45 acp, Blue Dot, Dirty chamber

[mxl]

A friend gave me nearly a pound of Blue Dot. I loaded a small batch using 9.4 grains of powder, Xtreme 200 gr. plated round nose bullets, mixed brass, Win. primers, light taper crimp and seated to 1.260 OAL. Averages 805 fps using a S&W 945 with a 5 in. barrel. I had several failures to fully chamber a round because of so much residue in the chamber. This stuff was much dirtier than when I use Win. 231 powder. I tried a lighter powder load and the results were worse. The casings were properly sized and drop right out of the chamber when it is clean.

So, can I get a cleaner burn by using a heavier load or perhaps seating deeper, or maybe a combination of both? Or am I fighting a losing battle with Blue Dot in a 45 acp?

Your thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

 

[Galil5.56]

The majority of my experience with Blue Dot in low intensity rounds has been dismal. Circa mid 90's Alliant data shows 10.6 grains and a 200 grain JHP as their max (please verify). I do however think your OAL may be long for that bullet depending on it's ogive, and would not be surprised if an OAL of around 1.20" would work well depending on meplat size/ogive length. This alone, or in conjunction with fouling could be the cause for your chambering problems... I know it is when loading for my GI 1911 as compared to my factory made long leade/throated SIG Sauer P220.

I think you can make BD work OK, but there are a million other propellants I like to use in front of it in .45 ACP.

Good luck!

 

[Walkalong]

Blue Dot needs plenty of pressure to burn clean. It is not a particularly good choice for .45 at anything less than full bore with jacketed bullets.
Pick a more medium speed powder like AA #5, WSF, etc, or a faster powder like WST, N320, Clays, 700X, or go back to W-231, which works great in .45.

 

[243winxb]

Its still dirty @ 11.0gr of Bluedot , 200gr cast lswc, WLP. Using a 645 is how i burnt up about 1/2 lb this past summer to get rid of it. Not a good choice of powder. But then cast bullets are always dirty. WARNING , this is a very hot load, reduce 10% and work up. Use this load information at your own risk.

 

[mxl]

Thanks for the replies. Guess I'll find some other use for the Blue Dot.