Blue Dot

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Searching for something else I came across two cans of "Blue Dot" powder I purchased in January 2013.
I can't find any loading data in my manual for this powder.
What is Blue Dot used in ?
Thanks,
Jimmy

 

[clang444]

Here is the Blue Dot product page:

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


Smokeless magnum shotshell and handgun powder


The powder of choice for magnum lead shotshell loads 10, 12, 16 and 20 gauge. Consistent and accurate. Doubles as magnum handgun load.
•Powder of choice for magnum loads
•Consistent
•Accurate


Principal Purpose: Magnum shotshell loads, 10, 12, 16, 20 and 28 ga.
Secondary Uses: Magnum handgun loads

Remarks:
Powder of choice for magnum hunting loads



and here is a link to loading data from Alliant:

Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

 

[Stick895]

Why did you buy it if you didn't know what to use it for?

 

[jimmyj]

Why did you buy it if you didn't know what to use it for?

???? Beats me. Likely the only powder available ?
Now if I can just remember where I laid my eye glasses and car keys, I would drive to a location that I don't remember and why !

 

[LoadEmUp]

Now if I can just remember where I laid my eye glasses and car keys, I would drive to a location that I don't remember and why !

I think we were supposed to meet for some reason, but I don't remember where either.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Blue worked great in my M49 with the "FBI" type bullet for a standard +P loading but it can get carried away with .2 more powder and a very heavy crimp in 87 degree weather, over the factory data. Maximum 38 spl data is just fine..................

It however works even better in my M19 and 686 6" revolvers.
Good accuracy with the light bullets but even better with bullets from 140grs and heavier.
You might work up to the heavy charge of 10.5grs of Blue with the 158 xtp bullet in a magnum. Both my revolvers like this loading, at 1270 fps.
Great powder for medium pressures and target work in the .357 .

PS; data sent.

 

[MIAMIbaseballer]

Bluedot is great for hot 10mm loads.....

 

[medic15al]

Great for 9mm 124grn NATO loads as well. Alliant list 7.9grns, but 7.8 is all I can get in a case up to the mouth. Compressed load and clocks ~1250 in Glock 17 2nd gen.

 

[mikld]

I think you'd be well off with another manual. I just checked my "desk" manual and Blue Dot is listed in all my favorite calibers; 9mm, 38 Special., 357 Mag., .44 Special and Magnum and even 45 ACP. I've also played around with some 45 gr. lead bullets in a .223 powered w/Blue Dot. It's originally a shotgun powder that works well in a lot of handgun cartridges. I've used nearly a pound working with a 265 gr. RNFP in 5, .44 Magnums

 

[Nevada Ed]

For "Magnum Loads" is correct.......................

I can get the little 2 3/4 inch 12Ga hull with a 1 1/2 oz. payload up to a 4 Dram load, screaming at 1317 fps but
not to many hunters can stand the 300 Magnum Rifle recoil that it produces.
It was a heck of a duck load back in the day when lead could be used................ Best at a 1 1/4oz at 1200 fps that does not rattle your teeth.

 

[rwsmith]

What manual

Hi:
Searching for something else I came across two cans of "Blue Dot" powder I purchased in January 2013.
I can't find any loading data in my manual for this powder.
What is Blue Dot used in ?
Thanks,
Jimmy

What manual are you using? You may have picked up the only one that DOESN'T have BD loads.

 

[jepp2]

A few years back Alliant issued a warning on Blue Dot. They advised not to use it in 357 Mag 125 gr. bullet loads, and all 41 Mag loads. The warning is no longer posted at their website, but none of their online data lists Blue Dot for these combinations.

Blue Dot has been a powder I really liked, but it performs best at the higher end, kind of like Unique. Starting and mid loads have a lot of unburned powder. But there are so many good mid burn rate powders now, I don't use it very much anymore.

Depending on what you meter your powder with, it can be challenging to get consistent weights.

 

[Snapping Twig]

I use it in the vegetable garden.

Only powder I'm afraid of.

VERY temperature sensitive. When it gets cold, it reacts with more pressure.

When you load it at the high end, there's very little room for error as well.

I tried it in .357 and .44 mag and came away convinced it wasn't for me.

 

[rwsmith]

Blue Dot on other threads

I was in the market for Blue Dot and it fit my needs except that many people said that it was 'moody' and very sensitive to weather conditions. I also didn't like the thing about no 125 grain bullets. Since I shoot in mild conditions it probably would have worked just fine for me, but I decided to use 2400 instead. If I had 2 cans of BD around, though, I would certainly be able to find a use for it.

 

[NotObvious]

10gr of it with 158gr SWC gas checked bullets from Lee are where I use it or with lower end 44mag.

It has quite a bit of flash and do not use it with magnum primers.

When I switched to 2400, I stopped using it for anything but shotgun slugs and sabot rounds.

 

[arizona98tj]

Back in the later '70s, I used it almost exclusively for my T/C Contender with a .41 Mag barrel. Worked very well. Couldn't afford a chrono back then (very few could) so I had no idea what the velocity was from the 14" barrel.

 

[S&W HE]

Bluedot is great for hot 10mm loads.....

Ditto for the 10mm Auto as well as the .40 S&W loads.

I've been using Blue Dot since 1992 and experienced none of the problems noted in this thread.

