cleaner burning powder

[davek8s]

Today I shot my very first batch reloads.

I loaded 4.2 grns of Unique behind a 158 lead RN bullet. After 50 rounds my stainless revolver was black. Is there a powder I can buy that is cleaner burning? Right now I have W231 and Unique, but I'm looking to try some different powders.

[Dark Mod]

Clays? im assuming by your load that its 38 spl, not .357 magnum. Unique isnt the worlds cleanest powder, but it might also be the lead bullets. Never used #5 but i hear its pretty clean too

[kurac]

try the W231, you might like it.

[Fishslayer]

Most powders are dirty in light target loads. Unique is known for being dirty.

A lot of that stuff is lube from the lead buulets, too, and it shows really well on stainless. It has it's upside. My wife doesn't like shooting my wheelguns.

[NoHeavyHitter]

I've found the AA (Accurate Arms) powders to be the cleanest burning.

[Cowboy T]

You might try Bullseye. I've gotten pretty clean results from that powder, even my light gallery "powder-puff" load. When bumped up to .38 Spl +P pressures, it leaves my cases so clean I actually don't have to tumble 'em.

Titegroup is also pretty good. However, it does seem to prefer the slightly warmer loads (.45 ACP, .38 Spl. +P, and such).

[bruceflinch]

Get one of the "yellow" cloths designed to remove stuff from Stainless Steel guns. 90% of the stuff just wipes off real easy.
AA5 or W231 does burn cleaner than Unique.

[davek8s]

Thanks all for the advice. My gun cleaned up just fine. I'm just new to reloading and not wanting to buy a pound of every powder to find 1 I really like. My next load will be with 231. I'll see how that goes and decide from there.

[hitteam]

W231 is my top choice.

[gottarollwithit]

Try the w231 out first.

It doesn't help that you're shootin lead. By definition, it's going to make a puff of crap every time b/c you're burning the lube off. Can't really avoid it without switching to something else.

While i haven't looked at any load data, another thought might be that your load might be on the light side. Sometimes, if you get your load to develop a bit more pressure, you'll have a cleaner, more complete burn.

[Whiterabbit]

Thanks all for the advice. My gun cleaned up just fine. I'm just new to reloading and not wanting to buy a pound of every powder to find 1 I really like. My next load will be with 231. I'll see how that goes and decide from there.

that'll change.

Anyways since you have the unique, try different loads with that. whats dirty at one charge might be cleaner and more accurate with another.

when the pound is done, you"ll know for sure if its for you!

[Bill Steele]

that'll change.

Anyways since you have the unique, try different loads with that. whats dirty at one charge might be cleaner and more accurate with another.

when the pound is done, you"ll know for sure if its for you!

I don't like Unique at all, but I agree with this advice. Unique will run a lot cleaner as you run hotter loads.

With Unique, as you work up you can add, add, add and things remain pretty benign, then as you approach max the last few loads are a Jekyll and Hyde kind of thing. Unique burns pretty clean when Mr. Hyde is in the house.

Good luck, have fun.

[CZ93x62]

Some folks refer to Unique as "flaming dirt". It isn't that bad, but there are cleaner powders out there.

My perspective is that of someone who used Goex black powder and cap & ball revolvers. TALK ABOUT CRUD--hijo la! Hoppe's or other good solvents make short work of powder and lube fouling, as you found out. Lead deposits--THOSE can be a PITA, and are best avoided through use of well-fit bullets.

[Pete1979]

I've used 5gr of unique with 158s and its still dirty but it works. The good thing is it uses up some space in the case so its pretty hard to double charge one. Another virtue it that it can work in almost everything but again, its dirty.

I've had great results with bullseye and 231 but you really need to pay attention. It doesn't take much to get the pressure up too high.

[ireload]

You can try Clays as stated by another Calgunner. I use Unique exclusively for my .38 and .357 mag load but I top it off with plated or jacketed bullets so the "dirty" is not as bad as shooting lead. Unique does like to be loaded mid to max level. You can also try True Blue which is not as dirty as Unique.