Loading with Red Dot-Happy so far...

[MyDads38]

Since there is no Bullseye powder to be found in my area, or online when I check; I bought some Red Dot, since there seems to be load data available for what I shoot. It is about the same burn rate as Bullseye and loads are usually pretty similar.

I loaded 50 rounds of 45acp yesterday and went to the range today to try them out. My new Ruger SR1911 has app. 300 rounds through it so far, factory & reloads.
Impressions so far:

With my Lee Classic Turret set up with Auto Disk Powder Measure, load was 4.4 grs from the .66 cavity. This is supposed to throw 4.7 grs, but no, 4.4 grs, but it was consistant 46 of 50 rounds (2 @ .1 light & 2 @ .1 over). I'm good with these results all day long!

After 50 rounds, the gun was still clean! I was very happy (and surprised) with this. No unburned powder in the gun or left over from fired cases. The cases were once fired Federal Champion with the Small Primer pocket. In my testing so far, the Small Primer pocket makes no difference as compared to the same cases with Large Primer pockets. These cases were trimmed to .888" (.898" max length) just to see what results I would get. Honestly, with all the work that went into trimming 100 of these, I don't see myself doing it again any time soon!

Accuracy-Very Good! Best 7 shot group at 10 yards was 1" ctr - ctr. 15 yard group (first time I've shot the Ruger at 15 yards) was 2". I haven't shot past 10 yards till today. Used to shoot PPC, but that's been a lot of years ago when I was young and could see without bi-focals! The Red Dot seems to be on par with what I can get (mostly anyway) with Bullseye.

I know this isn't news to a lot of the folks here, but until the recent "shortage", I never needed to use any other powders for my plinking loads. Will be working up loads for my 38 Special and 9mm also, so any suggestions welcome. I only shoot cast bullets at low to medium velocity. I shoot for fun and enjoyment these days! Just wanted to share my results so far, with powder availability the way it is; I may have to stock up on more Red Dot!

 

[Engieman]

I agree with your assessment of Red Dot.....one of my favorite powders. Red Dot is my go-to load for my 625; I'm getting my best accuracy for the ACP and the Auto Rim (my favorite) with 185 button and 200 SWC in lead.. Previously I was using Bullseye Clays and Titegroup. Like it in the .38 Special as well, and experimenting with the 9MM. My gun is still dirty, but is much easier to clean than other powders.

 

[russic126]

I use 2.8 and 2.9 red dot behind a 158 hbwc, and lswc and get great results out of my 686 + 4 ".

125 lead fp using 3.5 gr. reddot

I had to start reloading with red dot as I have 9 lbs and only 1 lb left of bullseye,

I had a 5 shot group at 10 yds all fitting under a dime with hbwc and 2.8 red, seated 1/8" out

 

[MrOldtimer]

Love using Red Dot in my 45 acp. Plan to load up some 40 with it next.

 

[yogipogi]

green dot works well also

 

[Treeman]

Lots of people say that if they could only have one powder it would be Unique. If, Heaven forbid, I were ever reduced to only one I wouldn't feel bad about Unique but my first choice would be Red Dot.

 

[max]

Red Dot will work just fine. You do not need to trim 45acp cases, at least I haven't in 40 years of shooting them.

 

[scattershot]

Most accurate 45ACP load I have fired to date is the H&G 168 (200gr swc) over 4.0 Red Dot. It's a great powder, IMO.

 

[David R]

A couple years ago I was shooting Cast Rifle bullets. Red dot was the way to go. SO back then , I bought an 8 lb jug of Promo which is Red dot with out the red flakes. Same data is used. I quit casting bullets so I have this big ol jug of powder. I have been using it in my 38 for standard loads. It works great and since I polished my Dillon powder measure it flows better.

I also at that time bought 4 lbs of bullseye which is almost gone and 4 lbs of unique. Boy am I glad I got a little carried away purchasing powder.

Enjoy your red dot!
David

 

[MyDads38]

Thanks for all the replies!

I use 2.8 and 2.9 red dot behind a 158 hbwc, and lswc and get great results out of my 686 + 4 ".

125 lead fp using 3.5 gr. reddot

I had to start reloading with red dot as I have 9 lbs and only 1 lb left of bullseye,

I had a 5 shot group at 10 yds all fitting under a dime with hbwc and 2.8 red, seated 1/8" out

You and I (and probably a lot of others) are in the same situation. I've got just over a pound of Bullseye left and it won't take long before it's gone. That's why when I found the Red Dot available I went ahead and got it. I also just picked up some of the 125 Gr. Lead RNFP in 38 cal. so I'll give that load a try. Thanks

 

[perrazi]

red dot has always been a good pistol powder. in handguns it is a lot cleaner than in target shotgun loads, which it is primarily used for.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Have used it for years in the 12 Ga for target loads and it does very nice in my 38 snubs and 6" barrels with lead and Jhp loads.

