Arizona Rifleman wonders why commie bloc ammo smells so bad. I’ve always figured it was the priming compound they use. I’ve noticed that even with .22 ammo, there’s a difference in smell between, say, federal, and anything that is Eley primed. Could be the powder, but even the cheap Eley primed Mexican ammo smells this way.
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Off hand I’d say their mixture was skewed with or added filler, probably with sulfur. Used whatever was available or had the most of…
I know American .22 ammo has done it in the past to a lesser degree, doesn’t take much to push out a .22 slug at reasonable velocity. Although it is odd to hear a pop instead of a crack when you pull the trigger.
Federal, CCI, Winchester and Eley .22 LR are all pretty distinctive. I am pretty sure I could tell the difference from smell alone.
I think powder used makes a difference, and how cleanly does or does not burn.
Nah, it’s the low grade processing and impurities in their nitrates. It’s why the stuff smells like dries out horse piss.