Thread: Interesting...

Originally Posted by yerimaginaryM8

There was an article in NZ huntin' n' wildlife or some other local rag a fair while back by Chaz Forsyth. It talked about a few things but mentioned excessive pressure caused by wet ammo. I think from memory (don't quote me) it had something to do with the seal of the bullet in the lands. All I can remember was his take home message keep it dry.

The pressure rises because the moisture replaces the air in the chamber around the bullet & doesn't compress effectivly making the chamber smaller & it is also possible that the water lubricates the case a little so it doesn't grip the chamber as tightly as normal causing more thrust on the bolt face.

If you are running close to max this will have more of an effect....

I found out years ago the hard way with a loose chambered 243, hot loads, lots of rain & bombing goats.

I discovered that it is hard to keep loading bullets into the chamber when there are primers in the action.......the goats didn't like it either, nor did the brass.

The worst thing was I asked every one I knew including all the local "experts" in the gun shops & no one could tell me what happened, I had to figure it out myself....these days the internet is good for some things