The 125 Lead and 3.5 works great for me also........and have a 4.0gr load to test in the J snub for a maximum speed target load, next trip out into the field.

It works in 38 brass in my 357 with a 158 Lwc and it has also has worked with the 115 and 124 JRN plated bullets for 9mm.

One thing I like is the way it fills the case, better than Bullseye.... less chance of a double charge.

 

[dg101win]

Might want to look at Promo powder if you can't find Red Dot, it costs less. It is denser,so to obtain the same charge weight you would use a smaller bushing in your powder measure. A lot of people use it for 12Ga. trap and skeet in place of Red Dot.

 

[NYlakesider]

I have been using Red Dot for my .45s since the 1970s. I originally read this in a book written by the late Jeff Cooper way back then and gave it a try.

I was shooting NSSA (Skeet shooting) and I had a lot of Red Dot powder when I stooped competitive shooting.

Saw what Mr. Cooper had to say and have been using it since.

I also have Green and Blue Dot also and have used it where appropriate.

 

[MyDads38]

I've been looking...

Might want to look at Promo powder if you can't find Red Dot, it costs less. It is denser,so to obtain the same charge weight you would use a smaller bushing in your powder measure. A lot of people use it for 12Ga. trap and skeet in place of Red Dot.

I have been looking for some Promo to try, but like most other powders, I haven't been able to locate any as of yet.

See your from IN as well been a tough, cold winter and I'm glad for the warmer weather to be able to get out and shoot.
Also see you're a retired Vet-Thank You for your service!

 

[jtcarm]

It's an extremely versatile powder, handgun, shotgun, even cast boolit rifle loads.

There's some available in my area and I may be switching to it if other pistol powders don't become available soon.

 

[johngalt]

What is the difference between Red Dot, e3, American Select, Clay Dot, and Extra-Lite? From what I've read, they are all fast burning powders for target 12 gauge loads. Why so many that do the same thing?

I emailed Alliant, they just responded "use the correct data". Not a terribly helpful answer.

 

[Lou_NC]

Might want to look at Promo powder if you can't find Red Dot, it costs less. It is denser,so to obtain the same charge weight you would use a smaller bushing in your powder measure. A lot of people use it for 12Ga. trap and skeet in place of Red Dot.

Interesting..........I just went to the Alliant website and checked the reloading data the list for Promo powder. All they list is 12ga loads.

However, when I did an "apples to apples" comparison of several of the 12ga loads (same shot weight/hull/wad/primer combinations) under the Red Dot data and the Promo data, the Promo and Red Dot charge data was identical! Now, this isn't an exhaustive check (yet), but I'm wondering if I worked up a pistol load for Promo using Red Dot starting data, would I be on the right track?

Lou

 

[alwslate]

Interesting..........I just went to the Alliant website and checked the reloading data the list for Promo powder. All they list is 12ga loads.

However, when I did an "apples to apples" comparison of several of the 12ga loads (same shot weight/hull/wad/primer combinations) under the Red Dot data and the Promo data, the Promo and Red Dot charge data was identical! Now, this isn't an exhaustive check (yet), but I'm wondering if I worked up a pistol load for Promo using Red Dot starting data, would I be on the right track?

Lou

I've seen a few posts on here and other places indicating
that many handloaders have been using Promo with
Red Dot data for years in handgun loads.

 

[dg101win]

Interesting..........I just went to the Alliant website and checked the reloading data the list for Promo powder. All they list is 12ga loads.

However, when I did an "apples to apples" comparison of several of the 12ga loads (same shot weight/hull/wad/primer combinations) under the Red Dot data and the Promo data, the Promo and Red Dot charge data was identical! Now, this isn't an exhaustive check (yet), but I'm wondering if I worked up a pistol load for Promo using Red Dot starting data, would I be on the right track?

Lou

I would say you would be on the right track. Alliant states that Promo has same burn rate as Red Dot and to use the same charge weight. Since it is more dense you would have to adjust your powder measure if you previously loaded with Red Dot.
When I started using it in 12Ga. I had to drop down in bushing size on my Mec loader. Plus it costs less than Red Dot.