The First Six Shots

[Johnm1]

Finally took my Charter Arms Pathfinder .22 to the range to sight it in after replacing the front sight blade like 6 years ago. The odd thing was that the first cylinder full all hit the target sideways. Straight lines instead of round holes in the target. Decent enough group size (for my eyesight anyways). This was at 10 yards. The following 5 cylinders all shot normally. Round holes and decent enough accuracy.

What happened?

 

[BSA1]

What kind of paper target were you using? Did you have a backer board or piece of cardboard behind the target? Sounds like it was the way the fibers in the paper tore when the bullets punched holes in it.

 

[Johnm1]

Tyoical range setup 1x2 wood frame with cardboard skin, paper taped to the cardboard ive had the gun for over 10 years. I never recall it being super accurate but i dont remember any keyholes either

 

[Twiki357]

Or it could be that the gun just doesn’t like that particular ammo.

I just bought a 1950 vintage S&W 38 special and made it to the range last week. Cast 148 gr WC’s were tearing up the target, not just key holing, but tearing up the paper. Switched to plated 148 WC’s and nice clean round holes. Powder, charge, primers all the same. Only difference was the type bullets.

 

[Johnm1]

lets see if this works

https://www.dropbox.com/s/f7eda1kayifosw9/IMG_0592.jpg?dl=0

Im working on my handheld so im not sure this upload/download will work. But here is a picture of the target. Same gun, same day, same ammo. Though the roundnholes were not the very next cylinder. The very next cylinder produced round holes I guess my memory that the keyholed group wasnt bad wasnt correct.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Could be the cylinder throats were fouled with old carbon and wax. That made the cylinder throats undersized. The bullets were squeezed down and didn't enguage the rifleing well.

Then after the first cylinder load 'cleaned' the throats, it all worked normally.

Deaf

 

[Johnm1]

That makes sense Deaf. It hasnt been shot in years and probably was put up dirty.