I just got a deal I couldn't pass up on a keg of blue dot, I really like it in the .357 mag, and mid range .44 mag loads, and looking through some manuals I see it has some applications in 9mm and .45 acp. With all this powder to burn up, I would really like to find some loads that will work out in those calibers. Does anybody here load it for their autos?
Blue dot opinions
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rugerjunkie
Buckeye
I loaded up some .40 S&W a while back. I heard bad things about the powder and reloading the .40 and never had any troubles. In fact it gave decent velocities , low spread , and was very accurate. I would have to dig out my notes to see what exactly I did , but next time I need to load for the .40 I will run another batch of them.
I think there was some sort of problem with 125 grain bullets in 357 mag with Blue Dot. I haven't used any Blue Dot for a while but have some that needs to be put to use since I don't load shotgun much anymore.
I don't know what the problems were, except that the old data was too darn hot. I started loading with Blue Dot in the 80's when Speer 13 listed a starting load for 357 and 125 jhp's that is now higher than the MAX load in Speer 14. I never went above 15 grains Blue Dot with a 125 jhp but that was my absolute max. IIRC the Speer13 book max was 16-16.5 grains! I settled on 14.5 grains for 125's, 13.5 with 140's, 12.5 with 158's and 10 grains with the Keith type 165-173 grain hardcast swc's.
I also use BD in 44 mag: 240 gr SWC over 16 grains BD; 45 Colt: 255 SWC over 14 (and up) grains BD; 9mm: 8.5 - 8.9 grains with a 115 jhp (compressed load); 9x23 Winchester: 11.0 grains BD with a 125 jhp for 1430 fps; 45 auto: 10.4 grains BD with the Speer "flying ashtray" 200 grain jhp (not Gold Dot).
NOTE: these loads were safe in my guns. many are over current book max as noted above. use them at your own risk. ALWAYS, start low and work up slowly.
Also, I have never seen what I would call low extreme spreads with my Blue Dot loads and I test over a chronograph. But accuracy was as good as other powders like H110, unique, herco, etc. In some ways I like it better than AA7 (although AA7 is awesome in 9x23 Winchester)
Final note: IME, magnum primers should be avoided with Blue Dot. I know some data shows the use of mag primers, but I have experienced pressure spikes when using them. Switch back to standard primers and pressure comes down and velocity goes up. Weird, but true.
There are better specific powders for some calibers andloads, but imo BD is a good all around powder within its limitations. If I saw a good deal on it I wouldn't hesitate to buy more.
I also use BD in 44 mag: 240 gr SWC over 16 grains BD; 45 Colt: 255 SWC over 14 (and up) grains BD; 9mm: 8.5 - 8.9 grains with a 115 jhp (compressed load); 9x23 Winchester: 11.0 grains BD with a 125 jhp for 1430 fps; 45 auto: 10.4 grains BD with the Speer "flying ashtray" 200 grain jhp (not Gold Dot).
NOTE: these loads were safe in my guns. many are over current book max as noted above. use them at your own risk. ALWAYS, start low and work up slowly.
Also, I have never seen what I would call low extreme spreads with my Blue Dot loads and I test over a chronograph. But accuracy was as good as other powders like H110, unique, herco, etc. In some ways I like it better than AA7 (although AA7 is awesome in 9x23 Winchester)
Final note: IME, magnum primers should be avoided with Blue Dot. I know some data shows the use of mag primers, but I have experienced pressure spikes when using them. Switch back to standard primers and pressure comes down and velocity goes up. Weird, but true.
There are better specific powders for some calibers andloads, but imo BD is a good all around powder within its limitations. If I saw a good deal on it I wouldn't hesitate to buy more.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
I really like Blue Dot for below max loads in 357mag, 41mag, and 44mag. The reason I came down below Max with it was I was getting stuck cases in my Winchester on sunny hot days. It seemed a little touchy at Max. I can't help you with the autos. :shock: 
...Jimbo
...Jimbo
btrumanj
Single-Sixer
Jimbo357mag":24o0x7o5 said:I really like Blue Dot for below max loads in 357mag, 41mag, and 44mag. The reason I came down below Max with it was I was getting stuck cases in my Winchester on sunny hot days. It seemed a little touchy at Max. I can't help you with the autos. :shock:
...Jimbo
I remember an article by Dean Grennel years ago talking about the velocities possible with Blue Dot but also it being being sensitive to higher temperatures. Personally I think it is too slow burning for optimum auto loads
A compressed charge of BD in 9mm can give some good velocity. Max loads in 45 auto do it, although the newer powder Power Pistol is a better choice IMO
And I haven't seen the pressure spikes in BD associated with temperature, although I don't doubt that its possible. BTW, I have heard it both ways: that is, that BD spikes in cold temps, and then from another source that says BD spikes in high temps.
But I have experienced spikes in pressure when using magnum primers and also when you try to load it too hot. Some powders like H110 have a more "linear" rate of increased pressure as it relates to the velocity of your loaded bullet. IME, Blue Dot hits a point where the linear character of loads disappears and you head into high pressure spikes and need to back off.
So in 9mm loads that run ~30-35k CUP Blue Dot runs well. Same for 45 Colt in 30k psi loads... and 44 mag, 41 mag, etc.
