low flash pistol powders

[slugfest]

Hi guys,
This weekend, I was shooting 45 ACP 230 grain with Bullseye as a propellant(5 grains I believe). I assumed that such a fast powder would have been consumed within the 5 inch barrel of the 1911 I was shooting. To my surprise, muzzle flash was a bit more than I expected in low light conditions. Does anyone have any REAL WORLD experience testing powders for low flash. Any powder recommendations?
Thanks

 

[freakshow10mm]

Bullseye sucks. Use W231, WSF, #5.

 

[helg]

Quickload program shows that 230gr Lee cast bullet over 5 grains of Bullseye in 5 inch barrel gives muzzle speed of 830 fps and max pressure of 14000 psi, which is 66% of SAAMI maximum. 93.6% of the powder burns while bullet is in the barrel, which indicates that muzzle flush should be there.

90+ is normal, I do not think it is of any problem. Anyway, 4.1 grains of Red Dot under the same conditions gives about the same pressure, and burns completely when bullet travels just 2.3 inches through the barrel. 5.3 grains of Winchester 231 burns 99+% under the same conditions, and gives the same pressure.

And note: always check load data from the forum with some other sources.

 

[jeepmor]

Not Blue Dot or Unique. Can't say I've found a low flasher just yet.

 

[Steve C]

Commercial self defense and LEO ammo usually has flash suppressants added to the powder, this basicly changes the color of the flash from a bright yellow or white to a duller red color. Canister grade powders for reloaders do not come with any added flash suppressant so looking for a lower flash powder will requires a powder with the smallest charge weight for the load you want.

Slower powders produce more flash because there is more of it being combusted. Its the difference between a match and a torch. The products of combustion are heat, LIGHT, gas and some particulates how much of which depends upon the mass of the powder.

 

[jfh]

Ramshot's Silhouette is a lower-flash powder--noticably so compared to AA#5, for example.

However, I have not tried it in .45ACP yet--only in 38 Special and 357 Magnum. It's a real good 357 Magnum powder, IMO.

Jim H.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

W231 is a fairly low flash powder and for the .45 Auto you can use HS-6 for ammo with a little more punch. HS-6 is a very low flash powder in my experiences with it.

I haven't tried any of the Ramshot powder yet even though Jim as been trying to get me to do so. I've heard their handgun powders are all clean, accurate and low flash powders.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I have limited experience with just 3 powders for .45acp - Red Dot for cast, BullsEye for cast and jacketed and Power Pistol for cast. PP isn't the one you want for sure, lots of flash.
of the other 2 RD has less flash for me with the cast slugs.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Anything listed for the caliber by Vihtavuori. Almost all of their pistol powders are VERY low flash.

You'll also find it burns extremely clean as well.

The 2 biggest drawbacks to Vit powders? Price and avalibility. Their powders are usually a bit more per pound, and a lot of places don't carry them.

 

[Nate1778]

Red Dot is not too bad, specially when you shoot against the same cartridge in HP38. Literally night and day............

 

[Jim Watson]

An early article in the IDPA Tactical Journal rated AA #2 as the lowest flash powder of 14 tested in .45 ACP.

 

[slugfest]

Thanks guys for all the responses

 

[freakshow10mm]

Ramshot Silhouette is Winchester WAP. Winchester dropped it and Ramshot is now distributing it. Winchester is now marketing AutoComp in its place, which I think is a bad move.