The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - What is the smell in gun powder? (not cordite)

Smokey Joe · July 16, 2012, 07:06 PM

Willie Loman--There must be very different formulae available for the manufacture of smokeless gunpowder.

I know that the German precision ammo that one of my benchrest .22's likes, really STINKS when I fire it. Ugh. But, the rifle shoots it better than anything else, so I use the stuff. Can't really describe the smell, except that it is bad.

Most .22 ammo seems to have little or no odor when fired, at least on an outdoor range. And, for that matter, I haven't noticed any distinctive odor when firing center-fire ammo. That would include factory center-fire, milsurp ammo, and my own reloads, using several different brands of powder.

Now, real blackpowder, OTOH, smells of sulfur (Or is it SO2?) when shot, and that I know is because sulfur is one of its main components.

So: What is the smell of burning gunpowder? Well, now, I guess the best answer is that old medical-school chestnut: "It varies."

July 16, 2012, 07:06 PM	#10
Smokey Joe Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2001 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 2,106	Different chemicals... Willie Loman--There must be very different formulae available for the manufacture of smokeless gunpowder. I know that the German precision ammo that one of my benchrest .22's likes, really STINKS when I fire it. Ugh. But, the rifle shoots it better than anything else, so I use the stuff. Can't really describe the smell, except that it is bad. Most .22 ammo seems to have little or no odor when fired, at least on an outdoor range. And, for that matter, I haven't noticed any distinctive odor when firing center-fire ammo. That would include factory center-fire, milsurp ammo, and my own reloads, using several different brands of powder. Now, real blackpowder, OTOH, smells of sulfur (Or is it SO2?) when shot, and that I know is because sulfur is one of its main components. So: What is the smell of burning gunpowder? Well, now, I guess the best answer is that old medical-school chestnut: "It varies." __________________ God Bless America --Smokey Joe