Some statements have been made regarding the red flecks occasionally seen in black powder residue that beg a different viewpoint.
My experience with red flecks on powder have never had anything to do with pressure...or patch/ball combinations...or size of the powder charge.
I use Goex 4F prime and Goex 3F main...different caliber rifles and smoothbores, target and hunting size powder charges, PRBs and shot loads;
The red flecks have predictably and routinely appeared during periods of low humidity / dry air...has happened every year duing the cold low humidity / dry air months of winter here in NC for the past 10 years I've been shooting Flintlocks year round;
They appear regardless of various size powder charges;
They have appeared on the muzzle;
They have appeared in the pan;
They have appeared on cleaning patches;
They have never appeared anywhere during periods of the year with normal to high humidity in the air...using all the exact same muzzleloaders, powder charges, loads, projectiles, etc, etc, etc.
My experience with red flecks on powder have never had anything to do with pressure...or patch/ball combinations...or size of the powder charge.
I use Goex 4F prime and Goex 3F main...different caliber rifles and smoothbores, target and hunting size powder charges, PRBs and shot loads;
The red flecks have predictably and routinely appeared during periods of low humidity / dry air...has happened every year duing the cold low humidity / dry air months of winter here in NC for the past 10 years I've been shooting Flintlocks year round;
They appear regardless of various size powder charges;
They have appeared on the muzzle;
They have appeared in the pan;
They have appeared on cleaning patches;
They have never appeared anywhere during periods of the year with normal to high humidity in the air...using all the exact same muzzleloaders, powder charges, loads, projectiles, etc, etc, etc.