Clean powder for .45 ACP lead bullets?

[mauler]

I have reloaded .45 with Win 231 with lead bullets for almost ten years now.  I am considering switching to a cleaner powder.  A buddy of mine suggested both Blue Dot and Tite Group.  Let me know what y'all think would be a good choice.  I don't want to spend twice as much for the powder just to get a cleaner burn.

[jaybet]

I just started using TiteGroup and I like it. It's cleaner, burns faster, and you can "soft load" your rounds and still have a fairly snappy round.

[PegLeg45]

I just started using TiteGroup and I like it. It's cleaner, burns faster, and you can "soft load" your rounds and still have a fairly snappy round.

That has been the general consensus at my local range also. I have a pound I want to try with my .44's.

[MikeBjerum]

Are you talking cleaner as in particulate matter or just soot?

[fullautovalmet76]

I have tried Titegroup and Ramshot Competition, and I prefer Competition. But Titegroup is not a bad choice either.

[Sponsor]

[jaybet]

Are you talking cleaner as in particulate matter or just soot?

Ya got me there M...schmutz is schmutz...less smoky I guess, and loading lighter leaves less lead in the barrel.

[MikeBjerum]

Ya got me there M...schmutz is schmutz...less smoky I guess, and loading lighter leaves less lead in the barrel.

I have people tell me that my powders are "dirty."  I get smoke that I notice out the ports on the open gun but not on the others, and I get a lot of black soot on the muzzles as much as a inch back on a full day of 500 rounds.  I don't consider this soot as dirty.  It has never caused any accuracy or reliability issues.  However, I use a powder in my shot shells that leaves residue that looks like unburnt flakes in the barrel.  That I consider dirty, but I like the performance of the reloads, and it has never caused an issue in any shotgun.

The difference between my powders is that I will not use the shot shell powder in my handguns, because I'm not sure how that residue would affect all the moving parts in such a small space.

[alfsauve]

The cleanest burning, but most expensive are the Vitavorhi's (sp).   But with lead bullets you're always going to create a cloud of "smoke".   Several indoor competitions now prohibit lead bullets, because of the lead "spray".  Not the impact cause spare, but the lead smoke that comes out the barrel.

I went to VV to try and minimize the "cloud" but finally had to accept that lead will always be smokey.  Moved to copper plated for 9mm and .45, and true jacketed for .44 and .357.   My smoke cloud went away after that.

[GASPASSERDELUXE]

The cleanest burning, but most expensive are the Vitavorhi's (sp).   But with lead bullets you're always going to create a cloud of "smoke".   Several indoor competitions now prohibit lead bullets, because of the lead "spray".  Not the impact cause spare, but the lead smoke that comes out the barrel.

I went to VV to try and minimize the "cloud" but finally had to accept that lead will always be smokey.  Moved to copper plated for 9mm and .45, and true jacketed for .44 and .357.   My smoke cloud went away after that.


I shoot cast bullets almost exclusivly in my handguns. The smoke comes from the bullet lube melting and being burnt. The only thing lead can dois lead the barrel.

When I'm finished with the cast bullets i fire a mag full of jacketed bullets thru the gun and that gets rid of any leading that may be there.  The cleaning is i little greasy but hoppes takes care of it just fine.

[ellis4538]

I used a lot of WW 452 AA (which was a SG powder) to load .45 and .38 Spl. and it worked very well.  I now use WW Super Target which replaced 452.  I haven't had any trouble with unburned powder in SA or revos. and don't plan to switch. WST seems to recoil less also.  I have also used a lot of 231 for both cals. and find it very accurate.

FWIW


Richard