Red powder??

[chawbeef]

Shooting my .50 yesterday with ffg and spit patch I noticed when swabbing between shots that there was some red particles on the swab. Iis this unburned powder?? And why is it red?? .......................Chawbeef

 

[Grenadier1758]

Do a search on the forum for sulfur cherries. This is normal under certain humidity conditions and temperature that the unburned sulfur in the powder condenses into the small red balls (cherries) at the muzzle. Nothing to worry about. Some even want to say its a sign of a proper load. Not really.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

It’s called “fairy cherries” and is a sign of a top, efficient load.

 

[Britsmoothy]

I get top efficient loadings and no cherries but on certain days with the same loads I get cherries.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I get top efficient loadings and no cherries but on certain days with the same loads I get cherries.

Yep, I get them from time to time, too.

LD

 

[Rifleman1776]

It’s called “fairy cherries” and is a sign of a top, efficient load.

That is what I was taught also. Range results seem to bear it out as correct. Yes, I know that is anecdotal and not acceptable for the more scientific minds here.

 

[olskool]

I don't get those, because I don't swab between shots I guess,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I don't get those, because I don't swab between shots I guess,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Neither do I. They're visible in the bore.

 

[longcruise]

I get top efficient loadings and no cherries but on certain days with the same loads I get cherries.

You have exposed a new requirement for load development. Loads must account for humidity, temperature, etc. If you want to do it right each gun will have numerous loads established and adhered to by including a portable weather station in the shooting kit.

 

[olskool]

Neither do I. They're visible in the bore.

shows you how much i pay attention LOL,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Sam squanch]

“Fairy cherries “ I’m not touching that with a 20 foot pole!

 

[Kansas Jake]

Aw come on Sam. We know you have several good punch lines to share. They might get you banned or at least deleted by Zonie but what the heck. As Tiny Tim would sing, “tiptoe through the tulips....”

 

[Sam squanch]

No way

 

[Kansas Jake]

BTW, 30 plus years ago my wife was selling ads for a local tv station in western Kansas. One of her accounts was the local county fair and Tiny Tim was booked for one of the arena shows. She had to interview him for the noon tv news. According to her what you saw on tv was what was there in person.