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Post by flattopusa on Jan 5, 2023 14:32:58 GMT -5
In Ballistics post on the above subject from a while back: He spoke of a high humidity/cold temp situation he experienced (with a black powder muzzle loader I believe it was) while hunting whereas the reload of the second shot required that he hit the ramrod with a rock to get the bullet seated on top of the charge, and subsequently got the ramrod stuck in the bullet in the bore...............I experience the near same thing during our late hunting season....with a smokeless powder muzzle loader!
The temps the previous day were in the mid 60's which is kind of rare for around here that time of year. The ground was wet and the air heavy with moisture. A heavy fog had developed throughout the night and following morning. The following morning on the stand the temps plunged to 7 degrees and it seemed to take only minutes for that to happen...a cold blast from the North mixed with the moist/foggy air....I thought nothing of it. About the same time I shot a big doe, marked the spot of the shot in my mind for a place to start tracking the blood trail and commenced to reloading my SML. Much to my surprise, the bullet took two hands and all the grunt I could muster to seat the bullet on top of the charge! Normally my SML takes only one hand on the rod and slight pressure to seat the bullet on top of the charge...that is where it shoots the best.
After I finally got the bullet down the pipe I sat to wait for a while to follow up on the does blood trail and Ballistics post came to mind...had I just experienced the same condition? My seating of the bullet, while not quite as bad as he had experienced, was abnormal for my SML...to say the least.
Having the investigative nature that I do, I thought that there "may" be another cause for this...a second shot was not required so I left the load in the gun until I returned home, dumped the load, and took a good look at the bullet....some of the paper patch was shredded, and that was abnormal...I have loaded and run paper patched bullets down the bore sized for the purpose and they all come out the chamber end of the bore intact...just as they should. I mic'd the bullet and the tolerances were correct. I took an unused bullet expecting there may have been some spring back of the alloy over time which could have caused a hard seating problem, it mic'd correct....and followed up with a few more to insure that. All the bullets I checked were .417 (I have a 44 cal SML)....perfect! I then ran one of those bullets down the bore and It went through just as it should, then I resized another one of those bullets and ran it through the bore....they both required the same pressure....the bullets were not the cause of the hard seating...which put my mind to rest on that issue.
Now I was back to the high humidity/cold temp issue. Air saturates everything, so I am sure the humid air was in the barrel...no real way to keep it out, then the temp dropped. The moist air in the barrel hit with the subfreezing temps turned the damp air in barrel into ice crystals, and the first shot was fired. Now the bore was filled with powder residue, moist air, and the subfreezing temp took its toll. It must have turned the ice crystals and powder residue into a frozen sludge and caused hard seating of the next loaded bullet...which is what I experienced. I am sure that my dumping the second load of powder down the bore may have made things worse.
I dont expect to encounter this situation often...the weather this year was strange to say the least but there is validity to Ballistics experience of the same phenomena.
I guess about all I could do to lessen the problem when those conditions occur is to swab the barrel between shots......and hope for the best.
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Post by ballistic on Jan 6, 2023 7:50:17 GMT -5
This is a pic I shared before. It was taken a few min after shooting on a highly humid foggy day. This is the powder residue from blackhorn 209 You can see the hygroscopic affects (wet and runny) on the ports The day I had the issue on the mountain I was using RL15.5 smokeless powder. It was below freezing temps and after missing a coyote at a very long distance I went to reload and it took a rock to beat the bullet down the barrel. I ended up getting the 3 piece collapsible ramrod stuck to the bullet and had to leave the mountain. Flatopoosa experience is similar to mine and he may well have found the reason why this happenned. I have not used a FLIR temp gauge in freezing weather but have in temps above 50 degrees. One shot from muzzys like these will raise external barrel temps by about 20 degrees. Internal temps (core) can raise much higher (50 or more degrees) and the temps are generally higher 3-4” off the priming source but it depends on the powder used where the heat is the highest Slower powders have more heat mid barrel than fast. Smokeless powder residue is also hygroscopic. Could the moisture from the humid air be introduced into a warm core and then frozen instantly from the rest of the frozen barrel ? I believe it could and from flatapoosa experience his reasoning is sound. I stopped using RL15.5 and it had performed very well up until that cold and foggy day. Going forward- I’m also going to dry patch after a shot- if the humidity is high and the temps are below freezing.  |
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Post by flattopusa on Jan 6, 2023 13:24:10 GMT -5
First off, sorry I got the details of your experience wrong.
