Smoke from lead bullets??

[rundownfid]

I have been shooting TiteGroup with lead bullets and getting good results, but considerable smoke. Another guy told me it was the titegorup, that it burned hotter and was burning the lube. This seems possible, but what then are better "cooler" powders?

I need reasonably hot loads as they have to make 125 power factor.

 

[rundownfid]

I have been shooting TiteGroup with lead bullets and getting good results, but considerable smoke. Another guy told me it was the titegorup, that it burned hotter and was burning the lube. This seems possible, but what then are better "cooler" powders?

I need reasonably hot loads as they have to make 125 power factor.

 

[pinkymingeo]

I quit using Titegroup with lead bullets because of the cleanup. I thought it left too much lead flash on the frame around the barrel, which was a pain to clean. Bullseye was too sooty. My guns and hands would be black after a couple of hundred rounds. Smoke is a fact of life with gunpowder and lead, though. I'm using AA2 for most of my target loads. Smokes a lot, but leaves very little on the gun or my hands.

 

[OKFC05]

The only way I've found to stop smoke from bullet lube with moderate loads is not to use lead bullets.
That's why I use plated for IDPA.

 

[*Ring]

You did not state what caliber and bullet weight you are using. All lead bullets will smoke to some degree. However, cooler burning powders will create less smoke and possibly less leading. Generally single base powders like Vithavouri N-320 and Solo 1000 burn cooler and create less smoke. Certain double base powders with lower nitroglycerin content like Winchester Super Target and American Select also work well with lead bullets in .45acp.

Chris

 

[Snapping Twig]

Low power loads smoke, just a fact of life. It's the lube, so try something else.

I just bought some White Label BAC and it smokes far less than Javalina did.

Up the power and the smoke recedes, but sometimes you just want a light plinking load, so like I said, switch lubes.

 

[Dale53]

I used NRA 50/50 Alox/Beeswax for years with good results.

However, last year I changed to White Label Carnauba Red. It DOES require heat in my Star Lube/Sizer but it has a higher melting point, shoots with great accuracy, doesn't lead and smokes significantly less than my previous lubes.

It is my "new standard". On top of that, it is the least expensive line of lubes available.

Dale53

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've found W231 to be quite clean when shooting lead bullets compared to most other powders.

 

[RON in PA]

Cast lead bullets with the usual blue or red wax lube smoke much more than swaged lead bullets by Remington or Speer that seem to be covered all over with a black dry lube. At leaast that's my experience.

 

[Ignatz]

On a cold dry day, lead loads don't seen to smoke much at all. The same load on a hot, humid summer day....smoke city!.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I think Ron has a partial answer in his post. hardness. Swaged bullets are much softer than cast and will obturate better and with less pressure than a cast bullet.

Most commercially cast bullets are cast too hard. Your problem is common for those that use them.

The problem isn't with trying to make the 125 PF. I don't know what caliber or what firearm your are loading for but, I can tell you this, if it can be done safely, get over that PF floor by 10% and see if that doesn't help with the smoking. It may be you can't get there safely. Don't do it then.

I would really like to know what cartridge/firearm combination you are loading for.

 

[rundownfid]

Thank you for the suggestions. I am loading a .38 Spec, for use in IDPA from K-frames. However, I note similar problems with the 9mm CZ75.

I usually use Berry's plated for matches, but shoot a few hundred lead for practice for every 100 used in matches.

I have Solo 1000, purchased on a whim, and was wondering what to use it for, so will try ASAP.

 

[arkypete]

A suggestion:
Use the same load and bullets get a politician to stand to one side and give a campaign speech, the smoke will blow away and the handgun will not over heat..

Jim

 

[mkk41]

Proven fact that a small portion of that cloud contains vaporized lead. Airborne lead is a health hazzard. That's why some ranges with substandard exaust systems don't allow lead bullets. That's why S&W originally developed the Nyclad , to give an inexpensive practice/duty HP that cuts airborne lead on indoor police ranges. That's why Speer developed the TMJ - Totally Metal Jacket , so the usual exposed lead base on FMJ practice ammo is eliminated.

 

[Amici]

Don't want smoke? Don't use lead bullets with that cheap wax lube.

I switched to polymer-coated bullets. VERY clean by comparion; less smoke and less lead residue in the bore.

 

[NiklasP]

Some time ago I shot a box of Remington 158 grain LRN 38 Specials and then a box of UltraMax 158 grain SWC 38 Specials. The UltraMax loads were far dirtier than the Remingtons -- actually, even much dirtier on outside of gun and on hand than powders like Swiss FFg and 777 FFg. The UltraMax has hard cast bullets with hard wax lube. The Remingtons have swaged, soft lead bullets with Remington's famous "dirty hands" lube.

More recently, I shot two boxes of 38 Special reloads, one loaded with Remington 148 grain HBWC bullets over 2,8 grains of Green Dot (maybe 800 fps) and other with 158 grain Speer swaged 158 grain SWC HP bullets over 6,5 grains of Blue Dot (probably over 900 fps). Far less powder "dirt" on my gun and shooting hand than from UltraMax, especially with the Speer and Blue Dot load. Both bullets are 0,358 and there was no leading in bore or cylinder throats. Neither bullet will fall through throats and all 5 throats appear to be very close in ID.

I have used lots of Remington and Speer swaged bullets and never get much powder "dirt" on hands or gun, although other loads have been cleaner. I expect that my current 38 Special reloads will get even cleaner as chamber pressure goes up, especially as I push Blue Dot "FBI" load as far as it will go without leading. Will not be able to go that high with Remington HBWC bullets.

Niklas

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by NiklasP: ...Will not be able to go that high with Remington HBWC bullets...

There is another Post on here about getting "Double Holes" in the target and you might want to take a look at that before you go to pushing HBWC bullets around. These are swaged bullets and are very soft - nearly pure lead - and you will run into two problems. One the leading can be very bad very quickly. Two you can simply blow the front end of the bullet out of the gun and leave the "Skirt" in the barrel. Not a good thing!!! Velocity of 700fps to 750fps is about max for these bullets.

 

[NiklasP]

Thanks for reminder KKG.

I did see that thread and was surprised at skirts coming off. Load I am using is 0,1 grain above one listed in Alliant and 0,1 below another. I had no leading when I shot it. This HBWC load will be mostly for indoor shooting and bullseye.

Have shot many 32 cal HBWC and had no leading up to 800 fps, either loaded base down or up. This is first time with 36 cal HBWC.

Niklas

 

[JT Wilson]

Amici,

Where do you get your polymer-coated bullets?

I was buying a coated bullet that I really liked from Precision Bullets, and I still get .45 ACP from them but they reorganized and dropped the .38 and .44 bullets. I really liked their products and wish I could get more like it for .44 special.

Thanks,
JT.

 

[Amici]

Precision may be the only polymer-coated bullet maker left. Of the three I've used, two have gone - precipitously.

I have a case of .40 Master Blasters I've just started - they're gone. I'm getting into the case of Precision .45's now.