Smokey Reloads - Hardcast?

kwm1971 · April 6, 2014, 08:55 PM

I just shot a some fresh reloads and this is the first time I've ever had them smoke so much. This is the first time I have used hardcast bullets. They r 9mm, with titegroup and 17bhn bullets. is this normal?

jclayto · April 6, 2014, 08:57 PM

Yes, somewhat normal. I think it has to do more with which lubricant was used on the cast bullet. I have some that I picked up at a gun show that I refuse to shoot at the indoor range. I have others that don't smoke at all.

Salmoneye · April 7, 2014, 05:35 AM

Bullet lube is smokey indeed...

Add in a 'dirty' powder like Red Dot etc. (one that does not burn cleanly at lower pressures), and you get a fun day at the range...

I personally enjoy it...

Jim Watson · April 7, 2014, 06:04 AM

Titegroup is pretty well known for a lot of smoke with cast bullets, its high flame temperature apparently gets the bullet lube smoldering very quickly.
But changing powder would not help a lot, it is just what cast bullets do.

myfriendis410 · April 7, 2014, 07:26 AM

It is definitely lube dependent. Old fashioned lubes containing beeswax will blacken the gun and a huge cloud of sweet smelling smoke will issue from the gun. More modern high temperature stick lubes like Red Rooster or T/C Blue are far less prone to this.

Don P · April 7, 2014, 09:43 AM

Most of my reloads are with Titegroup and lead. Excellent mosquito control/luv bugs and the such. Normal is the smoke

madmo44mag · April 7, 2014, 09:52 AM

The smoke is my only complaint with cast bullets.
Well I really don't mind but whoever is shooting down wind does - ROFLMAO!

MikeRussell · April 7, 2014, 10:42 AM

like everyone has already said, it's the TG and the lube.

I use TG with lead, but don't run into this issue. Why? I run Bayou Bullets (the famous/infamous? green bullets). Very little smoke...you notice it indoors, but it's not bad at all (you're not fumigating, just a quickly dissipating puff)...outdoors, you don't even notice it.

jamrock · April 8, 2014, 11:13 AM

Very little smoke with BlackBulletsInternational too. Same lube as bayou but in black instead of green.

Noticed my buddy who uses titegroup smokes a lot more with them than my unique reloads.

g.willikers · April 8, 2014, 11:24 AM

My local bullet supplier switched from his own lead bullets to the plated ones, that are now required at the local indoor ranges that stock his reloaded ammo.
Easy to see why.

April 6, 2014, 08:55 PM	#1
kwm1971 Member Join Date: August 30, 2012 Posts: 33	Smokey Reloads - Hardcast? I just shot a some fresh reloads and this is the first time I've ever had them smoke so much. This is the first time I have used hardcast bullets. They r 9mm, with titegroup and 17bhn bullets. is this normal?

April 7, 2014, 09:43 AM	#6
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Most of my reloads are with Titegroup and lead. Excellent mosquito control/luv bugs and the such. Normal is the smoke __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

April 7, 2014, 09:52 AM	#7
madmo44mag Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: Ft.Worth, Texas Posts: 1,522	The smoke is my only complaint with cast bullets. Well I really don't mind but whoever is shooting down wind does - ROFLMAO! __________________ Texas - Not just a state but an attitude! For monthly shooting events in DFW visit http://www.meetup.com/TexasGunOwner-DFW

April 7, 2014, 10:42 AM	#8
MikeRussell Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2006 Location: Carencro, LA Posts: 335	like everyone has already said, it's the TG and the lube. I use TG with lead, but don't run into this issue. Why? I run Bayou Bullets (the famous/infamous? green bullets). Very little smoke...you notice it indoors, but it's not bad at all (you're not fumigating, just a quickly dissipating puff)...outdoors, you don't even notice it. __________________ Mike Russell

April 8, 2014, 11:24 AM	#10
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	My local bullet supplier switched from his own lead bullets to the plated ones, that are now required at the local indoor ranges that stock his reloaded ammo. Easy to see why. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

April 6, 2014, 08:57 PM	#2
jclayto Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2005 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 600	Yes, somewhat normal. I think it has to do more with which lubricant was used on the cast bullet. I have some that I picked up at a gun show that I refuse to shoot at the indoor range. I have others that don't smoke at all.

April 7, 2014, 05:35 AM	#3
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	Bullet lube is smokey indeed... Add in a 'dirty' powder like Red Dot etc. (one that does not burn cleanly at lower pressures), and you get a fun day at the range... I personally enjoy it...

April 7, 2014, 06:04 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Titegroup is pretty well known for a lot of smoke with cast bullets, its high flame temperature apparently gets the bullet lube smoldering very quickly. But changing powder would not help a lot, it is just what cast bullets do.

April 7, 2014, 07:26 AM	#5
myfriendis410 Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2011 Location: Lompoc California Posts: 274	It is definitely lube dependent. Old fashioned lubes containing beeswax will blacken the gun and a huge cloud of sweet smelling smoke will issue from the gun. More modern high temperature stick lubes like Red Rooster or T/C Blue are far less prone to this.

April 8, 2014, 11:13 AM	#9
jamrock Member Join Date: May 20, 2013 Posts: 25	Very little smoke with BlackBulletsInternational too. Same lube as bayou but in black instead of green. Noticed my buddy who uses titegroup smokes a lot more with them than my unique reloads.