[Magforce]

Does anyone have data for a light .44 load (either special or magnum) for Blue Dot? I am trying to push 200 grain LSWC's at around 900 fps from a 6" barrel. Everything I have found seems to want Blue Dot to hit higher velocities but I have Blue Dot powder right now I'd like to use for my light plinking loads if its possible.

[rcmodel]

Lyman gives a minimum starting load of 14.9 grains with a 210 grain LSWC.
It gives 1,036 @ 26,700 CUP.

Blue Dot is not suitable for lower pressure & velocity because it will not give consistent burns at low pressure.

You need to either load it up to 1,000+, or change powder to something more suitable for low velocity plinking loads.

rc

[Magforce]

I was worried that might be the case. Thanks for the info.

[SlamFire1]

Blue Dot is not appropriate for low pressure loads. I tested Blue Dot in the 45 LC. While the average velocities “look” ok, the extreme velocity spreads are 150 fps. The powder also blew a lot of unburnt powder out the barrel. It was like I had spread pepper all over the shooting bench.

I got the same results in the 38 Spl.

Blue Dot will work with magnum loads in the 44 Magnum.


45 LC 5 1/2" USFA Rodeo


250 LRN (.452") 11.5 grs Blue Dot R-P cases, WLP
11-Sep-05 T = 85 °F
Ave Vel = 845
Std Dev = 48
ES = 183.6
High = 933.3
Low = 749.7
N = 18


250 LRN (.452") 12.0 grs Blue Dot R-P cases, WLP
11-Sep-05 T = 85 °F

Ave Vel = 904
Std Dev = 44
ES = 149.6
High = 955.6
Low = 806
N = 15

[jibjab]

I have tried Blue Dot for handgun cartridges with inconsistent results, I have other powders that perform far better. The remainder of my Blue Dot is being spent in a bolt action .308 Win. for reduced loads and for that it does quite well.

[Walkalong]

I used to load 10.1 Grs of Blue Dot with Magnus 215 Gr SWC's using Super Grex as a filler. That is about as light as it worked well. It was for plinking loads for my older child. He shoots nothing but full loads now that he is grown. I gave him the 94 those loads were shot in. I had to use the Super Grex to stop the leading in the 94's oversize bore. No idea of the velocity. Blue Dot works well if the pressure is great enough, although I am like some others here, I have gotten away from Blue Dot. It has a narrow field of usefulness. Works great where it does work.