Cleanest Low Pressure Pistol Powder

[black mamba]

What, in your experience, is the cleanest burning pistol powder for LOW PRESSURE LOADS. Many powders "clean up" once they reach 20-25 kpsi, but for loads in the 10-14 kpsi range, what are the cleanest burning, least sooty powders you have used? Thanks for all replies!

 

[Hartkopf]

I'd love to hear the truly experienced replies on this one. In my limited experience, Titegroup is pretty clean at low charge weights. I've been shooting lots of 9mm - RMR 115gr - 3.9 to 4gr Titegroup and my gun is pretty clean after a 250 round range trip. This is still probably way more pressure than the OP is talking about though.

 

[AJC1]

I also believe TG is the cleanest at low pressure I have used. The faster the powder the better luck you will generally see imo. I have some recovered ramshot competion that seems clean, but my total experience with it is low.

 

[jmorris]

Vihtavuori powders are the cleanest I’ve used. N320 / Titegroup are my #2 & 3 choices for minor 9mm they are pretty close to one another except TG is cheaper and not as clean. N310 is my favorite but while all three give a soft recoil feel, none are what I would call “low pressure”, they are all at the fast end of burn rates.

I don’t have pressure test equipment but I am not sure any of my 9mm’s except for the revolvers would ever function with 10,000 psi ammunition though.

 

[AJC1]

Vihtavuori powders are the cleanest I’ve used. N320 / Titegroup are my #2 & 3 choices for minor 9mm they are pretty close to one another except TG is cheaper and not as clean. N310 is my favorite but while all three give a soft recoil feel, none are what I would call “low pressure”, they are all at the fast end of burn rates.

I believe when he says low pressure he is referring to a cartridge like 38 or 45. In discussion I consider those low pressure for how hard my.lead needs to be. Providing clear task and purpose always helps but most of the time were guessing.

 

[jmorris]

I believe when he says low pressure he is referring to a cartridge like 38 or 45.

I was just going off the OP.

loads in the 10-14 kpsi range

10 kpsi is 28% of Sammi max for 9mm. I have loaded 45 ACP to minor before ~ 550 fps, very low recoil in revolvers and you can see the bullet in flight, not sure of the pressure though.

 

[anothernewb]

Trail Boss has always burned super clean for me. as has clays. But both are probably a tad fast for 9's unless you're loading 100gr bullets.

 

[Blue68f100]

My choice would be WST. It was designed for shotgun use which is low pressure. It's my go to powder for 45acp and 357 mag target loads. On the 45acp I've run as low as 4.0 gr behind 185 gr & 200 gr LSWC. Will function my 45's with std springs. TG runs extremely hot. If you do rapid fire you will not be able to touch your barrel without it burning you. WST runs a lot cooler, but you must remember that it's reverse temp sensitive.

 

[mcb]

As others have already mentioned Vihtavuori powders in general are wonderfully clean at most pressures. I have been using N320 and N32C Tin Star in my 455 Webley at very low pressure ~10-12 ksi and they are working very clean for me.

 

[Kingcreek]

W231

 

[runner3264]

N320

 

[black mamba]

Thanks for all the early responses. I don't load for 9mm, and am primarily interested in light target loads for 41, 44, and 45 caliber revolvers.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I've had good luck with Red Dot/Promo. Another shotgun powder, designed to run at lower pressures.

I've got several 9mm pistols to run on a Promo load, at under 850 fps with a 125gr lead bullet. I don't know what pressure that is, but it can't be very high.

I don't remember having any problems with it being dirty, but I normally don't pay much attention to that aspect. If it runs well and is accurate, I'm shooting it.

ETA:. Since OP doesn't run 9mm, I use the same powder in low velocity 32 Long, 38 Spl, and 44 Spl loads.

 

[Charlie98]

My choice would be WST.

Mine, too... but not in the cartridges the OP listed (post #12.) In the right burn zone, .45ACP cases with WST hardly have to go through the tumbler...

As much as I hate to admit it, for target velocity loads in those big bores, TiteGroup is probably your best bet, unless you want to spend the money on VV powders. I am not a fan of TG, but I grudgingly admit... it's pretty versatile, even considering it's shortcomings.

I've used TG in .44SPC and .45 Colt... F100 is right... the pistol was so hot after 50 rounds, I could hardly hold the pistol to punch the empties out.

 

[Mostly Lead]

Has been my experience with Titegroup too - it does warm up a gun!

I've use 231/H-38, Titegroup and VV powders in a variety of calibers. Never really noticed that much of a difference - but maybe 231 is ever so slightly dirtier at low pressure..

They all require cleaning when finished at the range though, I've been sticking with 231/HP-38.

 

[Jim Watson]

Clays got a reputation as a clean burn. That when it was made in Australia, I haven't seen anything about the Canadian version.

I load .45 Minor with Bullseye. It is not "clean" by the internet definition, but its residue is fine and sooty, it isn't going to foul out your gun any time soon.

 

[Hondo 60]

Fast, fast, fast
Clean Shot, TiteGroup, Accurate #2.
I'm sure there's more, but I have experience with those 3

 

[black mamba]

Thanks, I've tried most of the suggestions, but never the WST. I'd love to find some at a decent price.

 

[Riomouse911]

Clays got a reputation as a clean burn. That when it was made in Australia, I haven't seen anything about the Canadian version.

I load .45 Minor with Bullseye. It is not "clean" by the internet definition, but its residue is fine and sooty, it isn't going to foul out your gun any time soon.

I’ll agree that every shot fired fouls a gun a little bit, whether I’m shooting Unique, Bullseye or another “cleaner” powder. Ive never worried about the cleanliness of the powder, because even on a three-day shoot fest I’ve never had a gun so filthy it won’t operate… plus if the gun is shot enough to get sooty it is going to be cleaned when I’m done no matter what.

IMHO think more about finding accurate loads amongst the reams of data than sweating how clean powder X or powder Y leaves the gun.

Stay safe.

 

[P Flados]

I use quite a bit of both Promo (bulk version of Red Dot) and Titgegroup in low pressure and mid pressure handgun loads. I generally lean toward Promo for low power loads unless there is a reason to use Titegroup. For me, it would probably be promo in the stated cartridges.

If you can find adequate load data, any of the fast shotgun powders will give very similar performance as Promo.

There may be cleaner powders, but either of these are very much "on the clean side" in low power loads compared to most any of the more mid range burn rate powders used for handguns.

I cast my own bullets. I use PC for mid power to full power ammo and tumble lube for lower power ammo. For most all or my regular shooters, I have worked up loads that give me zero leading. As such I pretty much never clean the barrels.

 

[Blue68f100]

Thanks, I've tried most of the suggestions, but never the WST. I'd love to find some at a decent price.

Which part of the country you live in? If near me I will give you some to try.

 

[Charlie98]

Which part of the country you live in? If near me I will give you some to try.

I was going to axe the same thing! I've got 3 pounds just setting idle...

 

[Blue68f100]

I think I'm setting on 16# maybe more.

 

[.38 Special]

231 is the cleanest I have used, I think, though several other powders have been similar. Any time I find that most of the "dirt" on the outside of the gun is lead, lube, or copper wash, I assume the powder is clean enough.

 

[Cfish]

N320
WST
Clays
Sport Pistol