358156hp
Member
There will be an Earth-shattering Kaboom!
It's really entertaining, lots of flash, and lots of noise. Blue Dots a pretty cool 9mm powder.
Blue Dot
- Thread starter jimmyj
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There will be an Earth-shattering Kaboom!
It's really entertaining, lots of flash, and lots of noise. Blue Dots a pretty cool 9mm powder.
mkk41
US Veteran
Blue Dot is somewhat faster than H-110/W-296 or 2400. And while those powders need slight compression to burn completely , BD does not!
As I have used it for a long time , especially in .41 mag , for loads mild to wild , I was concerned with the warning from Alliant and had several emails with a tech there. He said there was a lot or 2 of BD that was somewhat faster than most , but the real problem was that several people were using max load (16gr) data from the 220gr Lyman #410459. While OK with this bullet , people were using this data with other commonly available , commercially cast 215gr BB-SWC , which gave compressed charges , high pressure , blown primers , etc. Even the excellent RCBS 210-swc will give a compressed load.
As I have used it for a long time , especially in .41 mag , for loads mild to wild , I was concerned with the warning from Alliant and had several emails with a tech there. He said there was a lot or 2 of BD that was somewhat faster than most , but the real problem was that several people were using max load (16gr) data from the 220gr Lyman #410459. While OK with this bullet , people were using this data with other commonly available , commercially cast 215gr BB-SWC , which gave compressed charges , high pressure , blown primers , etc. Even the excellent RCBS 210-swc will give a compressed load.
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First I've heard of this: much obliged, Dave, for the eye-opening info!
Wee Hooker
Member
First I've heard of this: much obliged, Dave, for the eye-opening info!
Your welcome. I learned it years ago from a gent on a varmint hunting forum. They used to load "gofer loads" in 223 by the bucket to use in ground hog eradication in semi rural areas. The lower noise helped keep neighbors and the cows from panicking. If you research " blue dot 223" You should find some info splattered around the net. Jamescalhoondot com also has some info in his articles section. If all else fails, contact me.
It's really nice stuff for this application. Turns your 223 into anything from a 22 stinger to a 22 K hornet. Accuracy is usually excellent and shot to shot deviation is low. Because Blue dot burns up in 14" of barrel , it's good at limiting bark and flash even in 223 handguns. It won't come close cycle an AR though.
p.s. FWIW, I use small pistol primers in these loads.
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Many thanks! Just looks like a fun application . . . and a great one to know about.
Just looks like a fun application . . . and a great one to know about. 
Just wondering...
I see where an old (1978) Lyman manual lists that data, but looking at a 1983 Hercules guide they didn't list BD for any lead bullets, in the 41 Mag, but the 210 JHP with 13.5gr/1435fps/33.8K cup was. This problem is interesting, & I don't doubt any of it, but surely this can't be the reason Alliant stopped recommending BD in 41 Mag? There wouldn't be any reloading data available if the manufacturers stopped recommending it every time someone blinding substituted data where they shouldn't, didn't look closely at their component combination, or didn't slowly workup a max load, would there? And if a component supplier provided bad data, it's not their fault, right? People do make mistakes, either out of ignorance or oversight, but for them to remove a whole caliber for that? All their responsibility is to provide accurate data & if someone misuses it, that's not their fault. Just wondering...
I see where an old (1978) Lyman manual lists that data, but looking at a 1983 Hercules guide they didn't list BD for any lead bullets, in the 41 Mag, but the 210 JHP with 13.5gr/1435fps/33.8K cup was. This problem is interesting, & I don't doubt any of it, but surely this can't be the reason Alliant stopped recommending BD in 41 Mag? There wouldn't be any reloading data available if the manufacturers stopped recommending it every time someone blinding substituted data where they shouldn't, didn't look closely at their component combination, or didn't slowly workup a max load, would there? And if a component supplier provided bad data, it's not their fault, right? People do make mistakes, either out of ignorance or oversight, but for them to remove a whole caliber for that? All their responsibility is to provide accurate data & if someone misuses it, that's not their fault. Just wondering...
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Charlie-AKA
Member
Do not use it for low pressure stuff like 38 special. Even though there are published loads for it, I found that it left a ton of unburnt powder and had VERY erratic pressures and velocities.
I loaded some .40 sw with it and it did fine.
Right now I'm trying to use it in 357 magnum. My bullets are 170 grain LSWC "Keith" bullets from Rim Rock. Anyone have a pet load for this combo? I'm looking for velocities in the 1100 fps range. Alliant listed the max charge as 9.4 grains giving a velocity of 1002 fps using Speer 170 grain jacketed bullets. That is a pathetic velocity. I wish I had a chrono.
