Correct powder for 20" 30 cal carbine

[Mickey Christian]

I have an M38 and a cutdown Remington M.N. and want to reload using a powder that won't cause the big ball flash that Soviet powders give. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Mickiey

[joem]

That's half the fun of a big flash and big boom.

[Dollar Bill]

H110 or W296 should both work fine. In full-bore 44 and 41 mag rounds through 6" barrels, you get some significant muzzle flash but in a 20" tube, it shouldn't be a problem.
2400 has also worked for me. It's a bit faster than the other 2, so might burn more completely in a 20" tube and reduce muxxle flash, but I'd at least try the H110 first.

[Tuna]

I take it that you want to keep the velocity up to what the military spec is for the 7.62x54. If so then you have to look at faster burning powders along the line of IMR 3031 or R 7. Anything slower will allow more unburnt powder to be consumed outside the muzzle but that doesn't mean there will be no flash with the faster powders. Just not as much. Pistol/shotgun powers work well with lead bullets or the light weight jacketed like the 100 gr. semi jacketed 308 diameter bullets. But the standard weight 150 gr. or heavier jacketed need a rifle powder.

[da gimp]

might try Win 748, use a magnum large rifle powder though. Use the Win 748 for our old Tokarev, works just fine in Norma brass..........2" groups or better at 100 yds if I do my part.Work your loads up gently..I'm in the middle of the powder range when I found the sweet spot, have never tried loads approaching max.

[Mickey Christian]

Da Gimp,
Sounds good about mid range loads. When I was younger I was a hot rod when reloading. Had a real nice M94 Win Big Bore in .307 but sold it because I didn't want to hor rod it. About the only thing I hot rod any more is a 8MM Gibbs I built on a 98 Mauser action and the original barrel. Shooting Nosler 180 gr Balistic tips I come close to 300 Win. Mag balistics, although I did back up a little. I found the 180 Bal. tip to be too tough on white tails though. I shot clear through white tails (no real surprize there) but the exit hole (shot through the lungs) was only about about quarter size and the deer stumbled about 75 yards off before it tipped over. Now I keep in mind that a deer won't know if the bullet that his it was going 3000 fps or 2400.