.357 rounds that smell like ammonia

[P. Plainsman]

Just shot a box of Magtech SJSP .357 Mag at ye old range. When I fired this ammo, the usual, pleasantly acrid powder smell was chased with a strong scent of ammonia.

First time I've experienced that. (I mostly shoot Federal and S&B brands.) What, if anything, does this tell me about Magtech's powder load?

Better living through gun chemistry.

Smell aside, it struck me as adequate ammo. The Federals are more accurate and seem to burn more uniformly. Sometimes I got a bright flash from the Magtechs, other times just a couple of sparks out the cylinder gap.

 

[Majic]

Just think of how clean and disinfected your barrel will now be.

 

[Koveras]

At least you only got ammonia. I got a box of S&B .357 Mag FMJ the other day that failed to mention the "M" in FMJ was copper-washed steel. Blech!

 

[PBIR]

That might be indicative of the type of nitrocellulose material used, not too sure.

 

[Josey]

I had some too. They smelled like a kitty litter box. I wondered where the methhead was. I had some unburned powder residue also. I could invert the pistol and shake loose powder onto the bench. ?????

 

[P. Plainsman]

I had some too. . . . I wondered where the methhead was.

Heh. Nice.

 

[stans]

Hmmm....maybe they are using kitty litter as a space filler?

 

[RWK]

One thought: Ammonia is quite corrosive. If, for some reason, the rounds in this box contain ammonia (slightly incorrect chemical composition, deterioration, or both), I suggest you REALLY CLEAN, PRESERVE AND RE-LUBRICATE the firearm with great care and thoroughness.

 

[Mal H]

I had the same thought, RWK.

I've smelled a lot of burned powders before, but never one that had an ammonia smell. IMR 4227 comes the closest though.

 

[P. Plainsman]

RWK: Excellent point.

I have scheduled a cleaning of my guns for this evening, but now I wish I had done the revolver yesterday.

I think I will steer clear of this ammo in the future.