Blue Dot for 40S&W full power loads dangerous or hype?

Hartkopf · Dec 19, 2019

I've read Blue Dot being called the crazy ex girlfriend of powders. Was the problems with Aliant or an old manufacturer?

Looking to load Berry's 165gr and I can get Blue Dot locally but Speer has no 165gr data and Lyman only has data that seems strangely low in relation to the 155 and 180 loads when compared to other powders. Speer is usually higher than Lyman but with no 165gr data it makes me wonder if there has been a problem with this combination, like the 357 magnum 125gr issues.

FROGO207 · Dec 20, 2019

Not sure about in 40 S&W but it has been acknowledged by the manufacturer that with light bullets in 357 it becomes dangerous with random pressure spikes. I used it with light bullets like they warned about for years with no problems but stopped after the warning as there are many good alternatives. A phone call to their balastitan might be in order if you have concerns. If you do please report back with your answer.
Thete are other propellants out there that have published data for what you want. Mabe there is a reason for lack of data.

Rule3 · Dec 20, 2019

With ALL the OTHER powders out there why even considered Blue Dot??. That powder needs to go away!

kcofohio · Dec 20, 2019

My thinking is that 40 S&W has somewhat of a stigma, earned or not. And there is less room for error in the cartridge. So publishers may not see the benefit over the risk with Blue Dot.

Hartkopf · Dec 20, 2019

Rule3 said:
With ALL the OTHER powders out there why even considered Blue Dot??. That powder needs to go away!

I guess that explains why other slow burning pistol powders are sold out locally and there were 4 bottles of Blue Dot!

The local availability was the reason for my consideration.

ATLDave · Dec 20, 2019

Alliant also warns against using Blue Dot in .41 magnum. https://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/safety_notices.aspx

Blue Dot is a magnum shotgun powder that was impressed into service as a medium-slow handgun powder. There are some people who love it for various pistol cartridges but there are a lot of powders in that burn rate range these days that often perform better and don't have weird "safety notices" attached to them.

hdbiker · Dec 20, 2019

I like Blue Dot for medium heavy magnum loads, There was a warning about using Blue Dot with 125 grain bullets in .357 . hdbiker

frankmako · Dec 20, 2019

there are better powders for your need. i would look some more before i took home blue dot.

Rule3 · Dec 20, 2019

Hartkopf said:
I guess that explains why other slow burning pistol powders are sold out locally and there were 4 bottles of Blue Dot!
The local availability was the reason for my consideration.

What other powders are "available locally"?? It doesn't need to be as "slow" as Blue Dirt

whughett · Dec 20, 2019

It’s a shotgun powder for Magnum shot shell loads for crying out loud. CAN be used, emphasis on CAN be used for Magnum Pistol Loads which to me indicates the powder needs to be under either a heavy shot load or a heavy bullet crimp.

Why use such a powder in small capacity cases like the 40. And you can’t crimp the bullet b

243winxb · Dec 20, 2019

I used up some Blue Dot in 45 acp with 200 gr cast lswc. Maximum loads in a S&W 645. No problems.

But the 45acp runs at a lot lower pressure then a 40 S&W.

BigBore45 · Dec 20, 2019

Rule3 said:
With ALL the OTHER powders out there why even considered Blue Dot??. That powder needs to go away!

I've use it a lot in magnum shotgun and 45acp+p and 45 super loads. also makes a good rifle cast powder. its hard to beat in that arena.

FROGO207 · Dec 20, 2019

I still have half a keg of it on the shelf from an estate sale for when sometimes rolls around or for buck shot loading. I probably will never have to buy anymore though. 700X, Promo and Bullseye are what I use most in handgun ammo these days. Then some 2400 and 231 round out my normal stuff. I am starting to see the value in Titegroup though. Also you guys are really liking BE86 so who knows.

Hartkopf · Dec 20, 2019

Thanks for all the replies. I've heard lots of good things about BE-86 so I'll just have to order some online. It seems to be perfect for full power .40 loads and Speer has plenty of data on it.

I was hoping Blue Dot wasn't as bad as it seems but nobody here made me feel warm and fuzzy about it for 40S&W!

Hartkopf · Dec 20, 2019

FROGO207 said:
Not sure about in 40 S&W but it has been acknowledged by the manufacturer that with light bullets in 357 it becomes dangerous with random pressure spikes. I used it with light bullets like they warned about for years with no problems but stopped after the warning as there are many good alternatives. A phone call to their balastitan might be in order if you have concerns. If you do please report back with your answer.
Thete are other propellants out there that have published data for what you want. Mabe there is a reason for lack of data.

No thank you!

Random pressure spikes is something I would like to avoid and it would be my luck to hit the combination just wrong.

Walkalong · Dec 20, 2019

I have tried Blue Dot with 180 Gr bullets in .40 and it worked well. Not well enough to buy some more, but well enough to be something I can use some up in.

Walkalong · Dec 20, 2019

Hartkopf said:
I've heard lots of good things about BE-86

It does indeed wok well in .40. I have a great load with old W-231 and 180 Gr bullets in .40 as well. Nice recoil impulse and very accurate. (At least by my standards)

Walkalong · Dec 20, 2019

FROGO207 said:
Not sure about in 40 S&W but it has been acknowledged by the manufacturer that with light bullets in 357 it becomes dangerous with random pressure spikes

Yep.

Bfh_auto · Dec 20, 2019

I have run some Bluedot through my 40. It worked, but I quickly switched to CFE-P.

Rule3 · Dec 20, 2019

Alliant has data for BD in the 40 SW. Just because there is data doesn't make it a "great" choice to use. Sorry. I just don't like the stuff. Sure it works for shotguns and magnum loads but even in handgun magnum loads there are better powders.

AKA FLAMING DIRT!

Hartkopf · Dec 20, 2019

Rule3 said:
Alliant has data for BD in the 40 SW. Just because there is data doesn't make it a "great" choice to use. Sorry. I just don't like the stuff. Sure it works for shotguns and magnum loads but even in handgun magnum loads there are better powders.

AKA FLAMING DIRT!

True but they have no data for 165gr loads. I'm stocked on 165s and with no data at all for this weight, makes me think they had some more pressure spike problems. Especially since nobody here has come out and said they have used this combination.

Kevin Rohrer · Dec 20, 2019

Rule3 said:
What other powders are "available locally"?? It doesn't need to be as "slow" as Blue Dirt

Longshot is an excellent powder for the .40; I’ve been using it for a couple years for full-power loads. The powder does not like weak loads.

Walkalong · Dec 20, 2019

Rule3 said:
AKA FLAMING DIRT!

It burns clean at pressures found in the .40 S&W.

Walkalong · Dec 20, 2019

Kevin Rohrer said:
Longshot is an excellent powder for the .40; I’ve been using it for a couple years for full-power loads. The powder does not like weak loads.

Agreed, although I don't care for "Loudshot", it does work real well in .40.

Jack Ryan · Dec 20, 2019

Hartkopf said:
I've read Blue Dot being called the crazy ex girlfriend of powders. Was the problems with Aliant or an old manufacturer?

Looking to load Berry's 165gr and I can get Blue Dot locally but Speer has no 165gr data and Lyman only has data that seems strangely low in relation to the 155 and 180 loads when compared to other powders. Speer is usually higher than Lyman but with no 165gr data it makes me wonder if there has been a problem with this combination, like the 357 magnum 125gr issues.

I sure burn a LOT of it in 10mm and 44 mag.

Blue Dot for 40S&W full power loads dangerous or hype?

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Moderator

Moderator

Moderator

Member

Member

Member

Member

Moderator

Moderator

Member

Similar threads