I loaded some .40 sw with it and it did fine.
Right now I'm trying to use it in 357 magnum. My bullets are 170 grain LSWC "Keith" bullets from Rim Rock. Anyone have a pet load for this combo? I'm looking for velocities in the 1100 fps range. Alliant listed the max charge as 9.4 grains giving a velocity of 1002 fps using Speer 170 grain jacketed bullets. That is a pathetic velocity. I wish I had a chrono.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Blue Dot is at it's very best when loading hot 12ga 00 Buckshot loads. It's also very good in 10ga loads too. It's probably better at both than Herco. 
I was wondering too. I had about 100 rounds of .41 Magnums I had loaded a few years ago. They were just sitting around when the notice appeared. I called to ask about it - shoot or tear down? The advice was that if the load had been used with no problems, shoot them up. I was told the reason for the notice was that they had gotten too many reports of trouble with BD in .41 Magnums so they had decided to err on the "abundance of caution" side and recommend against it based on that. So, yes, it does appear the manufacturer was at least considering the reports of the consumers. I shot up all my BD .41 Magnums without incident and continued with #2400, which I guess I like better anyway.
I also used BD in 10mm and stopped that too. I think there are other powders that work just as well, but it seems a shame that doubt was cast on the powder that many of us used with good success. I wonder if the other powders are really any "safer?" Still, when loaded at its top end, I think of the 10mm as a no-room-for-error proposition, so I would just as soon not take any chances.
Alliant has really backed off in their data.............
12 Ga. 2 3/4 loads only to 1 1/4 oz., no more 1 2/2oz. 4 Dram data. Only 3" data for large payloads.
Just one 38 Special +P load with a 146 Jhp load, with a bullet that was discontinued, if I am not mistaken?
The .357 Magnum powder loads have also been reduced.......
I don't shoot the 110gr in my magnum, so that data is useless to me, which does not say much for a "New" reloader trying to use Alliant BD data for revolvers............
Bummer.
12 Ga. 2 3/4 loads only to 1 1/4 oz., no more 1 2/2oz. 4 Dram data. Only 3" data for large payloads.
Just one 38 Special +P load with a 146 Jhp load, with a bullet that was discontinued, if I am not mistaken?
The .357 Magnum powder loads have also been reduced.......
I don't shoot the 110gr in my magnum, so that data is useless to me, which does not say much for a "New" reloader trying to use Alliant BD data for revolvers............
Bummer.
Variety
That's sad that they would do it just for that. I'm sure they've tested it plenty. Just think of all the threads you've seen of people who have damaged their guns with fast powder for target loads. Personal error, not the powder's fault.
I don't have a 10mm (but I'm lookin') but I imagine it's like the 40 & 9mm, when loading them for +P. The short auto cases fill up fast & you have to watch your seating depth closely to not compress the powder & end up going ballistic.
I still have, & expect to continue to use BD when it seems appropriate. In fact, I just got a NIB 657-5 that I wouldn't hesitate loading it for. Heck, I've tried it in everything from 38 Spcl to 45 Colt (surprised I haven't jammed some in the 500 yet) & have never had an issue with it. (Can't say that about others.) It has it's place like everything, but variety is the spice of life, or so they say.
Oops! Where's the Bluedot? ...it must be shy.
So, yes, it does appear the manufacturer was at least considering the reports of the consumers.
I also used BD in 10mm and stopped that too. I wonder if the other powders are really any "safer?" Still, when loaded at its top end, I think of the 10mm as a no-room-for-error proposition, so I would just as soon not take any chances.
That's sad that they would do it just for that. I'm sure they've tested it plenty. Just think of all the threads you've seen of people who have damaged their guns with fast powder for target loads. Personal error, not the powder's fault.
I don't have a 10mm (but I'm lookin') but I imagine it's like the 40 & 9mm, when loading them for +P. The short auto cases fill up fast & you have to watch your seating depth closely to not compress the powder & end up going ballistic.
I still have, & expect to continue to use BD when it seems appropriate. In fact, I just got a NIB 657-5 that I wouldn't hesitate loading it for. Heck, I've tried it in everything from 38 Spcl to 45 Colt (surprised I haven't jammed some in the 500 yet) & have never had an issue with it. (Can't say that about others.) It has it's place like everything, but variety is the spice of life, or so they say.
Oops! Where's the Bluedot? ...it must be shy.
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S&W HE
Member
165 gr 40 S&W & Blue Dot
What's your Blue Dot charge weight(s) for the 165 gr plated lead bullet?
What's your Blue Dot charge weight(s) for the 165 gr plated lead bullet?
