Converting Unique to Blue Dot

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Getting back to reloading, I have been buying books and compiling recipes for the caliber I want to reload and laying in supplies like powder, bullets, primers, brass, and dies to concoct the recipes I have.

I used Alliant Unique in the past and have recipes from loading manuals for .32 ACP using this powder again and found/purchased a single pound to begin working up loads starting with known safe loads and reducing by 10% like I did "back in the day".

A Gun Buddy at work has a father in law who was an avid reloader and the gentleman has set aside reloading due to advanced age and failing eyesight....long story short short, he has oodles of Alliant Blue Dot on hand, recently purchased (well, 18 months ago...) to the tune of perhaps 10 pounds!

My question is how to I recalculate my recipes to use Blue Dot? None of the book data I have includes recipes for Blue Dot in .32 ACP but as stated before I have a number of recipes for Unique. I have some gathered data for heavier bullets using Blue Dot for .32 ACP and, generally speaking, the charges are a bit heavier than comparable loads for .32 ACP.

I realize the burn rates and density etc. of the powders are vastly different but I also know that Blue Dot has been used successfully in this caliber...is there a conversion chart? What data can I use to modify the recipes and where do I get it?

Thanks in Advance for any and all help and opinons offered!

VooDoo

 

[Walkalong]

There is no "conversion" chart, as powders are unique to themselves and act differently at different pressures in different vessels etc.

You can work up a load with Blue Dot in .32 ACP, but you will be off the charts and on your own.

The faster powders are better for .32 ACP, especially considering most, if not all, .32 ACP pistols are straight blow back type actions.

I haven't tried anything slower than True Blue in .32 ACP, and having tried a couple of medium speed powders is one reason I recommend a faster powder than Blue Dot.

What other powder do you have? What other calibers do you load that may be better suited to Blue Dot?

None of the book data I have includes recipes for Blue Dot in .32 ACP

That's a clue right there.

 

[45_auto]

Trade the Blue Dot for a faster powder more suitable for loading .32 ACP.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Eventually I'll be reloading for .45 ACP, 9mm, .38 Special and .357 magnum again.

So far I have Unique and other powders are difficult to find which is why I thought maybe I could use the Blue Dot. I'm well aware of the consequences of "going off on my own" without a recipe or tested data and not inclined to do that given my level of expertise and knowledge. The consequences of a mistake are simply too high.

Thanks for the comments!

VooDoo

 

[steelerdude99]

...

A Gun Buddy at work has a father in law who was an avid reloader and the gentleman has set aside reloading due to advanced age and failing eyesight....long story short short, he has oodles of Alliant Blue Dot on hand, recently purchased (well, 18 months ago...) to the tune of perhaps 10 pounds!

My question is how to I recalculate my recipes to use Blue Dot? None of the book data I have includes recipes for Blue Dot in .32 ACP but as stated before I have a number of recipes for Unique.

...

Vodoun da Vinci
Using blue dot in 32acp will NOT likely make you or your firearm happy. It's a powder that needs to be under high pressure to burn completely. 357 magnum, 10mm and 44 magnum with blue dot will work okay, 9mm when loaded somewhat hot are okay too.

There is a lot that can be found by searching old posts. Use the search function and on the left side of the pane it brings up enter bluedot and then try blue dot w/ a space.

One more resource... the mfgr. of blue dot.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/blue_dot.aspx

Principal Purpose: Magnum shotshell loads, 10, 12, 16, 20 and 28 ga.
Secondary Uses: Magnum handgun loads

chuck

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I guess I'll pass on the acquisition of the Blue Dot...there are a couple of reloaders who do shotgun who would like it as well and it looks like it is better suited to that end as that is what the original user was using it for.

Apparently a bunch of those guys hunt goose and reload shotguns to that end.

I'll stick with the stuff that is documented for now and reload using recipes as that has worked well in the past and should again now.

VooDoo

 

[KansasSasquatch]

If the 10lbs of Blue dot are in 1lb jugs, I think I'd try trading off 3-4 of them for some Universal, Unique, W231, or Bullseye. There's .32acp data for all of them and they all work well in the other cartridges you plan to load. Keep about 1/2 of that Blue Dot if you plan on loading a lot of .357.

 

[NCsmitty]

IMO, about the only way Blue Dot is viable in a 32 ACP is to use heavier than normal bullet weights to boost pressures for better burning of the slow powder. On regular blow back style pistols in that caliber, stressing the slide and standard recoil spring with heavy loads can be detrimental.


NCsmitty

 

[Steve C]

There is a reason you do not find any data using Blue Dot in the .32 acp and that is because its burn rate is totally unsuitable for the small capacity relatively low pressure case. For the same reasons a rifle powder that works well in a large case magnum "Elephant" cartridge is unsuitable for the small .223 rem cartridge. You simply can't stuff enough of the powder in the case.

There is some data using BD in the .45 acp but I tried it and it worked poorly. Sooty outside blackened cases indicating poor burn and lower pressure than even the low operating pressures the .45 acp normally runs at.

BD is a great powder for magnum cartridges in shotgun shells and handgun cartridges such as the .357 mag and up to the .44 magnum if you want full power loads.

 

[IWAC]

Do NOT "recalculate" or extrapolate, loads from one powder to another! Buy a good reloading manual or three, and use the specific loads for the powder you use. If it isn't mentioned, there must be a reason, so either find another manual that does cover the powder you want to use, or DON'T use it! Your medical insurance carrier will thank you!

 

[Kosh75287]

I think Herco is the slowest Alliant powder I've ever seen used in .32 ACP. Makes sense, in a way. Herco is essentially a slightly slower-burning Unique.