A good point (barrel warming after the shot could create condensation) especially when the outer surface of the barrel is cold and the interior of the barrel, the bore, warms for a bit. High humidity, Condensation, or Moisture frozen near immediately and mixed with powder fouling as we both know is disastrous.....and I am wondering now how that tight fitting bullet in my bore would effect that second shot had I needed it.
When the temps turn cold (I hunt private property that borders a conservation area) there are very few if any hunters that show up at the conservation area...most wont subject themselves to subfreezing temps....especially during our late season muzzle loader hunt. Those of us with muzzle loaders that do hunt this type of weather should be aware that this may happen, and unless somebody on here has a better idea, I guess a dry patch down the bore would be the only answer......but, I would hate to waste all that good fouling that I put in there before the season. My rifle requires a few fouling shots to settle down, then its off to the races. As I have said before under normal circumstances, even in cold temps, my rifle will shoot near 50 rounds with a fouled bore, no bullet loading issues. When the above happened to me I had three fouling rounds and the doe shot round down the bore...thats when I knew something wasnt right.
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Post by ballistic on Jan 6, 2023 18:20:08 GMT -5
First off, sorry I got the details of your experience wrong. A good point (barrel warming after the shot could create condensation) especially when the outer surface of the barrel is cold and the interior of the barrel, the bore, warms for a bit. High humidity, Condensation, or Moisture frozen near immediately and mixed with powder fouling as we both know is disastrous.....and I am wondering now how that tight fitting bullet in my bore would effect that second shot had I needed it. When the temps turn cold (I hunt private property that borders a conservation area) there are very few if any hunters that show up at the conservation area...most wont subject themselves to subfreezing temps....especially during our late season muzzle loader hunt. Those of us with muzzle loaders that do hunt this type of weather should be aware that this may happen, and unless somebody on here has a better idea, I guess a dry patch down the bore would be the only answer......but, I would hate to waste all that good fouling that I put in there before the season. My rifle requires a few fouling shots to settle down, then its off to the races. As I have said before under normal circumstances, even in cold temps, my rifle will shoot near 50 rounds with a fouled bore, no bullet loading issues. When the above happened to me I had three fouling rounds and the doe shot round down the bore...thats when I knew something wasnt right. I’m always changing between smokeless and blackhorn powder so no one really knows what I’m going to post -lol As you have said with bore prep with your fouled barrel - patching isn’t entirely attractive -could mess everything up with the layer of accuracy you had. A solvent patch (alcohol) could be worse. Brushing might be another option with mixed results. I still think a single pass down and back out sounds like the best option as you have stated. Just don’t go to far if you have a powder chamber -lol |
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Post by flattopusa on Jan 6, 2023 18:56:38 GMT -5
100% ballistic. I think the one patch would be more than enough....hope I never have to try that!!!
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klook
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Post by klook on Jan 6, 2023 22:13:30 GMT -5
Seal the barrel with a condom? Don't let the atmosphere change your fouling?
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Post by flattopusa on Jan 6, 2023 23:20:28 GMT -5
Seal the barrel with a condom? Don't let the atmosphere change your fouling? |
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Post by Sideshow on Jan 7, 2023 2:21:18 GMT -5
What Balistic and Flatopusa have said here is exactly why i do what i do up here in Michigan . You cant stop nature is surely the truth !!! For me a fouled barrel has become pretty funky pretty quick in this cold and humid time frame hunting here . Just let the Suns radiant energy shine on that barrel along with the other ambiant conditions to further Complicate things in that bore !!! Would it totally mess me up to 400+ yards shooting a fouled icey bore then ?? Why risk it shooting at all is why im seeking a clean bore approach . Fouled has messed me up before Not hunting . Its why i also Dont use that collapseable Lt. duty ramrod that you Cant clean with . Experiance has taught me there are things that Must be done differently up here that others may not be subjected to regularly or at all !!!
Boys i feel your pain and my clean bore quest will continue possibly with at least a patch/brush for the 2nd if needed for that moment . I gotta do what i gotta do . Both of your conditions are typical up here . Wish i had better help to offer today . Maybe i just did .
