unburnt power left in barrel

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Vossler

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Hello All,

I seem to have a problem with my 50 Beowulf hand-loads; i have quite a bit of unburnt (unspent) propellent left in the barrel after firing a few rounds. I would estimate that its about 10-15 grains worths after 3-4 rounds. I'm sure that not within any sort of tolerance. I'm also getting some propellent back through the gas system into the receiver. The propellent left over is "toasted" an amber colour, not the original black.

I'm using "Reloder 7", which is listed on the Alexander Arms website as possible propellent, but its not listed too often. I many used it because I couldn't get "Lil Gun".

Otherwise the rifle works well,

Any suggestions on what I could go to fix this? Pick another propellant?

Thanks for your time,

Alex
 
Unburnt powder left is usually because the required pressure for a full burn wasn't reached. I've gotten this with some heavier shotshell loads with slow shotgun powders as well as some cast bullet loads in surplus rifles that operate at very low pressure. If you are near the starting load I'd try increasing it. If you already see pressure signs or are closer to the max than the starting load I'd try another powder.
 
it's to slow of a powder for the barrel length that you have, i get the same issue when using benchmark and imr4198 in my 500 mag with a 6.5" barrel. they also smell like cat piss after.
 
Sometimes a good crimp can improve powder burn, since you didn't list your loading procedures, this is just a random piece of advice.

Too slow of a powder for bullet weight.
Too light of a charge.
Not enough starting pressure caused by not enough or no crimp, or too much bullet jump.

These are a few reasons why a powder might not burn completely. All may apply, or none, or other reasons even including primer choice for the powder/charge/bullet weight/type.
 
from what i have found, its not enough pressure to completely burn the powder, in a shotgun thats around 7600psi and lower, sounds like its not getting enough pressure, most likely from not enough crimp.
 
Thanks all for the replies!

This will certainly help me, I think I will begin by switching powders (if I can get any). i'm using a lighter weight projectile (300 gr).

These are the "approved" propellents listed from Alexander Arms:

Lil Gun
IMR 4227
Alliant Powder 2400
Accurate 1680
Hodgson H110

Any idea what would be best for a 12 inch barrel (faster burning, and the previous threads say)?

I also have BLC-2 and H335 on hand, but its not listed by AlexArms.

Thanks again for all your guys's work on this!
 
Vossler said:
Thanks all for the replies!

This will certainly help me, I think I will begin by switching powders (if I can get any). i'm using a lighter weight projectile (300 gr).

These are the "approved" propellents listed from Alexander Arms:

Lil Gun
IMR 4227
Alliant Powder 2400
Accurate 1680
Hodgson H110

Any idea what would be best for a 12 inch barrel (faster burning, and the previous threads say)?

I also have BLC-2 and H335 on hand, but its not listed by AlexArms.

Thanks again for all your guys's work on this!
Click to expand...

of those listed i like all of them for my 500, but i've never tried 1680.
 
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