Smoke free 45 Colt powder?

45reloader · June 20, 2007, 06:59 PM

I'm not sure if it's just me being picky but I seem to remember my last reloads smoking less then this last batch.

Maybe it's me.

But before I buy anymore powder what powder do you use?

Jim Watson · June 20, 2007, 07:06 PM

What bullets? Most of the smoke is from smoldering cast bullet lube.

**Mal H** · June 20, 2007, 07:37 PM

I agree with Jim, most of the smoke is due to the lube on lead bullets, and lead is almost always what folks use in .45 Colt.

However since you asked about powder, I have been using Universal Clays quite a bit in my .45 Colt loads and it burns very cleanly. I still get smoke from the lube, but the cases are clean - no soot.

45reloader · June 21, 2007, 04:51 AM

I always pick up the Oregon Trail Laser-Cast Bullets at Cabela's.

Never had an issue before.

Maybe I'll order the RLN from penn bullets also.Always used them for just hard cast hunting lead bullets before.Just to save on shipping,and I use my Cabela's points to buy bullets at the store,which really keeps the price low.

Ruger4570 · June 22, 2007, 10:55 AM

For most of my 45 LC rounds I use Herco. I never noticed any freat amount of smoke from my loads, other than the few Black Powder ones.

subierex · June 23, 2007, 11:27 AM

It doesn't seem to be Titegroup. I shoot 200gr LRNFP (from Kempfs) target loads in my (Rossi) 1892 45 Colt and it smokes quite a bit from the breech. Also, the brass is badly sooted (?) on one side. I love this load though as it seems very consistent/accurate.

I plan on trying Unique for my next batch, but I'm not holding out any hope for cleaner burn.

Linear Thinker · June 23, 2007, 11:37 AM

Win231 smokes very little in 45 Colt, but I don't use open lead bullets any longer. Experimenting with Trail Boss, very little smoke with a mild load of 5.6 grains under 250gr Rainier copper-plated heads.
LT

Slamfire · June 23, 2007, 11:59 AM

I believe that most of the smoke is from bullet lubes. There may be some from powder residue, but it is not enough that I can recall any. And I have been shooting 45 LC's since 1987, shot at least 10,000 rounds with a 255 L and 8.5 grains Unique.

Smoke does not make any difference on target. So I think the emphasis on "clean" burning powders is "much ado about nothing".

June 20, 2007, 06:59 PM	#1
45reloader Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2006 Location: PA Posts: 669	Smoke free 45 Colt powder? I'm not sure if it's just me being picky but I seem to remember my last reloads smoking less then this last batch. Maybe it's me. But before I buy anymore powder what powder do you use?

June 20, 2007, 07:06 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	What bullets? Most of the smoke is from smoldering cast bullet lube.

June 20, 2007, 07:37 PM	#3
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,948	I agree with Jim, most of the smoke is due to the lube on lead bullets, and lead is almost always what folks use in .45 Colt. However since you asked about powder, I have been using Universal Clays quite a bit in my .45 Colt loads and it burns very cleanly. I still get smoke from the lube, but the cases are clean - no soot.

June 21, 2007, 04:51 AM	#4
45reloader Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2006 Location: PA Posts: 669	I always pick up the Oregon Trail Laser-Cast Bullets at Cabela's. Never had an issue before. Maybe I'll order the RLN from penn bullets also.Always used them for just hard cast hunting lead bullets before.Just to save on shipping,and I use my Cabela's points to buy bullets at the store,which really keeps the price low.

June 22, 2007, 10:55 AM	#5
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	For most of my 45 LC rounds I use Herco. I never noticed any freat amount of smoke from my loads, other than the few Black Powder ones.

June 23, 2007, 11:27 AM	#6
subierex Member Join Date: March 26, 2007 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 38	It doesn't seem to be Titegroup. I shoot 200gr LRNFP (from Kempfs) target loads in my (Rossi) 1892 45 Colt and it smokes quite a bit from the breech. Also, the brass is badly sooted (?) on one side. I love this load though as it seems very consistent/accurate. I plan on trying Unique for my next batch, but I'm not holding out any hope for cleaner burn.

June 23, 2007, 11:37 AM	#7
Linear Thinker Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2007 Location: Blue State, NE US Posts: 202	Win231 smokes very little in 45 Colt, but I don't use open lead bullets any longer. Experimenting with Trail Boss, very little smoke with a mild load of 5.6 grains under 250gr Rainier copper-plated heads. LT

June 23, 2007, 11:59 AM	#8
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	I believe that most of the smoke is from bullet lubes. There may be some from powder residue, but it is not enough that I can recall any. And I have been shooting 45 LC's since 1987, shot at least 10,000 rounds with a 255 L and 8.5 grains Unique. Smoke does not make any difference on target. So I think the emphasis on "clean" burning powders is "much ado about nothing".