Is this a sign of bullet separation?

[Doozy]

Friend was sighting in his 30-06 (incidentally, take a look at the three shot group he had in the bottom left!).

He was trying three types of factory ammo, shooting from a factory, lower-mid cost rifle... No crazy twist rate. But the most expensive rounds (Hornady 30-06 ELD-X) had something that looked like splattering around the holes and the accuracy wasn't good. Note that Hornady superformance (which should be traveling faster) did not have this signature.

 

[david g ranes]

Friend was sighting in his 30-06 (incidentally, take a look at the three shot group he had in the bottom left!).

He was trying three types of factory ammo, shooting from a factory, lower-mid cost rifle... No crazy twist rate. But the most expensive rounds (Hornady 30-06 ELD-X) had something that looked like splattering around the holes and the accuracy wasn't good. Note that Hornady superformance (which should be traveling faster) did not have this signature.

View attachment 280361

What was the back stop looks like holes in paper coming out not going through. David

 

[SamuelBerryhill308]

Looks like splintering from wood to me.so like above comment said maybe from the target backer

 

[RWE]

Agree, looks like back splatter from the target board or whatever is behind. The paper target would tear in the other direction if it were bullet fragments, typically.

 

[nealm66]

It looks similar to when a bullet comes apart to me. Odd the eldx though. Try spotting while it's shot. You can usually see it. Kinda fun but expensive for blowing things apart.

 

[Doozy]

The backing was an old baking dish. And I think you're on to something... Many of the shreds didn't even puncture through but looked as though gasses or fragments shot laterally. Does that sound plausible?

 

[david g ranes]

The backing was an old baking dish. And I think you're on to something... Many of the shreds didn't even puncture through but looked as though gasses or fragments shot laterally. Does that sound plausible?

The bullet was definitely through the paper before the other holes appeared so not from bullet blowing up till after passing through paper. David

 

[DJ Fergus]

It's the combination of your paper target laying loosely on top of the backstop along with whatever the backstop material is. I'm guessing the backstop material is some sort of thin metal.

 

[DJ Fergus]

I've saw this many times when shooting through thin metal.

 

[Muddyboots]

I always put cardboard behind targets even in wood for multiple reasons: cleaner bullet holes, no back splash, cleaner look at target so you don't see previous holes, target attaches easier, and I don't get slivers.

 

[mac426]

Looking at the fragment holes, it appears like the paper was punched back to front.

 

[skipglo]

What was the back stop looks like holes in paper coming out not going through. David

Very good eye! Nice catch and obviously correct!

 

[mbse20]

I doubt you would have hit the target if it was 25yds away. Usually just a big puff of smoke kinda like an old black powder rifle.

 

[Dosh]

This also happens with the corrugated plastic used for signs.