unburned powder in barrel

[wayne24]

I just started reloading for the 45-70 with a 22 inch barrel and I made up a few rounds with a 300 grain jacketed hp and varget powder(lowest load)after firing these rounds I noticed some unburned powder in the barrel.I loaded one more round up with the same load but this time with a magnum primer and the same thing.The loads the I have made up with 2400 burn clean.I have reloaded for my 308 with varget and it does not leave any unburned powder.Is this normal ?I have reloaded lots of 357 mag and 44 mag rounds for my handi rifles but just started loading rifle rounds.
Thanks
Wayne

[torpedoman]

powder is too slow burning, try a faster powder you will never get an accurate load if the powder is that inconsistent.

[stimpylu32]

Wayne

What your seeing is not so much un-burnt powder as it incomplete burnt powder ( carbon particals ) , couple things you can do here .

1) Don't worry too much about it 
2) Switch to a different powder 
3) Up your powder charge    ( Ouch )
4) Try a heavier crimp to allow for more time for the powder to start the burn process .

Just remember that 2 , 3 , 4 can raise your working pressures as well as felt recoil . 

stimpy

[manatee1947]

I saw an accuracy load of 43 gr of 3031 in my old Lyman book with a 500 gr cast, sounded funky, but I tried it. It leaves lots of incompletely burned particles, but did indeed prove very accurate and little recoil. The particles are of no importance, they only show inefficiency in the burn rate, and a little more cleaning. If you have an accurate load I wold ignore it.

[AtlLaw]

a 300 grain jacketed hp and varget powder(lowest load)after firing these rounds I noticed some unburned powder in the barrel.

Hey Wayne, I had this problem some years ago with this same load.

4) Try a heavier crimp to allow for more time for the powder to start the burn process .

Since I wasn't using any crimp, this is what I did and it mostly cured the problem.

[wayne24]

Thanks for all the info guys.I will have to adjust my dies for a heavier crimp and see how that works.I might have to look into another powder and see if that helps to.When I have some time to sit down at the reloading bench again.
Wayne

[wayne24]

AtlLaw,
How did load with varget shoot in your gun?
Wayne

[AtlLaw]

No complaints from me!     As I remember I settled on right at 1800 fps which gave me "almost" clover leafs at 100 yds.  But then my Handi Rifle always has been a good shooter!