Shavings? Shrapnel?

[MickeyD]

My son just bought an Ataman M2R, bullpup in .357. This morning we were shooting targets at 50 yards. Though he was getting good groups, we noticed some extra tears in the really cheap and thin Wally World targets. Thinking it was just a fluke, we changed to fresh targets and made sure there were no 'blemishes'.

Second magazine also shot well, but those extra tears were back, some 4 and 6 inches from zero.

We are speculating what is causing this, possibly little bits of lead torn from the skirt? Anybody else run into this?

 

[nervoustrig]

What's the backstop made of? Lead spatter will do that.

 

[MickeyD]

Never thought of that, but the backstop is a sandy berm some 40 feet farther. That's interesting to think about though.

 

[nervoustrig]

Hmm, if not spatter then I have no idea. Because if shrapnel were being torn from the pellets in bits large enough to make it 50 yards, I can't fathom also getting good groups. The mystery continues!

 

[MickeyD]

Exactly what we were thinking. How can it group well if bits are being torn off?

There's a thread where a member is purposely shooting pellets with damaged skirts, I think I'll ask there too.

 

[Sqwirl57]

A picture of the target would probably help

 

[MickeyD]

I think he did save one, I'll check. Otherwise we'll make sure to save some the next time.

 

[Sqwirl57]

I'm with @nervoustrig though. Even if the pellet was tearing apart I seriously doubt those small bits of lead would make it out to 50yds and still remain on target all while still grouping the main bits of pellets well. That doesn't seem to add up. Hopefully you can find a target.

 

[jarmstrong]

you could try a plywood backstop with a paper target mounted and see what you catch, as far as what the fliers are

 

[rc4fun]

How far from the sand is the target mounted? ^^^Even some cardboard stuck to the back would probably stop most back splatter.

 

[MickeyD]

The berm is about 40 feet behind the target stand. Next time we go out we will use a backing to be thorough, but I really doubt sand would splatter that far back. We are shooting at 50 yards, so the berm is about 90 yards.

 

[Arzrover]

You could look at the direction of the tear... easy to see if the offending bits are from the front or back...

Bob

 

[Gerry52]

What projectiles are you using? Curious.

 

[elh0102]

I don't know what kind of backing you are using, or how the target is attached. Thin paper can tear from the disturbance of a hit, especially if not firmly attached, and/or if there are large holes in the backing which reduce support. Otherwise, you've got yourself a mystery! Try some heavier target paper and see if you have the same results.