way at 31 yards. The interesting finding is the unusual deformation whereby a number of skirts got squashed somehow. They were carefully inserted all the way at the breach.

 

[JCD]

Deformation kinda looks like the pellets might be tumbling. I would try some accuraccy testing on paper targets at your desirded distance before relying on then for clean hunting....

 

[WeihrauchMan]

So I just went and shot 2 four group targets. The first one looks magic but the second one may as you say give evidence of key holing or tumble.

 

[bubblerboy64]

That’s a real mystery? What could cause that? Why none on the first target and all on the second?

Is the target backer the same behind each group? If you had a hard and a soft spot Maybe that might affect the penetration and then the shape of the hole in the target. My guess (and it’s not a good one). Either that or you have different pellets cause I can’t see how it would be the gun.

 

[WeihrauchMan]

Both groups off a bag..same pivot spot on bag.......shot rapidly within 5 minutes.....same crow magnum....the second group seems sloppy...which was probably me getting impatient with my breathing and hold....but they do appear to key hole......maybe the good group are key holed too however so close together we can't see it???

 

[leadfoot]

If you use paper that is equivalent to typing paper, you will likely get odd tears. A good card stock will show if there is any tumbling.

 

[WeihrauchMan]

This was card stock...good point 

 

[WeihrauchMan]

I believe I solved my dilemma...I couldn’t believe the HW30 would tumble the crow magnums in 15 yards....

so I went out to shoot again...and what I discovered was that the card thickness target had no upper support...so it must have moved giving the appearance of key holing.



Once I put a firm support behind it the key holing disappears.

Also...I could make the JSB 7.33 key hole also if the target was unsupported.

 

[leadfoot]

Glad you figured it out. I will never part with my R7 (HW30) they are that good. Mine loves JSB 8.44's.