[MrPhil]

I loaded Laser Cast 146 grain lead DEWC over 3.2 grains of Bullseye in .38 Spl R-P brass. Yesterday, I shot them at the range. The cloud of smoke was impressive, to say the least. After shooting 96 of 'em, my revolver was filthy. Is this normal for all lead, or just Laser Cast? Or, is there something I'm missing?
My normal load is West Coast 158 gr plated SWC with the same powder and brass. They shoot very well; I use 'em in casual competition. Normally load and shoot 300 per week.
In their defense, the DEWC's did make very neat holes in paper!

[Quantrill]

MRPHIL,
All true wadcutters will make those nice round, easily scored holes. I think that 3.2gr. is more than you need for casual plinking or even target competition. The standard load for bullseye target is 2.7gr/BE. I use 2.5gr./700X. I have never used any bought wadcutters so I do not know their dirtying characteristics but using my own cast wadcutters, I never thought they were exceptionally dirty. Some folks think that Bullseye powder is dirty. Quantrill

[JoeHatley]

In general yes. It's not so much the bullet, as it is the lube.

They are a few things you can do to minumize it, but I've found that smoke and soot are part of using comercially cast bullets.

Joe

[MrPhil]

. . . so I know how dirty it can be. I got a low price on a whole bunch of it and will be using it 'til gone. I'm using it where-ever and when-ever it is even close to appropriate to get rid of it! 38 Spl, 44 Spl, 45 ACP. At current use rate it will be gone by July next year.
Joe, the lube makes sense. The smoke smelled oily and the film on the gun was kind of waxy.
Thanks for the info.

[C.R.Sam]

Nuther vote sayin most of the smoke was lube.

Sam