Green Dot in pistol loads
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rbernie
Contributing Member
Green Dot is a good mid-range powder that is my current go-to powder for 9x19, 40S&W, 38 Special, and 45ACP. It burns completely and cleanly, and gives reasonable performance across a range of needs. I find it fluffy enough to give good case fill and yet more economical to use than Unique or other mid-range powders. I find that I prefer its recoil characteristics (as with most mid-range powders) better than the faster powders, and yet it's fast enough to give good burn across a spectrum of loads.
I just bought another twelve pounds of it to get me through the summer.
I just bought another twelve pounds of it to get me through the summer.
TfflHndn
Member
I found a favorite with Green Dot. I use 4.5 gr under a 115 fmj load at 1.120" in 9mm. I shoot 200gr Montana Golds in my 45s so my loads there won't help you for 230s, and I like it in .40s&w also. Good powder.
LiveLife
Member
Agree with already posted comments about Green Dot, good for producing lighter recoil target loads.
During the last shortage, when I couldn't find W231/HP-38, I found Green Dot to be fairly close substitute (like Ramshot Zip). For most of my 9mm/45ACP loads, I needed to use about .2-.3 gr more to be comparable to my W231/HP-38 loads.
Current Alliant load data has very limited listing for Green Dot (one load for 230 gr LRN 45ACP) but 2004 Alliant load data has listed loads for 9mm/40S&W/45ACP - http://glarp.atk.com/2004/2004Catalogs/2004AlliantPowderSM.pdf
Lyman #49 has some 9mm and 45ACP lead loads.
During the last shortage, when I couldn't find W231/HP-38, I found Green Dot to be fairly close substitute (like Ramshot Zip). For most of my 9mm/45ACP loads, I needed to use about .2-.3 gr more to be comparable to my W231/HP-38 loads.
Current Alliant load data has very limited listing for Green Dot (one load for 230 gr LRN 45ACP) but 2004 Alliant load data has listed loads for 9mm/40S&W/45ACP - http://glarp.atk.com/2004/2004Catalogs/2004AlliantPowderSM.pdf
Lyman #49 has some 9mm and 45ACP lead loads.
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oneounceload
member
You might want to check Alliant's website, as opposed to Lyman's outdated manual for the latest data.
They do not show any Green Dot data for 9X19.
They do not show any data for 45 230FMJ either.
Blue Dot, Red Dot, Unique, Power Pistol - yes
They do not show any Green Dot data for 9X19.
They do not show any data for 45 230FMJ either.
Blue Dot, Red Dot, Unique, Power Pistol - yes
ReloaderFred
Member
Green Dot is an excellent powder for 230 gr. bullets in the .45 acp, delivering great accuracy and good velocity.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
rbernie
Contributing Member
And yet I find Green Dot to perform better than Red Dot or Unique or Power Pistol in actual experience loading 115gr, 124gr/125gr and 147gr cast/plated/jacketed bullets.
My favorite 9x19 load right now is a 147gr Xtreme using 3.9gr Green Dot; it's super soft recoiling, very accurate, and clean. My second favorite 9x19 load is a 115gr jacketed/plated bullet using 4.7gr of Green Dot.
oneounceload
member
rbernie - NOT saying it isn't a good one to use; just that the powder maker has ZERO recipes; something to consider when the general theme about reloading is to use published data from reliable sources - and while Lyman's is published, I would think the powder maker would be slightly more reliable and an up to date source for this critical piece of data
Green Dot works well in the 45 ACP. My M1911’s functioned every time on the 700 fps 4.5 grain load. That load had very little recoil and yet clustered well. I judge the accuracy of the ammo by the clustering on my 25 yard gong target. Since I shoot offhand my accuracy is highly variable compared to someone shooting off sandbags. I can say that Green Dot has accuracy potential as it clustered well, but I cannot say that it is any more accurate than any other powder.
Green Dot must be just a little slower burning than Bullseye as 5.0 grains of Green Dot gave me the same velocities as 4.5 grains Bullseye. Green Dot is still a fast burning powder.
I fired my loads in two different M1911’s and I was glad to see that the velocities were similar between the pistols.
Some people are ultra fussy about clean burning powders. I am not. I cannot say Green Dot is a “clean” powder as the wind was whipping through around 15 mph. Any residue in the air was gone before I could see it. My M1911’s cleaned up as usual, but I have must have a higher tolerance about residue than the clean crowd as I am happy with the clean up after Bullseye or Unique.
I like my practice ammo to be just around 800 fps, or less, so I am loading up several hundred more rounds with the 5.0 grains Green Dot.
I am not looking to replace any of my favorite pistols powders of Bullseye, Unique and 2400 with Green Dot. I am also not looking to add more Green Dot to the collection. But I won’t turn down Green Dot if I get it at a great price as it shoots well in the 38 Special and 45 ACP.
With a 230 FMJ I would start at 4.5 grains and end at 5.5 grains based on a comparison with Bullseye.
