Ammonia Smell in my AR's Receiver??

H

Hook_N_Bullet

New member
I just finished the family Thanksgiving visit at my Brother's farm. I took my Bushmaster with me, and we put about 200 rds. through it. Towards the end, I noticed a fairly strong smell of ammonia coming from the receiver. When I inspected further, I also noticed that the powder residue in the receiver not only smelled of ammonia, but it was wet.

It was about 30 degrees outside, could that account for the moisture? I was using Sellier&Bellot ammo, which I have used before and never noticed a smell. I had cleaned the rifle after its last use with CLP, Powder Blast, and then a very small amount of Rem Oil.

The only new variables I can think of were the cold weather, and I used a new 20 rd. mag. (purchased from CTD) and a new 40 rd. mag. (purchased from Bushmaster).

Any advice greatly appreciated,

Thanks!
 
I don't know. Alot of the Eastern Block stuff smells like the powder is made from nitrated horse sh!t. ;)
You sure your dog didn't pee on it when you weren't looking?
 
And I thought it was just me! I've noticed a slight amonia odor from time to time. It may just be with certain ammo.

Mikey
 
I once noticed some British surplus 223 had an ammonia smell. I figured it was the powder.

I would guess the moisture would be temperature related.
 
No, I've gotten that ammonia smell too, with my handloads using Winchester 748 powder. For a while there, I thought perhaps the cat had relieved himself inside the Colt's open ejection port! H335 wasn't anywhere near as bad.
Since the tailpipe of the gun exhausts through the receiver, bolt carrier, and out the ejection port, you'll get a whiff of whatever you're burning from that end well before the muzzle smoke hits you. I think the hot powder gases also warm up things inside the gun, causing condensation on metal surfaces on cold days, maybe that's the source of the wet powder residue?

Colt.jpg
 
Ammonia nitrate as propellant?

Well, it is an explosive and I suppose it could be adapted as a propellant. Hmmm....

In my younger days, I would have suggested that the gun was haunted and would bring misfortune upon the bearer and naturally I'd be happy to dispose of it for the owner. No one ever fell for that line.
 
I always get a strong smell of ammonia from S&B .223 ammo. Always thought it had something to do with whatever they use as a propellant. Never caused me any problems other than the smell.

Scott

[Edited by ScottS on 11-24-2000 at 11:56 AM]
 
that ammonia might not be a good thing, bushmaster lists ammonia based bore cleaners as no-no's for chrome lined bores, not sure why or if it would apply, but it might be worth while for you guys to look into it.
 
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