Is there a smokier powder than W231?

[retnavyshooter]

I have found a nice range load using W- 231. I load 3.6 gr. using a 158gr. RNFP
plated bullet.

Mick

 

[reccpd101]

I vote for light loads of unique with cast bullets. They are as smoky as a campfire with green wood.

 

[max503]

You say "smokey" like its a bad thing.

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

Thanks everyone. I will be finishing up the SWC's and ordering some JRN and increase the charge.

If you want low recoil the thing to do is keep the low charge and seat a wadcutter to reduce the case capacity or use a .38 short colt case to reduce the case capacity or like others mentioned, use a powder like Trail Boss that takes up more volume. I prefer to load .38 short colt cases with standard bullets. They are easy to load into the cylinder and you can eject them fully with the short ejection rod on 2" barrels.

 

[johnnydogs]

You say "smokey" like its a bad thing.

I was shooting my DW 8" .357 and having to wait until the smoke cleared my front sight for a 2nd shot!

 

[chief38]

Bullseye is smokier and dirtier I believe......

I use to use it for 38 specials - then went to Titegroup. I still use W231 for 45 acp.

 

[buckshotshorty]

Cast lead with hard lubricant and light loads of Unique are pretty darned smokey too. With cast lead bullets, the lubricant is usually the smoke culprit.

What he said. The smoke is mostly caused by the bullet lube.

 

[Amp]

Interesting. I didnt think of the lube.
I use bullseye and its dirty.
Going to try CFE pistol.

 

[gwpercle]

The ultimate smoke combo: Lead and Bullseye.

The ultimate accuracy combo lead wadcutter and 2.7 grains Bullseye .
I've got trophies to prove it ...
I don't mind a little Gunsmoke ... if it means I win the prize !
Gary

 

[sparkyvega]

H110. So much FUN!

 

[stansdds]

I never found H110/W-296 to be smokey. It makes for a great fireworks show, but not smokey.

 

[max503]

I was shooting my DW 8" .357 and having to wait until the smoke cleared my front sight for a 2nd shot!

Cast bullets with a soft lube and Blue Dot out of a 45 acp. I had one guy come over and ask if I was shooting black powder.

 

[glenwolde]

I use 4 grs. 231 with a 158 grain lead semi-wadcutter bullet. Muzzle velocity is about 810 fps from a 4" barrel, about like a standard pressure factory .38 Special load. I've never noticed this load being more than slightly smoky, if that, and that would be from bullet lube.

Depending on the source, there is considerable discrepancy with 231/HP-38 data and a 158 gr. LSWC bullet. Hodgdon recommends a maximum of 3.7 grs. while most others sources list heavier maximum charges, even for standard pressure loads. Granted, different bullets of the same style and weight may require at least slightly different data, but Speer shows 4.3 grs. max. in book #13 for 231.

3.2 grs. 231 used by the original poster is a very light but safe charge, probably getting 650-700 fps from a 4" barrel. I certainly wouldn't go any lower.

Wow. You like read my mind. I have used W231 extensively and this describes my exact experience. After much experimentation a few decades ago I too settled on your exact load...4.0 gr W231 and a 158gr cast SWC. Accuracy was iffy with anything lighter. Anything heavier added nothing. I have fired tens of thousands of that load and I'm still going.

 

[johngalt]

I remember lead + Green Dot being impressively smokey.

 

[rwsmith]

No more lubed lead bullets....

... at the indoor range.