[Quoheleth]

Rolled a batch of Missouri Bullet's 185 grain LSWC .45 bullets last week. I used mixed brass, CCI large pistol primer, and 5.4 grains of Universal. Bullets are seated with just a bit of a shoulder sticking above the brass and given a gentle full crimp.

When shooting this morning (into a stiff south wind), I was getting stuff flying back in my face. It felt like dirt or sand - our pistol berm is still pretty new, so it's conceivable that dirt was getting kicked up. I knew it wasn't brass or bullet pieces - so I wasn't worried about it. After I finished my 2nd or 3rd mag, I noticed there were golden-yellow flakes of powder in the chamber of the gun and on the mag. I looked at my jacket sleeves and - sure enough - that's what has been blowing back at me: powder residue

These aren't hot-rodded. The load weight of 5.4 is the recommended start weight (actually, this is the start weight for a 180gr LRNFP, per Hodgdon's website). They shoot well, and I like Universal because it's not so sooty like Bullseye [shudder].

I know the flakes are unburned powder and they'll clean up easy. Are the flakes because I'm not loading them quite hot enough to fully burn? Other than having the stuff fly in my face, do I really need to worry about it?

Q

[Jimfern]

I have the same "problem' with Blue Dot in 38 Spl loads. As long as you are happy with the accuracy, I wouldn't worry about it. You could try a different powder if it bothers you.

[rcmodel]

Universal is really not a good powder for what you are using it for.

It burns best at higher pressure, in larger doses, with light JHP bullets, or heavier lead bullets.

With light loads and light bullets, it won't burn cleanly, as you found out.

PS: Same goes for Blue Dot in .38 Spl.

rc

[Quoheleth]

How does Win231 do with light loads? Other recommendations?

FWIW, on my shelf I have 1# jugs of Bullseye, Titegroup, Universal and AA#5. The latter 2 are getting a little light, so I need to add another jug of something, but wanted to thin the herd a bit before buying more. As I just ordered 1500 of the 185 SWCs, I'm open to other options.

Q

[rcmodel]

Bullseye has always been my choice for light bullet target loads in .38 Spl & .45 ACP, Or any caliber for that matter.

Lots of more up-to-date reloaders then myself seem to like WW231 as well or better.

rc

[Quoheleth]

I just can't get past Bullseye's sootiness. My stainless Springfield 1911 looked like a S&W MP when I got done with 100 rounds. I would have to find my notebook to see the exact powder weight I was using, but it was the recommended start.

Q

[fecmech]

3.8 of Bullseye and the 185 swc was a standard accuracy load for bullseye shooters for about forever. That gives about 750 fps. Bump it up to 4.2-4.5 may clean it up some or use 3.8 of plain Clays, that burns clean and runs around 825 fps.

[rscalzo]

Nothing is going to be smoke free when shooting lead. The lube burned and produces smoke than many attibute to the powder.

I watched a shooter last week shooting a load using 231 and it was very smokey. I found Unique to work well in my 45ACP loads. Smokey?? yes but nothing can prevent that when lead is used. Maybe with a dry lubed bullet.

[Quoheleth]

So, if I might attempt to summarize the last couple/3 posts:

man up,
shut up,
load up,
and shoot 'em up?

:p

Q

edit to add: Would hotter loads make a difference, or is lead - generally speaking - sooty/smokey basically no matter what?

[Walkalong]

rcmodel is right in his assessment of the problem.

American Select, Bullseye, Red Dot, WST, W-231, 700X, Clays, Competition. Any of these will get rid of the problem with those light target loads.

[rcmodel]

or is lead - generally speaking - sooty/smokey basically no matter what?Yes they are.

As rscalzo & Quoheleth noted, it's not the powder doing it, it's the messy bullet lube used on them causing the smoke & grime.

rc

[Walkalong]

I noticed there were golden-yellow flakes of powder in the chamber of the gun and on the mag. I looked at my jacket sleeves and - sure enough - that's what has been blowing back at me: powder residue
The powders I suggested will fix that part, can't help with the lube goo and smoke. :)

[Quoheleth]

Thank you to all who posted.
You are gentlemen and scholars.

Yours,
Q