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Post by flattopusa on Jan 7, 2023 8:19:13 GMT -5
What Balistic and Flatopusa have said here is exactly why i do what i do up here in Michigan . You cant stop nature is surely the truth !!! For me a fouled barrel has become pretty funky pretty quick in this cold and humid time frame hunting here . Just let the Suns radiant energy shine on that barrel along with the other ambiant conditions to further Complicate things in that bore !!! Would it totally mess me up to 400+ yards shooting a fouled icey bore then ?? Why risk it shooting at all is why im seeking a clean bore approach . Fouled has messed me up before Not hunting . Its why i also Dont use that collapseable Lt. duty ramrod that you Cant clean with . Experiance has taught me there are things that Must be done differently up here that others may not be subjected to regularly or at all !!! Boys i feel your pain and my clean bore quest will continue possibly with at least a patch/brush for the 2nd if needed for that moment . I gotta do what i gotta do . Both of your conditions are typical up here . Wish i had better help to offer today . Maybe i just did . Good points sideshow! I feel your pain. I have only been hunting muzzle loaders (BP and SML) for a few years...maybe 5 at the most, two for the SML...and this is the first time I have ever encountered conditions like this. I hunt Missouri...about an hour north of St. Louis, and our weather under normal conditions is fairly stable. This year the fluctuations in the weather in the late season were terrible....near 70 degrees, to 7, 8, 9, degrees below zero, dry then humid, then rain, then snow, and sleet. It was crazy. Seemed like the weather was changing by the day...minutes on some occasions.
I carry a one piece .375 Aluminum ramrod that I made in a loop on my possibles/loading bag. The jag is flat (because I shoot flat nosed bullets) and it is strong. I also carry a bullet starter that I made out of aluminum but the ramrod is beefy enough that I really dont need it. It took all I had to get that second bullet that I spoke about above down the bore and the ramrod didnt give an inch.
The clean bore quest is one I have been searching for and as it stands now I need three fouling shots and a dry patch to the have the gun shoot to an exact point of aim, but the three fouling shots are well within the kill zone (well under an inch high at 50 yards), enough so that I could shoot from a clean cold bore and still easily kill a deer at the distances I shoot which are all very close. For you guys shooting long range its all about precision. Next time to the range I am going to have my first shot as a fouler, then run a dry patch down the bore, and sight the scope to the second and third unpatched shots and see what happens.
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Post by Sideshow on Jan 7, 2023 18:06:18 GMT -5
First off, sorry I got the details of your experience wrong. A good point (barrel warming after the shot could create condensation) especially when the outer surface of the barrel is cold and the interior of the barrel, the bore, warms for a bit. High humidity, Condensation, or Moisture frozen near immediately and mixed with powder fouling as we both know is disastrous.....and I am wondering now how that tight fitting bullet in my bore would effect that second shot had I needed it. When the temps turn cold (I hunt private property that borders a conservation area) there are very few if any hunters that show up at the conservation area...most wont subject themselves to subfreezing temps....especially during our late season muzzle loader hunt. Those of us with muzzle loaders that do hunt this type of weather should be aware that this may happen, and unless somebody on here has a better idea, I guess a dry patch down the bore would be the only answer......but, I would hate to waste all that good fouling that I put in there before the season. My rifle requires a few fouling shots to settle down, then its off to the races. As I have said before under normal circumstances, even in cold temps, my rifle will shoot near 50 rounds with a fouled bore, no bullet loading issues. When the above happened to me I had three fouling rounds and the doe shot round down the bore...thats when I knew something wasnt right. I’m always changing between smokeless and blackhorn powder so no one really knows what I’m going to post -lol As you have said with bore prep with your fouled barrel - patching isn’t entirely attractive -could mess everything up with the layer of accuracy you had. A solvent patch (alcohol) could be worse. Brushing might be another option with mixed results. I still think a single pass down and back out sounds like the best option as you have stated. Just don’t go to far if you have a powder chamber -lol Ballistic i use denatured alcohol to fight the corrosive foul nuetralizing and removeing it and to remove/melt the ice thats stubbornly affixed in that bore . A brush wont always get it all . For what you seek it may very well not be appropriate most of the time . Plus cold it dries slow . Gosh you Really got a Situation going on !!! Velocity on par too so you CAN make those shots youre capable of !!! Id pull every one of my hairs out i think..... |
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miked
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Post by miked on Jan 9, 2023 7:09:04 GMT -5
This is something I ALWAYS fight in the Northeast for both my ML seasons. Humidity is always above 80% minimum. It's not just about being hard to load but, condensation on the powder after a reload in the cold as well. I can reload and fire a follow up shot fine as long as only a minute or two has passed from when reloading. If as little time as a half hour has passed before taking another shot then my powder will not ignite. Emptying at home the powder (Blackhorn) is always soaked after an unshot reload in the field. I will be control testing this situation in the backyard this winter to characterize it more, especially with Smokeless.
