I have some 165 grain TC bullets from Penn. Used Titegroup at 6grains. Accuracy was pretty good, but smoke not to my liking. (not as bad as laser-cast in 45 with 4.5gr)
I am new to lead reloading, been using plated bullets mostly. What powders to you recommend. (don't tell me whatever I can find) I know that.
Thanks in advance.
I like Unique. Usually easy to find and I have good luck with Unique and cast bullets.
The smoke maybe the lube being used on the bullets... :-[
I get that it's the lube. I probably will try some other brands. But for now I have 2000 bullets that I want to shoot.
Any other powders that minimize smoking?
I don't have as much info to contribute as some other members as I am VERY new to reloading but I have been using Hogdon Longshot powder for 10mm (8.5g) and 40sw (6.5g) with powdercoated 175g (~177g actual) TC lead bullets and it has been pretty good. Nearly no smoke at all, accuracy at 7yards is average, no leading, it's just like shooting FMJ's. The only thing I've seen with the Longshot powder is some unburnt powder left in the barrel. I've shot these loads in my G20, G22, and Beretta 96 and had small traces of powder in each barrel. Looking at hogdons burn rate chart and seeing that Longshot is a slower powder, I would assume this is the reason for the unburnt powder.
This is the only powder/bullet combo I have used so far so I can't say if it smokes more or less than others but it works for me! I'd have to agree with Shadow and say its probably the lube contributing to your smoke. Good luck!