Unburned Powder

FloridaGuy · December 22, 2013, 04:19 PM

I loaded several test rounds for my S&W Model 25 last night. When I shoot them today there was a lot of un burned powder. Why was there so much unburned powder left? I have never had this happen before.

Load Data:
Bullet: Hornaday 45 Cal 185 GR SWC
Powder: Unique 7.5 GR.
Primer: CCI Large Pistol Primer.

Zombie Steve · December 22, 2013, 04:57 PM

Light load with a medium - slow burning powder... might not be getting full combustion. If it hasn't happened before, I'd say something contaminated the powder. Case lube, maybe?

**Mal H** · December 22, 2013, 05:13 PM

Yep, that's too light a load for that bullet which can easily lead to unburned powder. Are you using load data for a jacketed bullet?

RC20 · December 22, 2013, 05:13 PM

Long Colt or 45 ACP?

If 45 LC then very light.

45ACP very heavy (old Hornady not sure new one but the older ones tended to push it harder)

steve4102 · December 22, 2013, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Load Data:
Bullet: Hornaday 45 Cal 185 GR SWC
Powder: Unique 7.5 GR.
Primer: CCI Large Pistol Primer.

Yup seems light.

Where did you get this data from?

FloridaGuy · December 22, 2013, 05:37 PM

The load is for .45 Long Colt. I am trying to use up some bullets I have sitting around. Load data is from the Lyman's Reloading Handbook page 305. Using the data for a 185 gr. Jacketed HP. Powder charge range starts @7.5 and goes to 10.00. The powder was just purchased yesterday 2 one pound cans.

243winxb · December 22, 2013, 06:16 PM

Alliant lists 9.5gr Unique for a 200 gr bullet. Your problem is low pressure. Add some powder.

Crazy88Fingers · December 22, 2013, 06:30 PM

I just started reloading .45 Colt too and had a lot of unburned powder at first with very light loads. A little extra powder seems to have helped.

FloridaGuy · December 22, 2013, 08:36 PM

First I am going to raise the powder charge to 8.5 and see if that eliminates the unburnt powder. I spoke with a local reloader here that does it for a living. He said to load the round with a magnum primer.

marine6680 · December 23, 2013, 09:28 AM

Using a magnum primer with the current load might help... But just upping the charge a little should help without the need for a component change.

buck460XVR · December 23, 2013, 10:29 AM

Unique is notorious for leaving residue when used at it's lower end in a load recipe. Most other powders do too, just not to the same extent. In some upper end magnum loadings, you also get unburnt powder residue. IMR4227 is one that comes to mind. To some folks it's a big deal, to many it's not. My priorities are whether the load is giving me the performance and the accuracy I want at that velocity, not how "dirty" the load shoots.

mehavey · December 23, 2013, 10:37 AM

My thoughts:

If you are getting the performance (velocity/accuracy/low recoil) you want...
ignore the powder residue. It's just part of the package.

243winxb · December 23, 2013, 01:59 PM

Quote:

He said to load the round with a magnum primer.

Take note that Win & Rem. only make 1 large pistol primer each. Covers all powders. I use the WLP.

totaldla · December 24, 2013, 11:48 AM

Try lighting the "unburned powder".

Always use manufacturers load data. And get used to the dirty characteristics of Unique - or change to a better powder.

mikld · December 24, 2013, 12:04 PM

I agree with mehavey, if it's shooting ok, don't bother. But if the residue bothers you, apply a heavier crimp, or use a heavier charge...

December 22, 2013, 04:19 PM	#1
FloridaGuy Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2012 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 237	Unburned Powder I loaded several test rounds for my S&W Model 25 last night. When I shoot them today there was a lot of un burned powder. Why was there so much unburned powder left? I have never had this happen before. Load Data: Bullet: Hornaday 45 Cal 185 GR SWC Powder: Unique 7.5 GR. Primer: CCI Large Pistol Primer. __________________ Μολὼν λαβέ Authorized Blackhound Optics Dealer www.blackhoundoptics.com/CWFT

December 22, 2013, 05:37 PM	#6
FloridaGuy Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2012 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 237	The load is for .45 Long Colt. I am trying to use up some bullets I have sitting around. Load data is from the Lyman's Reloading Handbook page 305. Using the data for a 185 gr. Jacketed HP. Powder charge range starts @7.5 and goes to 10.00. The powder was just purchased yesterday 2 one pound cans. __________________ Μολὼν λαβέ Authorized Blackhound Optics Dealer www.blackhoundoptics.com/CWFT

December 22, 2013, 08:36 PM	#9
FloridaGuy Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2012 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 237	First I am going to raise the powder charge to 8.5 and see if that eliminates the unburnt powder. I spoke with a local reloader here that does it for a living. He said to load the round with a magnum primer. __________________ Μολὼν λαβέ Authorized Blackhound Optics Dealer www.blackhoundoptics.com/CWFT

December 24, 2013, 11:48 AM	#14
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,288	Try lighting the "unburned powder". Always use manufacturers load data. And get used to the dirty characteristics of Unique - or change to a better powder. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

December 24, 2013, 12:04 PM	#15
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	I agree with mehavey, if it's shooting ok, don't bother. But if the residue bothers you, apply a heavier crimp, or use a heavier charge... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

December 22, 2013, 04:57 PM	#2
Zombie Steve Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2007 Location: Old Colorado City Posts: 527	Light load with a medium - slow burning powder... might not be getting full combustion. If it hasn't happened before, I'd say something contaminated the powder. Case lube, maybe?

December 22, 2013, 05:13 PM	#3
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,947	Yep, that's too light a load for that bullet which can easily lead to unburned powder. Are you using load data for a jacketed bullet?

December 22, 2013, 05:13 PM	#4
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Long Colt or 45 ACP? If 45 LC then very light. 45ACP very heavy (old Hornady not sure new one but the older ones tended to push it harder)

December 22, 2013, 06:16 PM	#7
243winxb Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2011 Location: USA Posts: 1,730	Alliant lists 9.5gr Unique for a 200 gr bullet. Your problem is low pressure. Add some powder.

December 22, 2013, 06:30 PM	#8
Crazy88Fingers Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2010 Location: WesTex Posts: 958	I just started reloading .45 Colt too and had a lot of unburned powder at first with very light loads. A little extra powder seems to have helped.

December 23, 2013, 09:28 AM	#10
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	Using a magnum primer with the current load might help... But just upping the charge a little should help without the need for a component change.

December 23, 2013, 10:29 AM	#11
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	Unique is notorious for leaving residue when used at it's lower end in a load recipe. Most other powders do too, just not to the same extent. In some upper end magnum loadings, you also get unburnt powder residue. IMR4227 is one that comes to mind. To some folks it's a big deal, to many it's not. My priorities are whether the load is giving me the performance and the accuracy I want at that velocity, not how "dirty" the load shoots.

December 23, 2013, 10:37 AM	#12
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,882	My thoughts: If you are getting the performance (velocity/accuracy/low recoil) you want... ignore the powder residue. It's just part of the package.

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