Okiecruffler
Member
Anyone mating these two together? I just bought a Taurus PT145 and I'll probably load cast 230's in it for practice rounds but would like to use Blue Dot since I use it in just about everything else.
Blue Dot and the 45acp?
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caz223
Member
From having dealt with it in the past, I don't like it in .45, esp. not .45 colt.
It's dirty when loaded light, so best results would be borderline +p or +p and with jacketed, not lead.
Also, heavy bullets.
But it would work best with 230 grain FMJ and between 8.5 and 9.0 grains of blue dot, from what I see.
By the time you get it hot enough to burn clean, it's gonna be too hot for your taurus.
I prefer unique for .45 ACP.
It's dirty when loaded light, so best results would be borderline +p or +p and with jacketed, not lead.
Also, heavy bullets.
But it would work best with 230 grain FMJ and between 8.5 and 9.0 grains of blue dot, from what I see.
By the time you get it hot enough to burn clean, it's gonna be too hot for your taurus.
I prefer unique for .45 ACP.
Sport45
Member
I agree. Blue Dot has to be loaded pretty stiff to burn well. The only time I've used it in .45acp was when I was making duplicate loads for Golden Sabres. Worked well for that. Otherwise, I use Titegroup or WW231 for my .45acp.
caz223
Member
Some other powders that work well with .45 acp:
power pistol (A little hot and flashy, likes jacketed.) unique (Excellent, esp. for jacketed.) WSF, HS-6, (Both excellent for plated.) bullseye (Perfect for lead, esp. light weight lead.). Those are what I've used personally, although titegroup would prolly be pretty good with lead, too, IIRC. Along with many others, I'm sure.
power pistol (A little hot and flashy, likes jacketed.) unique (Excellent, esp. for jacketed.) WSF, HS-6, (Both excellent for plated.) bullseye (Perfect for lead, esp. light weight lead.). Those are what I've used personally, although titegroup would prolly be pretty good with lead, too, IIRC. Along with many others, I'm sure.
Okie;
I'm not at home at the moment, & therefore don't have my data in front of me. However, I've had excellent results with 700X in the .45ACP. Various brass, CCI primers, 230 lead, and (here's where the memory fails), a low charge of 700X. Something around 4 - 5 grains, but I do believe you'll find it in Speer #13. Very clean burning.
900F
I'm not at home at the moment, & therefore don't have my data in front of me. However, I've had excellent results with 700X in the .45ACP. Various brass, CCI primers, 230 lead, and (here's where the memory fails), a low charge of 700X. Something around 4 - 5 grains, but I do believe you'll find it in Speer #13. Very clean burning.
900F
John, Blue Dot isn't worth a hoot in 45 acp, it is just plain BAD at low pressure. It needs pressure to work well, provide that pressure and it really starts to shine but you would be into some serious hot loads before you got enough pressure in your 45 to get it burning well.
For light-ish ball type loads Clays is about the cleanest and softest shooting powder you can get for the 230 grain bullets, lead or jacketed. Universal or Power Pistol or WSF are the best choices for full power or slightly hotter ball loads. Unique is SUPERB for lead bullets of 200 grains and heavier at full power levels. Lots of guys use 231 but I find it very dirty and not any more accurate than clean powders.
With a 230 lead I would use Clays unless I wanted over about 800 FPS. If I wanted 800+ with that bullet I would use Unique. Switch to jacketed at less than 800 I would use Clays, 800+ would be Universal or Power Pistol.
I've tried at least a dozen powders in 45 acp, and keep coming back to Clays, Universal, Unique, and Power Pistol.
For light-ish ball type loads Clays is about the cleanest and softest shooting powder you can get for the 230 grain bullets, lead or jacketed. Universal or Power Pistol or WSF are the best choices for full power or slightly hotter ball loads. Unique is SUPERB for lead bullets of 200 grains and heavier at full power levels. Lots of guys use 231 but I find it very dirty and not any more accurate than clean powders.
With a 230 lead I would use Clays unless I wanted over about 800 FPS. If I wanted 800+ with that bullet I would use Unique. Switch to jacketed at less than 800 I would use Clays, 800+ would be Universal or Power Pistol.