I made the mistake of seeing if I could run a dry patch using my 3 piece corded ram rod. Luckily I tested at home and not the field. It got stuck and broke. Bought a new one for quick reloads but also bought a 3 piece heavy screw together solid aluminum one from spinjag that fits in my waist pack and accepts the handle on my 3 peiece corded one. My idea is that if I can't see the animal still alive after the shot I have time to dry swab, let barrel cool, swab for moisture again and then reload. Im not sure if that will help but in my mind it would! I will test that too.
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Post by flattopusa on Jan 9, 2023 8:23:22 GMT -5
This is something I ALWAYS fight in the Northeast for both my ML seasons. Humidity is always above 80% minimum. It's not just about being hard to load but, condensation on the powder after a reload in the cold as well. I can reload and fire a follow up shot fine as long as only a minute or two has passed from when reloading. If as little time as a half hour has passed before taking another shot then my powder will not ignite. Emptying at home the powder (Blackhorn) is always soaked after an unshot reload in the field. I will be control testing this situation in the backyard this winter to characterize it more, especially with Smokeless. I made the mistake of seeing if I could run a dry patch using my 3 piece corded ram rod. Luckily I tested at home and not the field. It got stuck and broke. Bought a new one for quick reloads but also bought a 3 piece heavy screw together solid aluminum one from spinjag that fits in my waist pack and accepts the handle on my 3 peiece corded one. My idea is that if I can't see the animal still alive after the shot I have time to dry swab, let barrel cool, swab for moisture again and then reload. Im not sure if that will help but in my mind it would! I will test that too. |
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miked
Junior Member
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Post by miked on Jan 9, 2023 13:12:09 GMT -5
This is something I ALWAYS fight in the Northeast for both my ML seasons. Humidity is always above 80% minimum. It's not just about being hard to load but, condensation on the powder after a reload in the cold as well. I can reload and fire a follow up shot fine as long as only a minute or two has passed from when reloading. If as little time as a half hour has passed before taking another shot then my powder will not ignite. Emptying at home the powder (Blackhorn) is always soaked after an unshot reload in the field. I will be control testing this situation in the backyard this winter to characterize it more, especially with Smokeless. I made the mistake of seeing if I could run a dry patch using my 3 piece corded ram rod. Luckily I tested at home and not the field. It got stuck and broke. Bought a new one for quick reloads but also bought a 3 piece heavy screw together solid aluminum one from spinjag that fits in my waist pack and accepts the handle on my 3 peiece corded one. My idea is that if I can't see the animal still alive after the shot I have time to dry swab, let barrel cool, swab for moisture again and then reload. Im not sure if that will help but in my mind it would! I will test that too. Will do! |
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Post by ballistic on Jan 9, 2023 14:21:20 GMT -5
Here’s a pic of a .45 cal paramount that was loaded on a clean barrel and sabot combo. Powder was blackhorn 209. It was a dry hunt -no weather - and humidity in utah sits around 25% most of the year. The muzzy was placed in a safe with a dehumidifier. The owner asked me to swap a scope and let me know it was loaded. After removing the breech plug - the powder had solidified dry (was likley a wet paste). The barrel was destroyed where the powder was sitting. The rest of the barrel was clean ahead of the bullet. The copper jacket of the bullet was black and had slight corrosion. I’ve had the same issues w blackhorn (getting wet) on humid days after firing - but didn’t think this would happen to dry powder. The owner did not use a spent module while hunting and storing which likely introduced moisture. He also did not seal the end of the barrel with tape or a balloon. smokeless powder will do the same but at a much slower rate - you might loose some velocity - but never have I seen it turn to paste.  |
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Post by flattopusa on Jan 9, 2023 14:54:21 GMT -5
There are some that have said that they leave their loads (smokeless, BP and substitutes) in the gun for quite a while after the season is over. That does not sound like a good idea....with Blackhorn 209. I would call the manufacturer and inquire about that and see what they say.
