I know that this is a little off-topic, but I could use some advice.
I bought a model 57 from a gentleman and he gave me a box of reloads marked Speer 200gr. With 14.2 grains of blue dot. This seems way too hot but would appreciate comments.
Many thanks - Hal

Im just an occasional re-loader but it seems high. But more importantly I would only shoot my handloads in my guns. His loads are probably fine but personally to me its not worth the risk. Just my thoughts on the matter. Congratulations on your new 57. I love the 41 magnum

I was always told to never really trust someone else's loads. I'm sure you could maybe weight the round but even then I'd just properly dispose of them.

Load your own or buy factory loads......too risky to chance it!!

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Tom Graham SWCA #2303

That load is pretty much in line for a max load in the 41 Magnum cartridge

That being said, I never shoot handloads that are not my own or from a very trusted associate

I will not shoot random handloads or gun show ammunition.

I would pull them down and reuse the projectiles in your own loads

I got a Ruger .41 that came with a box of reloads. I took them fishing with me one day and threw them into the ocean about 20 miles off shore (tried to pull the bullets but they wouldn't budge with an inertia puller).. I would not trust ANY reload that wasn't mine. You're assuming that the markings on the box are correct.

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Go West young man..

I'd pull the bullets, dump the powder, and roll my own.

Pull the bullets and dump the Blue Dot. Alliant came out with a warning advisory for Blue Dot some years ago for 125 grain bullets in 357 Mag and all 41 Mag loads. There were some unexplained pressure spikes with those loads, so Alliant cautions against loading them.

<<<Link to warning>>>

Buy or make your own ammo and remove all doubt. You don't need to start out so close to max.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Assuming it's the old 3/4 jacketed 200gr Speer bullet...

Per Speer #9, that load is just under the max of 14.5gr/B-D

As I recall they found out those old style jacketed bullets cause more pressure than the modern style.

Speer #13 & #14 don't list Blue Dot with that bullet. Virtually all of the 3/4 jacketed 200gr loads have LOWER charges than the heavier 210gr Gold Dot bullet loads.

Most Speer #13 & #14 loads are lower than comparable Speer #9 loads.

I've never experienced any pressure spikes using Blue Dot, in anything I load it in. Lyman #50 lists load data for it in the 41 Mag.

I'd definitely pull them apart & start from scratch too.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

I wouldn't shoot them.

I would also ere on the side of caution and not shoot them. I would pull the bullets and re-do the load or scrap them altogether. They may shoot just fine but then again it only takes one mishap to lose a finger, hand or worse.

Life is way too short for me to shoot somebody else's reloads! Ain't nuthin' free, and everything we do has consequences. It's a recipe for trouble you don't need and can easily avoid.

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So long ... Ken

This brings up a bunch of issues. First, a Speer #9 doesn't always mean what you think. As I recall, there were 2 versions of that manual. And I agree with the comments about half jacketed bullets.

But with all that said, I used to load Blue Dot in 357s all the time, like over the last 40 or so years. I've never had a problem with it in MY reloads. Just like everybody else here, I don't like others loads. Even if they're more careful than I am. I scare easily. Beyond all this, I assume we're talking about handgun loads. There are rifles chambered for these calibers and its my opinion they can withstand significantly more pressure. When used in 44s and in a lever gun, they might be perfectly safe to fire. Its an easy way to "unload" them when the pullers fail. Sure, be on the look out for pressure signs.

People load to different standards. When you're using a powder that is measured in tenths of a grain, and you're bumping up against max, you need to measure each charge, not rely on a scoop or powder drop. But that's just my opinion, for loads I'm shooting.

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Dick Burg

Thanks to all! Sounds like a safe approach.
I tried pulling one but the guy put a serious crimp on the case and I think that I will need to just dump them.
Thanks again for your input.

Better safe than sorry!

Mike Venturino once wrote about a situation where someone gave one of his acquaintances some hot handloads to shoot. The acquaintance fired one of these rounds, causing his pistol to blow apart and inflicting serious injury on the shooter.

Later, Mike heard the hot handload donor bragging about how many guns he has caused to blow up, as if that was something to be proud of.

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You're shy a few manners.

Please do yourself a favor and either pull those loads down, dump the powder and reload them yourself (to include new primers as well).

I always liked the Speer 200gr bullets in .41 magnum, but I do understand that they have been linked to higher pressures than other bullets in that category. I have no experience with that though, as I tend to not load to peak pressures anyway.

Speer manual #12 states 12.1 max load for 200 gr. bullet using Blue Dot.

THIS!!!

Pull the bullets and reload the cases, or simply dump them. NOT worth the risk.

I'm kinda partial to 8.0 gr. of Unique behind a 215 gr. SWC in my Model 58. I'm over abusing my shooting hand with "Magnum" loads, and yup, I shoot .44 Special level loads in my .44 Magnum.

Break the crimp , by seating the bullet just 1/16 th inch deeper, before you try pulling them. I know seating them deeper sounds like the wrong thing to do but once the crimp is broken they pull a lot easier.

According to Lyman loading manual that charge of Blue Dot is just 1.2 grains below the maximum load.
It is a magnum load , do you know/trust the loaders skill ?
Shooting them will have to be your call . There are some loading friends I trust and some I don't . If loaded correctly they should be safe.
Check with Alliant about the Blue Dot in 41 magnum loads , their load data center has an "ask the experts " feature ...ask !
I only found loads listed for Unique and 2400...not much at all.
Gary

gwpercle, did you read my post and the link included? It won't do the OP any good to call or email Alliant about these loads as they will not say that he can shoot them. They warn against using Blue Dot in any 41 Magnum loads and for liability reasons they will tell him to disassemble the cartridges or throw them away.

With that said, if he trusts the reloader implicitly and shot them in moderate temperatures such as in the 80's he would probably be safe. I've shot God knows how many 125 grain bullets loaded with BD back in the 1980's in 357 Mag with no problems. But it's going to be up to the OP to decide this course of action as Alliant will not tell him whether that is a safe load or not since they have an advisory out not to use BD in 41 Mag.

Not trying to be sarcastic. Where would one RESPONSIBLY dispose of ammunition? Take it to the local PD? Wait for the occasional residential haz Mat collection? (paint etc)

You paid exactly what those reloads are worth.... nothing. Maybe salvage brass or bullets but dump powder and resize to get rid of primer.