I've tried at least a dozen powders in 45 acp, and keep coming back to Clays, Universal, Unique, and Power Pistol.
shu
Member
get some Bullseye for cast lead.
BlueDot in 357sig top end =
BlueDot in 357mag top end =
BlueDot in 45acp slow = bummer
BlueDot in 357sig top end =
BlueDot in 357mag top end =
BlueDot in 45acp slow = bummer
Okiecruffler
Member
I might have to give Clays a try since I've been wanting to try it in a few other things. I just need to buy some more Blue Dot for my 223 and 308 loads and it sure would be easier if I could get down to just a few powders.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Blue Dot- in these??
P95Carry;
The following has been copied from another forum, written by a person whom I consider to be knowledgable.
Don't forget sissy loads.
Blue Dot pistol powder, 13.5 to 14 grains, under 33, 35, and 40 grainers. Work your way up a tenth at a time, load to the lands (if you can reach them) and enjoy. Workup is a little fussy, but once you find the right charge, they should shoot and scoot, like somewhere around 3200 feet per. And WAY quieter. Like a hot Hornet. If it is not too windy, I use them on PDs, and use them on West Side gophers.
900F
The following has been copied from another forum, written by a person whom I consider to be knowledgable.
Don't forget sissy loads.
Blue Dot pistol powder, 13.5 to 14 grains, under 33, 35, and 40 grainers. Work your way up a tenth at a time, load to the lands (if you can reach them) and enjoy. Workup is a little fussy, but once you find the right charge, they should shoot and scoot, like somewhere around 3200 feet per. And WAY quieter. Like a hot Hornet. If it is not too windy, I use them on PDs, and use them on West Side gophers.
900F
caz223
Member
I've said it before, I'll say it again.
I really, really wish this forum was around when I started reloading/shooting.
I really, really wish this forum was around when I started reloading/shooting.
Lennyjoe
Member
I also tried Blue Dot in .45 and didnt like it. Too many better powders out there than Blue Dot for your .45 loads.
Give W321 a try.
Give W321 a try.
It was, just in TFL form.
Renegade
Member
Blue Dot + .45ACP.= 
I like using Red Dot.
Later,
Dave
I like using Red Dot.
Later,
Dave
SpiderJohn
Member
I find that 5.0 gr of Titegroup behind a 230 grain lead round nose is my load of choice.
Haven't tried Blue dot in 45acp, but I was less than impressed with it in 44 special, where the pressures, speed and bullet weight are very close to 45 acp.
I use blue dot in 357's and like it just fine.
Haven't tried Blue dot in 45acp, but I was less than impressed with it in 44 special, where the pressures, speed and bullet weight are very close to 45 acp.
I use blue dot in 357's and like it just fine.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
CB900 - thx a lot for the info - I am ''illuminated'' Never would have thought to try that. Could be something worth trying for the Contender one day. Slow workup, naturally.!
Never would have thought to try that. Could be something worth trying for the Contender one day. Slow workup, naturally.!P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Thx 'H' - indeed, that is why I had not even thought of the option but for sure - caution ++ should I try that route.
The pressure spikes mentioned by HSMITH is something everyone should consider when loading Blue Dot or AA7 in .38 Sp. too. Don't think I'd want to use it in .45 ACP or anything other than a magnum load. Actually I myself shy away from it because of it being temperature sensitive but in some magnum loads it's a screamer.
Baker
Baker
Okiecruffler
Member
Not about 45,
But it's my thread and I'll do what I want.
I just have to warn against the advice given above to load to the lands with BD. I tried that with my perfectly safe mild 223 load and saw a HUGE spike in pressure. As soon as I backed off the lands again, all was well. It's my favorite powder for my Contender .223 and my Striker .308 I'm getting super accuracy, mild recoil, and cheap reloading. I've also used it in 30-30AI with good results, 7tcu with so-so results, and 444 with horrible results. And of course it works pretty decent with 357, 41, and 44 mags too.
