Red Dot Powder

tomf52

Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2005
Messages
530
Reaction score
174
Location
North East PA
I have the opportunity to get an 8lb can of this powder. Have never used it but need powder for 32H&R Mag, 9mm, 38 Spec, 357 Mag, and 45 ACP. Will this stuff work well in thesse calibers? Does it meter OK? Thanks for any help with this.
 
Register to hide this ad
Meters like any other flake powder, Unique for example. It makes excellet target loads in 38 spec, 9 MM, and 45 acp; I've used it for all 3 calibers. I think it is too fast for 357 mag, and I've never loaded 32 mag.
 
As stated, i wouldnt recommend it for 357mag. Although some people may differ. Makes a great 38special load though.
 
With the exception of the 32 Mag, there is significant load data out there for what you are wanting to use the Red Dot in. As for working "well", I cannot speak to that as I don't use Red Dot, but I would offer that the powder has been around a very long time, is well known, and should offer no real problems so long as you use the load manuals and work up.

It is, however, a flake powder, so metering may be a bit iffy. I would think, though, that charges would be well within +/- .2 grains and maybe a bit better, depending on the powder measure...
 
+1;
meters like flake powder......
Great for target and standard loads in most pistols.
Too fast for +P or high vel. loads in most weapons.

In my 9mm 4.4grs of Red works with the 115 & 124 plated bullets
for target practice........with a medium oal.
 
Love this stuff for shot shells. I have never tried it for metallic cartridges though.
 
I was gifted a big can of Red Dot.
Being a fast burning powder it is well suited to moderate pressure target loads.
In addition to those discussed above I have used it with success in 357 Magnum with LDEWCs at about 950 FPS.
Also good in .44 Magnum with 6.0 grains pushing a 245 LSWC to 816 FPS. This load is from Handloader Magazine.

Addendum, RD, as well as the other flake powders, metered much better consistency after I reamed out the bore of my Redding powder measure's spout to .250".
 
Last edited:
Red Dot is a versatile fast Shotgun powder. On burn rate charts its rated right next to Bullseye on one side or the other depending upon the chart source. As such its great for target loads and low to moderate velocities. Will work fine in the calibers you mentioned with published loads available for all. You can even use it in larger capacity center fire rifle cartridges from the 30-30 to the -06. A search on the web should produce the article by C. E. (Ed) Harris on "The Load" using Red Dot powder in rifle cartridges.

Being a fast powder the charge weights are relatively low so an 8 lb can should last a long time if used for handgun cartridges only.
 
8 pounds in 38 and 9mm should get you around 16,000 loads....
depending on your needs.

I also like how it "Fills up" the case a lot better than Bullseye.
Nothing better than seeing powder in the case.......

(#14)
Promo "Promotional powder" is like Red Dot but in the same powder bushing
you will get a different weight of powder...... and a adjustment in size is needed.
 
Last edited:
i like Red Dot for everything you mention exept for the .357 mag. Don't own a .32, though. It is a flack powder, as mentioned, but the flakes are smaller than Unique, and it measures well for me. The most accurate load I have ever shot in a .45 ACP is 4.0 Red Dot with a 200 grain SWC bullet. Great stuff!
 
I LOVE Red Dot. Tried a lot of powders over the years, and Red Dot is my favorite....especially in the .45 ACP as the gentleman above indicated. I shoot 4.2g under a 200g SWC (#68 style), and 4.4g under a 185 'button' H&G 130 style in my SW 625 Performance Center; accurate, accurate, accurate! Only thing I'll use for .45. Favorite powder for .380 loads as well.

With the recent powder shortage, I just drove over 400 miles to buy a stash from an individual getting out of reloading. Haven't seen any on the shelves for a loooong time, started breaking out in hives thinking I might run out (just kidding, then again I did have that rash started, and developed a nervous twitch....). One powder I never want to run out of.....
 
2.5 gr Red Dot and a 90 gr lead SWC is a long time accuracy recipe for 32 Long.
 
Last edited:
One thing to keep in mind that Alliant offers Promo, which is Red Dot without the red dots, at about half the cost of Red Dot. If you can find it, that is, in these uncertain times!
 
Load RED DOT in several calibers, but not in the 32MAG-- I use a long standing hunting load with 800X for the 32 -- so far, no problems. I expect to use it if I can in the 40 as well. Don't know about the 357SIG, although I would think not. JMHO :)
 
Red Dot is one of my most used powders. I use it in various .45 caliber guns, .44 and .41, and .32 mag. I shoot Penn 95gr SWC bullets with 3.5gr of Red Dot. Makes 1020fps in my Ruger SP101 with the 3 1/8" barrel. Dean
 
I've used Red Dot in many different pistol calibers and they all worked well. It works particularly well in 40 and 45.

Promo is a cheaper version of Red Dot and uses the same recipes on a weight basis. It is a little more dense than Red Dot so make sure you make the appropriate adjustment if you charge by volume.
 
I went to RD for light 45colt loads years ago. It works well in big cases also works for target loads in the service calibers. If it was all I could buy, I certainly would make it work.
 
I have used Red Dot in 9mm, 45 ACP, 16ga, 12 ga. It should work well in 32 H&R but is too fast for anything but very light loads in the 357 Magnum. I prefer Trail Boss for those long cases such as 357 Mag, 38 Special and 44 Special.
 
Back
Top