22-250 keyhole

[original]

I had a problem a while ago with the sierra 45gr .224 spitzers keyholing  so I tried the hornady .224 v-max 55gr with the same results.    I had not really tried to find a factory ammo that shoots good but just tryinig to do the loads mysel.     The  55gr hornady sp  didnt group all that great but at least did not keyhole so I am kind of stumped on this one.   any input would be great help.   thanks

[SHOOTALL]

Have you checked the muzzle crown ?

[original]

yes the crown looks good.  i forgot to add this is the 24" fluted barrel if that matters. 

[SHOOTALL]

rate of twist ?

[original]

From what the list on this site says it is a 1:14 but I have never checked it myself, just went with what was said here.

[jkpq45]

It's unclear whether these are handloads or if this is factory ammunition?

What frame/barrel combination are you using?

[quickdtoo]

If it's keyholing with factory ammo, it likely has a chamber or bore problem and should be sent to H&R for repair, my fluted 22-250(1:14" twist confirmed) didn't shoot the 45gr Rem green/white box stuff well at all, in fact all cases were smoked indicating the ammo was bad or possibly a chamber issue, accuracy was within the 2" 100yd standard tho, but certainly not what you'd want for a varmint/predator round. But handloaded 50gr Vmax shoot under an inch. The crown may look good but isn't and may not shoot boattail bullets well, there's an easy crown touch up in the FAQs sticky that anyone can do, I'd try that first if you're shooting factory ammo.....if handloads...keep trying or make arrangement to send it back to H&R for repair if it's a factory rifle. 

Tim

[original]

The numbers on the receiver and the barrel match.    Today I shot some 55gr factory rem fmj and they made a clean hole.  I handloaded a couple of rounds each of hornady 55gr fmj boattail and hornady 55gr sp flat base.  Then fmj keyholed and the sp flatbase made a clean hole.  The hand loads from my first post that keyholed were 55gr V-max that keyholed and the 45gr sierras were also flat base.   I really don't have the first clue why I am having these problems, if I had hair to pull out it would all be gone.       It would be nice to try and figure this one out or it will be in the mail back to H&R soon.

[mitchell]

i would send it back . its most likely bore chamber or crown .

[jkpq45]

Can you post pictures of the fired brass and primers?

Can you give specifics on your load--powder, primer, brass and crimp type, cartridge OAL?

I'm leaning towards "send it back" as well, if you'd prefer not to have the headache.

[theratdog]

send it back. you will waist a lot of time and money on a bad barrel.my personal experience.

[original]

I don't have the load info diff now but everything was by the book.   I will try and post a pic of the brass and primers but nothing seemed to be out of the norm.   There was a black ring at the base of the neck after firing though.  I will try to add the pic later but it is going back to h&r just like the last one of their rifles I bought, can't say I have been all that happy with H&R.   

[mitchell]

but it is going back to h&r just like the last one of their rifles I bought, can't say I have been all that happy with H&R.

there's always savage!! lol