I recently got into reloading and even more recently got into bullet making. I just got to the stage of firing my first test loads with my own cast bullets. I've still got work to do as the first results were not successful, starting with a load that was barely powerful enough to cycle the action and now with trying to work up a load that proves to be reasonably accurate. For reference this is what I've currently got to:
Lee 124gr 9mm RN micro-groove mold
Alloy approximating Lyman #2
Lee Liquid Alox
5.1 gr WSF
CCI small pistol primer
OAL about 1.130
and fired from a SIG P226
Now, all of that isn't really relevant to my question, with the exception of the LLA. I'm finding that the smoke is bothering me when I shoot these things. Its not outrageously bad but I still prefer the relatively smokeless experience of copper plated bullets -so much so that I was researching prices of same this afternoon already. The LLA is also a bit unpleasant to work with, its hard to get the feel and smell of it off my fingers when I'm done. Apart from the smoke and the aforementioned less-than-optimal sensory experience the LLA works well, absolutely no sign of fouling yet after about 50 test rounds.
So, the question: What would you recommend as a lube for someone who wants to see as little smoke as possible? I'm happy to brew my own, happy to source eye of newt and toe of frog or whatever else your favorite smoke-light recipe demands.
Lee 124gr 9mm RN micro-groove mold
Alloy approximating Lyman #2
Lee Liquid Alox
5.1 gr WSF
CCI small pistol primer
OAL about 1.130
and fired from a SIG P226
Now, all of that isn't really relevant to my question, with the exception of the LLA. I'm finding that the smoke is bothering me when I shoot these things. Its not outrageously bad but I still prefer the relatively smokeless experience of copper plated bullets -so much so that I was researching prices of same this afternoon already. The LLA is also a bit unpleasant to work with, its hard to get the feel and smell of it off my fingers when I'm done. Apart from the smoke and the aforementioned less-than-optimal sensory experience the LLA works well, absolutely no sign of fouling yet after about 50 test rounds.
So, the question: What would you recommend as a lube for someone who wants to see as little smoke as possible? I'm happy to brew my own, happy to source eye of newt and toe of frog or whatever else your favorite smoke-light recipe demands.