Smokey situation

[GMJim]

A few weeks back I bought some Titegroup powder because I couldn't find any Bullseye. I loaded 50 rounds of DBWC (DRG 148 grn. bullets) in .357 cases using the recommended starting load of 2.9 grns. You could see the cloud of smoke after every shot. I don't remember my Bullseye being this dirty using 3.0 grns. and Speer HBWC 148 grn. Is it the powder or the bullet lubricant? Maybe the charge is too light? It seems to group pretty good.
Thanks

 

[silverfoxdj]

I found changing to plated bullets a help with smoke..

 

[CeeZer]

TG burns at higher temp thus smoke.

 

[Ganderite]

I load DRG bullets a lot, in several calibers. They smoke.

The exact same load with plated bullets is smoke free.

Smoke is from the bullet lube.

 

[GMJim]

Is that maybe why I didn't get smoke with the Speer HBWC?? They're swagged softer lead and the DRG's seem to be cast with a lube ring. I had to wipe my gun down after 20 rounds!

 

[Spawn-Inc]

Is that maybe why I didn't get smoke with the Speer HBWC?? They're swagged softer lead and the DRG's seem to be cast with a lube ring. I had to wipe my gun down after 20 rounds!

yes, it's the lube burning and smoking, The only HBWC's i've used were/are swaged.

 

[silverfoxdj]

I used Berry's coated and Campro coated pretty much solved the problem

 

[GMJim]

Thanks
I've got another 450 of them to go. I gotta get a respirator!
Jim

 

[Ganderite]

If you shoot at night, by flashlight, the smoking ammo is like being in a heavy fog. Only plated ammo works at night.

 

[Yotarunner]

I shoot cast bullets and tightgroup in my 45 auto and its bad enough that i have been heckled by buddies asking how i managed to get blackpowder 45 ammo. I shoot outside and its usually windy so no major issue for me.

 

[hometownhero]

This sounds kind of fun. I powder coat my cast stuff so haven't seen smoke

 

[VanMan]

I'm just working up some PPC loads using Titegroup and Clays with Berry's plated 148gr HBWC and Speers lead 148gr HBWC. I use the same powder measure setting on my Dillon 550b when I switched between Berry's and Speers, but the Berry's was much slower and gave me HUGE ES/SD's. Interesting the last speed loader set of each Titegroup test batch was abnormally low for Berry's. I'm wondering if sitting bullet down for so long may have trapped all the powder in the hollow base of the bullet?

For light loads, stick with Speers and try Clays if you get a chance. Very soft shooting, but probably the same amount of smoke. Now I just need to work on getting a more consistent powder throws with Clays