As the title says, are there any calibers other than the magnums that Blue Dot is good for? Say some higher pressure calibers such as 9MM and 40 SW?

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Still Running Against the Wind

At one time I used Bluedot in 9mm. I don't remember the load. There was quite a bit of unburned powder using Winchester small pistol primers. Currently using HS-6 but my supply is running low. I've got a couple pounds of Bluedot left so I may use it for 9mm again.

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It's around here somewhere!

Lyman's 49th edition shows loads for the 9mm and .40 S&W. Since I've tried about everything else in the 9mm, I guess it's time to give Blue Dot a go.

I still occasionally load BlueDot in the 9MM. With some bullet weights it can be very consistant. It does produce a lot of flash. I have noted in the reload data that Blue Dot usually gives higher velocities at lower pressures than a powder such as Unique. My data is from the older loading manuals so I will refrain from posting the data.

I still will load 11 grains with a JHP in the .357 magnum for 1225fps in a 4" 686. Ten grains works well with a 158LSWC producing similar velocity. It is one of those powders that can be inconsistant. You may want to load some rounds and run them over a chronograph. Bruce

Blue Dot is my favorite powder for 147 gr JHP loads in the 9mm and .38 Super. I also like it with the Speer 146 gr SWCJHP in .357.

I use it in 40 S&W with 180 grain Montana Gold bullets. Gives good accuracy. I've not noticed a lot of unburned powder. It seems to like the higher pressures to burn completely. It also fills the case very well resulting in little airspace left between bullet and powder. It's very flashy though.

Go to Alliants web site and check their load recipes.

I tried Blue Dot in 38 Special and was not happy. It left a lot of unburned powder on the bench.

All the Best,
D. White

When I first started handloading I loaded thousands of 9mm 115 grain JHP and FMJ bullets in front of 8.5 grains of Blue Dot with excellent results. It had a lot of flash, but it duplicated my carry load at the time quite nicely.

I load mostly lead bullets now, but if I were still loading 115 grain jacketed, I'd probably still be using Blue Dot.

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Hello Cleveland, Rock and Roll

Thanks, my Lyman as Paul stated, lists it and also the Lee Modern. Just seems to be lots of powder in those little cases so I imagine there is unburned powder. I have a few lbs I would like to use up so I shoot a lot more 9's and 40's than 357 or 44. I wish it was better in 45 auto as I rather shoot that.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I think I have about 8 pounds and never think about just using it up.

Even if it never works in a handgun, it's a wonderful powder for reduced loads in rifles and in .410 shells.

Here's a recent 100 yard 3 shot group #1 son shot with 100 gr Rem Core-Locs and Blue Dot in 6mm Rem, which pretty well convinces me it's better than most people give it credit for.

Well since it is listed as a magnum powder, how's about you work up a load for my 30 carbine?? Then I can use it there and save my H110 and 2400 for 357 and 44 mag.

Nice group!

I loaded some 9's with 7.5 grs BD with the 115 plated bullet. Just about fills the whole case. Will see Friday how it works.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I use it in .41 special cases pushing 215's

I don't use much it would seem since I am still using a Cardboard can

shoot straight
-2sigs

There is a warning out about it in some handgun cases. Check their website.

Paul has found a use for it. I never have.


Those little "blue flakes" sure look cute in the powder measure though, but in my book, that's about all it's good for.

For magnum rounds you will never do any better than Lil' Gun, Longshot, SR4756, AA#9, WC820 and a multitude of others that exhibit none of the unwanted characteristics of Blue Dot.

FWIW

Your not going to beat H110 in the .30 carbine with Blue Dot. At least with any reasonable load. However I have loaded 8.5 grains with a 110gr SP. I never did chronograph that load in the rifle but it does function perfectly. The load was taken from an old Hercules guide. The listed velocity was 1620fps. I still use that load in a Blackhawk and I did chronograph it at 1250fps. That is about 100fps slower than a factory load in the Blackhawk.
If you want a copy of the old Hercules guide I will email it to you if I can still find it. There are a couple of other loads listed and I feel that the data is still good.

Your 7.5 grain 9MM load should be good. My records show that a 115JHP and 8.6 grains of Blue Dot produced the most consistant velocity in a four inch barrel. 1277/1271/1262fps. The same was true for 6 grains of Unique and a 115 JHP 1228/1228/1223fps. The old guide even goes higher but you will be pushing the envelope pressure wise. I personally don't load to these levels anymore but it was fun 20 years ago. These loads were a little hard on the gun and I should have replaced the spring sooner.
I mostly use Blue Dot for 147 plated HP's from Ranier. I load just 6 grains and it seems to work well enough. Bruce

I need to make a correction to my above statement. The load data for Blue Dot and the 115JHP is listed in the Hornady Handbook, Third Edition. Hercules/Alliant does not list loads to that level in their guide.

Bruce,
Of course I pulled this part or your saying out of context but your original line is quite accurate.

I want to address the fact that you can beat H110 in the .30 Carbine by using WC820. It was originally designed for that caliber and is available now through military surplus. It beats H110 all to bits when it comes to muzzle flash, something important in a military setting.

I have been reloading for a while now and there are only two powders I will not purchase anymore as I have found powders that are much better in my opinion, H110 and Blue Dot.

For some applications WC820 replaces them in others Lil' Gun does and both do it quite well.

I use Blue Dot for 45GAP.

