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Hodgden powder problem ?

Might be problem with powder deterioration , nitro is fuming producing nitric acid . Just a guess without further details .
 

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Is anybody else seeing this with Hodgden varget and H4350 in lot# starting with 7
As you know these are made in Australia just wondering if you have the same batch numbers as us picture of those two cases is 223 Remington grass just 4 hours after firing with varget I am getting the same with H4350 in my 260 but it takes at least 24 hours to present in the case and neck .


View attachment 1332717
I’m running Varget lot 7225 and H4895 lot 7076 with no issues like you show. I’m not running any H4350 right now.

What primer are you using?

Dave.
 
Another possibility is that because of the shortages maybe there has been a change to the copper/brass alloys that no one is aware of? I just recently got a new batch of bullets that were really oily, way more than normal. After cleaning them off in acetone to prepare them for HBN coating they started to tarnish in what seemed like hours, really weird??? Might explain the residue left in the barrel as well?
 
+1 looks like verdigris; oxidized copper. Are you100% certain that your hand loads don't have moisture and they're stored such that moisture won't condense in storage?

None of us are really sure of that either, except for me, when it rains where I'm located its 20%RH.

Aren't hodgdon powders relabeled ADI?
 
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Yes I agree now I have been using these powders for more than 35 years closer to 40 never seen it before and the other day I also shot some of my old hodgdon stash lot number starts with a 5 and no problems left those cases sitting on the bench too. those 223 cases were shot brought them home 4 hours later that's what it look like

I'll assume You're in Australia correct ?. May I inquire as to a general area Qld. NSW SA NT ?

Are you in close proximity to the Coast or more than 55 kilometers away ?

It looks just like Nitro fuming . Take Your powder pour a case load onto a white sheet of paper ,allow it to set for 2-4 hr. Snap a photo and lets see what it looks like ,You can also allow powder to roll over to the other side of the paper sheet and look for left over residue . Two things You'll see Nothing or Reddish or yellowish residue on the paper ,if the latter Burn the powder or use it as fertilizer .
 
Yea. Sort of. What about the inside?:)
I use that particular rifle to hit rabbit sized steel plates at over 1200 yards and I have lost count the amount of 3 to4 inch groups be it only 3 shot groups at the same range so yeah I think it's clean inside too considering it's fired 700 rounds .

You set the bait I will bite I'm hungry
 
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I'll assume You're in Australia correct ?. May I inquire as to a general area Qld. NSW SA NT ?

Are you in close proximity to the Coast or more than 55 kilometers away ?

It looks just like Nitro fuming . Take Your powder pour a case load onto a white sheet of paper ,allow it to set for 2-4 hr. Snap a photo and lets see what it looks like ,You can also allow powder to roll over to the other side of the paper sheet and look for left over residue . Two things You'll see Nothing or Reddish or yellowish residue on the paper ,if the latter Burn the powder or use it as fertilizer .
I have been living in the same town for the last 40 years right on the coast of Victoria down South and in this country down south means cold and have never seen this problem before only since I started buying powder with the lot numbers starting with a 7.
I know if there's a problem with a powder won't be burning or using as fertiliser it'll be taken straight back as it's only 2 months old just cracked the new keg the other day .
 
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I have been living in the same town for the last 40 years right on the coast of Victoria down South and in this country down south means cold and have never seen this problem before only since I started buying powder with the lot numbers starting with a 7.
I know if there's a problem with a powdery won't be burning or using as fertiliser it'll be taken straight back as it's only 2 months old just cracked the new keg the other day .

Meant NO offense Mate ,wasn't aware powder was 2 months old ; Woozier something is obviously reacting to the copper and brass . IF it were Me ,I'd do a little testing with a pinch of powder and allowing it to contact copper on perhaps white paper . Can't hurt and IF it does react ,definitely take it back to the wanker .
May I ask what You clean Your cases with or in ? Any particular solution or process which might leave a residue ? .
 
I've had this while hunting in extreme Cold (-20c) and if a fired hot piece of brass hits the snow and gets wet. Using H4831sc and tipped game kings.
 
Is anybody else seeing this with Hodgden varget and H4350 in lot# starting with 7
As you know these are made in Australia just wondering if you have the same batch numbers as us picture of those two cases is 223 Remington grass just 4 hours after firing with varget I am getting the same with H4350 in my 260 but it takes at least 24 hours to present in the case and neck .
View attachment 1332717
One of three issues:
1. Rain or moisture got inside these cases. I’ve seen this many times and it brushes out easily
2. Corrosion with an additive inside the powder which caused the formation of copper citrate inside the necks.
3. This can also be caused by certain inside neck lubes or cleaning materials left inside the neck, during or after sizing. This foreign material then forms a sacrificial coating of copper citrate on the surface of the inside neck.
Dave
 
Meant NO offense Mate ,wasn't aware powder was 2 months old ; Woozier something is obviously reacting to the copper and brass . IF it were Me ,I'd do a little testing with a pinch of powder and allowing it to contact copper on perhaps white paper . Can't hurt and IF it does react ,definitely take it back to the wanker .
May I ask what You clean Your cases with or in ? Any particular solution or process which might leave a residue ? .
No offence taken at all just sometimes I can be short with answers because I'm in a lot of pain the most of the time.
And I have some freshly pulled projectiles I will put a few on paper and put a teaspoon of powder on let them sit for a while will get back to you with the results at the moment it's 14:50 here so probably should reply when it's about 20:00 .
 
One of three issues:
1. Rain or moisture got inside these cases. I’ve seen this many times and it brushes out easily
2. Corrosion with an additive inside the powder which caused the formation of copper citrate inside the necks.
3. This can also be caused by certain inside neck lubes or cleaning materials left inside the neck, during or after sizing. This foreign material then forms a sacrificial coating of copper citrate on the surface of the inside neck.
Dave
These two particular cases were shot sat on my portable bench for about half an hour then I packed up they were placed back in the MTM cartridge case.
I was home within the hour sat them on the bench then went back up to the gun room after a cup of tea and when I took the empties out of the MTM case thats when I discovered this problem with varget here is known as 2208 as well it's been going on with the H 4350 known here as 2209 for 6/8 months .
again I've never had this problem before I do things the same way every time and I shot some of my old loads on the same day only the new powder had the problem.
I was just wondering whether ADI changed their recipe because it doesn't even smell the same there have been others talking about problems with their 2209 still trying to hold a decent SD compared to the older propellant.
 

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