Something other then the stuff it was keyholing with. If it was keyholing with the Tula then something like Winchester Q3131 or XM-193 should work.
I could be just the ammo you were using.
I was shooting some handloads with a 50gr Remington HP that was keyholing but none of the other ammo I was using was doing it, so it was just a case of bad ammo.
I’m learning here so thank you guys for all of the posts.
When I get to the range this weekend and:
I don’t notice any keyholing with brass but start seeing keyholing with last weeks steel then I know it ammo?
If I see keyholing with brass and it steadily get worse, time for a new barrel?
If I shoot steel and brass with no keyholing then it was just a really dirty barrel?
Is the Winchester or XM193 match grade ammo? Local WallyWorld has Winchester Q3131 in stock and local gun shop has AE XM193 as well.
No. Match grade will usually say “Match” on the box, such as Hornandy Match ammo, etc.
Q3131 is Winchester’s version of M193. M193 is the original 55gr FMJ military M16/AR15 round from the 60s.
The gun is cleaned and ready to test this weekend, but I think I’m gonna order a DD Lightweight barrel anyway.
Thanks to all who have posted!
Let us know what happens, I’m curious.
I just got back from the range and I’m still keyholing. So I just ordered a DD 14.5" CHF Chrome Lined 1/7 5.56 NATO Lightweight Carbine Pencil Barrel From Grant.
I’m sure you’ll like it…I had Grant build me a rifle using a 16" DD CHF pencil barrel…it’s a sweetheart…
I have the DD HF 16in lightweight and like it a lot. Good choice.
regarding if keyholes would slowly start to appear or be an all of a sudden thing- I have seen it happen both ways- an M1 with a nm barrel that we used for years- for a time the only “service rifle” we had for high power matches- was used by 4 shooters on different realys of 88 round matches- so the rifle would see 352 rounds a day including rapid fires- and we’d do this a few timesa month for like 15 years- won’t even bother with the math-lots of rounds and WAY beyond expected life- the bore erosion gauge would drop all the way and its handle would bounce of the reciever-that rifle would still hold 10 ring of a 100 yard (600 yd reduced) target. then one day in the middle of a match it suddenly would not hold the paper or backer!
2 weeks ago I was grouping very tight and then last week it started keyholing. I cleaned the gun and after the first 20 rounds it started keyholing again.
Learn something new everyday so thanks to all who offered advise/suggestions.
ETA:If you don’t mind me asking, what’s a 10 ring?
the next ring on a target that’s just outside the bullseye
Thank you. I don’t do much target practicing as I mostly point-n-shoot to see if I can group tight out to 25 yards. I feel if I can hit paper then it’s a mass body shot and would hit anything coming through my front door.
6,000 plus rounds of just point-n-shoot at 25 yards?
Man get out there and live a little with that amazing piece of equipment you have. Challenge yourself! Make sure that by the end of the next 6,000 rounds, “pointing and shooting” consists of getting you into the ten spot without so much as a second thought.
I also practice alot of left hand shooting which I trully need more practice at. Not sure if point-n-shoot is the correct wording. I do alot of standing in a ready position and then point-n-shoot as quickly as possible. I have a hard time with target aquisition from a ready position. It feels like it takes me forever to “put the dot on target”. Once on target I can double and triple tap a tight group.
It’s just getting the gun there to pull the trigger.
Sorry if my terminology is incorrect.
Did you try removing and thoroughly cleaning the flash hider and crown and shooting it like I recommended in the other thread?
Adding to the above post, I practice alot of different things. One day at the range I’ll dump 200 rounds either:
Practicing safety on/off with a double tap right and left handed.
Mag changes with 3 to 4 rounds per mag.
Transitioning from right to left.
2-3 30 round mag dumps.
When I shoot left handed I have to slow down as I have NO weapon control or coordination and need alot more practice.
I did not remove the FH as it was pinned (14.5" barrel), but I did clean it (dremel with many differentbits, cleaning fluids, and patients) and did notice alot of carbon that came out.
I cut the FH off this morning so here are some pics:
