I purchased a couple of pounds of estate sale Green Dot. It was a cardboard container of Green Dot, I assume it is late 70’s to early 80’s. It is old enough that the shiny tinned metal bottom has a small number of rust spots. The powder did not smell ether or bitter, I did not see any red, and I shot it up as quickly as possible as I believe it was at the end of its shelf life.
I was able to conduct chronograph tests in my 38 Special Airweight and more extensive tests in 45 ACP.
My loads shot well in the 38 Special.
Green Dot works well in the 45 ACP. My M1911’s functioned every time on the 700 fps 4.5 grain load. That load had very little recoil and yet clustered well. I judge the accuracy of the ammo by the clustering on my 25 yard gong target. Since I shoot offhand my accuracy is highly variable compared to someone shooting off sandbags. I can say that Green Dot has accuracy potential as it clustered well, but I cannot say that it is any more accurate than any other powder.
Green Dot must be just a little slower burning than Bullseye as 5.0 grains of Green Dot gave me the same velocities as 4.5 grains Bullseye. Green Dot is still a fast burning powder.
I fired my loads in three different M1911’s and I was glad to see that the velocities were similar between the pistols.
Some people are ultra fussy about clean burning powders. I am not. I cannot say Green Dot is a “clean” powder as the wind was whipping through around 15 mph. Any residue in the air was gone before I could see it. My M1911’s cleaned up as usual, but I have must have a higher tolerance about residue than the clean crowd.
I like my practice ammo to be just around 800 fps, or less, so I am loading up several hundred more rounds with the 5.0 grains Green Dot.
I am not looking to replace any of my favorite pistols powders of Bullseye, Unique and 2400 with Green Dot. I am also not looking to add more Green Dot to the collection. But I won’t turn down Green Dot if I get it at a great price as it shoots well in the 38 Special and 45 ACP.
Code:
S&W M637-2 2" barrel
125 gr Valiant BBRNFP 4.5 grs Green Dot Lot 178 Mixed cases CCI 500
6-Apr-07 T = 48 °F
POI, little leading
Ave Vel = 813.2
Std Dev = 44.55
ES = 176.5
High = 903.3
Low = 726.8
Number shot= 24
125 gr Valiant BBRNFP 5.0 grs Green Dot Lot 178 Mixed cases CCI 500
6-Apr-07 T = 48 °F
1-2" above POI, more leading
Ave Vel = 867.3
Std Dev = 57.54
ES = 178.1
High = 966
Low = 787.8
Number shot= 21
125 gr JHP (W/W) 5.0 grs Green Dot Lot 178 Mixed cases CCI 500
6-Apr-07 T = 48 °F 25 yds accuracy OK,
Ave Vel = 808.9
Std Dev = 56.82
ES = 95.46
High = 914.2
Low = 712.8
Number shot= 20
Code:
Kimber Custom Classic
230 gr LRN 4.5 grs Bullseye 99' & 2005 mixed lot Mixed Brass WLP (brass)
16-May-09 high 83 °F OAL 1.250"taper crimp .469"
Ave Vel =805.2
Std Dev =38.07
ES =136.9
High = 912.4
Low =775.5
Number shot=24
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
Number shot=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 =802fps
Std Dev =19
ES =61
High = 841
Low =780
Number shot=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 =873fps
Std Dev =30
ES =88
High = 922
Low =834
Number shot=11
Code:
M1911 Springfield Armory 5” Kart Barrel
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 =719fps
Std Dev =26
ES =105.1
High = 771
Low =665.9
Number shot=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
Number shot=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
Number shot=15
very accurate, centered
Code:
Rock Island Arsenal GI M1911 5" barrel
230 gr Valiant LRN 5.0 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP OAL 1.250" taper crimp 0.469"
18-Dec-17 T = 60 °F
Ave Vel = 803.8
Std Dev = 25.92
ES = 89.11
High =853.3
Low = 764.2
Number shots = 14
230 gr LRN Valiant 4.5 grs Bullseye (1998 & 2005) WLP OAL 1.25" taper crimp 0.469"
13-Sep-18 T = 82 °F
Ave Vel = 766.3
Std Dev=12.44
ES = 66.08
High = 805.2
Low = 739.1
Number shots = 26
