The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Excessive Smoke--is it the powder or something else?

FISHY-A-NADO · May 29, 2013, 10:11 AM

Went to the range last evening to shoot my first batch of pistol reloads. The only powder I have been able to find is Titegroup but Lee, Lyman's 49th and Hodgdon all had load data for the .38 special using Titegroup so I figured I would be OK with the starting charge. My load was 3.2 grains Titegroup under a 158 gr LSWC from Falcon Bullets with a Winchester small pistol primer and a OAL of 1.475. The gun was a S&W model 65 with 4" barrel.

From an accuracy standpoint, I was more than pleased...some of the tightest six-shot groups I have ever had shooting offhand at 10 yards (single action). I was taken aback however by the HUGE amounts of smoke. After each group of six shots, there was a sizeable cloud hanging in the air around my head. Is this typical of Titegroup? Or was it more likely caused by the lube on the cast bullet being cooked off by the gases? Would bumping up the charge by .1 or .2 grains help?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

May 29, 2013, 10:11 AM	#1
FISHY-A-NADO Member Join Date: December 7, 2012 Posts: 40	Excessive Smoke--is it the powder or something else? Went to the range last evening to shoot my first batch of pistol reloads. The only powder I have been able to find is Titegroup but Lee, Lyman's 49th and Hodgdon all had load data for the .38 special using Titegroup so I figured I would be OK with the starting charge. My load was 3.2 grains Titegroup under a 158 gr LSWC from Falcon Bullets with a Winchester small pistol primer and a OAL of 1.475. The gun was a S&W model 65 with 4" barrel. From an accuracy standpoint, I was more than pleased...some of the tightest six-shot groups I have ever had shooting offhand at 10 yards (single action). I was taken aback however by the HUGE amounts of smoke. After each group of six shots, there was a sizeable cloud hanging in the air around my head. Is this typical of Titegroup? Or was it more likely caused by the lube on the cast bullet being cooked off by the gases? Would bumping up the charge by .1 or .2 grains help? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.