For cartridges that were loaded with either black or smokeless, is there a way to determine which is in a cartridge--other than by pulling the bullet?

Thanks

the_captn

Shoot it...

There's no way to know that's absolutely sure. However, if you can hear powder rattling around in the case when you shake it, it's most likely smokeless. Black powder loads should, and did historically, have no free air space inside. There are lots of exceptions to this rule: rounds loaded with cordite typically won't rattle as the strands were cut to case length, and some modern ammo loaded with black does have air space, but I consider that ammo dangerous, Dave!

As Steve said, shoot it!! Then take a deep breath - through your nose, of course.....

Shoot it.

BTW, Ballistol is a good lubricant for guns that use both smokeless powder and blackpowder.

Some early smokeless straight walled cases had a cannelure or even stab crimps to keep the bullet from receding in the case in tubular magazines. Ideal made stab indenter to accomplish this for the handloader loading smokeless in cases that had been loaded with black.
It is not a reliable signal, but sort of suggestive.
Cheers from Memory Lane,
Ross