Low Flash Powders?

saands · November 27, 2000, 11:44 PM

I have been loading for quite a while and shoot either indoors (well lit range) or outdoors during the day. People have made quite a fuss about flash and I was wondering if there are any powders that are inherently "low flashers" or if it is just a matter of picking a powder and load that completely burns before the bullet exits. While this seems possible out of a rifle ... is it, out of a 3 to 4 inch pistol barrel? I typically use BullsEye or PowerPistol for my .40 and 9mm and 2400 for my .357 ... I know the 2400 out of a 6" .357 is a flame thrower, but that one is way too much fun to leave! I'm more interested in the 9mm and .40 powders.

Thanks,
Saands

ps ... please offer a theory if speculation is involved ;>)

WESHOOT2 · November 28, 2000, 08:38 AM

Fact= the Vihtavuori Oy line is generally 'low-flash', and for 9 and 40 best is W-W WAP (if you can find it).

HS6 and AA5 have some applications here, too.

saands · November 28, 2000, 09:03 PM

WESHOOT2 -
Thanks for the input ... I might have to dig up some of the VV powders ... I've never seen them for sale locally, but maybe I'll find them if I keep my eyes open in my travels. Do you have any explanation for their tendency to not flash as much? I'll look to see if there is a web site for them. The availability of info from Alliant is one of the reasons that I use their stuff so much.

Thanks,
Saands

WESHOOT2 · November 28, 2000, 10:15 PM

saands,

yeah, there's a bunch of reasons (single-based, blah, blah, blah) but try it yourself.

Vihta powders available from numerous on-line sources like http://www.grafs.com

Tom Matiska · November 29, 2000, 01:22 PM

My experience with the 44 Mag is that there is a big difference in flash between fast and slow burning powders when the loads are fired out of a Marlin 1894 with a 20" barrel.

As for my 7.5" revolver, full 44 Mag loads are all flame throwers. 44 Special loads are more "polite", but even those are "flamethrowers" when fired from my 2.5" snubbie.

Tom

LIProgun · November 30, 2000, 10:13 AM

I agree that VV powders and WAP are pretty good for low flash. WW 296 in magnum loads is not bad either.

OTOH, Blue Dot and Power Pistol can be flame throwers.

Airborne · November 30, 2000, 11:47 PM

I shoot indoors in the winter months, so one of my primary concerns in powder selection (next to accuracy) are how clean they burn (as in smoke), flash, and odor. The best 9mm powder for everything I've mentioned for me is AA #7. It's also extremely clean in the gun. I haven't tried them all of course, as that would be rediculous, but I have tried a bunch. The worst would have to be AA #2. Smokiest stuff I've ever loaded. Universal Clays is also very good, and I'm sure there are others. I just stopped looking when I found what worked for me. Enjoy your quest!
SM

viper45 · December 2, 2000, 11:27 AM

power pistol with light loads isn't bad, bullseye is like a flash bulb and stinks, but its still my favorite.

November 28, 2000, 10:15 PM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	saands, yeah, there's a bunch of reasons (single-based, blah, blah, blah) but try it yourself. Vihta powders available from numerous on-line sources like http://www.grafs.com __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

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November 27, 2000, 11:44 PM	#1
saands Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1999 Posts: 1,573	I have been loading for quite a while and shoot either indoors (well lit range) or outdoors during the day. People have made quite a fuss about flash and I was wondering if there are any powders that are inherently "low flashers" or if it is just a matter of picking a powder and load that completely burns before the bullet exits. While this seems possible out of a rifle ... is it, out of a 3 to 4 inch pistol barrel? I typically use BullsEye or PowerPistol for my .40 and 9mm and 2400 for my .357 ... I know the 2400 out of a 6" .357 is a flame thrower, but that one is way too much fun to leave! I'm more interested in the 9mm and .40 powders. Thanks, Saands ps ... please offer a theory if speculation is involved ;>)

November 28, 2000, 08:38 AM	#2
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Fact= the Vihtavuori Oy line is generally 'low-flash', and for 9 and 40 best is W-W WAP (if you can find it). HS6 and AA5 have some applications here, too. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

November 28, 2000, 09:03 PM	#3
saands Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1999 Posts: 1,573	WESHOOT2 - Thanks for the input ... I might have to dig up some of the VV powders ... I've never seen them for sale locally, but maybe I'll find them if I keep my eyes open in my travels. Do you have any explanation for their tendency to not flash as much? I'll look to see if there is a web site for them. The availability of info from Alliant is one of the reasons that I use their stuff so much. Thanks, Saands

November 29, 2000, 01:22 PM	#5
Tom Matiska Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2000 Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa Posts: 1,029	My experience with the 44 Mag is that there is a big difference in flash between fast and slow burning powders when the loads are fired out of a Marlin 1894 with a 20" barrel. As for my 7.5" revolver, full 44 Mag loads are all flame throwers. 44 Special loads are more "polite", but even those are "flamethrowers" when fired from my 2.5" snubbie. Tom

November 30, 2000, 10:13 AM	#6
LIProgun Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2000 Location: Hudson Valley, NY Posts: 489	I agree that VV powders and WAP are pretty good for low flash. WW 296 in magnum loads is not bad either. OTOH, Blue Dot and Power Pistol can be flame throwers.

November 30, 2000, 11:47 PM	#7
Airborne Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 1999 Posts: 229	I shoot indoors in the winter months, so one of my primary concerns in powder selection (next to accuracy) are how clean they burn (as in smoke), flash, and odor. The best 9mm powder for everything I've mentioned for me is AA #7. It's also extremely clean in the gun. I haven't tried them all of course, as that would be rediculous, but I have tried a bunch. The worst would have to be AA #2. Smokiest stuff I've ever loaded. Universal Clays is also very good, and I'm sure there are others. I just stopped looking when I found what worked for me. Enjoy your quest! SM

December 2, 2000, 11:27 AM	#8
viper45 Junior member Join Date: November 2, 2000 Posts: 52	power pistol with light loads isn't bad, bullseye is like a flash bulb and stinks, but its still my favorite.