Green Dot and 45acp 200 LSWC

[right winger]

My friend just gave me 3 lbs of Green Dot and I have never used it before. Mostly I use BE, Unique and 231 in 45acp for 200 gr LSWC.
I am looking for a load that is very similar to the two loads I am currently using and really like which are 4 gr BE and/or 6 gr Unique. Thanks for your help and I appreciate all your input.

RW

 

[Walkalong]

bds has done testing with it and likes Green Dot. Perhaps he will come along with some help.

 

[243winxb]

Green Dot- 45 ACP-Target Load

From Alliant 1999 powder guide- Green Dot- Target load- Min. OAL 1.190"- 200gr lsw-4.3gr.-805fps-9,900psi - 5" barrel.

 

[GaryL]

I load 5.2gr of green dot behind the MB 200gr IDP #4-XD slug. Consistently tags cans at 20-30yds. I am getting right at 800fps with that load.

I thought I'd better add that the Green Dot I'm using is probably 30 yrs old.

 

[sansone]

green dot burns just a little faster than unique so I don't see a problem

 

[LiveLife]

During the primer/reloading supply shortage of last two years, W231/HP38 were in short supply and I started looking for comparable substitute that was more readily available. After some search, I came onto Green Dot which has similar burn rate and load data. I found that I need to use .2-.3 gr more to be comparable with my W231/HP38 loads and load data often came close to W231/HP38 loads (but always use Alliant load data, not W231/HP38 load data).

As others already posted, 5.2 gr of Green Dot will come close to the 5.0 gr of W231/HP38 reference load for 200 gr SWC producing similar felt recoil and shot groups (but work up using Alliant load data until you get reliable feeding/chambering/cycling and accurate shot groups).

Flake size is comparable to Bullseye, but meters as well in Pro Auto Disk (variance about 0.1 gr). It is less dense than W231/HP38, so Green Dot will fill the case more (which some reloaders prefer).

If price/availability was an issue, I would gladly use Green Dot in place of W231/HP38 for .38/9mm/40S&W/45ACP.

 

[Steve C]

Alliant .45 acp data with loads for Green Dot.
Alliant .45 acp data

 

[right winger]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I tried the load GaryL and BDS suggested of 5.2 grs and it did the trick. Nice groups and very similar as you stated to my 4 gr BE load. I appreciate all your help and Merry Christmas to you all.

Right Winger

 

[noylj]

Very good powder in the .45ACP. Burning rate is supposed to be about the same as WST, and I have always gotten better results with GD compared to WST.
The following is my compiled data from about 25 years worth of reloading manuals. Remember, the COL shown is the minimum recommended.

.45 ACP
Bullet Weight Powder Weight Velocity Start/Max Power Factor COL

L-SWC 200 Green Dot 3.9 Target-Start 0
L-SWC 200 Green Dot 4.3 805 Start 161
L-SWC 200 Green Dot 4.3 805 Target "max" 161 1.190
L-SWC 200 Green Dot 4.5 715 Start 143
L-SWC 195 Green Dot 4.5 740 Start 144
swaged L-SWC 200 Green Dot 4.6 722 Start 144
swaged L-SWC 200 Green Dot 4.6 729 Start 146
swaged L-SWC 200 Green Dot 5.0 786 Max 157
swaged L-SWC 200 Green Dot 5.0 833 Max 167
L-SWC 200 Green Dot 5.0 850 Hardball load 170 1.160
L-SWC 200 Green Dot 5.1 727 Start 145
L-SWC 200 Green Dot 5.8 895 Max 179
L-SWC 195 Green Dot 6.0 955 Max 186
L-SWC 200 Green Dot 6.4 894 Max 179

Wish someone would give me 3lbs of Green Dot.

 

[Slamfire]

I know you are looking for 200 LSWC data, but if you are ever interested in trying 230 LRN, I did some testing

Green Dot worked very well with 230's. I have loaded up a bunch with 5.0 grains of Green Dot which gave me right on 800 fps in a 1911. I am confident of my numbers as I tested these loads in two M1911's and got very consistant results between the two.

It functioned the pistol at 700 fps, which shows that it is a quick powder.

[SIZE="3"][B]Kimber Custom Classic [/B]			
					
230 LRN 4.5 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP  Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
	27 Feb 2010         T = 48 ° F		
					
Ave Vel =	708	fps			 
Std Dev =	12				 
ES =	40				 
High = 	727				 
Low =	687				 
N =	9				
	accurate, little high, mild recoil		
					
230 LRN 5.0 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP  Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
	27 Feb 2010         T = 48 ° F		
					
Ave Vel =	802	fps			
Std Dev =	19				
ES =	61				
High = 	841				
Low =	780				
N =	15				
	 				
230 LRN 5.5 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP  Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
	27 Feb 2010         T = 48 ° F		
					
Ave Vel =	873	fps			 
Std Dev =	30				 
ES =	88				 
High = 	922				 
Low =	834				 
N =	11	


[B]Springfield Armory Kart Barrel[/B]		
					
					
230 LRN 4.5 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP  Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
	27 Feb 2010         T = 48 ° F		
					
Ave Vel =	719	fps			
Std Dev =	26				
ES =	105.1				
High = 	771				
Low =	665.9				
N =	14				
	accurate, little high, mild recoil		
					
230 LRN 5.0 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP  Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
	27 Feb 2010         T = 48 ° F		
					
Ave Vel =	803	fps			
Std Dev =	25				
ES =	97				
High = 	867				
Low =	770				
N =	16				
	accurate, centered 			
					
					
230 LRN 5.5 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP  Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
	27 Feb 2010         T = 48 ° F		
					
Ave Vel =	853	fps			
Std Dev =	29				
ES =	116				
High = 	918				
Low =	802				
N =	15				
	very accurate, centered 			
[/SIZE]

 

[right winger]

Thanks noylj for the info with the 200 gr LSWC. I have bumped my load of Green Dot up to 5.8 grs now and like it even better than the 5.2 grs load I tried earlier.
I also wanted to thank slamfire for his info with the 230 gr LRN bullets. I do have some of those also and am anxious to try the 5.5 gr load - will let you know how I like those.

You guys wouldn't by chance load MBC 9mm 125 gr LRN with Green Dot. From what my Lyman book is saying I should be around 1100 fps at 4.1 grs. Any thoughts I am going to load some up later today for a range session tomorrow.

Thanks,

Right Winger

 

[LiveLife]

You guys wouldn't by chance load MBC 9mm 125 gr LRN with Green Dot. From what my Lyman book is saying I should be around 1100 fps at 4.1 grs.

I tested Green Dot with MBC 125 gr LRN and 3.8-4.1 gr from 1.100"-1.125" OAL. They shot accurate with mild to moderate recoil.

4.1 gr should work fine.