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Doug "N Frame Addict"
CO

Thank you for that good information Skip. I wouldn't mind replacing Blue Dot in my powder line up. That is mostly due to information I have read here, provided by members like you, who reload. I have reload data which supports the notion that it can be erratic. It does seem to shine in the 9MM at max loads with 115 grain bullets. When my current supply of powder runs low I will make a change. Bruce

Blue Dot has long been one of my favorites for 45 Colt and 44-40 loads in 4-6 inch barrels, both standard SAAMI and somewhat +P loads. Initial test shooting with slightly +P loads with 158 grain soft lead SWC bullets in 38 Special suggests I will find it quite good for them too.

Niklas

In my estimation Blue Dot is a very good powder, just not for maximum published loads in 125 gr .357. Of course, in handguns, I just think of it as a slightly slower Green Dot and that sorta keeps me out of trouble.

I looked and looked and can not find any warning??

Bruce, I sent you a e mail. Thanks

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Still Running Against the Wind

http://www.alliantpowder.com/g.../safety_notices.aspx

I use it in hot 10mm loads, and nothing else. I've tried it in .357, .44 mag. and .45ACP, with uninspiring results. Dirty, and brittle. However, it shines in 10mm.

I have used blue Dot in 9mm,38spl,357mag,44spl,44mag,40S&W,10mm,9X25Dillon,12ga,30-30and 30'06 with excellent results.

I find it accurate, clean and ballisticly optimal in most pistol cartridges. Some times +/- 0.1gr or 0.2gr = can be a signacant improvement in a particular loading.

I have burned thru many 1 lb two 5 lb cans Hercules Blue Dot, I'll be starting a new 5 lb jug of the Alliant Blue Dot in the plastic jug very soon.

I do try other powders from time to time but Blue Dot has been my mainstay!

And "the Shadow knows" more than the "evil that lurks in the heart of men", right Wade?

Must be the humidity...

Oh ya, I remember that one.
They sure have it buried. I looked under the Blue Dot Product info and the load data,
Did not think of looking under "Getting Started" which appears to be basic intro to reloading 101.
Anyway, thanks as I do have some 125gr bullets.

I would think here might be a good spot.
But what do I know?

http://www.alliantpowder.com/p...powder/blue_dot.aspx

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Still Running Against the Wind

OCD1 I'm glad you got your data email. I guess you need to up the charge for function. I can tell you for sure that you will know those loads are hotter than WWB. I shot them a whole lot and they are definite attention getters. Bruce

I use Blue Dot in the 45 Colt for +P loads with both lead and jacketed bullets.

I used Blue Dot once for 158 gr .357 JHP loads. In my experience the powder is coarse and does not meter well, I was seeing pressure signs in the middle of published load range data, excessive flash, and the accuracy was ****. I disposed of what I didn't use.

There you go! Makes good flower bed fertilizer!

Niklas,
Care to drop me an e-mail with a few of your favorite Blue Dot loads...I load 45 Colt as well as 38 Special and 357 Magnum...??

I'd enjoy reading where the powder works best for you!

Thanks.

Bob

vonfatmanATyahoo.com

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"Onward thru the Fog"

I use Blue Dot in pistol cartridges shot in rifles, ie. 44 mag, 357 mag, 45LC, etc. It's slower burning, and has more time to affect the bullet in longer rifle barrels, rather than just burning out of the barrel of a pistol. BT

VonFatman,

Sorry to not have responded much earlier to your inquiry about my favorite Blue Dot loads for 45 Colt & 44-40 -- totally missed your post.

Is really simple, years ago I started with Alliant's recommended Blue Dot and 2400 loads with 255 grain soft lead bullets for 45 Colt and 200 and 240 loads (same powder charge) for 44-40. Such good performance that I stuck with those loads. These were loaded in full-length resized Winchester brass with CCI350 mag primers and crimped in crimp groove.

The 45 Colt loads were used in Ruger Vaquero and 44-40 in another Vaquero and Rossi 92 copy. I also went somewhat higher with both powders, but have not used those loads in years. In all cases, with soft lead bullets and lubes I got no leading and about 6,0 inch 6-shot (all cylinders) groups from revolvers at 100 yards from solid rests and 3-4 inch 5-shot groups from rifle with tang sight, also at 100 yards. Shooting was nearly all in 60-90F weather.

Really just started on 357 Mag, using soft Remington or Speer 158 grain, 0,358 SWC bullets, both HP and solid. At 8,0 grains, 38 Special cases, 5,0 inch barrel, I am getting nice groups at 20-30 yards and little (or no?) leading. Have not gotten back out to test heavier loadings -- 9,0 grains -- with same bullets. Unfortunately, no chrono data.

Also, purchased some GC, soft lead 158 grain SWC HPs and will see how fast I can get them to shoot with good groups and little or no leading.

Niklas

I use BD when I want a lot of flame, noise and smoke. It gives consistent burn and scares the bejesus out of the guys around me during a match.

My favorite is in the .357 with 180 grain bullets. Very accurate and not bad on recoil.

I prefer Blue Dot for heavy 10mm loads, use it for some 40S&W loads w/ 180gr bullets, it is a great powder for 23Kpsi level loads for the 45 Colt w/ 250gr jacketed bullets, and is my favorite and most accurate powder for 140gr Rem JHPs in the .357 Mag. Also works well for 180s in .357 Mag.

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" I said, good DAY! "

I did use Blue Dot in 9mm with 147 gr. jacketed bullets and in 40 S&W with 180 gr. jacketed bullets. At higher pressures the Blue Dot burns fairly clean with pronounced muzzle flash typical of very slow burning powders. I would not use it in Revolver loads since you will expereince flame cutting of the top strap. Blue Dot is also not the most uniform metering powder in a Dillon 550.

BD and 357Sig have worked out well. I consider it my standard load. Tryed it with 45 APC with 230 boolets, never got it to work. No groups, just patterns!