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Post by 71yella2 on Jan 9, 2023 15:12:59 GMT -5
I loaded mine with 5744/ fury universal 285 back in October and shot it empty Saturday, gun had not been bumped but I missed the 12" gong at 200 using my correct holdover. Recoil was slightly less so I suspect bringing it in and out of the house could have caused some velocity loss but I didn't shoot thru Chrono to see. Next time it will not get left loaded more then couple days and not come in house after the cold sit
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Post by Sideshow on Jan 10, 2023 2:13:40 GMT -5
Here’s a pic of a .45 cal paramount that was loaded on a clean barrel and sabot combo. Powder was blackhorn 209. It was a dry hunt -no weather - and humidity in utah sits around 25% most of the year. The muzzy was placed in a safe with a dehumidifier. The owner asked me to swap a scope and let me know it was loaded. After removing the breech plug - the powder had solidified dry (was likley a wet paste). The barrel was destroyed where the powder was sitting. The rest of the barrel was clean ahead of the bullet. The copper jacket of the bullet was black and had slight corrosion. I’ve had the same issues w blackhorn (getting wet) on humid days after firing - but didn’t think this would happen to dry powder. The owner did not use a spent module while hunting and storing which likely introduced moisture. He also did not seal the end of the barrel with tape or a balloon. smokeless powder will do the same but at a much slower rate - you might loose some velocity - but never have I seen it turn to paste. View AttachmentOMG was that Paramount nitrided Ballistic ?? I thought they did that process inside and out !!!  !!! That aint supposed to happen !!! Everybody acts like that process is the best thing since sliced bread !!! |
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Post by Sideshow on Jan 10, 2023 2:44:11 GMT -5
This is something I ALWAYS fight in the Northeast for both my ML seasons. Humidity is always above 80% minimum. It's not just about being hard to load but, condensation on the powder after a reload in the cold as well. I can reload and fire a follow up shot fine as long as only a minute or two has passed from when reloading. If as little time as a half hour has passed before taking another shot then my powder will not ignite. Emptying at home the powder (Blackhorn) is always soaked after an unshot reload in the field. I will be control testing this situation in the backyard this winter to characterize it more, especially with Smokeless. I made the mistake of seeing if I could run a dry patch using my 3 piece corded ram rod. Luckily I tested at home and not the field. It got stuck and broke. Bought a new one for quick reloads but also bought a 3 piece heavy screw together solid aluminum one from spinjag that fits in my waist pack and accepts the handle on my 3 peiece corded one. My idea is that if I can't see the animal still alive after the shot I have time to dry swab, let barrel cool, swab for moisture again and then reload. Im not sure if that will help but in my mind it would! I will test that too. Miked where do you carry your powder/bullet/primer reloads ?? Do you ever use a heated blind ?? These answers could prove helpfull . Especially if we all put our heads together compareing related practices we could possibly help each other . |
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Post by ballistic on Jan 10, 2023 11:39:14 GMT -5
Here’s a pic of a .45 cal paramount that was loaded on a clean barrel and sabot combo. Powder was blackhorn 209. It was a dry hunt -no weather - and humidity in utah sits around 25% most of the year. The muzzy was placed in a safe with a dehumidifier. The owner asked me to swap a scope and let me know it was loaded. After removing the breech plug - the powder had solidified dry (was likley a wet paste). The barrel was destroyed where the powder was sitting. The rest of the barrel was clean ahead of the bullet. The copper jacket of the bullet was black and had slight corrosion. I’ve had the same issues w blackhorn (getting wet) on humid days after firing - but didn’t think this would happen to dry powder. The owner did not use a spent module while hunting and storing which likely introduced moisture. He also did not seal the end of the barrel with tape or a balloon. smokeless powder will do the same but at a much slower rate - you might loose some velocity - but never have I seen it turn to paste. View AttachmentOMG was that Paramount nitrided Ballistic ?? I thought they did that process inside and out !!! !!! That aint supposed to happen !!! Everybody acts like that process is the best thing since sliced bread !!! Sideshow - I’m not sure if paramounts are nitrided. My machinist let me know the barrels are a harder effort to machine when threading for muzzle brakes. Paramount did not warranty this barrel - and I can’t blame them. The non corrosive add campaign from western powders (blackhorn 209) is completely untrue. I believe blackhorn 209 to be the most corrosive powder I’ve ever tested compared to any other black powder or substitute. I’ve seen stainless barrels that weren’t cleaned for a week after firing - pitted. This is understandable and to be expected from black powders. The owner of the barrel in the pic and I were shocked when we discovered the amount of damage and how the small round