Diagnose my Target? - Ragged Holes

[BuffCyclist]

Just got home from the range, had to test out my new M&P40c. I shot two different reloads, one was Xtreme 180gr plated bullets with 3.8gr WST, the other reload, which produced the holes, was Frontier 180gr CMJ with 3.6gr WST. For some reason, the Frontier bullets made the ragged holes, which I assume means the barrel couldn't stabilize the bullets, right?

They all cycled just fine, so I assume the velocity was high enough, but what would cause this from a pistol, I've never seen it before. Even when I was shooting rounds that weren't even powerful enough to cycle the slide in my Glock 23, they never produced ragged holes.

Look at the head and groin area of the target. Those are the ragged holes I'm talking about. They were shot at about 20yds.



Thoughts?

[TheBelly]

weird question:

Was there actually some of that cardboard behind the target to support the paper? It looks to me (and I have no science to back this up) is that since there is no cardboard behind the paper, then it's free to flex and tear, rather than for a bullet to go through the target cleanly.

I'd say try that, but again, I have no science to back that up.

[crays]

What's backing your target in those areas?

Sent via my Mobile Work Avoidance Device

[BuffCyclist]

It was cardboard behind the entire thing, except for that one spot in the middle of the target where you can see light coming through. I pulled the target about as tight as I could, but you're right, the middle of the target wasn't as sturdy as it could have been.

Do you think that's all it is?

[davsel]

The holes look more like tears.
Tumbling bullets tend to punch a hole, just not a round hole.
Looks more like a target problem than a reload problem.
Try it again into a clean piece of cardboard and see what shape the bullet holes are.

[BuffCyclist]

The holes look more like tears.
Tumbling bullets tend to punch a hole, just not a round hole.
Looks more like a target problem than a reload problem.
Try it again into a clean piece of cardboard and see what shape the bullet holes are.

Okay, thanks again for reaffirming that it isn't necessarily the reloads or pistol, and probably the target.

I won't be able to get to the range again for a few days, maybe next week, but I'll try it then to see if I get the same tearing. I have never seen this before from any pistol shooting I've done over the past 3-4yrs.

[Zombie Steve]

If it was tumbling, you'd see a sideways bullet hole on the target. I don't know what frontier cmj means... is this a truncated cone bullet? Round nose?

[BuffCyclist]

If it was tumbling, you'd see a sideways bullet hole on the target. I don't know what frontier cmj means... is this a truncated cone bullet? Round nose?

Frontier is the brand, Cast Metal Jacket. Its a flat point, but the flat part is only 1/8" in diameter.

Xtreme is the brand, plated bullet. It's a flat point too, but the flat part is about 1/4" in diameter.

If that doesn't make sense, I'll have to get pics of them tomorrow.