Cleanest burning powders for Boomers?

20 November 2008, 21:05

I have 480 Rugers and 475 Linebaughs. I am working on a .50-caliber revolver. Barrel lengths are 4.75 and 6.0 inches. I will be buying powder within the next 45 days, so this is a good time to find out which powders burn with least residue for these cartridges. I have two load groups about which to ask, modest plinker/practice loads and wrist breakers. Since all powders I identify will yield acceptable performance, I am only interested in clean burning.

For plinking and practice with 340-grain .476-inch LBT bullets @ less than 900 fps, my choices, I believe, are limited to: Alliant Blue Dot; Hodgdon's LONGSHOT, Titegroup, and Trail Boss.

For wrist breaking with 400- and 420-grain .476-inch (cast and jacketed) bullets @ best safe muzzle velocity, my choices, I believe, are limited to: Alliant 2400; Hodgdon LIL'GUN, H110, and H4227; Winchester 296; and IMR 4227.

I know zip about other powders that might be satisfactory.

Parenthetically, does clean burning also yield less muzzle flash? This is not an issue; I'm curious.

20 November 2008, 22:18

gumboot458

I don,t know how clean burning it is , but H110 gives spectacular muzzle flashes with short barrels .....

20 November 2008, 22:57

Redhawk1

I find the following to be very clean burning compared to others I have used. H110, H4227, Winchester 296, and IMR 4227.

20 November 2008, 23:11

bfrshooter

Muzzle flash does not have anything to do with being clean. Only that the powder is too slow for the length of the barrel and a lot is burning out in the air.
A huge flame and a horrendous noise, must mean more power, RIGHT?

All powder is dirty, some more so but the difference does not mean much. What counts is accuracy first, velocity second and a good cleaning outfit last.
Boolit lube makes my guns dirty

21 November 2008, 01:07

MS Hitman

The guy who developed the Linebaugh cartridges recommends H110 for the heavy loads and HS-6 for the lighter loads. I haven't been able to prove him wrong yet.

21 November 2008, 01:25

jwp475

quote:
Originally posted by MS Hitman:
The guy who developed the Linebaugh cartridges recommends H110 for the heavy loads and HS-6 for the lighter loads. I haven't been able to prove him wrong yet.

And you may never

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