Dirty powder?

[Robin]

I loaded my first .45 Colt cartridges today using HP-38 and was surprised at how dirty they are.

Is this powder inherently dirty? I'm thinking maybe I should put a harder crimp might give it a more complete, cleaner combustion but I don't know. Any thought on this would be appreciated.
Robin

 

[kev74]

What kind of load are you using?

 

[Robin]

6.6 gr, 255 gr. lead bullet. I want to keep these loads pretty much in the cowboy action zone, for my Henry and my Colt 1860 conversion to .45 Colt. This is just for the pure fun of shooting, no magnumitus allowed.
Robin

 

[kev74]

Im guessing you might have to stick with dirty if you don't want to bump up to a faster powder or more stout load that might allow the case to seal better in the chamber.

You could try a stronger crimp, but that's a lot of blow-by.

 

[thegatman]

If you have any Unique try it. Standard load. Lots of info out there

 

[Robin]

I don't have any Unique and I'm what you might say, powder poor, right now.
I think your right Kev. I think I might amp things up, give it a bit more crimp and see if I can at least eliminate the blow by.
Robin

 

[JunkBoxFull]

Yeah, HP38 is generally a dirty powder. Especially when using bunnyfart loadings.

 

[Hochulsucks1234]

You will generally get powder residue using cast bullets and pistol powder. I have cut down a lot on residue by crimping the bullets. Being that it is lead you have to be careful crimping. I use a slight collet crimp over a taper or roll.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

That's an excessively dirty case. It's definitely because of the light load. Better crimp will help a bit.

 

[MothMan]

Light powder charge may not be creating enough pressure to seal brass to cylinder/chamber walls allowing gases to escape along with soot.

I loaded my first .45 Colt cartridges today using HP-38 and was surprised at how dirty they are.
View attachment 222034
Is this powder inherently dirty? I'm thinking maybe I should put a harder crimp might give it a more complete, cleaner combustion but I don't know. Any thought on this would be appreciated.
Robin

 

[Acer-m14]

I loaded my first .45 Colt cartridges today using HP-38 and was surprised at how dirty they are.
View attachment 222034
Is this powder inherently dirty? I'm thinking maybe I should put a harder crimp might give it a more complete, cleaner combustion but I don't know. Any thought on this would be appreciated.
Robin

looks like a BP load ..



not to say there is anything wrong with BP load .. it will work .. just dirty ..

 

[GTN]

Want to try some Unique? I have some

 

[Robin]

Thanks GTN, lemme look into it.
Robin

 

[Acer-m14]

Want to try some Unique? I have some

i used what i had of that for some 12ga loads when i got into reloading .. skeet loads

Dirty Nawww ..



it went booom and worked ..

if we only had a powder to use so we never have clean our guns again

 

[Deplorable Me]

Bullet wax? Makes my lead bullets look like black powder. Same powder with coated bullets or jacketed, clean! 231, Unique, Pistol Powder.

 

[fresch]

Cast Boolits

This is the dedicated cast bullet forum!

castboolits.gunloads.com

45 Colt Load Data - Guns and Ammo

It's pretty hard to find any other handgun cartridge that is as versatile as the good old 45 Colt. If you're into reloading, here's some valuable load data to get you started.

www.gunsandammo.com

Reloading The .45 Colt - Reload Ammo

(WC= WadCutter, SWC= Semi-WadCutter, HP= Hollow Point, RN= Round Nose, FMC= Full Metal Case, FMJ= Full Metal Jacket, JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point and if GC

reloadammo.com

If you like I would look up loads in my books for you, they are old books but work for me after checking manufacturer web sites and doing the start to best loads for my guns; if I had any. (Boating accident)

 

[Robin]

Thank you fresh, coincidence, I just found that article in one of my Hogden publications. Loads are a bit stiffer than the data I have, but still suitable for the firearms I am using. I'm already loading up for a test run!
Robin