unburned powder

kell · July 21, 2022, 03:51 PM

I'm shooting 22mag in a mdl 48 revolver. I see some unburned powder and I was wondering if anyone knows of a faster powder. I'm using CCI Maximag.

Electrod47 · July 21, 2022, 04:03 PM

Rimfire ammunition generally requires a solid smack from the firing pin for good ignition. Check and see if there is anything slowing that down, dirt, weak spring etc.
Try the ammo in a rifle if handy or another gun, and see if you have the unburned powder.
99.5% .22 Mag ammo is produced for rifle usage. I have one box of something for my NA 1" barrel says " 1000fps out of a NA. Chrono'ed it NO WAY!

**44 AMP** · July 21, 2022, 04:07 PM

.22WMR ammunition is made for optimal use in rifles. There is none I know of made specifically for pistols, and I doubt there ever will be, there just isn't sufficient commercial demand.

use and enjoy what you get from your gun, and just clean off the unburned powder when finished.

Or, figure out a way to (safely) load your own rimfire ammunition and find a powder that all burns in your barrel length. IF you do, you won't get the same performance you're getting from factory ammo, though. There's no free lunch.

Scorch · July 21, 2022, 05:15 PM

Smokeless powder burns better as the pressure rises and time increases. In a revolver you have neither, a short barrel with a .008" barrel-cylinder gap is very likely not reaching either the needed pressure or dwell time for good combustion of smokeless gunpowder. I used to see traces of unburnt powder in my Colt 1917 revolver shooting the same loads that burned cleanly in my Colt Commander. Don't worry about it, just enjoy shooting.

Shadow9mm · July 21, 2022, 05:17 PM

Speer makes a 22mag gold dot for short barrels.

**44 AMP** · July 21, 2022, 06:21 PM

Well, apparently there is at least one .22WMR round made for short barrels, and NOW, I'm aware of it.

However, I have no interest in it, as I only have one .22WMR and it has a 6.5" barrel and in over 30 years I have not shot even two boxes of .22WMR through it. Lots of .22LR, but to me, shooting .22WMR is a waste of my money.

Shadow9mm · July 21, 2022, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44 AMP

Well, apparently there is at least one .22WMR round made for short barrels, and NOW, I'm aware of it.

However, I have no interest in it, as I only have one .22WMR and it has a 6.5" barrel and in over 30 years I have not shot even two boxes of .22WMR through it. Lots of .22LR, but to me, shooting .22WMR is a waste of my money.

22 mag really shines in a rifle. For defensive use in a handgun 22 mag is a much better choice than 22lr. However neither are good defensive options imho, unless you need a mouse gun like a naa.

I Carried the 22mag gold dot short barrels in my naa for a while. They were the best performing hollow points i could find. Expanded pretty reliably, and on bare gel ,made 12in of penetration. Only Carried occasionally.

HiBC · July 22, 2022, 10:07 PM

A key tip:
Be sure the muzzle is up when you push the ejector rod. Burned powder falls to the ground.

Try not to push the ejector rod with muzzle down. Much burned powder falls from case mouths under the ejector plate. Now there is powder between the ejector and cylinder. Gun binds up.

kell · July 27, 2022, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow9mm

Speer makes a 22mag gold dot for short barrels.

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep an eye open for the Gold Dot SB, even though I don't shoot this gun that much.

Shadow9mm · July 28, 2022, 07:56 PM

Found this today. Gold dot vs punch. Velocities and gel testing from a snubbie.
https://youtu.be/v2XwUlCWqLE

buck460XVR · July 29, 2022, 04:59 AM

Unburned powder in a revolver is normal. Last thing I would worry about in my revolver ammo after accuracy and reliability.....especially when "I don't shoot this gun that much".

July 21, 2022, 03:51 PM	#1
kell Member Join Date: August 8, 2020 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 42	unburned powder I'm shooting 22mag in a mdl 48 revolver. I see some unburned powder and I was wondering if anyone knows of a faster powder. I'm using CCI Maximag.

July 21, 2022, 04:07 PM	#3
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,846	.22WMR ammunition is made for optimal use in rifles. There is none I know of made specifically for pistols, and I doubt there ever will be, there just isn't sufficient commercial demand. use and enjoy what you get from your gun, and just clean off the unburned powder when finished. Or, figure out a way to (safely) load your own rimfire ammunition and find a powder that all burns in your barrel length. IF you do, you won't get the same performance you're getting from factory ammo, though. There's no free lunch. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

July 21, 2022, 05:15 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Smokeless powder burns better as the pressure rises and time increases. In a revolver you have neither, a short barrel with a .008" barrel-cylinder gap is very likely not reaching either the needed pressure or dwell time for good combustion of smokeless gunpowder. I used to see traces of unburnt powder in my Colt 1917 revolver shooting the same loads that burned cleanly in my Colt Commander. Don't worry about it, just enjoy shooting. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

July 21, 2022, 05:17 PM	#5
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,975	Speer makes a 22mag gold dot for short barrels. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

July 21, 2022, 06:21 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,846	Well, apparently there is at least one .22WMR round made for short barrels, and NOW, I'm aware of it. However, I have no interest in it, as I only have one .22WMR and it has a 6.5" barrel and in over 30 years I have not shot even two boxes of .22WMR through it. Lots of .22LR, but to me, shooting .22WMR is a waste of my money. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

July 21, 2022, 04:03 PM	#2
Electrod47 Member Join Date: April 27, 2021 Location: SE Mississippi Posts: 92	Rimfire ammunition generally requires a solid smack from the firing pin for good ignition. Check and see if there is anything slowing that down, dirt, weak spring etc. Try the ammo in a rifle if handy or another gun, and see if you have the unburned powder. 99.5% .22 Mag ammo is produced for rifle usage. I have one box of something for my NA 1" barrel says " 1000fps out of a NA. Chrono'ed it NO WAY!

July 22, 2022, 10:07 PM	#8
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,288	A key tip: Be sure the muzzle is up when you push the ejector rod. Burned powder falls to the ground. Try not to push the ejector rod with muzzle down. Much burned powder falls from case mouths under the ejector plate. Now there is powder between the ejector and cylinder. Gun binds up.

July 28, 2022, 07:56 PM	#10
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,975	Found this today. Gold dot vs punch. Velocities and gel testing from a snubbie. https://youtu.be/v2XwUlCWqLE __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

July 29, 2022, 04:59 AM	#11
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	Unburned powder in a revolver is normal. Last thing I would worry about in my revolver ammo after accuracy and reliability.....especially when "I don't shoot this gun that much".