Un-burnt powder in barrel...input needed

[soundwave]

Here's the load I shot today in my G21:

200gr lead RNFP (.451.5-.452")
5 grs ww231
CCI LPP
OAL 1.250

This load is soft shooting and accurate, but I notice a lot is un-burnt powder flakes in the barrel.

To remedy the un-burnt powder problem, should I:

A. bump up the powder charge
B. take down the OAL
C. other (please elaborate)
D. just shoot monkey magnums

Thanks! :cheers2:

[Warhorse]

Are you using enough crimp?
I noticed the same thing on the .38Spl loads I started with. Increasing the crimp made the problem go away.

[soundwave]

Are you using enough crimp?
I noticed the same thing on the .38Spl loads I started with. Increasing the crimp made the problem go away.

Yep, my crimp is within spec. Averages .471"

[BigSlick]

I would bump dat charge a lil bit, maybe .4gr an see how it do for ya.

But, it 231, so it gonna suck really no matter what ya do

Check out some #5 or some straight Clays (light loads only) an you a be happy.

Lotta folks use PP an WSF in 45 ACP, but I don't. I have, an it OK, but #5 jus kick ass so much I cain't get away from it. Do errythang you a need in 45 ACP.

Real nice too.

For real.

[soundwave]

#5 eh? I will pick some up to try for my next batch. How many grains you like to throw under a 200gr?

Thanks :seeya:

[BigSlick]

Jacketed 9.3 (full power)

Lead 8.3 (nice an soft)

But I mostly shoot 230 LRN wit 8.0 gr, 1.260 WLP/CCI 300, mixed. Run 850 or so.

Usin same headstamp a get ya spreads down a lil bit, but they ain't bad wit mixed

I love dat load

[Steve Koski]

Some 231 trash in your barrel won't hurt none. If you want to shoot 231, get used to it!

[soundwave]

Some 231 trash in your barrel won't hurt none. If you want to shoot 231, get used to it!

I guess I am more worried about inconsistency. I don't mind the gunk, thats gonna be there no matter what.

Is 231 THAT bad??? I only have a pound of it, so I will venture out to some #5 next time. Will any of my ideas help burn up the powder better?

I am a little surprised no one has opted to use answer D.

[918v]

#5 will leave unburnt powder as well.

A taper crimp does nothing to help combustion in semi-autos.

Reduce the OAL to 1.200"

Increase the charge weight.

[Trooperdan]

There is more unburnt powder from ammo than you realize. It is a real hazard on indoor ranges and has to be cleaned regularly to avoid flash fires. There was a Glock test firer that died as a result of a range fire from unburned powder on the Glock test range, about 2-3 years ago as I recall. In other words, unburned powder is a fact of life.

[Frost]

Slick I wuz a thankin you wuz the poster boy fer WSF.

So AA#5 is your favorite fer 230 lrn?

[RenoF250]

I have always been a fan of Accurate powders but yesterday I took some test loads out and the AA#5 was stinking up the chronograph. It had a horrible spread, Titegroup kicked its butt. I was running 5.8 grains in a .38 Special 158 LSWC though.

[Jake]

Slick I wuz a thankin you wuz the poster boy fer WSF.Yup...I was thinking the same.

He must have got a good sponsorship deal from AA.

:chicken:

[Crazy4nitro]

I shoot 4.0gr of WSF under a 200gr Lead Bullet....Nice soft and clean.

'Nitro

[BigSlick]

Slick I wuz a thankin you wuz the poster boy fer WSF.

So AA#5 is your favorite fer 230 lrn?

Yep, for 230LRN, #5 all da way.

I like WSF in higher pressure stuff, cause it's all dat an a bag a chips.

But, my 230RN (plated, cast or jacketed) shoot so well wit #5, I stop load development on a 230.

I just load em until I fill a couple or three fatboy cans an use em up during da next couple months, then do it all over again.

Meter perfect erry time, consistent as hell, low flash, deliver accuracy when I do my part an got a wide loadin range should I decide ta change my habits or wanna do somethin else.

I load straight Clays for light loads, but lookin real hard at trying some a dat Clay Dot from Alliant if I can find any data on it.

Save my WSF for 9mm 10mm an 40

[Brass Nazi]

I guess I am more worried about inconsistency. I don't mind the gunk, thats gonna be there no matter what.

Is 231 THAT bad??? I only have a pound of it, so I will venture out to some #5 next time. Will any of my ideas help burn up the powder better?

I am a little surprised no one has opted to use answer D.

231 can be a good powder. Is it dirty? Yes, in low pressure loads. Who cares how dirty it is if you are hitting the bullseye?

[45shortcolt]

Ditch the 231 and sub 5.0grns. WST. You'll get the same effects minus the dirt.

[bhawkeye]

Here's the load I shot today in my G21:

200gr lead RNFP (.451.5-.452")
5 grs ww231
CCI LPP
OAL 1.250

This load is soft shooting and accurate, but I notice a lot is un-burnt powder flakes in the barrel.

To remedy the un-burnt powder problem, should I:

A. bump up the powder charge
B. take down the OAL
C. other (please elaborate)
D. just shoot monkey magnums

Thanks! :cheers2:

According to Quickload, you're only burning about 94.5% of the powder and have a max pressure of just over 10k psi.

So I'd say A & B: If you go to 5.9 grains, with an OAL of 1.200, you should burn 99% of the powder with a max pressure of about 16k psi. Should clean it up quite a bit, but not as "soft" shooting - though still not near a heavy load (IMHO).

Or you could go to a different powder.

[ronterry]

So to put it in terms, maximize the pressure and Tailor your velocity.
45ACP barely burns it all up, even under max pressure.
The one powder that will absolutely burn completely at least in my experience is VV310-VV320-VV340. Same pressure, slow - medium - fast velocities respectably, and of coarse Newtons Law applies to the reaction (ie recoil)...
Be very careful about just deep seating to build pressure. It's not that simple to just trust in the simple Boyle's law when we are talking about chemistry of different powders.

BTW: My goto plinker for 45 is 5.3grs of HP38/W231 under a 230gr bullet, so It's not surprising that you have a fair amount of ash.