Bleeding Black Powder

[Urban Coyote]

Anyone here every heard the term "black powder bleeding"?

From memory, and it's been awhile, I was once informed that one could identify the optimum charge when the burnt powder residue showed tiny red spots in the barrel. I've experienced this bleeding thing in my own rifles but I not sure those were optimum loads. I'm thinking it might take a combination of things, perhaps humidity or temperature to get this effect.

 

[Crow-Feather]

I did research and found that you can stop this from happening.

" Research shows a new potato-based powder can stop bleeding immediately and may also make surgery safer by reducing transfusions and their associated risks."

So much for the internet.

 

[Woody Morgan]

I did research and found that you can stop this from happening.

" Research shows a new potato-based powder can stop bleeding immediately and may also make surgery safer by reducing transfusions and their associated risks."

So much for the internet.

Smells like french fries.

wm

 

[hawkeye2]

"one could identify the optimum charge when the burnt powder residue showed tiny red spots in the barrel"

Old wives' or pilgrim's tale, no basis in truth.

 

[Acorn Mush]

Seems to me the "red spot" question was discussed some years back on this forum. As I recall, it is caused by high humidity and the red is actually sulfur. I have experienced it a few times when shooting in high humidity conditions such as moderately heavy fog.

 

[Grenadier1758]

As @Acorn Mush has stated, the red beads are drips of sulfur and are an indication of humidity and are not an indication of an optimum load. One time a load will produce the sulfur "rubies" and another time and drier day there will be no "rubies" and performance will not change.

 

[Col. Batguano]

It's a medical term from the 18th century that let the evil spirits out of your powder horn.