Thick cloud from cheap-o .45's

[L4D]

I finally got around to shooting some of these .45's that i picked up from a recent gun show. It was in a no brand white box (if i remember correctly) and the casings are stamped with "federal". Anyhow i only shot about 10 rounds before i stopped using them. Problem was each round was followed by a thick cloud of gunsmoke and was generally louder than normal and the recoil was stronger. I switched over to my Winchesters for the remainder of my session.

I dont know what dirty ammo is, but im assuming its this stuff.

should i use it in my GI 45? Could it possibly damage my barrel if i countinue to use it?

[CSACANNONEER]

Hard cast or jacketed?

[Bug Splat]

HAHA I wonder if they used black powder vs smokeless

Can you open a couple up and take a look? If you are not sure what to look for just light a small amount with a match in a tin plate and see if it burns slowly or flashes quickly.

[jumbopanda]

If you're worried about the loud report, check for pressure signs. If these rounds are loaded with lead projectiles, the smoke is normal.

[L4D]

Hard cast or jacketed?

Hard cast.

smoke is dark, ill open one up later and see what happens.

[CSACANNONEER]

The smoke is probably just caused from the bullet lube then. If they are moly coated, I'm wrong though. Anyways, the smoke is probably nothing to be worried about. If you really feel the recoil is excesive, don't shoot them. I've shot some GI .45acp sub-machinegun ammo through one of my 1911s and it was extemely hot. I would not recommend that anyone else do it. But, in your case, you'll have to determine if the loads are within spec or not. Are primiers flattening and/or backing out? If so, don't shoot it. Does there appear to be an excessive amount of crimp? If so, let someone else look at it. Can you weigh a pulled bullet and crony a couple rounds? If so, that should give us a lot of help in determining if they are loaded within spec or not.

[L4D]

But, in your case, you'll have to determine if the loads are within spec or not. Are primiers flattening and/or backing out? If so, don't shoot it. Does there appear to be an excessive amount of crimp? If so, let someone else look at it. Can you weigh a pulled bullet and crony a couple rounds? If so, that should give us a lot of help in determining if they are loaded within spec or not.

crimp? flattening? backing out? ill learn about all this in due time.

after checking out a few videos of black powder rounds vs smokeless. im sure its smokeless.

if i remember correctly the spent casing had tons of carbon all over it.
the Winchesters casings didnt look like these did.

[bohoki]

yea i was so freaked out whn i first fired my home cast with lee lube it was like a western

i though holy carp my bullseye went bad

[CSACANNONEER]

crimp? flattening? backing out? ill learn about all this in due time.

after checking out a few videos of black powder rounds vs smokeless. im sure its smokeless.

if i remember correctly the spent casing had tons of carbon all over it.
the Winchesters casings didnt look like these did.

If you want someone else's opinion about these, why don't you post your general location and/or the range you go to the most. Someone here might be able to go shooting with you and help you determine if what you have is safe or not.

[L4D]

im in San Diego and frequent ASC and DGM. Was at ASC yesterday and had a convo with someone who bought the same stuff in 9mm. He explained they were inconsistent and had too much lube but shot through all of his and ended up with a very very dirty pistol.

i have other ammo to shoot. Ill probably post the last 100 i got of these for trade or free in the marketplace a little bit later.