9MM keyholes

[bowenrd]

I have been shooting about 50 years, reloading for about 30, casting about 15 and shooting 9MM about 20 years.

I loaded up several loads to test. I have a couple of 8# jugs of Red Dot and Green Dot so thought why not. I had no luck using shotgun powder in 9MM. Both loads would key hole @ 30'. I never had this happen before. Just wanted to share my experience.

[theperfessor]

Haven't tried red or green dot in 9, but blue dot and .358 diameter boolits work great in my HP.

[bowenrd]

Blue Dot and Unique are my go to powder for 9MM

[Johnch]

Try a larger boolit Dia

My Hi Power key holes unless I load .357 or larger
My chamber allows even larger than .358
But I setteled at .358 as that is as cast for several molds

I agree , many times a slower powder is also more cast freindly

BTW I had to lap out a 9MM seating die to take the larger boolit

John

[MtGun44]

Keyholing 9mm is typically due to too small diam and too hard. Probably commercial
boolits at .356, I'd bet.

Perfessor and John are right.

My std 9mm load is the Lee 356-124TC conventional lube groove (not tumble lube) sized
to .357 and it works fine in B92, BHP, Sig225, Keltech PF9, etc.

Bill

[casterofboolits]

My HiPower would tumble and lead with boolits sized 356. Sizing to 357 cured the problem and leaned the barrel! Fit is king.

[bowenrd]

I have been shooting the same boolit (RCBS #09-124-CN) for years in three pistols. Never had a keyhole till I used Red Dot and Green Dot. I don't think "fit" is the issue with this powder or maybe it is??? I use a .356 sizer. The boolits drop from the mold at .3565

[skeet1]

Red Dot and Green Dot should work just fine, I use Bullseye and it also works very good.

Skeet1

[MtGun44]

You asked for help.

Try a bigger diameter.

Bill

[bowenrd]

I never asked for anything. I shared my experience. Reread the post MtGun44

[chris in va]

Ditto. Had keyholing with 356 boolits of all weights and sizes, went away with 358. A hotter powder charge would aggravate the problem, maybe those powders are too quick or slow for 9mm?

[Dannix]

I never asked for anything. I shared my experience.
Your post would obviously elicit a response, even if you simply wished to share your experience. Children these days, er, grandparents these days. :mrgreen: Guys solve problems. Now when women share problems they don't necessarily want them solved, they just want to share them. Most of the members here are guys, so don't be surprised if the readers of your thread immediately switching into problem solving mode.

All that said, why not try beagling your mold, seeing you tried your Red/GreenDot stash under the same rational? I'd be interested in hearing if this took care of your problem.

[Dannix]

Ditto. Had keyholing with 356 boolits of all weights and sizes, went away with 358. A hotter powder charge would aggravate the problem, maybe those powders are too quick or slow for 9mm?
Those aren't too fast for the caliber, though certainly on the faster end of the spectrum. If I'm not mistaken though, how the pressure peaks, burn rate regardless, is an important factor for boolit loads. I don't think I've come across any member here who favor the RD in 9mm. Perhaps RD has a higher than desired peak? The powders I see most often recommended for 9mm boolit loads is WSF, BlueDot, and AA7. And one loudshot. I have seen conflicting thoughts on Silhouette, which is apparently just about the same burn rate as GreenDot. Just some thoughts on what I've seen around here.

[bowenrd]

I am just going back to my original recipe that I have never had any issues with. The Green Dot and Red Dot was plentiful on my shelf and it was test time. It was just an experiment with unsatisfactory results. I know what will work in all my long guns, pistols and revolvers but I like to keep trying for something better and more economical.

[shootingbuff]

What Bill stated. I have seen to small dia on jacketed as well.



Keyholing 9mm is typically due to too small diam and too hard. Probably commercial
boolits at .356, I'd bet.

Perfessor and John are right.

My std 9mm load is the Lee 356-124TC conventional lube groove (not tumble lube) sized
to .357 and it works fine in B92, BHP, Sig225, Keltech PF9, etc.

Bill

[Salmon-boy]

I'll go a "Me Too" on the Browning HP and keyholing.. I learned ALOT from everyone here on the board. Most of them have posted above!

I cannot load a cast bullet smaller than .357 or they will tumble. I've tried a number of different loads and powder speeds.

After slugging the barrel, I went with .358 sized boolits and W231.. Haven't looked back since..

[Dannix]

Fair 'nough. Care to share your original recipe?


I am just going back to my original recipe that I have never had any issues with. The Green Dot and Red Dot was plentiful on my shelf and it was test time. It was just an experiment with unsatisfactory results. I know what will work in all my long guns, pistols and revolvers but I like to keep trying for something better and more economical.

[Boolseye]

For me, the powder does seem to make a difference. I get 0 keyholes using the TL356-124TC and AA#7. I do get keyholes with faster powders, such as 700x , and I also got a few keyholes with Blue Dot. my SIG slugs at .355 and the boolits drop at .357. I like 'em at around BHN 14-15, water quenched.

[Rangefinder]

I'll throw my hat in the ring for size as well. I use Red Dot in 32ACP, 38SPL, .357, and .40SW with great results and no tumbling. That covers both sides of the pressure spectrum as well as autos and revolvers. As the saying goes--fit is king.

[bowenrd]

Fair 'nough. Care to share your original recipe?

Bluedot. Never had a problem with keyhole in 19 years with the same mould and sizer.

[Dannix]

Thanks.

Go figure. I wouldn't have thought it would make a difference. I guess some of the fast stuff can cant the boolit even .002 over bore? Was there increased leading with the faster powders, perhaps indicating greater blowby than with slower burners / lower peakers?


Bluedot. Never had a problem with keyhole in 19 years with the same mould and sizer.


For me, the powder does seem to make a difference. I get 0 keyholes using the TL356-124TC and AA#7. I do get keyholes with faster powders, such as 700x , and I also got a few keyholes with Blue Dot. my SIG slugs at .355 and the boolits drop at .357. I like 'em at around BHN 14-15, water quenched.