Waiting for the smoke to clear

[Nowhere Man]

I'm currently loading 200gr LSWC over 5.0 of TG. When I shoot it seems like I literaly have to slow down to wait for the smoke to clear to see my sights.



At the FL IDPA match, Bear Creek Supply handed out sample packs of moly coated bullets. In the few I loaded and shot, they seemed to smoke up the place just as bad.

So, is it the TG powder or, do moly bullets smoke as bad as straight up lead bullets?


Dave

 

[Jim Watson]

I haven't loaded any Titegroup or Bear Creek in a good while.

Did you clean the wax lube residue out of your barrel before shooting the Bear Creeks?

All I can say is that there is not enough smoke off of molycoated Billy Bullets or Black Bullets Int'l and HP38 or 700X to affect my shooting.

 

[Nowhere Man]

No I didn't clean the barrel. :banghead: I didn't even think of it. That's probably what it was.

Dave

 

[ants]

I've had some smoke with BearCreek/Titegroup combo (NOT after shooting conventional lead bullets) but it didn't impair the view of the stage. Hotter loads had less smoke.

 

[Walkalong]

Titegroup is very hot burning. Try some American Select, 700X, Solo 1000, or HP 38/W-231, and see if that doesn't help a lot.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Titegroup is smoky. Follow Walkalong's advice on a different powder.

 

[esheato]

I've probably shot a billion rounds of the same load for IDPA. Squad mates always remark about the smoke, but during the string I never notice it.

231 is what I would suggest.

 

[918v]

Practicing for your Vegas trip? You may have trouble with casino security, though. This kind of thing is bad for business.

 

[Nowhere Man]

Anyone wearing a wig like that deserves to be shot.



Do they still sell W231?


Dave

 

[esheato]

Uhhh, yes...everywhere.

 

[Nowhere Man]

I'll have to take a look.


Dave

 

[esheato]

Link

 

[Nowhere Man]

Thanks for the link.


Dave

 

[jmorris]

Sights? In IDPA? That close? Kidding aside I still use precision coated bullets as I have Zillons in 45 acp but I went to plated in other calibers. Clays and VVn310 are the powders that I use for .45.

 

[frankge]

Not Vegas, Wyoming Antelope Club

 

[frankt]

I shoot the Billy Coated bullets in both .38 Spl and >45 ACP with W231 or Clays. Way less smoke than with lead bullets. Especially noticeable in a shoot house or low light stage.

 

[EddieNFL]

I've probably shot a billion rounds of the same load for IDPA. Squad mates always remark about the smoke, but during the string I never notice it.

I get a lot of comments about smoke, but I don't notice it either.

I'm two million short of the billion mark.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Titegroup is very hot burning. Try some American Select, 700X, Solo 1000, or HP 38/W-231, and see if that doesn't help a lot.

I've actually found 231 with lubed cast bullets to be extremely smoky in all chamberings and handgun types. .38 spl, 9mm, .45 Colt, .45 ACP......all the same, just shy of the pyrodex plume from my C&B .44.

The pain of it is, I have a TON of the stuff (OK, ok, more like 16 pounds). But in the quantites that one uses 231, I'm gonna be dealing with it for quite some time.

 

[Clifford]

Nowhere man 231 and hp-38 are the same powder. 231 is winchester's label and hodgdon simply repackaged it as hp-38. Even load data shows the same charges and velocity. Check hodgdon's site.

 

[Walkalong]

I've actually found 231 with lubed cast bullets to be extremely smoky in all chamberings and handgun types

Hmm. I haven't shot W-231 and lead much in some time. I must have remembered incorrectly.

I have 3 or 4 pounds left myself. Still good stuff for many apps. It's all I shot with lead in .45 ACP for years. I just don't remember it being all that smoky.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Still good stuff for many apps

Absolutely. Not usually the best choice for top loads (though I've made some 9mm rounds scream with it), but for normal velocity loads, it is one of the most efficient powders for everything non-magnum from .32 to .45 caliber.

Unique is very efficient in small cases as well, but certainly doesn't meter nicely like 231/HP-38.

 

[Nowhere Man]

Clifford wrote;

Nowhere man 231 and hp-38 are the same powder. 231 is winchester's label and hodgdon simply repackaged it as hp-38. Even load data shows the same charges and velocity. Check hodgdon's site.

Thanks,

Dave