Key holing

Dunehiker · August-30-22 16:08

Hello all.

I'm new to this forum, not brand new though. I would like to thank everyone for all the amazing information I have learned from this forum. I own a Pug. Holstered in an amazing Desert Gun Leather holster. I have maybe 2000 rds through it, Mag and LR. I have had some keyholing issues, with Mags, not excessive but enough to try and work through it. I believe with my gun its ammo related. I have had very few keyholes with the LR cylinder.
So here is my question. Is it possible to ask the forum to boil down the manufacturer/type(HP/RN)mag ammo that has the fewest keyholes. I have tried a few brands but to be honest I never did serious comparisons because it was so intermittent. Based on my experience I have come to the conclusion that out of a Pug's 1 in. barrel expansion from a HP is a wish at best, better to go with penetration. I did read on one post a very interesting comment on the shape of the bullet having a huge influence on whether it tumbles or not.
Thoughts?

Thanks and stay well all.

Dunehiker

"Let your plans be dark as night and when you move, fall like thunder!"
Sun Tsu

bearcatter · August-31-22 13:08

Welcome to the forum!

Someone here may already know your keyholing brand answers. These guys know everything there is to know about minis. They keep trying to talk me into one. I just have the .32 Guardian. For what it's worth, its 2.2 inch barrel has little if any hope for expansion too. Penetration is the way to go. For a mini or not, Rick's holsters are amazing.

theysayimnotme · August-31-22 13:08

The keyholing is a function of the short barrel & usually light rifling. Your LR cylinder provides a slightly longer distance to stabilize the bullet. I might hazard a guess that shorter bullets might stabilize better but I wouldn't bet the farm.

OLD and GRUMPY · August-31-22 17:08

Welcome. Try this. Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Ammunition 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) 40 Grain Hollow Point https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2719299278?pid=587309 It is over due to be in stock. Click notify me. When the email comes you must be fast. Be ready and check email often. I think there are other short barrel loads also.

Anvil · August-31-22 19:08

Curious!
I've only used hollow points, Winchester 22 Mag jacketed and CCI Maxi-Mag, both in 40 gr. and have never had a keyholing incident in my Pug after hundreds of rounds. BTW Winchester has been more accurate,

billmeek · August-31-22 20:08

Quote from: OLD and GRUMPY on August-31-22 17:08
Welcome. Try this. Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Ammunition 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) 40 Grain Hollow Point https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2719299278?pid=587309 It is over due to be in stock. Click notify me. When the email comes you must be fast. Be ready and check email often. I think there are other short barrel loads also.

In stock at:
https://www.sgammo.com/product/22-magnum-ammo/50-round-box-22-magnum-speer-gold-dot-short-barrel-40-grain-gdhp-gold-dot-hol

Dunehiker · September-01-22 04:09

Thank you all.
I had ordered magnum ammo but not the Gold Dot. I just ordered that. Now my locker will be full for a while. I will post results when I get to the range. Based on a long history with F/As I think in such a short barrel with this type of gun penetration in the way to go. Keyholing prevents that to some extent although as a last resort gun the point I think is a bit moot. Still even at 15ft. I would like to see round holes on the paper.
I don't know what it is about these little guns but they are a hoot to shoot, right?

I carry a G42 off duty. I use underwood +p HP ammo. Here is the SALE link. https://underwoodammo.com/sale/

There is lots of discussion about how SAAMI does not classify .380 as a +P type. But theUnderwood rounds are a hot load and surprisingly accurate for me.

Thanks
Dune Hiker.

"Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night and when you move, fall like a thunder.?
Sun Tsu

Dinadan · September-01-22 19:09

I think that the minute differences in each Mini will affect keyholing just a much or more than the differences in ammo. Ammo that does not keyhole in one Mini might do it in another. You may just have to experiment with various brands of ammo. I understand that some folks have no problem, but I have had some keyholing with most of my Minis.

Canoeal · September-01-22 20:09

Another thing to check might be the crown. Any little thing there will affect stabilization.

OLD and GRUMPY · September-02-22 04:09

You may not even be able to see the flaw in the crown. This will fix those tiny flaws. For $10 bucks it is the best tool I have. I use it on all guns the day I get them new or old. Muzzle Lapping Kit. https://www.mcarbo.com/barrel-lapping-kit.aspx Another must have. Feed ramp polishing kit. https://www.mcarbo.com/feed-ramp-polishing-kit.aspx Again flaws you can't see are gone. They have very good how to videos. Watch before you order. If you order one get both.

OLD and GRUMPY · September-02-22 06:09

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Dunehiker · September-03-22 07:09

Good morning

I took my new Shadow pug to the range. I shot Winchester Wildcats, 40 gr LR and Critical defense MWR 45 gr FTX. Both loads keyholed at about 15ft. not all the time but enough to be disappointing. As I said earlier. I like to see round holes, Its a thing for me. What's crazy is I shot some of the best groups with this gun I have ever shot out of a Pug, Go figure, 2-3 in. at 15 ft.(with keyholes included)! I have another pug that doesn't keyhole but seems to be not nearly as accurate.

I have other LR ammo I will try and the WMR rounds when the get here. I'm not opposed to trying the recrowning idea but The PUG crown is deeply reset. Would that tool work? I would think it would need to be much smaller?

Dunehiker.

"Make your plans in the dark and when you move fall like thunder!"
Sun Tsu