why are my reloads so smelly and dirty?

[coosbaycreep]

I shot some reloads and some factory ammo out of my 629 yesterday, and my reloads leave the barrel filthy dirty and with a disgusting odor, even after only a few rounds. I've had the same problems with my 29 and reloads too.

I've noticed that all powders I've loaded with smell of chemicals, which is what my gun smells like afterward, but with a clean barrel and factory ammo, the gun doesn't stink nearly as bad. Do commercial manufacturers (remington/blazer/winchester) have better powder than what's available to reloaders?

Also, all of the loads I've shot so far have been near the low end of the book recommendations, so could it just be that low powder loads don't burn as clean or something?

I'm only having problems with my .44 loads. My .500 stinks after shooting it too, but there's not any left over powder residue in the barrel afterwards, unlike the .44. I've only shot two kinds of loads in my .500 so far though (27 gr. of lil gun with 700gr bullets, and IIRC 38.0 gr of 2400 with 350gr).

I think I've tried 4 different powders in .44, and they all seem fairly filthy.

 

[jcwit]

In one word lube.

 

[coosbaycreep]

I'm not using lube on the .44 though. Am I suppose to?

 

[jcwit]

You are using cast boolits right?

 

[ReloaderFred]

jcwit is referring to bullet lube. Are you shooting cast bullets or jacketed bullets?

The powder residue, mixed with cast bullet lube, will make a gun dirty, but you've also mentioned that the loads are light for the caliber. The .44 Magnum likes high pressure for the powder to burn completely. It also likes heavy crimps.

Which powders have you tried so far? That can also make a difference. Since you're already using Lil'Gun in your .500, try it in the .44. I've used it in .357 Magnum and .41 Magnum with good results.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[jcwit]

Duh I though I was still on cast bullits. Another senior moment.

 

[coosbaycreep]

I've only used jacketed bullets (hornady XTP).

powders I've used:
lil gun
immr 4227
win 296
universal

I think the universal is the worst though. It seems to be the dirtiest, and seems to have the biggest flash. Certainly not the powder I'd want for a SD situation in my home at night, as I would be quite blind and disoriented afterwards.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I have found Universal (which claims to be quite clean) to be very dirty......if you are loading to lower pressures. Adding 0.3 grains will usually clear it right up in a 45 ACP.

If I am working a load up and I start from the bottom there will be more residue than when I work it up a bit. This is why I find Universal quite unacceptable to use in wadcutter plinking loads in 357 cases loaded to 38 special pressures.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Also, all of the loads I've shot so far have been near the low end of the book recommendations

There's your problem right there. Most powders will be clean up near the top end of the pressure range while less clean at the bottom. Some powders are down right filthy when down-loaded as you are finding out.

IMO if you want to down-load your .44 Magnum rounds use a faster powder so you can keep the velocity down while loading up near the high end of the charge range. For middle loads in a .44 Magnum HS-6 would make a good powder IMO.

Loading 4227, W296/H110 or Lil'Gun up near the top end will definitely clean those powders up. I think you will get the best results with Lil'Gun because pressures are lower with that powder than the others even when loaded to it's full potential. If you're still not satisfied with the above powders you can try AA#9 or Ramshot Enforcer, both will be clean but again, only if you load them up near the top end. The only "Magnum type" powder that you can download somewhat is 2400 but you will get unburnt powder.

 

[748]

Unique burns good and clean for me.
I use Std. Win and CCI primers, 180gr XTPs, 11 to 12 gr of Unique and a good crimp.
13 to 13.5 gr would be the max charge.
Light loading gives you dirty shots with a lot of powders, that is why I stick near the upper loads with most poweders.

 

[GP100man]

for low end loads ya need fast burnin powders , clays & ww231 will be cleaner at lower pressures.
the powders you`ve mentioned like higher pressures to burn clean .

GP100man

 

[Walkalong]

I have found Universal (which claims to be quite clean) to be very dirty......

It is surprisingly clean in the .40, but other than that, I agree, not as clean as it is touted to be.

Others have hit on the problem. Light loads with slow powders will not burn well. Either go to a slighly faster powder, or up your existing load.(within limits of course).

4227 & W296 both need a hefty roll crimp as well, especially W296

I have shot 4227 (Dupont ) in .44 mag years ago, and while it was accurate, it tended not to burn completely until it reached the top end of load data. Littl half burnt granules jamming up your revolver.

The real fast powders (Clays etc) are not suited to .44 Mag unless you are downloading to very light target loads.

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

As Reagan said:"Here we go again..."

Most powders have a sweet spot to burn clean. Most of the powders burn cleaner closer to the maximum charge than to the light charge.

For example, Unique is "relatively" clean when I shoot my +P 9mm and it is "relatively" dirty when I shoot my light loads.

Another example: With ACC #2 in light charge in my 45ACP, I can see some unburned powder sometime. I decided it was not good and I tweak my loads so I don't see such unburned powder.

H110: It is VERY bad to see unburned powder. This powder has a clear warning by the manufacturer not to go under the minimum charge. This powder is as clean as the commercial loads in my 357, 44 and 500 when I am near the max charge.

About the smell: I was the kind of kid sticking my nose in my dad's gas tank because I liked the smell. The "red" smelled better than the "yellow" (In Canada, in the 70s, we called the gas with lead red and the gas without lead yellow. Was it the same here in USA?)


Thank you

 

[Walkalong]

we called the gas with lead red and the gas without lead yellow.

Then there was what my old boss used to call "white gas" from Amoco. High octane stuff, clear as glass.

 

[748]

There is only one way to load H110 in a 44mag, tightly compressed and sealed with a roll crimp.

I wouldn't use a super fast burning powder in 44mag, you have a huge case with a little pinch of powder in the bottom. Could be an invitation for a 2x charge.