Well, I do not like Blue Dot. I conducted a bunch of testing in 9mm, 38Spl, 357, 45 LC and 45ACP. The best application I found with Blue Dot was with full powered loads in the 357 with jacketed bullets. With lead bullets in the 357 I got lots of leading.

In the 45ACP, for “service” practice loads, I prefer a load just at 800 fps. That is exactly the 1911 velocity spec the Army used for 230 FMJ ball. You can get a M1911 to cycle with velocities as low as 650fps, I shoot a lot of 230’s at 750fps, but I do not want to do extended shooting with loads with velocities in the 900 fps range.

The basic reason is frame peening. I had a Colt peen its frame out in under 3000 loads. Was not an ammunition problem, rather the M1911 unlocked early and had a hard recoil. Colt replaced the frame, but was clueless about how to fix the early unlock. Wilson Arms knew more and fixed the problem. After spending $$$ I became aware that hard opening could lead to a short service life in a M1911. So I keep my practice loads down to a level where I get a good lifetime out of my shock buffs.

So what has this got to do with Blue Dot? Blue Dot may be appropriate for 45 Auto Rims in revolvers, but it is so slow burning that breech pressure is high at unlock in my M1911’s. The cases ejected so violently that they bounced off the roof over the firing points at the range. Never had that before. The recoil was a lot harsher than my Bullseye loads.

Well my Colts are no longer under factory warranty, so I ain’t shooting that stuff anymore.

Colt M1911

230 gr LRN 7.7 grs Blue Dot Mixed Brass WLP, OAL 1.250", taper crimp .469"
25-Feb-07 T = 64 °F

Ave Vel = 809.2
Std Dev = 45
ES = 153.1
High = 890.6
Low = 737.5
N = 12
Accurate, hard recoil, violent ejection

230 LRN 9.0 grs Blue Dot, FED 150, Mixed Military
27 July 97 F T = 90°

Ave Vel = 933
Std Dev = 15
ES = 41
High = 957
Low = 916
N = 5


Brazilian M1917 5" Barrel


250 Nosler JHP (.4515) 8.0 grs Blue Dot thrown, mixed cases, FED150 primers
20-Jan-02 T = 44°F

Ave Vel = 749
Std Dev = 24
ES = 87.8
Low = 709
High = 797
N = 12
mild recoil, aimpt 5 O'Clock

Slamfire, thank you for your accurate report/information. I have the Blue Dot for loading 357mag. I do not shoot a lot of the 357 so that is why I was trying to find a way to use some of it up. I shot some of my 7.5 loads today and seemed to work fine.
However, I think I will just go back to HP38 or Unique for the 45 and leave the Blue Dot for the magnums.