Help with getting bigger Muzzle flash/fireballs when shooting reloads

[Dutchman195]

As the title says I am looking for some advice for some very specific hand loads.

I have read some articles online about people loading customs shots so the fireball is much more visible coming out of the end of the barrel or the compensated ports.

Understand this would be much easier seen in a low light condition but I have seen people with huge flames shooting out of their hand loads in USPSA matches so I know it can be done, just wondering if anyone had advice how to do it So I can avoid wasting my time and money with experimenting.

The reason I am asking is because I am a photographer and would like to set this up to get some pictures to ad to my portfolio.

 

[R.W.Dale]

It kind of depends on what you're shooting.

H-335 powder loaded in cartridges such as 308 and 30/06 shooting lighter bullets gives a pretty impressive fireball as does h110/296 for magnum handguns.

Shorter barrels tend to put on much more of a show than long ones as well

posted via tapatalk using android.

 

[Trent]

Different powders burn different colors, too.

There was a low-light shooting article I read once that broke it down a lot (the concept of the article was using dim burning powders for self defense loads). Don't know where that article was located, but it might give you an idea of what type of topic you can Google for.

 

[BeerSleeper]

The shorter the barrel, the better.
I don't know what you can do in the gun end of it, beyond that.

On the load end, choose a powder with a reputation for flash. Work up to a high charge behind a light bullet. Power pistol or Blue Dot come to mind. Both are very flashy, I'm undecided which is brighter, but intend to some day do a comparison when I have the time for such tomfoolery.

 

[NCsmitty]

Grab a M44 Mosin and some surplus light ball ammo and presto, a 3ft flame front without reloading.



NCsmitty

 

[webfox]

Power Pistol, definitely. Prepare to spend extra time cleaning your firearm.

 

[918v]

What firearm? What caliber? It all depends.

 

[BeerSleeper]

Power pistol has shot as clean as anything else for me when loaded to at least midrange data.
I've seen it get a little dirty with lighter loads, and have since moved my lighter loads to other powders.

 

[flashhole]

Cut your barrel in half.

 

[Grumulkin]

I don't remember all the details but I believe I got impressive flames years ago with a light load of Win. 748 in a 308 Winchester.

More currently, I get about a 1.5 foot flame out of a 444 Marlin handgun loaded with Hornady 265 gr. FTX bullets and 1680 clearly visible in daylight. Handguns in 460 S&W Magnum and 50 AE are also good flame candidates.

 

[DUCKNDAWG]

load black powder!

 

[1SOW]

I have read some articles online about people loading customs shots so the fireball is much more visible coming out of the end of the barrel or the compensated ports.

For "PISTOLS", this happens when slow burning powder doesn't have time/pressure enough to burn completely before leaving the bbl.

A number of powders like Blue Dot, HS-6 and more will do this when loaded too light at a too low pressure. It will also burn very 'dirty' and plug up compensator ports/holes.

Load a 9mm too light with these two and you'll get your muzzle flash and a lot of 'crud.

 

[Dutchman195]

Thanks for the overwhelming reply guys. I'm shooting two different types of guns, .40 Cal Pistols. A CZ and a Glock with a compensated barrel. Also I have a 12 g Citori.

My Citori has porting and I average a few hundred rounds a weekend in practice so cleaning the porting is a familiar pain that I am accustomed to.

So basically I'm understand a light bullet and a "bright burning" powder?

 

[JDGray]

Use the slowest powder suited for the application Not only will you get fireballs, but the loads are usually lower in pressure.

Power Pistol has burned clean for me too, good flash in my 9mms

 

[Shadow 7D]

Right, but the slower powders are more likely to be uncombusted and hence dirty

 

[MrOldLude]

It's definitely going to be easier with a magnum pistol with a sloooow powder. That said, I did pretty significant amounts of research myself to build a flashy 9mm load.

Best I know of for an auto-pistol is 9x25 dillon and blue dot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U3Gyek7oZ4

Then 10mm loaded w/ Blue Dot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3M5YaK1V80

When I asked Alliant for advice, they told me to go for Power Pistol. But best I could find, Blue Dot has more flash than PP. This is the summary of my work: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=625126 and a video to the results.

 

[gamestalker]

The only powder I'm aware of that will produce really good clean flames is H110 or 296 from a magnum wheel gun. But for an auto loading cartridge, I would guess the slower or slowest burner's are going to be my best guess to produce some decent flames.

I load exclusively with H110/296 for my mag. wheel guns and have to admit I really enjoy those almost entirely white flames that reach out 2' - 3'. It's especially cool in the dark.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

*Disclaimer*
I have not pressure tested this idea, I can not be sure it will be safe in any or all guns you might try it in. Use this information at your own risk.
----------------

Aherm,

Magnesium pellets are the primary fire-maker used in dragons breath shotgun shells. You can take any magnesium fire starter, and file dust off of it, as a cheap source of magnesium. I have done this and if you add a little to a light pistol load, you get a large white fireball/flash at the muzzle when you touch the round off.

It looks way cool.

I don't have any idea how much is safe to use, or what pressure effect it has on the round, except that obviously you increase the pressure of any load when you reduce the air space in the round. I tried it with a few light .45 ACP LRN loads and I lived, and so did my gun.

 

[Walkalong]

Pistols? Blue Dot or Power Pistol.

View attachment 584603

 

[ColtPythonElite]

x2 on BD or PP for a pistol. Was gonna suggest them, but Walkalong beat me to it.

 

[1SOW]

Walkalong, I really like that flame-thrower image.
Can I copy and use it? Please?

Thank you!

 

[Walkalong]

Absolutely. I [strike]stole[/strike], borrowed it from somewhere myself. Found it in a forum searching for something or another. I have a folder with lots of "collected" smileys. (488 and counting)

 

[Striker Fired]

Isn't there some theatric rounds that are blanks made for movies to throw fireballs? I thinks they use aluminum powder or some mixture with it and some regular gunpowder.Cap the end with a wad of paper ,wax, or something that wil hold everything in but shoot out easy. Most of the mixture makes it out of the barrel before it can ignite so it creates a huge fireball.

 

[jeffreybehr]

Lots of pics and details here. http://jeffreybehr.zenfolio.com/

 

[Hammerdown77]

I get lots of "flash" using Power Pistol in 9mm and .40 at mid-range to max loadings (full-ish cases). I don't know that it's necessarily flames, but it appears to me, the shooter, as if a flash bulb has gone off, especially at the indoor range.

Also, H-110 or W296 magnum powders will generate a pretty good fireball when filling the case and shot out of a short barreled revolver.

The MOST fireball/flash I've seen is using the "shock and awe" Remington factory 180 grain .44 magnum loads. Their 125 grain .357 load is similar. I don't know what kind of powder they use in those things, but it must be akin to the stuff they use in flashbang grenades. For maximum effect, try the 44 mag load out of a Ruger Alaskan snubby....