Red Dot in Handguns?

[noshow]

I have given up on trying to find Bullseye, Unique, 231 or HP-38. I only reload for 38spl and 45acp. I found some Red Dot available but have some reservations. Can it be accurate in both calibers with lead bullets? How does it rate on clean burning attributes? All replys appreciated.

 

[shovelwrench]

I have no experience using it, BUT, it does say cleaner burning

Just looking at the data for .38 and .45, it looks comparable to Bullseye considering charge weights and velocities.....

I would think it would serve you well. Metering will probably be the biggest challenge given the charges considering I believe it to be Unique sized flakes.

 

[RobertJ.]

I use it for .38 Special target ammo, and find it comparable to BE. It likes 148 gr.HBWC, hard cast DEWC, and 158 gr. SWC equally. BE, RD, and now 700x, are my favorite .38 target powders.

 

[gwpercle]

I found a pound 2-3 years ago at Cabela's. Bought it to use in cast bullet/rifle loads. Have been using it in 38 S&W, 38 special 9mm luger , 41 magnum and 45 acp , all using cast bullets......wish I had bought more then, haven't seen another container since.
The most accurate load I have ever worked up in 38 special is with a 160 grain cast wadcutter and Red Dot .
Burns clean, not position sensitive and just as accurate as Bullseye.
I'll buy the very next container I see.
Also look for 700X ...great with cast and 38 spcl or 45 acp.
If you can, get it....I like it !
Gary

 

[slickracer]

Red Dot works beautifully in .38 and .45 with lead bullets. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Moe Mentum]

I use Red Dot , mostly for shot shells, but also for .38 spl, 9mm , and .357 magnum. No leading, no smoke, and pretty accurate . The bonus is that you only use a small amount. The .357 magnum loads are only mid range, but for target its fine. I can't tell the difference between Unique, WW231 or Power Pistol. So now I just use Red Dot for everything. It also fills the case up nicely, so the chance of a double are greatly reduced.

 

[joeintexas]

I like it in 45acp. 230gr using 4.9 gr. Accurate and easy clean up.

 

[kbm6893]

I use it for 38 with lead swc bullets. Burns clean enough but doesn't meter as well as I would like. I load 3.2 grains under a 158 grain bullet.

 

[bedbugbilly]

Can't speak about .45 ACP as I don't reload that caliber.

All I shoot is cast lead in my 38s, 357s and 9mm - as far as reloads go. I do shoot jacketed in the 9mm once in a while but only factory loads.

As far as Red Dot - can't soeak for jacket but for lead - the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook shows it being used for the 45 ACP. I like Bulls Eye but when I want to do something a little different or am short on the BE, I use Red Dot in my 38s, 357s and 9mm under cast. It works well. I even use Red Dot in my cat sneeze 8 X 57 Mauser loads under light weight lead bullets - 115 gr and 130 gr.

As mentioned - the Red Dot doesn't meter well. I usually use a dipper that I've made up in the correct grain weight. With a dipper, you just have to be "consistent" and as with any loading, check your weights once in a while. And . . I don't load "hot" with either BE or RD - I just "plink" so my loads are midway or a little under the min/max range.

 

[rwsmith]

I was 'forced' to buy....

I was forced to buy Red Dot and it turns out I really like it for .38 type loads. I THINK I also made some 9mm with it but I don't have my notebook. Anyway, all I remember is that I like it. Not as fast as Bullseye, but close.

 

[Nevada Ed]

RedDot does a fair job in the accuracy job in my 6" barrel
with a factory Dup. loading.

I can live with it in the J frame snub nose also.

As a bonus, it did better in my J frame with 110 and 125gr Jhp bullets than either Bullseye or w231 in
getting to +P speeds and it also had better groups with a standard cci500 primer.
I could match the 135gr Speer Gold Dot factory load with Red Dot hitting 850 fps and a numbers read
out 846 to 855 for a ES of only 9...........

and yes, it works great in the 9mm too.

 

[fredj338]

Most definitely give RD a try. I find it very accurate in 45acp with any wt lead bullet. It also does well in 38sp & 9mm & 40 minor loads using lead bullets. RD is often available at trap & skeet ranges when other handgun powders are not. For years it was my choice for 45colt CAS loads.

 

[BruceM]

I have only used Red Dot in .45 ACP target loads with H&G 68 type 200 grain SWC's. It proved to be clean burning and accurate.

Bruce

 

[Duster340]

Hey Noshow, no experience with 38's or 45's, but I have worked up some very nice loads using Red Dot and cast bullets for my 44 Special, 44 Mag and 40 S&W. Guessing you'd be able to work up some very nice loads in your calibers as well.

Be well

 

[deadear dan]

I've used it in place of Bullseye under 148gr HBWCs. It does burn a bit slower giving a bit more velocity to the bullets (more burning time in the barrel). Zero leading with 2.4-2.8grs and soft lead. I found an 8lb jug and am happy as a clam. Just shot 200 rounds today with a mdl 15-4 and my hands were just fairly blackened. Would rate it close to bullseye there even though Alliant claims the newer Reddot is 50% cleaner. Maybe so as it's been awhile for me as well since I've come across BE.

 

[MattO]

Just an FYI I just bought 3 lbs of Bullseye from Bass Pro online, had it shipped to the local(45 miles away) Bass Pro and avoided the Hazmat fee. It's a bit more expensive than when my local place gets it, but they had a lot of it in stock.

Edit to add I just checked and it shows they still have a lot on hand.

 

[elpac3]

RD is a great pistol powder. I have used it in .38, .44 and .45 loads. Burns cleaner than BE but really does not meter anywhere as nice as BE or 231.

I have used 4.0 RD with a 200 SWC as my target load for some time. Great for 25 and 50 yard shooting.

 

[noshow]

Thank you to all for your very helpful and encouraging replys!!!

 

[NJM15]

I have given up on trying to find Bullseye, Unique, 231 or HP-38. I only reload for 38spl and 45acp. I found some Red Dot available but have some reservations. Can it be accurate in both calibers with lead bullets? How does it rate on clean burning attributes? All replys appreciated.

I have used it in my 45 Colt 7.3gr, 38 Spec +P 4gr 357 mag 5.0gr 9mm 3.8gr with good results when nothing else is available. Favorite is power pistol and tite group just got some so the red dot went back on the shelf

 

[txredmule]

I like reddot in 44 spl, 45 acp, and 45 colt. Anything less than 5 grains does not throw to well in my Lee powder measure.