Dirty Powder...

DMeNTED

DMeNTED

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I've just about finished working my way through a bottle of Winchester 231 - loading .45ACP - and I find it very dirty. (Lots of black schmutz in the bbl, muzzle, and brass).

Can someone recommend something cleaner and tell me where it can be found?
 
DMeNTED,

I've been loading for about 16 years and started with W 231. After a long conversatiion with a local commercial reloader, I switched to Accurate Arms #2 about 15 years ago. The cost is comparable to W231 as are the loading specs.

I've found that it meters very well and doesn't seem to leave as much residue as W231. I've used it in .380, .38, 9MM, .357, and .45ACP. My guns seemed to be easier to clean after using AA#2.

I have no idea if it's available in the "frozen north". :)

John
 
Blue Dot works OK and seems to be reasonably clean for higher-power loads. What I've found is that low-pressure loads are a lot dirtier. Higher pressures contribute to a more complete combusion and less residue.
 
try titegroup- it's cleaner esp with lead bullets- supply is however another story- i've got an 8 pound keg of 231 which i'm just beginning to see the bottom of, and i use it for all my cf pistols- it always seems you can get the stuff- i actually went through an 8 pounder inside of a year using the 45- at 6 grains/shot that's a lot of shooting
 
as t-star said. try Hodgson Titegroup. Excellent powder. Go through Higgison Powder, excellent prices, I use it for 9mm, 45acp, some whimpy loads for the casul and 44mag lite loads. I never looked back
 
I've been using 4.9gr of 231 which isn't that low - the specs I have say 4.3 to 5.3gr.

I hadn't though that upping the load might clean things up... I'll bump it up a bit for the next bunch of reloads.

Anyone in the Kitchener/Waterloo/Guelph area know a good place to get powder?
 
For my 45acp, 40sw,9mm,and 357 Vhitavouri n320, very clean and consistent. easy to make major for 45 and 40sw if shooting IPSC and less powder use. the best powder for IPSC, good balance in velocity and pressure. its just hard to fine and the dealers are putting high price on it. if you know somebody selling , its worth a try,I usaually stocked about 10-12 lbs. which is my annual average.
 
Any of the Hogdon powders are clean. Higginson has them, look out for the cheaper ones (made in Canada at the IMR plant and hence avoids lots of duty).

Titegroup is good for lighter bullets, Universal clays for general use.
 
DMeNTED said:
I've been using 4.9gr of 231 which isn't that low - the specs I have say 4.3 to 5.3gr.

I hadn't though that upping the load might clean things up... I'll bump it up a bit for the next bunch of reloads.

Anyone in the Kitchener/Waterloo/Guelph area know a good place to get powder?
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must be one of them new lawyerized loading manuals- the one i've got says 6.0 for a 200 grain slug,with 6.2 max- i don't think 4.9 will even move my slide- that's the load for the 9mm-my speer lists 5.7 low end and 6.3 high-i've been up at 6 for the longest time- colt mk4 series 70 govt- but trust me bumping your loads won't clean it up as it's a reaction between the bullet lube and the 231- switch to jacketed and the problem will go away- the smoke and soot you're getting is the result of the 231 vaporizing the lube- or so i've found-about the only thing that burns dirtier is unique
 
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DMeNTED, by your title I thought you spilled some powder! Not too descriptive... but I read it anyways. :eek:

DMeNTED said:
I've been using 4.9gr of 231 which isn't that low - the specs I have say 4.3 to 5.3gr.
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For 230 gr. lead bullet? That's what I have been using with Winchester primers and getting about 175 power factor.


t-star said:
must be one of them new lawyerized loading manuals- the one i've got says 6.0 for a 200 grain slug,with 6.2 max- i don't think 4.9 will even move my slide- that's the load for the 9mm...
Click to expand...
My Lyman 48th Edition lists a max of 6.0gr. of W231 with a 200gr. LSWC. Compairing 9mm to 45ACP loads doesn't really work. Different case size, bullet weight, pressure limit, etc., etc. Apples and tomatoes, same colour but that's about it! :rolleyes:

I've used Winchester 231 with 230gr. LRN bullets all the way from 4.0 to 5.8gr. with no cycling problems at all. The bullets are a bit slow at 4.0gr. but it cycled just fine. About 650 fps... not exactly IPSC major power but it worked fine. And I got a nice W231 graph to boot!

I'd really like to try some Viht N310 next but my supplier won't have any for awhile and it is quite a bit more expensive.


Fudd
 
t-star said:
must be one of them new lawyerized loading manuals- the one i've got says 6.0 for a 200 grain slug,with 6.2 max- i don't think 4.9 will even move my slide- that's the load for the 9mm-my speer lists 5.7 low end and 6.3 high-i've been up at 6 for the longest time- colt mk4 series 70 govt- but trust me bumping your loads won't clean it up as it's a reaction between the bullet lube and the 231- switch to jacketed and the problem will go away- the smoke and soot you're getting is the result of the 231 vaporizing the lube- or so i've found-about the only thing that burns dirtier is unique
Click to expand...

I'm going with the reloading specs off the winchester website - and the bullets I'm using are 230gr jacketted round nose. (Although I have some 230gr JHPs to load up too...
 
IMR 231 PDF I have direct from winchester for 230 gr rn jacketed max's at 5.7. WSF max's at 6.6 but it is a different powder. Over six grains and up is for 180-185 grain bullets. You may want to check your data.

I use 200 gr lead SWC at 5.4. Lotsa smoke. Working through a keg, once Im done Ill switch to something else.
 
i know somebody who sometimes cross the border down at buffalo, although he doesnt operate a store, that the reason I stock by bulk, in fact right now Im on my last 2lbs. planning to see my brother down south next week, will take advantage of it, 16lbs is the max allowed at the border. correct me if Im wrong on this.
 
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