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Old April 2, 2005, 06:55 PM   #1
bgfire
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Clean Handgun Powder

Of the powders that you use in your reloading, what is the cleanest for you for loads that run the gammet of, say, light plinkers to full power rounds.

I have used Unique, Blue Dot, HS-7, and a couple others. I was just wondering what you guys liked. I load for 38 special, 357 mag, 40 S&W, 10mm, 45 acp, and 45 colt.

My brother likes AA#5 for 40 and 45 acp. I am looking for input on Accurate Arms, Alliant, Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester powders.

Just curious, and it may lead me to some new powder choices to try.

Bill
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Old April 2, 2005, 07:49 PM   #2
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You might want to look at the companies making powder from cotton based rather than wood fiber based nitrocellulose. Several are available. Scott powders used to do before they were sold, but I believe the remaining plant probably has not changed process. You can still get Solo 1000 and 1200 in this form, though Accurate Arms now owns this line.

Vhitavuori Oy brand powder from Finland is another. Their N320 and N330 might do well for you. N320 is the only powder my internal ballistics program thinks will burn 100% in .45ACP while achieving hardball velocities and pressures. These look pretty good, at least on paper.

If you look at ball powders, consider WW-231. An oldie but goodie. A lot of people I shot in pistol leagues with years ago switched to it from Bullseye, both because it meters more accurately from a measure and because it leaves less soot behind.

For full-power magnum loads, WW-296 and H110 are very close to one another and very hard to beat. I can't say which might be cleaner? I've used both.

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Old April 2, 2005, 07:59 PM   #3
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I use HS6 for all of the calibres you list except .357 Magnum.
But if you want clean burning with HS-6, you've got to load it fairly hot.
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Old April 2, 2005, 08:45 PM   #4
Black_Snowman
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For clean powders I like Universal, AA #7 and Tite Group.
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Old April 2, 2005, 11:49 PM   #5
Keltecnician
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W231 can work in just about any pistol caliber with good results and burns as clean as any. It is also sold as HP38.
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Old April 3, 2005, 07:58 AM   #6
WESHOOT2
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yep, clean in lotsa calibers

Alliant Power Pistol.
Vihtavuori Oy 3N37.
Nitro 100.

Pretty short list, ay?

(Currently testing N350.)
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Old April 3, 2005, 08:12 AM   #7
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Have to give my vote to Titegroup for about the cleanest 231 isn't to bad.Unique and Bullseye being some of the worst.
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Old April 3, 2005, 08:56 AM   #8
Nortonics
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Vihtavuori. I sure am liking this line of powders. It sure ain't the cheapest, but for high performance and clean burning loads it's my ticket. They're N3xx powders are just excellent. N340 is a favorite of mine, especially for .45 ACP's.

Quote:
HANDGUN POWDERS
Handgun powders include five N300 series propellants and three special propellants:

N310: Very fast burning and competitive with Bullseye and Accurate No.2. It has applications in a very wide range from the .25 ACP to the 9mm Luger.

N320 is a handgun powder of comparatively fast burning rate. Useful in many popular cartridges. Currently available data includes 9mm Luger, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP and .45 (Long) Colt. Burning rate generally is perhaps a tad faster than 231 or generally about like Red Dot.

N330: This is a handgun powder that has a burning rate similar to Green Dot, No. 5, or PB. Data is currently available for 9mm Luger, .38 Special, .40 S&W, .44 S&W Special and .45 (Long) Colt.

N340: With a burning rate not dissimilar to Winchester 540 or Herco, this powder is a wide application type. Data for the following handgun cartridges is currently availa-ble:.30 Luger, 9mm Luger, .38 S&W (Colt New Police),.38 Super Auto, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 Auto and .45 (Long) Colt.

N350: This is the slowest burning propellant in the N300 series. Burning speed is about like Blue Dot, “Hi-Skor” 800-X or No. 7. Data is currently available for: 9mm Luger, .38 Super Auto, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .45 Auto.

3N37: Burning speed is between N340 and N350, close to “Hi-Skor” 800-X, and it therefore has applications also.
Check out their free reloading catalog here:

Vihtavuori Reloading Guide 1/2004
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