Blue Dot and the M1 Carbine

[DBR]

It looks to me like 11-11.5 gr of Blue Dot would work well behind a 110gr fmj for my M1 Carbine.

Has anyone used this combo. I know other powders are more commonly used but I have a lot of Blue Dot and would like to be able to use it up.

The pressure curve is very similar to 12-12.5gr of 2400 according to Quick Load. The 2400 is a recommended powder for 30 carbine.

 

[zxcvbob]

I've wondered the same thing but haven't got around to posting the question yet. I was gonna guess 10.0 grains for a starting load w/ 100 grain cast bullets and work up (for a Ruger Blackhawk.)

11 grains w/ a 110 fmj bullet sounds pretty hot; what did Quickload say the maximum pressure was?

 

[DBR]

Quickload in my experience is a bit conservative regarding pressure and velocity for straight walled cartridges. I usually chrono 3-5% lower velocities than QL predicts as a minimum. More for pistol loads.

110gr fmj - Blue Dot Powder:
10.0gr=30.9ksi
11.0gr=38.5ksi (about right IMHO for the carbine)
11.5gr=42.9ksi (maybe a bit high if it is real for the carbine but not max according to QL using piezo CIP)

100gr fmj - Blue Dot Powder:
10.0gr=25.3ksi
11.0gr=28.3ksi
11.5gr=31.5ksi

I am going to call Alliant on Monday and see what they say. I would probably start at 10.5gr with the 110gr bullet and see what the velocity is. I am looking for about 1800fps for the 110gr bullet out of the carbine - on the low side of milspec.

Another question I have for Alliant is how temperature sensitive Blue Dot is.

 

[DBR]

For cast bullets you will most likely be limited by velocity/leading unless you are using gas checks. I will post predicted velocities for your barrel if you want me to.

I have fire lapped a couple of my Rugers: a GP100 4" and a Super Redhawk 7 1/2". I found it really helped clean up the barrel. After fire lapping all the tooling marks went parallel to the rifling and there were no tight spots when I slugged the barrel (there were before). It also reduces or eliminates the tight spot caused by the barrel threading into the frame.

In my limited experience Ruger barrels are pretty rough and lead bullets will probably take forever, if ever, to clean them up. I used a NECO kit.