Smokey loads

[toadshoney]

I've recently switched to Laser Cast 158g LSWC bullets. I have been using jacketed and plated bullets. The lead bullets seem to make a lot more smoke than I ever see with the plated stuff. I started with my standby Titegroup and tried W 231 and Bullseye. Am I just going to see more smoke with the lead bullets? I'm using mid level loads with these powders and small pistol primers. May be smokey is relative? Thanks,
Dean

 

[Wayne M]

You are correct; you will generally see more "smoke" with cast than other bullets. The harder you drive them the less smoke you'll see but load for load there will always be more.

 

[john traveler]

Another factor may be older stocks of cast bullets used lubricant (alox/beeswax) that separated, and tends to make more smoke.

 

[Steve C]

Smoke is from the bullet lube on lead bullets, powder makes little to difference but the type of lube does. I've found that over lubing hard cast with the wax type lube with a light coating of Lee's Liquid Alox eliminates a lot of smoke, leading, and aids in clean up. As mentioned, if you drive the bullet hard enough to seal in the bore it goes a long way to eliminate the smoke.

 

[Skip Sackett]

toad,

Welcome to the forum. In my opinion, this is the best part of it!

In my opinion, and remember with that and $5 you can get a nice cup of coffee from Starbucks, most commercially cast lead bullets are too hard for "target" type of loads. At the pressures generated by light charges of HP-38/W231, Bullseye or Titegroup they are just too hard to obturate.
If a lead bullet doesn't obturate it is going to be real smoky.
What happens then is that hot gases sneak down the sides of the bullets directly burning the lube on the bullet. That is where most of your smoke comes from.

Only two ways around it, cast your own bullets @ a much softer BHN or find someone that does or drive them harder.

I chose to cast my own, that way I solve the "can't get the bullets I want when I want them" problem too. If I need bullets I just go to the garage and turn the pot on!

Here is a video of smoky. Light charges of HP-38/W231 in 9mm. Sadly, these are bullets I cast. The charge is just way too light.

Click on it to watch:

 

[toadshoney]

Thanks for the replys. My intent is to make up FBI load equivalents so I guess I will push on to higher levels. As always, I will be on the lookout for pressure signs. Laser Cast claims these bullets are good for up to 1500 fps, so maybe I'll try Magnum loads as well.
Dean

 

[Snapping Twig]

Good points posted above.

My experience has demonstrated that two factors contribute to smoke, assuming the bullet is properly sized and of correct hardness.

First is power. Low power loads smoke, not efficiently burning is my thought here.

Lube. Not all lubes are equal. I like White Label BAC for general use. I find it to be more forgiving on the lighter power loads and work efficiently with rifle loads as well.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

check this website out and read about there bullets.i like the cost www.precisionbullets.com

don

 

[Amici]

I eliminated much of the smoke by switching to poly-coated bullets. NOT moly; poly.

Very slick, very clean, very little smoke compared to the wax-lubed equivalent and far cheaper than jacketed or even plated. I use them in both my .40 and .45 guns.

The only gun that gets jacketed and ONLY jacketed bullets is my race gun. Comps and ports don't like lead.

 

[Win]

Mag pistol primers will help....cleaner ignition with less than full loads.