unburnt powder .45 acp

josebd

josebd

New member
I'm using Hodgdon universal clays powder,I've noticed unburnt powder in side of slide,pistol is a kimber custom 2
Is it too slow of a powder?
Load is 5.6 him 230 grain bullet,pmc brass,cci 300 primer
 
I loaded some 38 spl that didn't burn all the powder, I switched out to a magnum primer and it seemed to have taken care of it. I did lower the charge and worked my way back up after using the mag primers.
 
Another thing to try is slightly increase your crimp. It has helped me with burning all the powder. Universal has been a very clean powder for me.
 
Universal Clays is probably best at its upper pressure range. I'll leave that for you to determine using reliable published load data. Taper crimp to .470" - .469" for best reliability. You do not need magnum primers in the .45 ACP (or .38 Special for that matter). I acquired some Universal Clays in a trade and tried it in .45 ACP. I have read it was clean burning but experienced unburned flakes also. Kinda reminded me of Unique, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
 
Originally Posted By: josebdDo I need to go up to 5.8 or 6.0?

5.6 grains, under a 230 gr. jacketed bullet, is the published MAX. 5.4 grains under a 230 gr. lead bullet, is the published MAX. So if you decide to increase the powder charge proceed with caution!

I do agree that Universal is a clean burning powder, in most loads, but I have had some unburned powder flakes in the occasional load combo. I don't worry about it much, but if I do want to clean it up, I either try a different primer(not magnum), or add a touch more tapered crimp. I usually get cleaner burns with Winchester primers, so you may want to try a primer switch...And of course start a few tenths of a grain below max, and work up.

Squeeze
 
Originally Posted By: GCUniversal Clays is probably best at its upper pressure range. I'll leave that for you to determine using reliable published load data. Taper crimp to .470" - .469" for best reliability. You do not need magnum primers in the .45 ACP (or .38 Special for that matter). I acquired some Universal Clays in a trade and tried it in .45 ACP. I have read it was clean burning but experienced unburned flakes also. Kinda reminded me of Unique, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

No one said he needed them just a suggestion to try them. It worked for me.
 
Had some of the same issue with UC in some 44 mag target loads years ago...will need to try a couple of these tricks. This is my SHTF powder for pistols and shotguns - covers quite the realm.
 
Originally Posted By: josebd6.0 is the max in my book

I checked the Hodgdon On-Line data. I should have added the "per Hodgdon's website" part to that post. If the OP is seeing any case bulging at the case web, then he is near MAX now. If not, then there might be some room for charge increasing, although with unburned powder, I don't see the point.

Squeeze
 
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