Blazer Clean Fire pairs a lead-free primer with a 180-grain TMJ bullet that fully encloses its core, so no lead leaves the gun at either end of the shot. The load runs 1,000 fps and 400 ft-lbs at the muzzle for a power factor of 180, 15 points over the 165 USPSA major floor, with 83 fps of room over the 917 fps a 180-grain bullet needs. From a 25-yard zero it drops 1.8 inches at 50 yards and 13.1 inches at 100. The aluminum case is not reloadable.

At the muzzle it matches Federal American Eagle 180-grain FMJ and Speer Lawman 180-grain TMJ exactly: 1,000 fps, 400 ft-lbs, power factor 180, and the same recoil energy in the same pistol. Remington UMC 180-grain FMJ is 10 fps and 8 ft-lbs behind at 990 fps, and the Clean Fire recoils about 2 percent more. Fiocchi Training Dynamics 170-grain FMJTC is 20 fps faster at 1,020 fps but 8 ft-lbs weaker, with the Clean Fire carrying about 8 percent more recoil energy. Ammo Inc Signature 180-grain TMJ is the mild end of the set at 958 fps, 42 fps slower, and the Clean Fire produces about 7 percent more recoil energy than it does.

This is the 180-grain ball load for shooters who train indoors and want no airborne lead from primer or bullet. Reloaders should pass on the aluminum case alone: Speer Lawman 180-grain TMJ gives the same fully enclosed bullet and the same muzzle numbers in a reloadable case, and Ammo Inc Signature 180-grain TMJ does it with less recoil and still makes major at 172. If your range allows exposed lead, HSM Training 180-grain RNFP runs 15 fps slower with about 3 percent less recoil energy in the same pistol.