Looking for a clean buning pistol powder

Dubletap45 · December 4, 2000, 02:45 PM

I was at the range yesterday playing with a couple of friends after an IPSC match. We were shooting clay targets we placed at 50 yds. I noticed that my .44special loads were really dirty compared to my friends factory .38 Special PMC. My S&W629 was covered in black residue while his was relatively clean. I loaded a 205 cast bullet on top of HS-6 (can't remember the charge off the top of my head, but it was most likely the max out of the lee manual). The PMC was jacketed so some of the residue was probably lead but all of it? Does anyone use a different powder in a large bore pistol, with commercial cast bullets with cleaner results? Any advice is appreciated.

DT45

jtduncan · December 4, 2000, 03:02 PM

For that larger case, TiteGroup was developed. Clean and accurate!

Poodleshooter · December 4, 2000, 05:41 PM

Crimping tighter with the medium speed pistol powders designed for moderate loads (Unique and the HS powders) can help to some degree, but in the end if you want clean powder, you have to pay the money for the newer powders.

Archie · December 4, 2000, 09:36 PM

I use W231 for about all my pistol rounds. It meters well and burns cleanly. About the only thing it doesn't do well is the heaviest 357 and 44 Magnum loads and such. Propably 10mm top end stuff would require a slower powder also.
For most any "regular" loads, W231 does very well.

Quantrill · December 6, 2000, 09:20 AM

I have always been pleased with 700X for an accurate and clean powder for target pistol loads. Quantrill

Paul B. · December 6, 2000, 01:07 PM

Dubletap45. I'm willing to bet that the black residue came from the lubricant on the cast bullets you were shooting, and not the powder. That is one of the drawbacks of shooting cast lead in handguns. I run into the same thing with my 624 .44 Spl. and my .44 Mags. I never shoot jacketed bullets in them, so I have lots of cleaning to do at the end of a session.
Paul B.

Swamp Yankee · December 6, 2000, 07:06 PM

I agree with Paul B. The sizing lubricant really cruds up a gun quickly, especially stainless steel. Be sure to clean your gun after each range session. Pay close attention to ejector rod and cylinder bore. The fit there is tight and I've had problems with burned lubricant getting in there and gumming up an otherwise smooth action.
As for clean burning powders my experience is Bullseye, W231, and PowerPistol are all very clean burning.
Check the Blue Press from a couple of months ago, I believe they had an article on this subject.

WESHOOT2 · December 6, 2000, 07:57 PM

For a Unique (pun) alternative highly recommend clean-burning Hodgdon Universal Clays. Cleaner than HS6. Slower than W231.
Excellent in 44 Special (and every medium revolver load).

Clean and easy-metering.

December 4, 2000, 03:02 PM	#2
jtduncan Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 1999 Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Posts: 1,686	For that larger case, TiteGroup was developed. Clean and accurate! __________________ The Seattle SharpShooter Reloaded .223 Rem, 9mm, 40SW, 357 SIG, 10mm, 44 Mag, 45 ACP Today?

December 4, 2000, 09:36 PM	#4
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	I use W231 for about all my pistol rounds. It meters well and burns cleanly. About the only thing it doesn't do well is the heaviest 357 and 44 Magnum loads and such. Propably 10mm top end stuff would require a slower powder also. For most any "regular" loads, W231 does very well. __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

December 6, 2000, 09:20 AM	#5
Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 1999 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 725	Clean burning pistol powder I have always been pleased with 700X for an accurate and clean powder for target pistol loads. Quantrill

December 6, 2000, 01:07 PM	#6
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Black redidue??????????????????? Dubletap45. I'm willing to bet that the black residue came from the lubricant on the cast bullets you were shooting, and not the powder. That is one of the drawbacks of shooting cast lead in handguns. I run into the same thing with my 624 .44 Spl. and my .44 Mags. I never shoot jacketed bullets in them, so I have lots of cleaning to do at the end of a session. Paul B.

December 6, 2000, 07:57 PM	#8
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	For a Unique (pun) alternative highly recommend clean-burning Hodgdon Universal Clays. Cleaner than HS6. Slower than W231. Excellent in 44 Special (and every medium revolver load). Clean and easy-metering. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

December 4, 2000, 02:45 PM	#1
Dubletap45 Member Join Date: October 1, 2000 Posts: 28	I was at the range yesterday playing with a couple of friends after an IPSC match. We were shooting clay targets we placed at 50 yds. I noticed that my .44special loads were really dirty compared to my friends factory .38 Special PMC. My S&W629 was covered in black residue while his was relatively clean. I loaded a 205 cast bullet on top of HS-6 (can't remember the charge off the top of my head, but it was most likely the max out of the lee manual). The PMC was jacketed so some of the residue was probably lead but all of it? Does anyone use a different powder in a large bore pistol, with commercial cast bullets with cleaner results? Any advice is appreciated. DT45

December 4, 2000, 05:41 PM	#3
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	Crimping tighter with the medium speed pistol powders designed for moderate loads (Unique and the HS powders) can help to some degree, but in the end if you want clean powder, you have to pay the money for the newer powders.

December 6, 2000, 07:06 PM	#7
Swamp Yankee Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2000 Location: Northeastern Ct. Posts: 1,019	I agree with Paul B. The sizing lubricant really cruds up a gun quickly, especially stainless steel. Be sure to clean your gun after each range session. Pay close attention to ejector rod and cylinder bore. The fit there is tight and I've had problems with burned lubricant getting in there and gumming up an otherwise smooth action. As for clean burning powders my experience is Bullseye, W231, and PowerPistol are all very clean burning. Check the Blue Press from a couple of months ago, I believe they had an article on this subject.