Smokey loads with W231

[Lennyjoe]

Since I ran out of 230gr Ranier plated bullets for my standard .45 loads I picked up some lead bullets. Needless to say, with the same powder charge (5.5gr) the lead loads smoked like a freight train. The plated bullets didn't smoke at all. Also loaded some 5.2 loads (next size down on me Lee autodisk) and they still smoked.

What gives with all the smoke? Is it due to the lead rounds? I didnt have a chance to chrono them but did notice they were not as powerful as the plated bullets in relation to recoil.

Same primers, brass and powder lot as the plated bullets as well. Might be back to the drawing board with the lead loads.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Burning lube I'll bet-cha...

 

[HSMITH]

It is lube smoke, and 231 is one that smokes terribly with cast bullets. No powder is anywhere near smoke free with lead bullets though.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Which one then would churn out less smoke. With the 231 I felt like I needed to don an oxygen mask.

 

[HSMITH]

Try some Clays if you have it, or Unique.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I'll do that. Gonna make a trip to Sportsmans this weekend anyway so I'll grab some Clays then.

 

[Grump]

I'm betting you won't see that much of a difference. Lube smoke is part of it, and varies IME a tiny bit by lube type, but the lead itself also vaporizes off the base of the bullet and scrubs off the driving bands, too.

If your ventilation (or lack thereof) results in a faint sweet "taste" in the back of your throat, a mask would be a good idea. That's a sign of airborne lead intake.

 

[Lennyjoe]

About 95% of my shooting is outside. Last night, due to time constraints, we decided to go to an indoor range. They have adequate ventilation but it was still noticeable. Not a big deal but since it was my first time reloading/shooting lead I just noticed the smoke cloud.

 

[Cherokee]

I switched from WW231 to WST but I have not noticed the smoke that much with WW231. I made the swith for other reasons. My 45Colt WST load hasn't been smoking enought to notice.

 

[mscott]

Try Clays or WST.

 

[redneck2]

If you want less smoke, Unique would be my last choice

If you buy lead, get ones that have the clear, harder lube. The blue "crayola" stuff really smokes...BAD

I used Unique in my .45LC with crayola coated lead bullets. I had two guys ask if I was using black powder

I use Shooter Choice lead 255's with AA5 and it's nearly smoke free

 

[Lennyjoe]

That must be it cause the bullets I have do in fact have the blue crayola lube on them.

I got 500 for $32 local since I forgot to get some West Coast plated bullets at Sportsmans last week.