Cleanest Powder for Loading HBWC (?)

[Ceapea]

The way I see it, I have to clean my gun no matter which powder I use. So I don't worry about "clean(er)" powders. I used to though.
Personally, I use 2.3gr B.E. over HBWC or DEWC. both shoot the same for me...VERY WELL!
I used to use 2.4gr Titegroup, but B.E. works much better for me.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Sorry but that story about having to clean your guns anyway is getting a little old. Sure it doesn't matter once you get home but the soot and dirt can cause problems at the range. Besides getting all over the gun, your hands and even your face sometimes the soot can cause a problem when shooting. It's not all about cleaning the gun, it's about enjoying your range time.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I did forget about another powder you could try, WST. Another clean or complete burning powder when loaded on the light side.

 

[gregintenn]

I agree that the crud is most likely lead and bullet lube. If you are using Remington lead bullets, they are particularly nasty. It appears they use graphite or something similar as a lube. My experience with cast bullets has been that your gun and your hands will get dirty loading and shooting them. If that isn't suitable, I'd suggest springing for jacketed, or at least plated bullets.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Pete, nothing is going to be clean when lead is involved.
Fast burning powders are the answer. Bullseye or faster.

When I returned to reloading, Skip said Bullseye was the most accurate powder for my .38 wadcutters. I load some BE now but switched primarily to W231. If I was shooting for money, however, or with friends for high score, there's no question I'd load with BE (I always have some on hand). And you have to clean your gun anyway so..........

 

[kshock]

Clays is the cleanest I have found. I wonder if bullet diameter plays a role in how dirty the load is. I used to shoot 2.4 gr of Clays with a Remington 148 HBWC (which are .358) and never noticed it being excessively dirty. Switched to 3.0 grains of HP38 with a Zero 148 HBWC (.357) and they were so dirty I was having trouble getting through a 1500 match. Switched to the same powder charge with Precision Delta 148 HBWC (also.357) and it got better but still is extremely dirty. Finally bought some more Remington's and will try them with the same powder charge to see if they shoot a little cleaner. If so I would be leaning towards the bullet diameter being my problem, not the powder. BTW, my gun is a custom PPC gun so my problem may be just the way my gun likes em! I just bought some Ramshot Silohuette powder on the cheap that I am going to try also.

Update!!! Now shooting 3.0 gr of HP38 with the Remington (.358) HBWC and this is a much (by leaps and bounds) cleaner load in my gun. I have tried the Silhouette Powder with a 130 gr. SWC (Mangus) and it shoots pretty clean too, but that load is pretty stout (to meet power factor) and I think those bullets are hard cast.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

148's leave a lot of residue in my opinion. I shot 700 of them today and here is what 350 of them with 2.8 grns of bullseye did to my diamondback:

Interesting little blast mark going there on the gun. It cleans right up but I that it was unique.

I just accept that remington 148 HBWC's are messy and tend to be dirty. While accurate, I did not see the uplift over just a standard 158 SWC.

 

[oldfella]

This turned out to be an interesting and informative thread - Thanks folks.

Pete

 

[m657]

I too recall Clays as being cleaner burning. It's harder to find in my area so I don't load much of it.

Trail Boss seems pretty clean too in moderate 45 loads.

 

[ChuckS1]

Sorry but that story about having to clean your guns anyway is getting a little old. Sure it doesn't matter once you get home but the soot and dirt can cause problems at the range. Besides getting all over the gun, your hands and even your face sometimes the soot can cause a problem when shooting. It's not all about cleaning the gun, it's about enjoying your range time.

Well, getting a little dirty never kept me from having a good time at the range.

Seriously, I shoot many hundreds of H&G 68s with 3.6 grains of Bullseye before I clean my wad gun and haven't had any malfunctions related to powder residue. Clean hands don't win matches.

 

[Ceapea]

Well, getting a little dirty never kept me from having a good time at the range.

Seriously, I shoot many hundreds of H&G 68s with 3.6 grains of Bullseye before I clean my wad gun and haven't had any malfunctions related to powder residue. Clean hands don't win matches.

Yep, I clean my gun and my hands after shooting. Getting old? Sheesh!
Oh yeah, no failures from "dirt" in many hundreds of rounds on any given nights shooting.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

FWIW, I bring along a box of mini towels, those pop-ups in a plastic box you use to wash your hands. Cleans my hands instantly. Also keep an old cloth sprayed with silicone for the gun. Use it for both BE and 231, just more often with the BE.

 

[venomballistics]

Embrace the powder fowling.
when shooting lead, it seems to provide a medium in which the lube can form a sort of a slurry which keeps the lead at bay.
I'd rather scrub it out of the bore than brush lead for an hour.
my main 45 auto load is Unique behind 230 grain lead. if it's fowling cant stop my bottom feeder it has no chance of stopping a wheelgun.
I could care less if I have a hard time telling if my gun is stainless or blued on the range. It can look pretty later

 

[novalty]

I haven't tried B/E yet, but the Unique I am using might be the last jug. This past weekend I put 120 rounds of 230gr plated Berry's with 6.1 gr of Unique through my 1911, and althought it is pretty accurate my gun looked like I had shot at least double the round count compared to factory FMJ. Fortunately, I didn't experience any functioning problems as a result of the residue and soot build up. But definately considered HP38 or W231 for my next powder purchase.

 

[johngalt]

2.7 gr VV N310 is excellent, it is my favorite load. If it wasn't so hard to find locally, I would be using it instead of 2.8 gr Bullseye (which is my 2nd choice).

 

[oldRoger]

I like AA-2 and VV-310 but I keep coming back to Bullseye for 148gr HBWC. Some lubes are cleaner than others, I like the lube on the Precision Delta Match Grade bullets.
And yes, I have been at this a very long time and tried a lot of powders.

I know that pushing Bullseye just a bit harder with the resulting higher pressure is cleaner, and in my K38 is just as precise. I do not seat flush and at my COL and 3.0 grs, I have, I think a happy balance.

I have gone up as far as 3.5 grs, with good results but I think the groups are a bit more open.

 

[shovelwrench]

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

I gotta second the vote for Clays, great powder for light loads if your looking for cleanliness. If you start at 2.2, around 700fps and work up to 3.0, Faster then you want. You'll find somethin the gun will really like and a lot cleaner.

You could also try Berrys plated bullets, a cleaner alternative to the "dirty" lead, but the price is significantly higher...

 

[PPCSHOOTER]

2.7 GR WST MY FAVORITE BY FAR

 

[papajohn428]

WST powder and Rainier or Berry plated bullets. 1200+ rounds between cleanings.

 

[EricInAZ]

FWIW, I bring along a box of mini towels, those pop-ups in a plastic box you use to wash your hands. Cleans my hands instantly. Also keep an old cloth sprayed with silicone for the gun. Use it for both BE and 231, just more often with the BE.

I just wipe my hands on my jeans. After all ...

... you eventually gotta do laundry anyway ...