issue with model 14-2

Ed333

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I picked up a Model 14-2 that someone had spent some $ on, with an Aristocrat full length ramp, front sight with wings, fully adjustable rear sight, trigger job, slight chamfering on cylinder holes, engine turned hammer and trigger. Took it to a steel challenge match yesterday, had not cleaned the bore first (I know, my bad...) and loaded the first cylinder with some S&B 158 gr FMJ I had kicking around. To my surprise, I was getting hit in the face with little sharp sprinkles of crud (no blood drawn, but I was very glad I had my glasses on). This has never happened to me with a revolver before. Full two handed straight arm firing stance, stuff coming right back at me. The first shot seemed the worst, but all six had something. Piece locks up tight, alignment seems good, no erosion or marks at forcing cone, recoil shield intact...???? I was ready to leave the match and take it back to the dealer. But then I switched ammo, and later loads of 158 gr round nose lead, it did not happen. So what was that all about?
 
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will check primers

One thing I forgot to do, check the primers on the S&B brass, to make sure none were pierced, but I think I would have noticed. But I will check the brass.

EDIT: uh oh, too late, I already cleaned, sized and deprimed...
 
To my surprise, I was getting hit in the face with little sharp sprinkles of crud (no blood drawn, but I was very glad I had my glasses on). This has never happened to me with a revolver before.

Probably partially-burned powder grains. Happens all the time if shooting H-110/296!
 
Sounds like unburnt powder swirling with the hot gases out of the cylinder gap. Over the last couple of years or so when I have had to buy whatever ammo I could find, I am sure the manufacturers were using whatever powders they could find that got them within spec. Some powders generate a lot of crud and smoke.
 
Clean it and do not use S&B ammo.

Done! btw, I found some of the brass I had not sized/deprimed yet, and the primers are OK, but all of the S&B brass (and NONE of the other brands of brass) has that swirly blue and purplish coloration on the exterior case wall towards the open end of the case, sort of reminds you of case coloring, which to me suggests that the unburned powder/gas mix idea has merit.

Thanks! I will keep the revolver, just watch my ammo selection.
 
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