Why are the holes in paper black?

[TauZero]

No matter how clean the ammo is, the holes punched through paper targets are always black.

Why is this? Is it a slight charring as the bullet "burns" its way through the paper or something else?

 

[General Geoff]

probably a mixture of very slight charring and powder residue from the bullet.

 

[qajaq59]

Oil and burned gun powder from your rifle barrel.

 

[Sheldon]

You ever see the high speed pics of a gun being fired? As the bullet leaves the barrel, the smoke and flash overtake the bullet and probably leave some residue on it.

 

[Sheldon]

You ever see the high speed pics of a gun being fired? As the bullet leaves the barrel, the smoke and flash overtake the bullet for a short while and probably leave some residue on it.