replacing red dot powder

[38magnum]

promo = red dot, cant find promo either.

The best substitution list i find is for shotguns, and hodgdon 700x comes up.

the hodgdon load data sight shows loads for all of my handgun calibers that seem to be very close to what the loading data says for the red dot loads I am using.

I am wondering exactly if there is a proper way to extrapolate my red dot loads into 700x?

and since no one has 700x.... is there a really good substitute for 700x that can be bought

 

[TJm15.38]

What cartridge and bullet weight are you trying to reload?

 

[38magnum]

38 special, namely 148 wadcutter.

44 magnum best accurate load so far is 6 grains red dot

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Never used Red Dot: have used lots of WIN 231 & 700-X...

But for 900 fps 44 Magnum loads and 148gr 38 Special wadcutter loads I'd think WIN 231 would probably work just fine...?

You will be using a bit more powder than Red Dot (in both calibers) but can probably go a bit higher in velocity in most 44 Magnum bullet weights should you so choose.

Cheers!

 

[38magnum]

Never used Red Dot: have used lots of WIN 231 & 700-X...

But for 900 fps 44 Magnum loads and 148gr 38 Special wadcutter loads I'd think WIN 231 would probably work just fine...?

You will be using a bit more powder than Red Dot (in both calibers) but can probably go a bit higher in velocity in most 44 Magnum bullet weights should you so choose.

Cheers!

my 44 magnum red dot load isnt about power, its about making a palm sized group at 20 yards. I was working up for a target load to use for a concealed handgun class until i discovered they wont let me use a 44 magnum.

I have hp38/231 but the loads i have tried so far, just are not as accurate as i want. Sure they are slightly better then factory full power jacketed stuff, but to many people here and elsewhere and magazines seem to be hooked on 1" or smaller groups.

I have been trying the skeeter load in the magnum case version with 9-10 grains of unique with the same larger then claimed groups. Frustrating.

 

[robertrwalsh]

One thing I found out is that 700X DEMANDS a good solid hold (crimp) on the bullet to work properly. It isn't nearly as forgiving that way as Red Dot in my experience.

 

[zeke]

It might help to list what specific bullets, firearms you're using and velocity's you're wanting. Don't believe you're going to find an "proper" extrapolation outside just comparing factory load data, than testing within listed load ranges.

In the past have used 3.0 to 3.2 gns Hp-38 for 148 gn swaged wadcutters. (Hdy/Speer).

Or asking for others experience using 700x with specific bullets. 44 magnum bullets come in a wide variety, and the more details you share the more answers you may get.

 

[Rick H.]

Have you looked at Vihtavuori powder for your needs? I have used some N320 powder in the past and it did quite well for .38 Special wadcutters. I still have several pounds of my old powder, but would use N320 if and when I have to.

Rick H.

 

[kbm6893]

In the spring of 2013, when I started reloading, components were scare after Sandy Hook so I had to settle for what I could get, and all they had was Red Dot. It worked ok, but metered terribly. I now only use HP38 for all
My pistol ammo. I know there are some that are better, but it meters dead on every time and it works for all the pistol calibers I shoot, so no worries of using the wrong powder.

 

[taz666]

AA2 and TiteGroup are right there with Red Dot.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I like and use Red Dot in my revolvers and pistols.

It fills the little 9mm case a lot faster than Bullseye or w231
and it has more Enenery than both and will get higher fps in my 5" barrel
than the other two, finer grained powders.

I used 700x many years ago but did not like it over my other powders, back then, mostly used in my 12 Ga. trap loads.

Hope things work out for you.

 

[taz666]

700x pushing a Fig.8 carrying 1oz. of #8 ... nothin' nicer.

 

[38magnum]

Its the problem of the world, the good stuff is gone and its awful expenive to test new powders

 

[SS336]

This is probably not much help but…. If you can find Unique, try 6.7gr with a lead 240grSWC. Very accurate load in my 629. This group is pretty standard at 25yds with the red dot sight mounted. This group is offhand, with a rest it’s half as big.
Red Dot and Unique are becoming unavailable I’m sorry to say. If I didn’t have Red Dot or Unique I would try some HP-38

 

[mtgianni]

Look for AA 2.

 

[38magnum]

I have bad wrists wont lie. The red dot load of 6 grains and 240 cast lswc is able to give me a 2.5" group by the 18th shot.

FACTORY purchased jacketed loads of 240 grain jsp and even jhp that are full power with a claimed muzzle velocity of 12-1400 fps, and claimed muzzle energy of a typical 900 ft lbs.. I cant get smaller then 3.75 - 4" at 20 yards. Ive used HSM cow boy ammo 240 grain stuff that has same group size around 4".

I have tried HP-38/win 231. Its a good powder but i am getting that 4" ish group still.

That red dot load is the bestest ive done.