 

[SMSgt]

I used to use Blue Dot in my .41 Mag in Alaska and WA state with no problems. I found it to be very clean and consistent, so I was surprised when it came out to not use it in the .41.

 

[Iggy]

I used to use Blue Dot in my .41 Mag in Alaska and WA state with no problems. I found it to be very clean and consistent, so I was surprised when it came out to not use it in the .41.

I used it in a .41 for years. Does anyone know why they decided it shouldn't be used in .41s?

 

[S&WIowegan]

I used it in a .41 for years. Does anyone know why they decided it shouldn't be used in .41s?

Good question....I have used Blue Dot since the early 90s for full power .41 Magnum loads. I have no recollection what steered me to BD and the .41 but it works great. It's not suited for light or moderate loads as it tends to not burn well and leave granules all over the place.

 

[Nevada Ed]

One reason hot 125gr loads were bad mouthed was because of the model 19, with the bottom of its barrel being milled down, which caused a weak spot that would crack with a lot of 15-1720 fps loads hitting it, from 12.8 grs of Blue Dot powder or others.
In my 686 6" 11grs of Blue Dot puts out 1288 fps and makes a great target load and gets a green light from the people at Alliant, that I talked to and received E-mail from, on this subject.
Do to its burn rate it's like Unique and does its best work with medium warm to maximum loads. A good crimp also helps to get the maximum fps out of the hotter loads other wise a light crimp will work.
If you use it in a 38 special snub nose, it turns into a "Tiger" near the maximum loadings with a heavy crimp with the 158 lead bullets, so if you go past 7.0 grs, pay attention.
Good loading.

 

[Rule3]

A few years back Alliant issued a warning on Blue Dot. They advised not to use it in 357 Mag 125 gr. bullet loads, and all 41 Mag loads. The warning is no longer posted at their website, but none of their online data lists Blue Dot for these combinations.

Blue Dot has been a powder I really liked, but it performs best at the higher end, kind of like Unique. Starting and mid loads have a lot of unburned powder. But there are so many good mid burn rate powders now, I don't use it very much anymore.

Depending on what you meter your powder with, it can be challenging to get consistent weights.

That is not really correct. They just hide it now.

Alliant Powder - Safety Notice

Blue Dot is Flaming Dirt, It may be good for shotgun but for handgun only full house magnums. With all the other powders out there seems there are better choices. I meters like fertilizer.

 

[Erich]

I really love it and find it to be very efficient in .357 180-grain loadings. Use the max factory data and be amazed . . .

I've also never had an issue with it in .41 Magnum, but who am I to contradict Alliant?

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I used it in a .41 for years. Does anyone know why they decided it shouldn't be used in .41s?

They added "extra IQ" to it a few years ago & now it can read. So as long as you don't let the powder see the case's headstamp, or the bullet box's label, you're safe...

Seriously, I dunno either. When you look at the cartridges similar that it's still "approved" for it makes you scratch your head! The current Sierra manual, still lists Bluedot in the 41 Mag. as well as the 357 Mag with 110 & 125gr. bullets, though.

 

[m657]

I had a buddy that was infatuated with Blue Dot & high end 45LC loads.

I shot a few of them in HIS gun and nervously declined his offer to load some up for me.

I'm going to have to get serious about finding a nice hot 357 mag load for a little Blue Dot it looks like.

 

[WaMike]

I bought some for my 44 Special, based on Ken Water's Pet Loads. It went bang every time, but the mid-level loads left a lot of un-burned powder from my 4" barreled Mdl 21.

I just bought a Mdl 24 with a 6 1/2" barrel, and am guessing I'll get a little better burn.

In any case, the stronger loads burned much better in the 4" barrel. That's sort of counter-intuitive to this dumb guy ("you put more powder in and it burned mo' better?!").

I can't say I'm super happy with it, but hey....try to find other powders lately.....

 

[venomballistics]

whats it used in ....
shot shells mostly .... but just about everything really.

you'll find it handy in 357 41 and 44 magnums.
it is known to be temperature sensitive so steer clear of max loads.
it also seems to work better than most in this burn rate at lower pressures.
I use it in a 30-06 with cast bullets to produce sub sonic small game and target loads to great success.
in some ways, blue dot thinks its a meaner unique

 

[BLUEDOT37]

In any case, the stronger loads burned much better in the 4" barrel. That's sort of counter-intuitive to this dumb guy ("you put more powder in and it burned mo' better?!").

You are correct. Being a slow/magnum flake powder, just below/faster 2400, it will burn more completely at higher pressures, while lower load ones won't & will leave residue. Brian Pierce had some B-D 44 Spcl. loads in Handloader #236 & they were listed as <22K PSI but I don't know how they compare to Water's Pet Loads.

 

[Nframecollector]

I use it in the 44 magnum with some success. How many loading manuals do you have?

 

[Wee Hooker]

Hi:
Searching for something else I came across two cans of "Blue Dot" powder I purchased in January 2013.
I can't find any loading data in my manual for this powder.
What is Blue Dot used in ?
Thanks,
Jimmy

I use it to download .223 rounds for quiet pest control. With Blue dot, I can push 40-50gr bullets all the way from 1600 to 2600 FPS with very little-to no muzle blast. POI at 100 yds doesn't change from full boat loads either.