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Flakes of Carbon Left After Firing

I'm shooting a .222 Remington using 21.8 grains of H322, a 52 grain Sierra HPBT bullet with a 1 1/2 thou grip, and CC BR4 primers. On occasion I've found large flakes of carbon in the cases after firing. The cases were clean and dry before loading but I can't explain why the poor combustion. The brass was Lapua, and the necks were turned to 0.0115 thou. Groups by the way are usually in the high one's or low two's at 100 yards. Any suggestions?
 
have you ever seen this before with this rifle? or is it the first time? If you are happy with the accuracy I wouldn't worry about it
 
Max,

If it's unburned powder, try the CCI 450 primer. It should be hotter than the BR-4 and may be all you need. I agree with Jason, tho, if it's accurate and not causing any "real" problem, leave it alone!

Dennis
 
I experienced this with a .220 Swift, turns out it flaked off the inner walls of cases that had been fired several times.
 
Max: What you are seeing is not uncommon. Carbon deposits from the burning powder left inside the case, on the case necks, and in the bore.

The pictured cases were run thru a small base body die, and the squeezing down of the case walls broke the carbon layer lose. Gave each case a small tap on the bench top after sizing, and the results are pictured.

Powder used in these cases was Varget.
 

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This problem is intermittent and the accuracy seems O.K., but I'm going to try some CCI 450's to see if it clears up. Thank you all for your input. Looks like nothing is new under the sun.
 
I have the same flaking 222 imr 4198 shot as tight neck, when necks got loose fl sized, got flaking, cci450 primers. didn't worry as groups run high 1s to low 2s, but I have my never seen this, my 2c worth
 
Why would you worry about this as long as you are getting the accuracy that you are? A hotter primer will probably change your tune. You may need to adjust your powder charge or seating depth slightly.
 
When you have your oiled fired furnace inspected for efficiency they check stack temperature, CO2, and your smoke number. These tests determine how efficiently you are burning your oil.

Your shooting a .222 at a rated chamber pressure of 46,000 cup or 50,000 psi and you will see more carbon flakes at lower chamber pressures. My Winchester 30-30 Trapper model with a 16 inch barrel does this all the time at 38,000 cup or 42,000 psi. It has to do with the peak flame temperature, burning efficiency and leaving combustion deposits inside the bore and and cartridge.

Quick load data for your load.
44,474 psi, 3066 fps, 94.91% of powder burnt

If this was your car and I was looking at your spark plugs I would say you need a hotter spark plug and your burning too rich. In simple terms you are not at 100% combustion efficiency and your leaving combustion byproducts in the case.

This happens all the time with reduced loads and low chamber pressures. ;)
 
bigedp51 said:
When you have your oiled fired furnace inspected for efficiency they check stack temperature, CO2, and your smoke number. These tests determine how efficiently you are burning your oil.

Your shooting a .222 at a rated chamber pressure of 46,000 cup or 50,000 psi and you will see more carbon flakes at lower chamber pressures. My Winchester 30-30 Trapper model with a 16 inch barrel does this all the time at 38,000 cup or 42,000 psi. It has to do with the peak flame temperature, burning efficiency and leaving combustion deposits inside the bore and and cartridge.

Quick load data for your load.
44,474 psi, 3066 fps, 94.91% of powder burnt

If this was your car and I was looking at your spark plugs I would say you need a hotter spark plug and your burning too rich. In simple terms you are not at 100% combustion efficiency and your leaving combustion byproducts in the case.

This happens all the time with reduced loads and low chamber pressures. ;)


What he said....
 

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