But when you try to load it in 50k+ psi loads it gets "hinky" quick. 9x23 Winchester is better served with Ramshot Silhouette, VV 3N37 and AA7.
And in 454 loads that run to 55k I prefer 2400, AA9, VV N110, H108, and H110/WW296.
Like I said previously, there are better powders for specific loads, but IME BD is a good all around powder for med to med-heavy loads and if I saw a great price on BD I wouldn't pass it up.
And I haven't seen the pressure spikes in BD associated with temperature, although I don't doubt that its possible. BTW, I have heard it both ways: that is, that BD spikes in cold temps, and then from another source that says BD spikes in high temps.
But I have experienced spikes in pressure when using magnum primers and also when you try to load it too hot. Some powders like H110 have a more "linear" rate of increased pressure as it relates to the velocity of your loaded bullet. IME, Blue Dot hits a point where the linear character of loads disappears and you head into high pressure spikes and need to back off.
So in 9mm loads that run ~30-35k CUP Blue Dot runs well. Same for 45 Colt in 30k psi loads... and 44 mag, 41 mag, etc.
But when you try to load it in 50k+ psi loads it gets "hinky" quick. 9x23 Winchester is better served with Ramshot Silhouette, VV 3N37 and AA7.
And in 454 loads that run to 55k I prefer 2400, AA9, VV N110, H108, and H110/WW296.
Like I said previously, there are better powders for specific loads, but IME BD is a good all around powder for med to med-heavy loads and if I saw a great price on BD I wouldn't pass it up.
Bucks Owin
Hunter
Blue Dot is supposedly better at extreme low temperatures than W296/H110. Seein' as you're in MN, that could be a plus. Haven't used it myself, prefer 296/110 in ANY mag or .45 Ruger application. In comparison, 2400 gives too much pressure for the amount of velocity return IMO....FWIW Dennis
I tried Blue Dot with 9mm Luger using a 115gr Berrys copper plated bullet. I tried 6.8 gr, 7.4gr and 8.0gr of powder. I got the tightest group (all within a 2"x1.5" square at 25 feet) when I used the 6.8grain load.
I liked the Blue Dot for 9mm, but will likely save it for the 357 Magnum.
I haven't tried the B. Dot in the 45 acp yet. My guess is that it would be good.
I liked the Blue Dot for 9mm, but will likely save it for the 357 Magnum.
I haven't tried the B. Dot in the 45 acp yet. My guess is that it would be good.
gregs45auto
Single-Sixer
Latest word from factory: DO NOT use blue dot with any 41 mag load or 125 gr. 357 loads. Articles in past says that higher temps cause a radical change (higer) :shock: in blue dot pressures. Keep their sage advice in mind with this powder and loads. jmho greg
Cherokee
Single-Sixer
Some years ago in 45 ACP, I tried 9.5 and 10.0 gr with my cast 230 gr TC bullet. It shot good at 25 & 50 yd but gave heavy recoil and muzzle blast. I decided I did not need to beat the gun that much. I like it in 357 M and 45 Colt but mostly in 38 Super.
Enigma
Hunter
I used to shoot Blue Dot in .45 ACP with the old Speer 200 grain 'flying ashtray' bullet. I don't recall the load, but it was, shall we say, authoritative. It turned arctic hares inside out at close range, I do recall that.
Thanks for all the info, I also just scored 1000 berrys 124gr 9mm bullets, so hopefully I can get a good load worked up. I might also try some .45 loads with a 230 gr cast, if I can find an accurate load that won't beat up my 1911.
Ruber
Single-Sixer
I like Blue Dot and use it mostly in .45 Colt. I used it in some .45 Auto shot through a Blackhawk Convertible with some great results. In my experience, it has been very finicky about primers in the larger cases.
In an old 1911 and for 9mm in an old (pre-Portugal) HiPower I have had really good accuracy out of Blue Dot but never got the charge right to reliably cycle, about one out of fifty would jam or not push the slide all the way back to lock after the last round.
Like you, I was looking for something that wouldn't "beat up" those two, but realized they liked a full charge of faster powder and never really spent the time to get Blue Dot tuned in... but if you've got all that powder, it would be worth some testing.... :wink:
In an old 1911 and for 9mm in an old (pre-Portugal) HiPower I have had really good accuracy out of Blue Dot but never got the charge right to reliably cycle, about one out of fifty would jam or not push the slide all the way back to lock after the last round.
Like you, I was looking for something that wouldn't "beat up" those two, but realized they liked a full charge of faster powder and never really spent the time to get Blue Dot tuned in... but if you've got all that powder, it would be worth some testing.... :wink:
VAdoublegunner
Single-Sixer
Good .357 mag powder. I've also used it in some Ruger only 45 Colt loads.
I have several 10mm loads with it that I really like. Excellent accuracy, good velocity, burns very clean, and you gotta like that BD flash and roar out of a 10mm. It really enhances the "power" factor at the range!
I have several 10mm loads with it that I really like. Excellent accuracy, good velocity, burns very clean, and you gotta like that BD flash and roar out of a 10mm. It really enhances the "power" factor at the range!