Green Dot must be just a little slower burning than Bullseye as 5.0 grains of Green Dot gave me the same velocities as 4.5 grains Bullseye. Green Dot is still a fast burning powder.
I fired my loads in two different M1911’s and I was glad to see that the velocities were similar between the pistols.
Some people are ultra fussy about clean burning powders. I am not. I cannot say Green Dot is a “clean” powder as the wind was whipping through around 15 mph. Any residue in the air was gone before I could see it. My M1911’s cleaned up as usual, but I have must have a higher tolerance about residue than the clean crowd as I am happy with the clean up after Bullseye or Unique.
I like my practice ammo to be just around 800 fps, or less, so I am loading up several hundred more rounds with the 5.0 grains Green Dot.
I am not looking to replace any of my favorite pistols powders of Bullseye, Unique and 2400 with Green Dot. I am also not looking to add more Green Dot to the collection. But I won’t turn down Green Dot if I get it at a great price as it shoots well in the 38 Special and 45 ACP.
With a 230 FMJ I would start at 4.5 grains and end at 5.5 grains based on a comparison with Bullseye.
Code:
[SIZE="3"][B]Kimber Custom Classic [/B]
230 gr LRN 4.5 grs Bullseye 99' & 2005 mixed lot Mixed Brass WLP (brass)
16-May-09 high 83 °F OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"
Ave Vel = 805.2
Std Dev = 38.07
ES = 136.9
High = 912.4
Low = 775.5
N = 24
230 LRN 4.5 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
27 Feb 2010 T = 48 ° F
Ave Vel = 708 fps
Std Dev = 12
ES = 40
High = 727
Low = 687
N = 9
accurate, little high, mild recoil
230 LRN 5.0 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
27 Feb 2010 T = 48 ° F
Ave Vel = 802fps
Std Dev = 19
ES = 61
High = 841
Low = 780
N = 15
230 LRN 5.5 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
27 Feb 2010 T = 48 ° F
Ave Vel = 873 fps
Std Dev = 30
ES = 88
High = 922
Low = 834
N = 11
[ATTACH=full]671861[/ATTACH][/SIZE]
Code:
[SIZE="3"]
[B]M1911 Springfield Armory 5” Kart Barrel[/B]
230 LRN 4.5 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
27 Feb 2010 T = 48 ° F
Ave Vel = 719 fps
Std Dev = 26
ES = 105.1
High = 771
Low = 665.9
N = 14
accurate, little high, mild recoil
230 LRN 5.0 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
27 Feb 2010 T = 48 ° F
Ave Vel = 803 fps
Std Dev = 25
ES = 97
High = 867
Low = 770
N = 16
Accurate, centered
230 LRN 5.5 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
27 Feb 2010 T = 48 ° F
Ave Vel = 853 fps
Std Dev = 29
ES = 116
High = 918
Low = 802
N = 15
very accurate, centered
[ATTACH=full]671862[/ATTACH][/SIZE]Attachments
Fishslayer
Member
Yes, according to the burn rate charts I've looked at. Seat of the pants tells me Green Dot is a bit "softer" recoil than similar Bullseye loads.
Green Dot is also roughly 1/3 bulkier than Bullseye. A double charge is VERY obvious.
I use it in 9mm, .38SP and .45ACP. Good stuff.
In my area Bullseye is hit or miss as far as availability. Green Dot is a great substitute. Recently bought 8# & paid through the nose...
orionengnr
Member
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Several years ago a local guy had some stuff he had bought from an Estate Sale. He had a bunch of powder, and most of it was Green Dot. After doing some research, I made him an offer, and have been loading Green Dot in my 1911s ever since.
I use the Missouri Bullet 200 gr SWC with a nominal 5.0 grains, although I have seen data for 4.3 to 6.4 grains.
I have a lot of it left, and will probably be using the Green Dot for quite a while. That is just fine with me.
I use the Missouri Bullet 200 gr SWC with a nominal 5.0 grains, although I have seen data for 4.3 to 6.4 grains.
I have a lot of it left, and will probably be using the Green Dot for quite a while. That is just fine with me.
RealGun
Member
I agree that Green Dot is surprisingly good in .45 ACP, certainly my full-sized gun. I would note though that Red Dot is closer to Bullseye than Green Dot, while Green Dot, like you said, is still a good choice in the absence of Bullseye. And yes, it is softer recoil. I have never measured accuracy more than subjectively.
bluetopper
Member
There has been decades of published handgun loads for Green Dot in virtually every handgun caliber there is.....including the manufacturors data. Maybe not at the latest publishing but so what. Alliant is wanting to push certain powders for handguns I would imagine.
ETXhiker
Member
Shot some 124 gr. FMJ's yesterday over 4.3 grains of Green Dot. Accurate and soft shooting. Seems like a good powder for the 9mm to me. Haven't tried it yet for the .45 but a lot of people seem to like it.
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