357 mag, 125 gr bullets, and Blue-Dot

[G. Freeman]

Hi Guys,
I have a stash of blue dot for reloading my new 357 mag purchase.

I noticed that Alliant no longer recommends using this powder with this bullet weight.

Does anyone still use this? Is Alliant just being overly cautious?

I have a thousand rounds of 125 gr JSP's in my inventory and the only magnum powder I have is Blue Dot.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Slamfire]

Basically I would not wish Blue Dot on my worst enemy. The only load that worked were 158 JHP’s in the 357.

I don’t know why Alliant no longer has a listing for Blue Dot and 125’s, but that should tell you not to load that combination.

I did load development with 158 lead bullets, and I got sticky extraction and leading. With the same bullets and AA#9, I got more velocity and no leading.
The data below is for reference, I don't recommend anyone using Blue Dot in a 357.

Why don’t you use some nice 2400 for your 125’s? I used to use that with 125 JHP’s. The load was accurate, little recoil, and the muzzle flash was so severe, that if you did not hit your target, you would at least incinerate it.


Smith & Wesson M27-2 6.5” Barrel


158 LRN 9.0 grains Blue Dot CCI500 Midway cases
5-Aug-06 T = 102 °F
Ave Vel = 1203
Std Dev = 29.22
ES = 120.8
High = 1261
Low = 1141
N = 22
Accurate, Difficult extraction, leading


158 LRN 10.0 grains Blue Dot CCI500 Midway cases T = 102 °F
5-Aug-06
Ave Vel = 1290
Std Dev = 24.91
ES = 88.15
High = 1324
Low = 1235
N = 20
v. Accurate until heavy leading: Difficult extraction


M66-2 4" Barrel

158 LBBRN 10.0 grs Blue Dot CCI500 Midway cases
25-Mar-07 T = 75 °F

Ave Vel = 1122
Std Dev = 41.38
ES = 211.1
High = 1211
Low = 1000
N = 20
accurate sticky extraction

 

[easyrider604]

I stopped using full Blue Dot (13.5 - 14.0 grain) with 125 JHP because of two reasons:
1. the Alliant advisory
2. within 100 rounds, I noticed top strap flamecutting on my 686.

However, I did not notice alarming signs of overpressure, i.e. all brass extracted easily and the primers looked normal for .357 loads.

So I will shoot my leftover loads (125 grn JHP 14.0 grn BD) in my Marlin 1894.

For .357 magnum, I have switched to Speer 158 grn JHP over 14 grain 2400.

You can still use your BD for 158 grn LSWC or JHP.
You can try other powders for your 125 grain JSP, or maybe look for .38 spl +p+ loads for them.

 

[Envisaged]

For the 125gr bullets - Titegroup works excellent. You don't use much either.

 

[Steve C]

I've loaded .357 mag with 125gr JHP's and 13.8grs of Blue Dot using a magnum primer for over 20 years and have never had a problem with the load showing pressure signs. Its performance equals the full power factory from my 4" revolvers at +/- 1,450 fps. There have been heavier loads listed in many manuals including Alliants data.

 

[joneb]

I tried Blue Dot for .357 mag. 10.2-10.4gr worked well with standard primers behind 158gr jacketed bullets, and 9.2gr of BD worked well with SPs behind 180 jacketed. I now use AA#9 for .357 mag

 

[rg1]

My load for 125gr. 357 Mag loads using Blue Dot was 13.7 grains using
CCI 500 standard primers. No problems at all for several years shooting BD loads in a short barreled .357 Mag. Approximately 1260 fps in a 2 1/2" barrel.
Having switched to a 6" barreled pistol and also a Marlin rifle, I now use 158 grain Hornady XTP's and Accurate Arms #9 powder with CCI 500 primers. I still have 125 grain Blue Dot loaded rounds that I have no concern with shooting them. I still don't understand the warning but I'm not advising to ignore it. The rest of my Blue Dot powder is now reserved for shotshells.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Don't take a chance on hurting yourself even though you said it's the only Magnum powder you have. Go out and buy yourself some W296/H110, 2400, H4227, Enforcer or #9 and be safe.

 

[G. Freeman]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for your posts. Yeah I used to use Alliant 2400 and loved the loud boom. Thought Blue Dot would be just as menacing so I bought the 5# container, but it's actually not as loud, at least for my 10mm.

I will heed all your recommendations and warnings. Will check back on my Speer loadbook.

Thanks!