Open discussion on smoke from lead loads

[LiveLife]

I keep reading posts about how bad some lead load smoke is. Some even posts that they are unable to see their targets after a few shots.

Even when I shoot at indoor ranges, smoke from my lead reloads compare to someone exhaling cigarette smoke. I never lose sight of my targets, even after I empty the entire magazine (10-17 rounds).

Some posted smoke gets worse with low powder charge loads. I use a lot of mid-to-high range W231/HP-38 loads in 9/40/45 calibers using various Missouri bullets and even a low 4.0 gr powder charge of Promo with 200 gr 45ACP SWC bullet produces what I consider "average" amount of smoke.

On the contrary, when I recently range tested 125 gr 9mm SWC loads, I got almost no smoke from even the start charge loads - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=621261

Am I missing something?

 

[GLOOB]

My smokiest were in revolvers and a blowback 9x18 pistol. I don't see those on your list, unless you own a moon-clipped revolver or a Hi Point.

 

[bubbacrabb]

I dont know if I'm just lucky or what, but I dont get much smoke with my 45 acp and 357 loads with Unique. I dont even notice it any different than FMJ loads.

 

[rogn]

Isn't most of the smoke related to the type and quantity of lubricant, as well as the burning nature of the powder. The more lube the dirtier the powder,=> the more smoke.

 

[Walkalong]

Some lubes are smokier, some powders are smokier, some power levels can be smokier with some powders. Probably some alloys are smokier. If you buy commercial cast bullets, you are stuck with the same old lube most times. All you can experiment with is the powder and power level.

 

[Mike 27]

The only one that I consider bad was a 240gr MBC w/ HS6 out of my 44 mag. I have not had any problems with these or any other of the MBC bullets with any of the other powders I use. I use their 45 bullets in my XD 45 over bullseye and they work great and shoot clean. I was working on finishing up a pound of the HS6 at the indoor and glad I only had about 30 or so as it was like black powder, and I think it was just the combo I was using. Great products in their own right just not together.

 

[RhinoDefense]

Smoke production is generally high temperature powder burning the lube left in the barrel from the previous bullet. Think fast powders like Titegroup. If you watch, you'll notice smoke comes after the bullet, not before it. Some lubricants smoke less than others.

Most seasoned handloaders that shoot lead don't recommend fast burning powder for that reason. They produce more smoke than slower powders. W231/HP38 is the fastest I recommend for lead.

 

[James2]

I shoot lots of lead in 45 ACP, 44 Spl, 44 Mag, and 357. Powders: Unique, Titegroup, 431. The lube I use is heavy in beeswax. I shoot outside. No indoor ranges. I have never seen enough smoke to even be concerned about it.

I make no powder puff loads. Mid to upper loads. I wonder if that makes a diff?

 

[dbarnhart]

My own opinion: There are a lot of variables: bullet weight, alloy, bullet diameter, lube style, lube composition, power, charge, etc.

If I have a combination that is accurate, feeds well, doesn't lead the barrel then smokiness is just about the least of my worries.

 

[Brian10]

I load clays and MB in 9, 40, and 45. There is indeed quite a bit of smoke with this combination. The same clays load with plated bullets has much less smoke.

I remember trying Titegroup with MB as well, and I also recall lots of smoke. I think it's all about the lube burning up as stated above.

 

[brickeyee]

If lead load smoke is staying around long enough to obscure the target, the residue form the lead styphnate in the primers is also, and you are inhaling it.

The range has VERY poor ventilation.

 

[blarby]

I got more smoke in my lead rifle loads using unique than I do h4895.

Neither was too bad, but h4895 was just enough to be sexy....like an old western.

 

[MARKMALL]

I have only had 1 load that was too smokey. It was a 125 gr. 9mm with promo powder. It was loaded at the start load. I might have been able to improve it if I would have increased the powder charge.

 

[Stormin.40]

I haven't had any issues with HS-6 or Trialboss but did have a lot of smoke from Titegroup with 158gr SWC in .38 special, suprisingly Titegroup didn't smoke too bad with 155 gr SWC in .40 S&W.

I had a lot of smoke from my 45-70 Black Powder loads, probably shouldn't shoot these indoors!

 

[Jim Watson]

I have never tried to really quantify the volume of smoke from different loads.
I find that cast bullets smoke from smoldering bullet lube and the brand of bullets and powder available to me make little difference. Any are an annoyance in rapid fire, no problem in slow. So I shoot moly coated, plated, or jacketed in IDPA.

I do not see the "nitroglycerine haze" sometimes mentioned for Ball and other double base powders.

The Lead Alarmists find much to worry about in airborne lead from common lead styphnate noncorrosive primers. One report I read differed, saying that the main contributor was lead fume burnt off the base of the bullet by powder flame and abraded from the bearing surface scooting down the barrel. Primer lead was less and bullet impact against a steel trap did not generate particles small enough to go airborne for long or far.

So I would look to the bullet to minimize lead inhalation.

 

[Master Blaster]

Use trail boss for light target loads in large case rounds lik e.44 and .358.38, and .45acp/ colt. It works great with lead bullets fills the case and no smoke at all.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I load piles of lead in 45ACP, .44 mag, .38, and .357 using Unique. For the past few years, I have used nothing but MBC brand bullets. The only one that is a real smoker are the 240 grain .44 mags. They look like I fired the using Pyrodex.

 

[JLDickmon]

I blame bullet lube..

but I couldn't tell you if paraffin or beeswax or petroleum based lubes smoke more than one or the other..