IDPA Night Shoot

[halouya]

What powder will produce the least amount of smoke for a night shoot? Shooting a 686SSR and will use a jacketed 158 grain bullet so I don't have to contend with the lube on leaded bullet.
Too much smoke and the target dissapears because of the tactical light.

 

[wantmoresmiths]

I can't give you an answer regarding your powder choice, but I do know that you have taken a huge step in the right direction by using jacketed bullets. I use plated bullets and Winchester 231 for "in the dark" stages. These is some smoke but not enough to obscure the targets. I always think of going to a slower burning powder, in my opinion they produce less smoke, but then you put yourself at a disadvantage by shooting a higher power factor load. So I stay with the faster burning powders.

Everyone should experience an "in the dark" stage. It's a real eye opener, especially with lead bullets.

 

[growr]

When I did the Hackathorn Advanced class we all shot what we normally used to see what type of flash signature it would generate.

Interestingly enough the man using S&B 9mm ammo had a very light blue flame with a small signature. I have no idea of what powder that S&B uses but it was significantly less than anything that was on the range that evening.

My Unique powder had a very bright white flash, others had blue, orange,yellow and one was slightly green. Huge variations as to the amount of flash and smoke which surprised me as I did not expect that much variation.

My good friend Clem fired his .500 S&W and the entire range was lit up much like a camera flash WOW!!

Don't know if this helps or not.........but you are so right about shooting stages at night...was VERY enlightening to me as I had no experience with night shooting prior to the class.

Randy