Green Dot Handgun Loads

S&W HE

S&W HE

SWCA Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2011
Messages
284
Reaction score
116
Location
Nevada, USA section
Have an opportunity to buy 8# of Green Dot.

Have loaded various caliber pistol rounds using many Hercules/Alliant powders including Bullseye, Red Dot, Unique, Blue Dot, and 2400.

Had a lead on 8# of Herco but it fell through... now considering Green Dot since its available.

My research indicates Green Dot is slower than Red Dot, HP38/W231, etc. but faster than Unique. I'm primarily loading factory equivalent and "target" loads for the .38 special, .357 Mag, 9mm, 10mm short (40 S&W), 10mm, .44 special, and .45 ACP.

What's your experience with Green Dot in pistol calibers?
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
I used a pound of it way back when I started reloading which would have probably been 45 acp,but have nothing in my notes about it (i do remember it being fairly dirty).It falls between Unique and Bullseye which I use to cover 38 special through medium velocity 44 mags,so theoretically it should work fairly well.
 
It works GREAT with my M49 snub nose for top fps loads and was more accurate than Unique with the 125 Jhp and the 158 Lwchp "FBI" loads.

In the 9mm it did not fill up the case like red dot or Unique with the maximum loads......test soon. (posted)

Great for 3 Dram 12 Ga. target loads. Also beats Unique there, too ! 19.5grs at 1205 fps in a Rem STS hull with a w209. Dirty burn at less than 1190fps.........
 
Last edited:
Green Dot

I've used it for target/moderate loads in many of the calibers you mentioned, plus in my 41Mag, with good results. It's a relatively bulky flake powder. You'll probably have to use older loading manuals as your data source though as not too many list for it anymore. Even Alliant's website only list it for 45ACP, 45Colt & 44Mag presently.
 
In reading through the successful loaders, there is one small point I found they did not mention.
Don't use with HBWC .38 as a slight change can blow off the noses.
My experience with very light pistol loads is erratic, non-linear and dirty. I dropped it from pistol use because of the non-linearity ( a little change can make a lot of difference). My heavier bullets at mild +P in .38 were good.
Have loaded a bunch in shotgun.
 
As mentioned, lack of load data is the biggest issue with Green Dot.
Presently, I am using it for 255 grain bowling pin loads in my 625 with great effect.
It has also performed very well in .44 magnum reduced loads:
29target.jpg

Tried it a bit in 9MM, but need more work there.
 
Last edited:
Theres a fair amount of data for green dot in 357,44 special,45 acp and 45 colt in my old Speer # 10 and the 9mm,380,45 acp and 45 colt in Lyman # 46.
 
I have shot a lot of Green Dot in shotshell loads (over 32 pounds) and have used it selectively in handgun.

I view Green Dot like I view Unique. If you want to be happy with the results load near max loads. Low or mid pressure loads are going to be dirty and lots of unburned powder flakes left behind. And they don't meter very well.

I have several of the load guides for Hercules from the late 80's to mid 90's so if you need any load data, PM me. But typical to Alliant (Hercules) they often tend to list a single load point, not a starting and max loads. I always use QuickLoad to assist me in load development.

I would probably go with Unique if you had the option.
 
Thanks, BLUEDOT37! I was just fixing to ask about 32 cals, and your posting hit me just right. I wish the 32 H&R cartridge had made the list, as that seems like a very appropriate one to get the pressures high enough for a clean burn. I'll try the 2.2 gr load in my bigger guns before I move to the I- and J-frames.

Froggie
 
I have been using Green Dot with my 44 mag for milder loads. It seems to be a good replacement for Unique. Checking various sites they seem to agree use 1 grain lees of Green Dot than you would for Unique. Using 44 mag brass I loaded 7 grains of Green Dot with a 240 gr LSWC . Group fairly good with my Super Redhawk. Have not tried it with my 686s used Red Dot there.
 
Thank you very much one and all for this thread and the replies. When my brother died, all his reloading stuff was going to be pitched. I got it and took it all home. I've been holding on to Green Dot, Herco and Red Dot powder since 2004 his death. Now courtesy of the information in this thread and the data sheet posted by Bluedot37 I will be able to use this powder for loading all the calibers I commonly shoot. Thanks to you all. This is going to be a wonderful Christmas!
 
Good goggly woogly look at what the Hercules data sheet shows for unique in .38 Special using 158 gr. bullets! I thought 5.0 was getting up there. They're showing 5.5 gr. of Unique w/ a 158 gr. LRN bullet. Does make one step back and scratch your head a bit!
 
I wish I could find a good buy on Green Dot. Great handgun powder from my experience and it really shines in 9mm.
 
brucev said:
Good goggly woogly look at what the Hercules data sheet shows for unique in .38 Special using 158 gr. bullets! I thought 5.0 was getting up there. They're showing 5.5 gr. of Unique w/ a 158 gr. LRN bullet. Does make one step back and scratch your head a bit!
Click to expand...

That 5 gr load is pretty nice out of a k frame,so I tried some out of my model 60...ouch.
 
Alliant Powder Guide 2004

I forgot I had this (actually one of the other forum members sent it to me, sorry I forgot your name :o) guide with some more Green Dot data. By the way, I used 8.3gr/GD with a 210gr Berry's plated in my 41Mag, 657-5, & it was very accurate. Enjoy!
 
Last edited:
Have loaded it in 38 and 357 cases with both 148 DEWC and 158SWC lead bullets. Speed chrony measured from a low of 680 fps for plinkers that the kids like, up to 900fps that move right out and smack the plate machine targets.
Have it on hand for Trap Handicap loads so when everything dried up around here last year I was glad I did.
Loads are listed in the early Hornady Books, I think number 2 and 3 editions. Also have a "new" early 2000's Alliant guide that list it for the 357.
Works in my Kframes as described above. May not be cleanest at the slow end but the bullets go where pointed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

3
replacing red dot powder
Replies
15
Views
408
38magnum
3
D
357 Bunny Loads for old man
2
Replies
36
Views
2K
slickracer
S
R
handgun powder replacements
Replies
16
Views
966
.38SuperMan
.38SuperMan
T
WST, Winchester Super Target; pet handgun loads?
Replies
9
Views
774
DeplorabusUnum
DeplorabusUnum
Doug627
35 Remington Loads For Remington Model 81
Replies
10
Views
540
Drm50
D

Latest posts

Back
Top