And just to bring things back around, I had to load a batch of 38wc's and my favorite powder for that is IMR800X. So I might try some of that in the 45.
But it's my thread and I'll do what I want.
I just have to warn against the advice given above to load to the lands with BD. I tried that with my perfectly safe mild 223 load and saw a HUGE spike in pressure. As soon as I backed off the lands again, all was well. It's my favorite powder for my Contender .223 and my Striker .308 I'm getting super accuracy, mild recoil, and cheap reloading. I've also used it in 30-30AI with good results, 7tcu with so-so results, and 444 with horrible results. And of course it works pretty decent with 357, 41, and 44 mags too.
And just to bring things back around, I had to load a batch of 38wc's and my favorite powder for that is IMR800X. So I might try some of that in the 45.
308win
Member
I have a jug of OEM Red Dot that I am getting ready to use for 9mm and 45acp. What charges/bullet have you had good results with for 45?
Renegade
Member
I've been using 5.0gr of Red Dot with Berry's and Rainier 230gr FMJ. I did notice that I got better velocity and accuracy using the Berry's than the Rainier.
Later,
Dave
Later,
Dave
W Turner
Member
AA#5 is good for full-power .45acp loads as well. I have been loading 230gr. Zero FMJ over 8.0gr. of AA#5 with mixed brass and CCI LPP. Velocity is around 840FPS. My Springfield loves this load and it feels just like my carry load (WWB 230gr. JHP).
I recently bought a 100 rd. bag of 200gr. LSWC to try and shot 25 of them yesterday. Started off at 7.8gr. then went up to 8.6gr. in .2gr. increments. Accuracy was good with all of them, but best with the starting load, so I may have found a new IDPA load as this one should make around a 180 power factor with much less recoil and wear and tear on the gun. I only bought such a small amount because I wanted to be sure that my 1911 would feed them. No problems there. FWIW-I could tell a big difference in recoil/report between the 8.2gr. loads and the 8.4gr. loads, but the 8.6 loads didn't feel much different from the 8.4's. Any explanations ?
I know that modern alloys are very durable, but I can't help but think that the 230gr. load listed above will put more stress on the frame. eventually I will probably use Clays in 200gr. LSWC loads for IDPA and the 230gr. FMJ loads with #5 for practice. The Accurate #5 also burns very clean so it should be a good companion to the Clays.
W
I recently bought a 100 rd. bag of 200gr. LSWC to try and shot 25 of them yesterday. Started off at 7.8gr. then went up to 8.6gr. in .2gr. increments. Accuracy was good with all of them, but best with the starting load, so I may have found a new IDPA load as this one should make around a 180 power factor with much less recoil and wear and tear on the gun. I only bought such a small amount because I wanted to be sure that my 1911 would feed them. No problems there. FWIW-I could tell a big difference in recoil/report between the 8.2gr. loads and the 8.4gr. loads, but the 8.6 loads didn't feel much different from the 8.4's. Any explanations ?
I know that modern alloys are very durable, but I can't help but think that the 230gr. load listed above will put more stress on the frame. eventually I will probably use Clays in 200gr. LSWC loads for IDPA and the 230gr. FMJ loads with #5 for practice. The Accurate #5 also burns very clean so it should be a good companion to the Clays.
W
VonFatman
Member
I'm going with the flow on this one...
I've used Blue Dot in my .45 Colt loads and
since I'm loading on the3 medium to medium low
range, I find LOTS of unburnt powder and crud.
I expect you will see the same with .45 ACP
Heck even my medium .44 Mag loads have the
same issue. Like the experts say, use it in a
warm to hot load and the powder seems to
find it's place.
Bob
I've used Blue Dot in my .45 Colt loads and
since I'm loading on the3 medium to medium low
range, I find LOTS of unburnt powder and crud.
I expect you will see the same with .45 ACP
Heck even my medium .44 Mag loads have the
same issue. Like the experts say, use it in a
warm to hot load and the powder seems to
find it's place.
Bob
Okiecruffler
Member
I got a batch loaded up with 800X and I even loaded a couple of dozen with BD. Hope to try them out this weekend.
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