MBDoc Holiday
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I'm currently using Titegroup for 9mm pushing fmj 147's. I'm looking for something a little less SMOKEY. This seems comon with titegroup and exposed lead bases. Should I just change powder or go to a tmj?
Cleaner powder
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D. Manley
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I've recently been on a quest for a very clean, soft, accurate 147 grain load. Thus far, the below have been stellar:
Remington FMC-FP Match Bullets
Once-Fired Winchester Brass / U-Die Sized
Winchester SPP
OAL: 1.130 / Crimp: .377
3.4 grains Solo-1000
3.8 grains VV N-330
3.9 grains VV N-340
3.5 grains of N-320 shot very well but the load needs tweaking a bit in my gun (but does well for a lot of others)...point of impact was a bit off but is a nice load nonetheless. I have also tested TG at 3.3 grains (only) and though it did not group as well at this level at the above loads, it was not particularly smoky either.
Remington FMC-FP Match Bullets
Once-Fired Winchester Brass / U-Die Sized
Winchester SPP
OAL: 1.130 / Crimp: .377
3.4 grains Solo-1000
3.8 grains VV N-330
3.9 grains VV N-340
3.5 grains of N-320 shot very well but the load needs tweaking a bit in my gun (but does well for a lot of others)...point of impact was a bit off but is a nice load nonetheless. I have also tested TG at 3.3 grains (only) and though it did not group as well at this level at the above loads, it was not particularly smoky either.
MBDoc Holiday
Member
I am using federal SRP, I wonder if that has anything to do with it. How do you measure your crimp like that, I use a small/med/heavy crimp.
You could try plated bullets (no exposed lead), or just go with a cooler burning powder.
D. Manleys suggestions are good ones. I would include 700X, and AA #5.
Single based powders with no nitro content, or double base powders with a low nitro% will be cooler burning.
I asked about a couple of powders and the techs from Alliant and Ramshot told me this.
Red Dot- 20%
Bullseye/Power Pistol - 40%
Blue Dot - 15%
American Select - Around 5%
Competition - 23&
Zip/True Blue - Around 20%
Enforcer - About 12%
D. Manleys suggestions are good ones. I would include 700X, and AA #5.
Single based powders with no nitro content, or double base powders with a low nitro% will be cooler burning.
I asked about a couple of powders and the techs from Alliant and Ramshot told me this.
Red Dot- 20%
Bullseye/Power Pistol - 40%
Blue Dot - 15%
American Select - Around 5%
Competition - 23&
Zip/True Blue - Around 20%
Enforcer - About 12%
I definitely recommend a standard small pistol primer.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I've found many powders are a little dirty until you get them up to near Max charges. I've also found one that doesn't have to be loaded hot to stay clean is W231. I don't load a 147gr bullet for my 9mm rounds but W231 is very clean with any 124/125gr bullet I load in a 9mm. If you don't like the results you get with W231 give HS-6 a try but like I said above, load it near Max for best results. HS-6 will produce lower pressure and flash loads than most other powders though and might be a better choice for the heavier bullet.
If you are shooting lead the smoke is from the bullet lube. You can search from now to next Christmas and you are not going to find a powder that will give you clean non smoking loads. Been there, done that.
You can either use jacketed or plated bullets if you want less smoke. I've found that an added light coating of Lee's Liquid Alox bullet lube over the typical wax type lubed commercial cast reduces the smoke some and cleans up the bore leading nicely. I've also found that certain types of lube seem to smoke less, notably the red type vrs the typical blue.
Unless you are loading very light the high pressure 9mm should obdurate a hard cast bullets base enough so that gas blow by shouldn't be the problem.
You can either use jacketed or plated bullets if you want less smoke. I've found that an added light coating of Lee's Liquid Alox bullet lube over the typical wax type lubed commercial cast reduces the smoke some and cleans up the bore leading nicely. I've also found that certain types of lube seem to smoke less, notably the red type vrs the typical blue.
Unless you are loading very light the high pressure 9mm should obdurate a hard cast bullets base enough so that gas blow by shouldn't be the problem.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Steve, he said he's loading a "FMJ 147gr bullet" in his first post.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Steve, I agree... I haven't had a smokey load using a Jacketed bullets either.
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