Not you typical carbon steel pipe

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I am having some difficulty putting a TIG root in carbon steel pipe. The bottom always wants to suck back. I have a good amount of experience with this but this stuff is different. Some of the other welders say that it is the pipe (XX something or other) . The problem is , the filler melts before the pipe causing suck back on the bottom. I have tried changing gap, temp and method ( I.E. floating the rod and soaking it in).  I prefer a 5/32 gap and 1/8 rod, this still leaves suck back. I have tried 1/8 gap with 1/8 rod and staying on the rod. some of the fellas say the only way they can get a good root on this pipe is to backfeed, however I am not good at backfeeding. I always lose the rod and can't find it again untill it is too late. any advice would be appreciated.
Reply:amperage and joint prep could be an issue, we're doing this **** every day. if your welding xx heavy pipe a 1/16'' land may help with lower amps. for root reinforcement on the bottom backfeeding is the only way to fly it just takes practice