PROPELLANT CHARGE

The invention is directed to a propellant charge for guns, to a combination of a propellant charge and a primer, to a firearms cartridge, and to a method for modifying the surface of a propellant charge.The propellant charge of the invention comprises multiple propellant grains, wherein an exterior part of at least part of the propellant grains has been subjected to a surface modification treatment comprising the successive steps of- suspending propellant grains in water to prepare a slurry,- adding an organic solvent to the propellant grains before, after and/or during the preparation of the slurry,- mixing the slurry that comprises water and organic solvent for a period of 120 minutes or less- adding an additional amount of water,- removing organic solvent, and- drying the propellant grains to remove water.Alternatively, an exterior part of at least part of the propellant grains has been subjected to a surface modification treatment comprising the successive steps of- wetting propellant grains with water or water vapour,- adding an organic solvent to the propellant grains before, after and/or during the wetting of the propellant grains,- allowing the wet propellant grains and the organic solvent to interact for a period of 120 minutes or less,- optionally removing water and/or organic solvent,- lowering the concentration of organic solvent,- removing organic solvent, and- drying the propellant grains to remove water.