THE ACCURATERELOADING.COM MEDIUM BORE RIFLE FORUM


Moderators: Paul H
Go
New
Find
Notify
Tools
Reply
  
Why are bullet holes gray?
 Login/Join
 
HenryC470
One of Us
posted 24 May 2002 01:49
I asked this the day before we got hacked, and the topic has disappeared, except for a blank line I can find using the search feature.

So far, I had not found out the answer, unless it was:

Target Blood

Burned Paper

The paper around the hole being gray regardless of the bullet being lead, JHP, FMJ, whatever, was perplexing to me and one poster.

Any ideas?

H. C.

 
Posts: 3691 | Location: West Virginia | Registered: 23 May 2001Reply With Quote
Stonecreek
one of us
posted 24 May 2002 04:39Hide Post
Henry, from the lack of responses, I'd say we're dealing in a somewhat gray area.
 
Posts: 13338 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001Reply With Quote
Flip
one of us
Picture of Flip
posted 24 May 2002 07:03Hide Post
I realy cant think why, seems very intresting
 
Posts: 931 | Location: Nambia | Registered: 02 June 2000Reply With Quote
Bucktail
one of us
posted 24 May 2002 07:07Hide Post
Maybe it's powder residue. It stands to reason that some of the gasses get past the bullet in the barrel, maybe some of them stick. Anybody have access to FTIR?
 
Posts: 196 | Location: MN, USA | Registered: 03 March 2002Reply With Quote
Stonecreek
one of us
posted 24 May 2002 09:35Hide Post
Powder residue? At first blush, it doesn't seem likely, but I kinda like the theory.
 
Posts: 13338 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001Reply With Quote
<Don Martin29>
posted 24 May 2002 14:12
It might even be lead from the nose of the bullet! I have seen a spiral, pinwheel print around bullet holes from bullets that were melting like using bullets for the .222 Remington at over 3500 fps.

Also I agree that it may be dirt in the barrel from powder residue. I shot a group with a rifle that had been cleaned really well and the holes looked clean. Later shooting showed the holes to be dirty. Also the groups opened up also. But I admit I am having trouble with this rifle.

 
Reply With Quote
Pa.Frank
one of us
Picture of Pa.Frank
posted 24 May 2002 14:47Hide Post
my theory is that the paper is somewhat burned from the bullet "drilling" it way through the paper. I believe that a 30 caliber bullet with a MV of 2900 fps is spinning at about 30,000 RPM

Any mathematicians out there?

------------------
Don't tread on me!
Pennsylvania Frank

 
Posts: 1995 | Location: The Three Lower Counties (Delaware USA) | Registered: 13 September 2001Reply With Quote
tarbe
one of us
Picture of tarbe
posted 24 May 2002 16:02Hide Post
2900 fps 10" twist

2900F/S X 12"/10" X 60s/m = 208,800 rpm

 
Posts: 1541 | Location: Romance, Missouri | Registered: 04 March 2002Reply With Quote
<Don Martin29>
posted 24 May 2002 16:53
Bullet length 1.00" , revolutions in paper target 1/10 revolution.
 
Reply With Quote
craigster
One of Us
posted 24 May 2002 17:51Hide Post
It's the same thing as running a patch down the bore. The patch comes out grayish black. Well them, so does the bullet. Bore fouling transfers from the bullet to the paper. What's so hard about that. I'm sure this is something we all really need to know. Yeah, yeah, I know, don't be a smart ass.

------------------
there's a fine line between hobby and mental illnes

 
Posts: 8169 | Location: humboldt | Registered: 10 April 2002Reply With Quote
mbundy
one of us
posted 25 May 2002 01:36Hide Post
Yes, I believe it is barrel fouling. A few years ago, I heard about a guy who showed up to a BR match with bullets coated in a white substance...His bullets holes did not exhibit the trademark black ring. Some people were concerned that the scorer wouldn't be able to measure them properly...

 
Posts: 160 | Location: Southern California | Registered: 28 September 2000Reply With Quote
HenryC470
One of Us
posted 29 May 2002 02:16Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by craigster:
It's the same thing as running a patch down the bore. The patch comes out grayish black. Well them, so does the bullet. Bore fouling transfers from the bullet to the paper. What's so hard about that. I'm sure this is something we all really need to know. Yeah, yeah, I know, don't be a smart ass.

Craig,

I believe you are right. I figured it was either powder fouling or copper rubbing off on the paper. One thing is sure, the gray bullet holes from 180 gr. Sierra ProHunters do not turn green or blue with copper solvent. I am inclined to believe it is powder fouling and not copper.

H. C.
 
Posts: 3691 | Location: West Virginia | Registered: 23 May 2001Reply With Quote
D Humbarger
one of us
Picture of D Humbarger
posted 30 May 2002 15:24Hide Post
Where's OverKill!
 
Posts: 8354 | Location: Jennings Louisiana, Arkansas by way of Alabama by way of South Carloina by way of County Antrim Irland by way of Lanarkshire Scotland. | Registered: 02 November 2001Reply With Quote
<centerpunch>
posted 02 June 2002 10:33
quote:
The paper around the hole being gray regardless of the bullet being lead, JHP, FMJ, whatever, was perplexing to me and one poster.
There is only one thing that's a constant amongst the stated conditions� all bullets leave a grey ring.

Conventional ammunition requires the burning of powder to get downrange. That fouling is the only thing the bullet touches in it's trip down the bore, any grey trace on the target, can ONLY be from powder residue. [Eek!]
 
Reply With Quote
Bill Leeper
one of us
posted 03 June 2002 05:45Hide Post
It is simply a combination of jacket material and powder fouling. These particles are microscopic in size and are primarily powder fouling hence the gry color.
Some BR shooters will color their bullets with black Mgic Marker to make the bullet holes more visible in bad mirage conditions. I have noticed the bullet hole being decidedly blacker when I'm using ball powders. Regards, Bill.
 
Posts: 3991 | Location: Elko, B.C. Canada | Registered: 19 June 2000Reply With Quote
ALF
one of us
posted 03 June 2002 07:14Hide Post
/
 
Posts: 7857 | Registered: 16 August 2000Reply With Quote
  Powered by Social Strata  
 


Copyright December 1997-2025 Accuratereloading.com


Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia