My Canik Pistol Won't Shoot! Cast Lead Bullets

Published on October 13, 2023
Duration: 10:14

This video addresses a common issue where a Canik pistol fails to stabilize cast lead bullets, resulting in tumbling and keyhole impacts on the target. The speaker, an experienced shooter, demonstrates how to identify bullet tumbling and shares their findings that their Canik performed poorly with both personal cast and commercially cast lead bullets. They found success using slightly oversized (.357-inch) copper-plated bullets from Extreme Ammunition, suggesting this as a potential solution for similar stability problems.

Quick Summary

Bullet tumbling in a Canik pistol, indicated by keyhole targets, occurs when the bullet fails to stabilize its flight. This often happens with cast lead bullets due to incompatibility with the firearm's rifling. The speaker found that using slightly oversized (.357-inch) copper-plated bullets from Extreme Ammunition resolved this issue, providing stable flight and accuracy.

Chapters

  1. 00:07Introduction: Canik Pistol Problem
  2. 00:37Identifying Bullet Tumbling
  3. 01:12The Issue: Tumbling Cast Lead Bullets
  4. 01:47Ammunition Types Tested
  5. 03:16Testing Plated Bullets
  6. 04:23More Cast Lead Bullet Testing
  7. 05:02Demonstrating Tumbling
  8. 06:15Canik's Bullet Preference
  9. 07:04Plated Bullet Performance
  10. 08:04Troubleshooting Iterations
  11. 08:30Bullet Sizing and Alloys
  12. 09:06Commercial vs. Extreme Bullets
  13. 09:27Solution: Oversized Plated Bullets
  14. 09:46Dealing with Excess Ammo
  15. 09:57Conclusion and Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Canik pistol shooting keyhole targets?

Keyhole targets indicate bullet tumbling, meaning the bullet is not stabilizing its flight path. This can happen if the ammunition's bullet is not engaging the rifling properly, or if the bullet's design or size is incompatible with the firearm's barrel twist rate or dimensions. The speaker found cast lead bullets caused tumbling in their Canik.

What kind of bullets should I use if my Canik pistol is tumbling cast lead bullets?

If your Canik pistol is experiencing bullet tumbling with cast lead bullets, try using copper-plated bullets. The speaker found that 147-grain, .357-inch copper-plated bullets from Extreme Ammunition stabilized well and provided accurate shots where cast bullets tumbled.

Can reloading cast lead bullets cause issues in a Canik pistol?

Yes, reloading cast lead bullets can cause issues like bullet tumbling and poor accuracy in certain firearms, including some Canik models. Even if the cast bullets are sized slightly larger (.358 inches) and have been used successfully in other guns, they may not stabilize correctly due to the specific rifling or dimensions of the Canik's barrel.

What are the risks of shooting tumbling bullets?

Shooting tumbling bullets can lead to significant accuracy issues, keyhole impacts on targets, and potential disqualification in shooting competitions due to not meeting power factor requirements. Furthermore, if shooting suppressed, tumbling bullets can cause dangerous baffle strikes, damaging your suppressor.

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