Bluedot and 44 Special

[Nevada Ed]

Thanks everyone. I can only surmise that the 7.9 gr. load is somehow incorrect, or overly cautious. I have the Speer manual and is gives a starting load of 9.2 gr. of Bluedot, so I'll probably load several different one starting at about 8.5 gr. and work my way up.

More to come later.

One reason that I take Hodgdons starting loads with a grain of salt.

Always double or tripple check their starting loads, if possible.

 

[RCL-09]

One reason that I take Hodgdons starting loads with a grain of salt.

Always double or tripple check their starting loads, if possible.

Believe me, I will.

 

[Forrest r]

Your way low on the powder and as you found out. Bluedot doesn't play well with low pressure loads.

FWIW:
The lyman 50th manual lists a 210gr gc swc and the starting load of bluedot is 9.5gr/8,800cup. I understand you are using a 240gr jacketed bullet. In comparison the lyman manual lists that same 210gr gc swc bullet and 13gr of 2400/11,300cup. The lyman manual lists a 240gr jacketed bullet and 12.1gr of 2400/10,300cup.

My speer manual lists a 240gr jacketed bullets and 9.2gr of bluedot for a starting load. And 10.3gr for a max load.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Is blue dot position sensitive?
I got the impression that blue dot was treated like AA7, it's in that no man's land between special and magnum loads where you could do both but not be the greatest at either.

I've never found it to be position sensitive & I use in reduced loads in 460 & 500 Magnums, not to mention in 41 & 44 Magnums.

When I've purposely downloaded it you just end up with unburnt flakes.

Blue Dot & AA#7 have similar burn rates.

These powders reach their maximum potential in cases of lesser capacity than tradition magnum cartridges (10mm Auto, 9x23, 38 Super +P, etc.) but still have a wide range of uses.

No powder can operate efficiently at all extremes of volume & pressure but I've said before that if I was limited to having only one powder it'd be Power Pistol.

.