Lou_NC
Member
Thanks Gents! I will definitely add Promo to my "powder shopping list"!
Lou
Lou
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Loading with Red Dot-Happy so far...
- Thread starter MyDads38
- Start date
5906fan
Member
red dot is also a low flash powder.
Just an update:
Loaded 50 rounds of 9mm with 3.5 grs. Red Dot with a cast 125 gr. CN bullet and CCI #500 Small Pistol Primers. This load was listed in the Lee Handloading kit that I used to load this ammo! That's right, loaded with the "whack-a-mole" handloading kit
Brass was factory fired TulAmmo Brass Maxx fired in my Ruger P89DC. The ammo fed flawlessly and grouped well at 10 yards. The .5cc dipper in the kit threw 3.5 grs. of Red Dot as well as any powder measure that I own or use. Consistency is the key.
On to 38 Special:
I have 158 gr. LSWC and a new bullet from Falcon Bullet Co., 125 gr. LTCFP. With the same 3.5 grs. Red Dot, Win. Small Pistol primers and REM-UMC Nickel cases I loaded 31 rounds of each for testing. Both loads shot to the same POA/POI from my (MyDads38) S&W Mod 10-8 w/4" HB. Man I LOVE shooting that 38! Seems everything shoots well through it! Anyway, the 158 gr. load shot a big, ragged hole in the center of the target at 10 yards. The 125 gr. load printed same on target, just not in one ragged hole, but I think it could be tweaked to do so. The 2 38 loads were loaded on an original Lee 3 hole turret press w/3 die Lee 38 Special set. The .53 disk cavity from the auto-disk measure threw 3.4/3.5 grs. Red Dot, as opposed to the 3.8 grs. it's supposed to throw. Seems the larger charges for 45acp throw more consistently than the smaller charges for 38 Special, and I'm assuming same for the 9mm also.
Just wanted to share my results as I go along. At some point I'll try to add pics of my targets.
Loaded 50 rounds of 9mm with 3.5 grs. Red Dot with a cast 125 gr. CN bullet and CCI #500 Small Pistol Primers. This load was listed in the Lee Handloading kit that I used to load this ammo! That's right, loaded with the "whack-a-mole" handloading kit
Brass was factory fired TulAmmo Brass Maxx fired in my Ruger P89DC. The ammo fed flawlessly and grouped well at 10 yards. The .5cc dipper in the kit threw 3.5 grs. of Red Dot as well as any powder measure that I own or use. Consistency is the key.On to 38 Special:
I have 158 gr. LSWC and a new bullet from Falcon Bullet Co., 125 gr. LTCFP. With the same 3.5 grs. Red Dot, Win. Small Pistol primers and REM-UMC Nickel cases I loaded 31 rounds of each for testing. Both loads shot to the same POA/POI from my (MyDads38) S&W Mod 10-8 w/4" HB. Man I LOVE shooting that 38! Seems everything shoots well through it! Anyway, the 158 gr. load shot a big, ragged hole in the center of the target at 10 yards. The 125 gr. load printed same on target, just not in one ragged hole, but I think it could be tweaked to do so. The 2 38 loads were loaded on an original Lee 3 hole turret press w/3 die Lee 38 Special set. The .53 disk cavity from the auto-disk measure threw 3.4/3.5 grs. Red Dot, as opposed to the 3.8 grs. it's supposed to throw. Seems the larger charges for 45acp throw more consistently than the smaller charges for 38 Special, and I'm assuming same for the 9mm also.
Just wanted to share my results as I go along. At some point I'll try to add pics of my targets.
Smithboomer
Member
So true! I load 9mm with Red Dot. At the indoor range last week I fired a box of Red Dot handloads followed by a dozen FMJ factory rounds.
The factory loads lit up the range, but the Red Dot had zero flash.
Moe Mentum
Member
So, looks like you finally discovered Red Dot ! Been using Red Dot for over 40 years in shot shells, pistols , and even some rifle calibers. I think its a great powder, and Promo its cousin is an even better deal. It also works well in my Lee pro auto disk powder measure....
fredj338
Member
I started using red dot years go in 45 colt loads for CAS, loaded #s of it. Just recently I started loading 45acp & 40 minor with it. A very good performer, accurate & clean burning even at low vel/pressure levels. If you can find promo, same basic powder.
dknight297
Member
I have been using Red Dot for 9mm, 38, 45, 40,and 380 for a few years now and I love it. Powders like Red Dot and Unique burn cleaner in the higher pressure cartridges like 9mm than they do in 38 special.
I've considered Red Dot but lack of handgun load data made me shy away. I currently use HP-38 in my 9mm Mak, 9mm Para, and .45 ACP solely because I have load data for all three with that powder. If someone has some good mid-range data for cast bullets they can PM as a starting point, I might pick up some Red Dot or Promo.
When the OP moves on to 9mm...... ( Std loads)
with a 3" Kahr and Plated bullets RN (FMJ) style I got:
115gr oal 1.12"
Bullseye max ........ 1074 fps
Red Dot 98% ........ 1115 ............ POA
Green Dot max ...... 1112
124gr oal 1.14"
Bull .......... na
Red max............... 1040 fps .......... 1" low
Green Dot max ..... 1063
Unique max........... 1112
With both bullet weight this pistol loved a very light charge of
Red Dot at only 3.5 grs that shot at POA with no ejection problems.
Your spring and pistol may not eject this load at 926/890 fps....
However this pistol ejected all but one test load 115gr plated with 9.0c IMR4227 power doing only 735-816 fps with a average of 784 fps, out of five loads. This was a compressed loading and just done for giggles. A faster powder is needed.
Good shooting.
with a 3" Kahr and Plated bullets RN (FMJ) style I got:
115gr oal 1.12"
Bullseye max ........ 1074 fps
Red Dot 98% ........ 1115 ............ POA
Green Dot max ...... 1112
124gr oal 1.14"
Bull .......... na
Red max............... 1040 fps .......... 1" low
Green Dot max ..... 1063
Unique max........... 1112
With both bullet weight this pistol loved a very light charge of
Red Dot at only 3.5 grs that shot at POA with no ejection problems.
Your spring and pistol may not eject this load at 926/890 fps....
However this pistol ejected all but one test load 115gr plated with 9.0c IMR4227 power doing only 735-816 fps with a average of 784 fps, out of five loads. This was a compressed loading and just done for giggles. A faster powder is needed.
Good shooting.
kbm6893
SWCA Member
I'm new to reloading and have only used red dot with 158 grain LSWC. Alliant calls for between 3.0-3.4 grains of red Dot. 3.8 if you wanna push it to +P. I set the thrower for 3.2 grains and allow .1 either way. Don't go above 3.4. never had a problem so far.
Moe Mentum
Member
Red Dot is a very fast burning powder, you don't need a whole lot in there, stay below max to be safe.
fredj338
Member
Well I wouldn't call "all round", far too fast for anything above midrange vel in 40 & 44 mag. Of he Dots, green dot & unique would be better all rounders.
So far I have had success with Red Dot in 32 Long, 32 H&R, 9mm, 38 spl. 40 S&W, 44 Special, 44 mag @ 1000 fps, 45 acp and 45 Colt. I would call that an all around powder as far as versatility, leaving out it's usage as a rifle powder for cast bullets. I understand some folks even use it in shotguns.
