.38 spl loads too smoky/dirty

[antsi]

Loaded up some 38 spl target loads, 158 grain semiwadcutter, minimum charge of AA#5, medium-strong crimp.

The intended purpose of these is plinking/range ammo for me and my brother; we both have 6" S&W 357 magnums.

I usually shoot outdoors, and the ammo works fine for me. But my brother typically shoots at an indoor range and he complains this load generates too much smoke and fumes. Also, he says it leaves "gritty stuff" in his gun, and it got bad enough he could not chamber cartridges without brushing to clean out the crud. I have not noticed the gritty crud when I shoot this ammo.

So, my question is, what contributes to the Smoky/Dirty problem here? AA#5 is usually reasonably clean for me in .45 ACP and 9mm.

Would 700x be a good choice for a light target load in 38 spl?

Should I just have my brother committed to a mental institution, and be done with it?

 

[Jim Watson]

The gritty stuff is unburnt powder; a starting load of ball powder like AA5 is not burning efficiently. Why it is worse in his gun, I don't know for sure. Maybe his was chambered with a new reamer and the chambers are looser, which would reduce pressure even more.

A faster powder will do better in light loads. 700X is fine, if it will meter in your powder measure. (It does OK in my Dillon and RCBS but not my C-H.) I wouldn't use it for heavy loads, though; a top load of #5 would be better for .38 +P.

The smoke is partly from unburnt powder, partly from the greater amount of deterrent coating on ball powder, but mostly from bullet lube on the SWCs.

I use jacketed or Precision coated bullets for indoor ranges.

 

[BigG]

Need faster burning powder as Jim noted.

 

[HSMITH]

Try some Hodgdon Clays.

 

[Mikul]

While the grit is likely unburned powder, the smoke is probably from the lube in the lead bullets. You will have to switch to a different lube, or if you buy the bullets to a different manufacturer.

 

[Poodleshooter]

Faster burning powder OR seat deeper and crimp tighter. That would raise pressure enough to get a good burn without the unburnt powder.

 

[Yo]

Clays; Amer. Select

Hodgdon Clays or Alliant American Select. Both burn very, very clean with no sooting on the case. American Select is the cleanest burning powder I've ever used. Try 3.5gr behind a 125gr lead bullet for a light recoiling target load.

 

[Riphalman]

700x......

would be a very good choice. I've used that one for years in my .38 loads. You might try between 3.1 and 3.3 grains with either a 148 or 158 gr bullet.

 

[Quantrill]

Seconding Riphalman on the 700X Quantrill