Old E residue

[Dan Cash]

Most all black powder cleaning solutions have a water base to help dissolve the fouling. And in my experience w/ water in various areas is there can be a lot of difference in water chemistry just a few miles apart that may have an impact on cleaning out black powder fouling to create variable results. Maybe pick up a gallon of distilled water at the grocery or hardware store and try that in your solvent compared to the water in your area. Just a thought.
Regards

Thanks for your thought on this subject. Water could well have to do with this phenomena but in this case, I don't think it did in my case. The same soapy water solution made from my tap water is always used for cleaning three rifles involved. The brownish stain is not always present. I have observed the stained patches from cleaning two different .45-70s and a .38-55 Marlin, all loaded with Old E, bullets using the same lube and the same card wads. The last observed occurrence was at the Badlands shoot July 16. The temp was 100 or close to it during the shoot. I also observed the stain while working up loads prior to Jim Hovet's match at Antelope, MT but did not see the stain when I cleaned guns there. It was quite hot on both occasions but I don't know how hot.

I will be sooting again at Bih Hill on the 5th and 6th of August if not before. I will make relevant observations and record same.