grains of powder had solidified together. But how does this relate to smokers powders and humidity ? This explanation might help. Several years back I loaded 100 rounds of 260 Remington ammo for a long range match. I hit everything out to the medium ranges but the further I shot -impacts hit lower. It was an almost zero wind day. The very next day I was at the bench to verify my zero and speeds. The zero was good but speeds were down 50-60 fps. Went home and pulled a round apart. My 48 grain powder load (from the same 8 lb container was exactly 48 grains. Brass and primers and bullets were all from the same lots as well. What the Beep ! After much pondering I finally realized a possibility. I had poured out a 1/4 lb of powder into an open tray. A family priority came up and that powder sat there for 2 days- 2 days of constant rain. During this period of rain the powder (H1000 - extreme series) had absorbed moisture. And enough to add additional weight to the powder. How much I don’t know - but likely close to 1.5 grains to explain the loss of speed. Smokeless powder is also hygroscopic. I have friends that mix large lots of powder together and dry it for increased performance - that’s a little secret that’s not talked about. How does humidity affect a smokeless muzzleloader ? I’ve experienced drops in velocities even with preloaded and sealed dry powders when it’s raining vs dry conditions. Maybe it’s the bore or fouling in the bore that drops the speeds ? And this is greater by far w slower burning powders - not fast powders like 4198 but it still lowers the speed some. A sealed bore seems to not be affected any. Follow up shots in high humidity are slower. Shooters that live in constant high humidity may not experience this. This is just my observations and experiences and opinions on the smokeless muzzy. The above on smokeless powder being hygroscopic - that’s a fact. |
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Post by jeepeater on Jan 10, 2023 15:36:01 GMT -5
OMG was that Paramount nitrided Ballistic ?? I thought they did that process inside and out !!! !!! That aint supposed to happen !!! Everybody acts like that process is the best thing since sliced bread !!! Sideshow - I’m not sure if paramounts are nitrided. My machinist let me know the barrels are a harder effort to machine when threading for muzzle brakes. Paramount did not warranty this barrel - and I can’t blame them. The non corrosive add campaign from western powders (blackhorn 209) is completely untrue. I believe blackhorn 209 to be the most corrosive powder I’ve ever tested compared to any other black powder or substitute. I’ve seen stainless barrels that weren’t cleaned for a week after firing - pitted. This is understandable and to be expected from black powders. The owner of the barrel in the pic and I were shocked when we discovered the amount of damage and how the small round grains of powder had solidified together. But how does this relate to smokers powders and humidity ? This explanation might help. Several years back I loaded 100 rounds of 260 Remington ammo for a long range match. I hit everything out to the medium ranges but the further I shot -impacts hit lower. It was an almost zero wind day. The very next day I was at the bench to verify my zero and speeds. The zero was good but speeds were down 50-60 fps. Went home and pulled a round apart. My 48 grain powder load (from the same 8 lb container was exactly 48 grains. Brass and primers and bullets were all from the same lots as well. What the Beep ! After much pondering I finally realized a possibility. I had poured out a 1/4 lb of powder into an open tray. A family priority came up and that powder sat there for 2 days- 2 days of constant rain. During this period of rain the powder (H1000 - extreme series) had absorbed moisture. And enough to add additional weight to the powder. How much I don’t know - but likely close to 1.5 grains to explain the loss of speed. Smokeless powder is also hygroscopic. I have friends that mix large lots of powder together and dry it for increased performance - that’s a little secret that’s not talked about. How does humidity affect a smokeless muzzleloader ? I’ve experienced drops in velocities even with preloaded and sealed dry powders when it’s raining vs dry conditions. Maybe it’s the bore or fouling in the bore that drops the speeds ? And this is greater by far w slower burning powders - not fast powders like 4198 but it still lowers the speed some. A sealed bore seems to not be affected any. Follow up shots in high humidity are slower. Shooters that live in constant high humidity may not experience this. This is just my observations and experiences and opinions on the smokeless muzzy. The above on smokeless powder being hygroscopic - that’s a fact. I’ve noticed quite a few times in the last 35 years of reloading that smokeless powder tends to clump. I live in Arkansas with big pretty drastic temperature swings in a short time being normal. We also tend to have high humidity. I’ve seen Retumbo clump in an 8 pound jug among other powders. I’ve also noticed when breaking down loaded rounds to get brass, the powder often clumps to the point of having to be broken up with a wire. Not just my reloads, but factory rounds as well. |
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!!! That aint supposed to happen !!! Everybody acts like that process is the best thing since sliced bread !!!