Smoky reloads

[MrOldtimer]

Question to the reloaders out there.
Have been using Reddot & Bullseye for my 45 ACP reloads and there is no smoke with the loads. But when I load my 40 S/W with Reddot & Bullseye the loads are very smoky. ANy thoughts? Trying to find some Titegroup but there is none to be found. Thanks in advance.

 

[Yorkie Man]

What type of bullets are you using?

 

[OFT II]

Are you using lubed cast bullets? If so, the lube may be causing the smoke.

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

What type of bullets are you using in each respective one?

My experience is that cast lead bullets tend to be fairly smoky regardless of the powder, although some are worse than others. Swaged lead bullets(with their dry lube) are a little bit better in this regard from my experience.

I've never used Red Dot, but I do use a lot of Bullseye and have never found it to be smoky when used with jacketed and/or plated bullets, even at 38 special and 32-20 pressures.

If you are using cast bullets, I'm not sure that using Titegroup will help you any. I've never used it, but from what I understand it's fairly "hot"(in terms of burn temperature), a property which in my experience tends to increase the smoke from lead bullets rather than reduce it.

 

[MrOldtimer]

What type of bullets are you using?

170 gr Lasercast SWC

 

[MrOldtimer]

What type of bullets are you using in each respective one?

My experience is that cast lead bullets tend to be fairly smoky regardless of the powder, although some are worse than others. Swaged lead bullets(with their dry lube) are a little bit better in this regard from my experience.

I've never used Red Dot, but I do use a lot of Bullseye and have never found it to be smoky when used with jacketed and/or plated bullets, even at 38 special and 32-20 pressures.

If you are using cast bullets, I'm not sure that using Titegroup will help you any. I've never used it, but from what I understand it's fairly "hot"(in terms of burn temperature), a property which in my experience tends to increase the smoke from lead bullets rather than reduce it.

45 ACP 200 GR Acme Lead SCW varies from 4 to 4.5 gr powder.
40 S/W 170 Gr Acme & Lasercast lead SWC varies 3.8 to 4.4 gr powder.
All light loads.

 

[handgunner356]

I know powder has been a pain to get but I wouldn't use anything as fast as Red Dot or Bullseye in 40 S&W. That might be the reason you're seeing more smoke compared to a lower pressure load you would have in the 45. I am seeing more coated bullets out there that are suppose to cut down on the leading and smoke. I've been using "Supercoat" bullets with a hard black coating just slightly more than straight lead prices.

 

[MrOldtimer]

I know powder has been a pain to get but I wouldn't use anything as fast as Red Dot or Bullseye in 40 S&W. That might be the reason you're seeing more smoke compared to a lower pressure load you would have in the 45. I am seeing more coated bullets out there that are suppose to cut down on the leading and smoke. I've been using "Supercoat" bullets with a hard black coating just slightly more than straight lead prices.

Thanks will order some plated bullets and give that a try.

 

[Rule3]

How does the RoadRunner feel about this?

I do not have data for Red Dot in the 40 SW with lead but if you are at the low end it (and most any powder) will burn poorly.

I also would not use a fast powder in the 40 SW.

Alliant does not even list Red Dot for the 40 SW

 

[jag22]

I would agree with most all. The smoke is the result of incomplete combustion and that is probably the result of a too light charge and not the best powder for the job. If/when this powder shortage goes away start trying some others and I'll bet you find a better choice. That being said, most all lead is smokier than FMJ but some are better than others.

 

[Nevada Ed]

My Alliant data shows Red Dot at the very BOTTOM of the fps for the 40.

Save the Red for smaller cases and look for a better powder in the medium burn rate.

Less powder is not always a good thing..........

 

[rwsmith]

Lube.....

I like the idea of finding the best powder for the job, but when I first started shooting cast I thought, "These things are SMOKY".

There are even smoke trails left as the bullets fly through the air.

 

[joeintexas]

Good luck on finding the Tightgroup. I have had 4lbs of it on order since January, no delivery in sight.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Red Dot

Alliant does not even list Red Dot for the 40 SW

The Alliant 2004 Pistol Guide did.

They don't have data for the .40 lead bullets (155 & 180gr) but the 170gr XTP lists Red Dot as 5.1gr/985fps/34K psi.
.

 

[Yorkie Man]

I have been using Red Dot in my 40 for the past year due to the shortage and 4.5 yields 950 fps with a 180 fmj out of my 4006. I have not used it with my cast bullet yet.