Keyholing

[racka]

When using WWB and Blazer jacketed ball ammo in my relatively new LW Commander almost all the hits on the paper target are "keyholes". Doesn't seem to do this with JHPs. Anything to be concerned about?

[Rio Vista Slim]

racka,
My response is (at first glance) going to seem to be insulting, but believe me, it is not intended that way.
Was your paper target affixed firmly to the backing material? And, what was that backing material? Wood, cardboard, something else?

The reason I ask is that I have noticed the same thing if paper targets are not firmly attached to the cardboard backing on my target stands. Hollow points will leave a round hole, but the FMJ rounds seem to keyhole. I doubt that your LW Commander is causing this phenomena.

[Hunter]

I will agree with Slim. With the profile of a .451" ball round (almost as big around as long) it is tough to determine keyholing using 1 target. I suggest setting up a series of paper targets stapled to cardboard about a foot apart and compare holes from 1 to the next looking for the shape of a tumbling bullet.
With the 1 in 16 twist of the Colt the .451" slug will stabilize.
Is the muzzle damaged on your pistol?

[Joni Lynn]

If it really has a tumbling problem it's not what I'd consider ok.
The previous post is correct however, the target may be the problem.

[racka]

I'll bet you folks are right. I use one of those "life size" paper targets suspended on a frame attached to a wire clothes line system that runs the target back and forth electrically - indoor commercial range. No backing at all on the paper target. Thanks!