Cleanest Powder for Loading HBWC (?)

[oldfella]

I am new a this - I am reloading 148 Gr. HBWC, I've tried Bullseye and TiteGroup (2.8 gr.), both seem on the "dirty" side. I would like to find the cleanest burning powder possible, your suggestions/recommendations are welcome. Thanks.

Pete

 

[OKFC05]

My strong suggestion is to use either Bullseye or HP38/Win231 (same powder) for your light WC loads. They are the favorites for good reason.
While you can use Titegroup, I don't recommend it for these light lead loads. I use it a lot in higher pressure jacketed loads like 9mm 124gr FMJ.
Now, about the fouling: get over it. It is loose and easily cleaned, and it happens because the pressures are low, and some of it is bullet lube. At those low pressures, you're already using one of the best powders, and you are going to get some residue with any powder made. At higher pressures, like my +P .38 load, HP38 seems very clean in comparison to the same powder in a WC load.

 

[oldfella]

"I am new at this", remember? I am not complaining, but merely making an observation. "Get over it" seems to be out of place in this case.

Pete

 

[OKFC05]

"I am new at this", remember? I am not complaining, but merely making an observation. "Get over it" seems to be out of place in this case.

Pete

Sorry, it wasn't mean as derogatory. It's a commonly used expression around here simply meaning something like "live with it" or "it's just part of it."
People that visit this part of the state in summer say they liike it except for the heat, and we say "get over it" meaning that's just the way it is.

 

[EricInAZ]

Try a handful of loads using Unique. That will help you put your idea of 'dirty' into better perspective.

Bullseye & 231 are classic wadcutter propellants.

 

[max]

A lot of the dirt comes from the lubricant on the wadcutters. I use 231.

 

[jbrown13]

Try 2.9 grains of VihtaVuori (? sp) N320 under that wadcutter. That is by far the cleanest powder I have ever used, and works like a charm in my Model 52.

 

[papajohn428]

Try WST- Winchester Super Target. It meters well, and I generally go 1200 rounds between cleanings with hotter loads, but YMMV with the lighter stuff.

Most of the "dirty" loads are from using soft lead bullets and various gummy lubes. The powder isn't usually the problem.

 

[oldfella]

Thanks for your responses, folks - I now understand a bit more about the true reasons for "dirty", having to do more with the type of bullet and its treatment than the powder itself. I am in the experimental phases, I'll be carefully tweaking and testing my reloads as I gain experience. Your input is much appreciated.

Pete

 

[cjw3]

I found by bumping up my .38 wadcutter load to 3.0 grains of Bullseye that I had less powder residue and the cases were cleaner as well (sealing up properly).

I've also had good luck with 231 in .38 Special, mostly with 158 grain SWC bullets. As for the WST, it is all I currently use in .40 and it is very clean in that application.

 

[tekarra]

I am partial to 700X.

 

[mtgianni]

The only reason IMO, to use a hbwc over a standard wc is accuracy. For that reason I stick with Bullseye. It does the job for me.

 

[ChuckS1]

A big second for 2.7-2.8 grains of Bullseye and a HBWC. Easily the most accurate load I have in any caliber. Might be a little dirty, but that really doesn't bother me.

 

[Black_Talon]

I mentioned in another thread that I've loaded 50 bazillion rounds of 38 Spl 148gr HBWC over the past 35 years. My first priority is accuracy, but as a clean-freak that dislikes cleaning guns, my second priority is cleanliness. To this end I have experimented with dozens of powders and bullets over the years. Cleanliness-wise, I've never been able to see a lot of difference between various brands of swaged HBWC bullets, no matter what type of lube is used. Powder choice definitely does make a big difference though. To make a long story short, the currently available powders that are cleanest burning in these type loads are VV N310, VV N320 and WW WST, in that order. People note that the VV powders are more expensive than other powders, which is true on it's face. However, if you take the price per pound and divide it by the amount of loads that you get per pound (approx 2400-2500 in this case) and the few dollar per pound price difference becomes quite small.

 

[Jerry944T]

No one has mentioned "Clays" yet. My favorite for accurate and reasonably clean 38 and 45 target loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I am new a this - I am reloading 148 Gr. HBWC, I've tried Bullseye and TiteGroup (2.8 gr.), both seem on the "dirty" side. I would like to find the cleanest burning powder possible, your suggestions/recommendations are welcome. Thanks.

Pete

W231/HP-38 is the cleanest powder I've used for the .38 Special. It will add very little to the "dirt" caused by the bullet lube.

To test how clean a powder really is in your chosen caliber try loading that powder with a FMJ bullet. Since the bullet will add nothing to the "mess" you can judge the powder.

I use mostly W231 for my handgun calibers and I find it works well over a wide pressure range. (although most powder will be at least a little dirty on the lower end of the pressure range)

 

[PattonTime]

HBWC Powder

I started with Bullseye, used American Select for awhile I believe it to be much cleaner but I think it is tougher to meter.
My new favorite is Titegroup the one you have had issue with.
I am starting to think that pressure might be the biggest variable here, although Titegroup seems to have the lowest pressure in my book for a
certain velocity.
I have started using Berrys plated most of the time in a HBWC I run them up to about 900 fps and they are as clean as a whistle, they may not be as accurate but I have to believe I am the biggest variable as I can usually
stick most of them in same hole as far out as I can see well, which is not very far.
This is with either a Model 14 or a Model 52, but I really like them in the 52
I have never understood everyones excitement with mouse fart loads, I can not tell any real difference, its nice to be so average sometimes !!!

 

[Engineer1911]

Accurate Arms #2 has worked for me. All 24 pounds over the past 20 years.

 

[epj]

Another vote for Clays. Burns clean even at low pressure. Many of the others mentioned here are pretty clean at higher charge weights, but when downloaded for target rounds become dirty.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Pete, nothing is going to be clean when lead is involved.
Fast burning powders are the answer. Bullseye or faster.
If you use anything other than Bullseye, I would say use Clays.
Clays is a very clean burning powder, I just will NOT use it in any semi-auto rounds.

Pressure curve is very steep so be careful when you use it and follow loading data explicitly.

Best to you!