Shot a steel challenge match today with a new batch of ammo in my 9mm STI Trojan, very very very smokey.

 

Recipe:

Lead Missouri Bullet 125gr 9mm ( http://www.missourib...ary=8&keywords= )

3.5 grains of TiteGroup

1.15" oal

 

 

The bullet itself shot fine, but somebody had mentioned that they thought my crimp wasn't tight enough and that may be causing smoking. Can this be a scenrio? All rounds passed the chamber check and cycled fine.

 

I've shot off about 1000 rounds of a lead .45 230gr behind clays powder in my revolver, it's a tad smokey, but virtually nothing compared to shooting it out of a 9mm.

 

Am I seeing the difference because clays is a " slower " burning powder over titegroup ?

Tg is very smokey with lead. It's a great versatile inexpensive powder with everything but lead. It burns fast and hot.

 

I wouldnt use tg with lead personally. I also hate how lead and bullet lube makes the dies dirty as all hell. Add to that handling lead isnt good either.

Want to try some 231? Just to see if ya have the same issue.

Inherently smoky!

I load it behind 200gr .45acp, .158gr 38spl, and 105gr .380acp lead

 

I like to think of it as my built-in smokescreen!

Want to try some 231? Just to see if ya have the same issue.

 

Got some, havent opened it yet.

 

Guess I'll just pay the extra 12 dollars per 1000 for xtreme bullets.

 

Would the 231 act more like clays or titegroup ? Fast and hot ?

Clays is the "go to" powder for 45. Especially lead.

Indeed. I like the 45 load I'm working with now for uspsa:

 

230gr lead bullet

3.6grs clays

1.23oal

171 PF

The crimp does not hold the bullet in the case, it's the neck tension. The crimp is for reliable feeding. Over crimping may cause the bullet to be looser as the brass will spring back but the lead will re-sized. This could cause more smoke and leading as hot gases pass around the re-sized bullet.

 

As for the smoke issue, try Winchester Super Target (WST) and maybe a different brand of bullet. My load is a 200g. Dardas, SWC, lead with 4.8g. of WST. It is very accurate with soft recoil and little smoke.

I have another 4 pounds of tite group coming this week, so im going to stick with that and Just change bullets. I'll prob. just pony up the extra few dollars and go with the extreme plated bullets.

Hey Alec.

 

When you work thru the Titegroup, I have been using 4.6gn of Unique behind a 125gn LRN in my 9mm and really like it. Shoots like a dream thru my Kimber. You're ever up this way and want to try it drop me a line and I'll meet you at the range and you can.

 

C

I have another 4 pounds of tite group coming this week, so im going to stick with that and Just change bullets. I'll prob. just pony up the extra few dollars and go with the extreme plated bullets.

 

If you can get them from njreloader and not pay shipping it's totally worth it to go plated vs lead. Everything will stay much cleaner. Guns, press, and your lungs.

The smoke is most probably the lube on the bullet that is burning up. I get the same thing with my LSWC's through my .45 ACP 1911. That majority of the smoke you're seeing is from the bullet lube.

Titegroup and lead is just smokey that is just what it is . My 9mm load for steel plates is 147gn with 2.9gn of titegroupe good and cheap they work well . I shot them at a indoor IDPA match this spring and the R.O. asked me not to bring them back you get a lot more smoke inside .

 

This weekend I loaded some Hot 115gn jhp and did not get any smoke

Just to confirm what everyone else is saying, Titegroup DOES produce more smoke with bare lead bullets. Even the FMJ bullets with bare bottoms produce more smoke then fully plated xtreme bullets.

I have another 4 pounds of tite group coming this week, so im going to stick with that and Just change bullets. I'll prob. just pony up the extra few dollars and go with the extreme plated bullets.

 

When you do and you need to test some new loads let me know if you need to borrow the Crono..