Alliant Red Dot vs Promo

[Random 8]

I've recently dug into my can of Promo, having used Branded Red Dot for many years ( decades). Some observations I've made:

It is significantly denser (as advertised). I had to dig deeply into my bushing stash to find small enough ones to throw charges for light trap loads.

It appears to be cleaner burning. This is not a scientific test, but my guns, hulls and spent wads appear significantly cleaner than with Red Dot loads.

It responds well to crimp variances. I had several shells with "sketchy" crimps while dialing in my loads for this denser powder. All performed with normal report, recoil and broken targets when used up on a practice round.

It seems to throw more uniform charges than Red Dot through both my vintage Hornady shotshell press and my Lee powder measure.

I find this powder superior to Red Dot in every aspect unless extra case fill is needed.

Wondering what others may have observed with these two powders?

 

[Armored farmer]

I don’t think it was as dirty as red dot. Less graphite added.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I've never loaded a shotgun shell with either.

I do, however, use pounds of Promo in handgun and reduced rifle loads.

I love it, and keep a great deal on hand. I think Promo is cleaner than several other old-school powders.

 

[FROGO207]

Yep, generally easier to meter in a bushing or measure. Seems to burn cleaner and costs less per keg.
As long as you set up the charge by weight not published Red Dot volume it is great. I use more of it for handgun ammo loading than in shotguns.

 

[rfwobbly]

I loaded Promo for several years. I stopped when plastic from the wads started transferring to the barrel of my Browning O/U on light Target loads. It was very clean shooting, but obviously also hotter burning to achieve that effect.

True, it could have been the Claybuster wads or the Promo, but it stopped when I switched to another powder.