Smoky 9mm loads

[Mike40-11]

Been loading .45 but just getting started with 9m. Working up some plinking loads. I took some various 9mm loads to the range the other day to see how they shot and functioned. 115,124,and 147. All were FMJ or TMJ except I also had hard cast lead for the 147s.

All shot and grouped acceptably but I noticed when firing the 147g lead I seemed to get a lot of bluish smoke. Load was 3.7g Unique. The other rounds were also loaded with Unique and I didn't see this smoke.

Any thoughts?

 

[txpete]

it is the bullet lube on the lead bullets.the lube the commerical casters use has a wax base to it.if you want to cut down on the smoking just apply a light coat of lee tumble lube on them.
pete

 

[armoredman]

I agree - I cast 9mm, (Lee TL 124 356 mould), and use the Lee Liquid Alox for lube. Really does cut down on the smoke. It IS somewhat messier lubing and loading with LLA, but it's faster by far than traditional lube, and very cheap. Check over at castboolits.com, too, for LOTS more info.