Gunsmoke

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  • Last Post 12 January 2017
Eutectic posted this 08 January 2017

The winter shooting season is here and except for hardy folks, indoor ranges are getting more use. Pistol shooters are not hampered IPSC, IPDA and Pin Matches can move indoors with little loss. The Run and Gun courses involve a little less running which is not a bad thing for us older folks.


Indoors both muzzle flash and smoke can become much more obvious. Smokeless powder is not smokeless, it smokes less compared to black powder, but it still produces smoke. There are differences in powders, and the differences are more apparent indoors

When DuPont discontinued 5066 pistol powder, I changed to Bullseye. The first thing I noticed was Bullseye was dirtier and produced more smoke.  I used Unique when I wanted more velocity for hunting, where the Bullseye loads never made muzzle flash, the Unique loads frequently did. Shooting at dusk with a stiff charge of Unique in a short barrel 45 Colt will enlighten you.
So here are some indoor observations, strictly subjective no instrumentation involved.
Bullseye vs. 231 vs. VV320    
231 and VV320 are about equal, and made slightly less smoke than Bullseye. None of the three produce noticeable muzzle flash.
Unique makes more smoke than Bullseye (no surprise, higher charge weight)and makes a bright flash about half the time. BE 86 is Aliant’s flash suppressed pistol powder. The burning rate is in the same class as Unique. It smokes a bit more, but never flashes.

Muzzle flash and smoke are related to both powder composition and charge weight. Muzzle flash is suppressed by adding metal salts to the powder. Metal salts are what make the white smoke in black powder so it is no surprise flash-suppressed powders make slightly more smoke. Charge weight is important, fast powders smoke and flash less.

Cast bullets add lubricant smoke and the same rules apply, less lube = less smoke.  I have not noticed any smoke differences in standard lubes (LBT Blue, Alox / Beeswax, Lyman Orange Magic). Liquid Alox cut with mineral spirits leaves a very thin coat, it gave less smoke than Alox / Beeswax in the lube groove in a side by side test.  For low smoke, Liquid Alox was very close to copper plated or jacketed bullets with the same load.
 
Steve

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Bohica793 posted this 08 January 2017

Don't know where you are located, but down here the indoor ranges either closed due to excessive OSHA/EPA harassment or will only allow lead free ammo you purchase from them at inflated prices.

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dan l posted this 08 January 2017

our range is open we put $46.000 in ventilation system and that was about 6-7 years ago.

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SierraHunter posted this 12 January 2017

I have never shot at a indoor range in my life. I was out braving the sub 0 Temps today to try a new mold in my 300 blackout.

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