Blue Dot Powder

[Snapping Twig]

The one powder I'll never use again is Blue Dot.

I tried it in every possible configuration and it was either dirty or scary.

I'll admit that many people swear by it and I am glad they can use it well.

If I had to make a round for muzzle flash, I'd use Blue Dot - it's better than H110.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I use a ton (not much of an overstatement) of Blue Dot. I've used it in 357, 41, 44, 22 hornet, 218 bee, 32-20, 256 win and several rifle calibers I won't discuss here. I haven't tried it in the 45acp, but I plan to next week.

 

[shooting on a shoestring]

Blue Dot is the velocity leader over H110, 2400, H4227 for pushing 158 Gold Dots from a 2.25" SP101. Gets 1140 fps over my Oehler 35P, the others 1050 to 1110. Its the fuel in my carry loads.

I've seen the low end of .38 spl go very erratic with Blue Dot. However I've never seen any top end or cold weather issues with Blue Dot. Also, I've never witnessed the famous fireball even though I've fired it from bright to night in the SP101.

It is loud.

 

[XD-40 Shooter]

I'm currently loading 158 grain Ranier bullets with 9.6 grains of Blue Dot, they chrono at 1050-1100 and are very accurate. Also, using a moderate crimp, this powder burns CLEAN, very little residue. I like it.

 

[joneb]

Ok two of my favorites for .357 Mag. 2.75 and 4" barrels, 158gr jacketed 10.2gr Blue Dot metered, 10.4gr weighed with Fed 100 or WSP.
180gr jacketed 9.2gr BD metered 9.4 measured with WSP or Fed 100.

 

[dogrunner]

Little late with this comment but here goes anyway. Best use I've found for BD is with the 7.62X25 in a CZ. With both cast and jacketed bullets I get "ragged" one holers. 7.5 to 8.0 of the stuff under a 100 gr hard cast, sized .308, is amazing in my gun. The jacketed bullet is the Hornady HPXTP 90 gr. These have proven safe in MY gun.....use caution with your own.

I would be very curious to see any results in the .357 SIG if anyone's played with it in that caliber.

 

[DMZ]

My only bad reloading experience in 35 years involved excessive pressure indicators on some .44 mag rounds. It was a below max load of Blue Dot.

I have never used it again.

 

[Vitamin G]

I use Blue Dot for .44mag, 10mm, and 9mm. I'm happy with it.
.45acp gets bullseye
30-06 gets 4064.

 

[snuffy]

Little late with this comment but here goes anyway. Best use I've found for BD is with the 7.62X25 in a CZ. With both cast and jacketed bullets I get "ragged" one holers. 7.5 to 8.0 of the stuff under a 100 gr hard cast, sized .308, is amazing in my gun. The jacketed bullet is the Hornady HPXTP 90 gr. These have proven safe in MY gun.....use caution with your own.

I would be very curious to see any results in the .357 SIG if anyone's played with it in that caliber.

Dogrunner, thanks for that load data for the CZ-52. I just got a nice one, I loaded some behind the 90 HPXTP and the 85 grain soft point,(in starline cases). Now if our endless Wisconsin winter would just let up a smidge, I can get to try them out.

I too got a lee 2 cavity in 100 grain RN. Waiting for a sizer, I went with .309,(since midway can't seem to get a .308 from lee).

I also loaded some BD in 357 sig. For my KKM conversion in my Glock 22. During my first attempt for the 357's it's all I had on hand that would work. It did okay, can't remember just how it worked, or if I even ran them over the chrono. I ended up having to get tougher springs, it was jamming with the stock glock 40 spring. Now I use power pistol.

 

[Deavis]

It makes for great night shoot loads. Plenty of fireball, that is about all I use it for other than 10mm. Fun to give someone a max load of BD, although PP is fun too.