Shooting in the Dark

[Ganderite]

I have often noticed that my pistol handloads are very smokey. Not enough smoke to be an issue, but noticeable. One day I was doing an ammo test in a new gun and happened to have the identical powder charge with the same weight bullet in cast and in plated. It was clear that the plated bullet load had no smoke.

I have been told that the smoke ifs from the bullet lubricant. From this test I am satisfied this is true.

Yesterday I shot a IDPA type 2 gun match that included a lights off stage. We used gun mounted lights on the carbine and hand held lights with the pistols.

I was shocked to discover that the lights lit up the muzzle smoke like a fog and I had to wait a few seconds to see the target for the next shot.

A couple of the shooters then commented that they have made a point of using low smoke, low muzzle flash ammo for this exact reason. Anyone carrying a gun and light for serious reasons would be wise to do the same.

I have a box of those plated bullets. i will load them up for the lights-off shoots.

Some of my better hunting rifles are for sale:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum...01#post8289001

 

[NorthCoastBigBore]

Ya we've done a couple night shoots and had similar observations, the flash light is like high beams in the fog after a few shots. Certainly was an eye opener (no pun intended).

 

[metcalfe]

I had no idea that ipsc did low light.
That is very cool!

 

[NorthCoastBigBore]

Yup it's a LOT of fun. Whole new dimension to the challenge. Ours have been single gun IDPA-style club match.

As for the smoke from bullet lube, absolutely - notice a big difference running Berry's plated vs. cast, regardless of powder. I observe that the coated bullet bullets I shoot in my .38 also generate more smoke than the cast/double lube grooves I usually run in my 9mm, same powders so all else being equal (when I'm not shooting the Berry bullets).

Powder also factors in, I've noticed Bullseye and a couple others I can't recall now tend to be the smokiest I've loaded with, short of Goex. W231 is "less" smokey but I know there are cleaner ones out there.

 

[euxx]

I had no idea that ipsc did low light.

The OP didn't say anything about IPSC.

 

[metcalfe]

The OP didn't say anything about IPSC.

Oops. IPSC was on my mind from the thread I posted earlier...

I was just talking to buddy who used to shoot IDPA and he mentioned that they did it.


No IPSC low light matches then?

 

[The Breeze]

W231 is "less" smokey but I know there are cleaner ones out there.

231 may be less 'smokey' but in my experience it creates quite a large 'muzzle flash' which also isn't desirable in low light conditions.

No IPSC low light matches then?

Not exactly IPSC, but when the USPSA Nationals were at PASA Park in Barry, IL back in the early 2000s, they had low light stages in their 'Dark House'.

 

[Calgary Springbok]

The 2010 and 2011 USPSA Single Stack Nationals (also at PASA Park) had low light stages.

 

[Madness]

USPSA is the america section of IPSC. low ligth is an option in IPSC. Been done a few times in ontario while i've been around, not so much fun if your open gun kicks off a good flash

 

[PanzerIV]

so what powder is recomended then for low smoke/flash? where could one find that info?

 

[raks]

I'm no expert but I'd imagine that the key is to find a powder that burns entirely before the bullet leaves the barrel. I've used titegroup for years and at IPSC minor power in 9mm's there is very little flash, at least not enough to distract. The smoke issue is a bigger problem for sure, I don't shoot cast for major matches or low light.