Smoky Reloads

[gond]

Hi again. I am still a new reloader and while my 9mm ammo seems to shoot and cycle fine I am putting a ton of smoke downrange and my gun is filthy. I don't have the recipe on hand right now (still at work) but I can post it later if that is relevant. Any advised would be super helpful!

I think the recipe is this but I can't be sure until I get home.
4.7 gr 231
122gr Cast Powder Coated bullet
Mixed Brass
CCI 500 Small Pistol

 

[singlesix]

I switched to plated bullets over titegroup and no issues with smoke. Using lead lubed bullets it was like a smoke screen generator.

 

[bmbutch]

Even my blue bullets are more smokey than plated. Not bad outdoors, but indoors could get a bit smokey.

 

[gond]

So it is possibly the powder coating?

 

[Kirk Freeman]

So it is possibly the powder coating?

Yes, the bullet lube, plus the powder.

Go to plated projectiles and a cleaner powder and you'll be fine.

 

[Sniper 79]

I think it may be the powder coating burning off. I started off using lubed lead and it was the worst! Smoked like all hell and the gun took me hours to get clean. What ever I saved on projectiles I spent in cleaning supplies and time.

All I shoot now is plated over Titegroup

 

[straight-shooter]

The powder coating I use creates virtually no smoke at all. The gun and barrel are very clean after a range session. W231 is definitely not the factor with your problem. Makes me wonder exactly what powder coat is being used on those bullets.

 

[gond]

The bullets are Vulcan Casting Company. I picked them up at the local shop. I don't really know much more than that.

 

[RobbyMaQ]

fwiw I run plated with hp-38 (new to reloading as well, so this is the powder I started with), and I get no smoke.

 

[bmbutch]

fwiw I run plated with hp-38 (new to reloading as well, so this is the powder I started with), and I get no smoke.

Plated with HP38 or CFE Pistol is my favorite!

 

[straight-shooter]

Ok now were getting somewhere. Those are Hi-Tek coated bullets which are completely different than powder coat. I have no personal experience with the Hi-Tek coating but have read that they do infact smoke. I'll guarantee that powder coated do not smoke. Do some googlefu on those Hi-Tek's and you should find your answer.

 

[straight-shooter]

I did a little research for you on those Hi-Tek's and here's what I found out. If the bullet has a thin coating and the cure time was done correctly they do not smoke at all. If the coating is too heavy OR the cure time was done incorrectly then they smoke a lot. The process is done with chemicals completely different from how powder coating is done.

 

[TECKS]

I've found that 231 and hp38 smokes and has alot of flash in my 9mm loads. I have alot of those powders, so they are range loads only for those reasons.

 

[Clay Pigeon]

Yes, the bullet lube, plus the powder.

Go to plated projectiles and a cleaner powder and you'll be fine.

It's got to be what coating is being used, 231 is as clean burning as it gets.

 

[Falconpuch]

I powder coat my own bullets using Harbor Freight Red, I shake them in a old Sour cream container, place them in a toaster oven at 400 degress for 20 mins. Works great and no smoke. I do this for 9mm,45 acp, 44 mag, 45 colt.

Lubed bullets will cause smoke due to powder burning the lube, Powercoating lubes the bullet and acts like a polymer shell.


View attachment 53528

 

[Slapstick]

I use the Hi-Tek coated in 9mm, .45 ACP and 30 Carbine from Bayou Bullets and Missouri Bullets. Not a bit of smoke from either when using Tightgroup on the pistols or Win 296 for the carbine. The carbine crono's at 1850 fps and there no sign of fouling from the coating. A wet patch followed by a couple of dry ones and it's clean.

I guess my point is 1) the company didn't apply the coating correctly or 2) it isn't actually the Hi-Tek coating.

 

[x10]

Anypowder or bullet combination will be dirty and smokey if the bullet crimp is light. Try increasing your crimp to get a better combustion before the bullet leaves the case

 

[Fullmag]

I powder coat my own bullets using Harbor Freight Red, I shake them in a old Sour cream container, place them in a toaster oven at 400 degress for 20 mins. Works great and no smoke. I do this for 9mm,45 acp, 44 mag, 45 colt.

Lubed bullets will cause smoke due to powder burning the lube, Powercoating lubes the bullet and acts like a polymer shell.


View attachment 53528

Are you coating already lubed bullets?

 

[straight-shooter]

Are you coating already lubed bullets?

That's just a product of tumble coating vs spray when applying the powder coat. Spray coating the bullets comes out much smoother but no real difference in the final performance. Just depends how nice you want the final product. I'm a little finicky when it comes down to it so I apply using the spray method.

 

[Falconpuch]

Are you coating already lubed bullets?

No, I cast these and add the powdercoat and bake.