Green Dot?

I'm looking to load up some 158grn plinkers for my 38, and have an opportunity to get some IMR Green Dot. Is it any good for that? I'd also use it for loading some 12 gauge hunting cartridges. Ounce and an eighth would be max load in that. Just looking for opinions from folks here. I trust y'all a lot more than the other "experts" on the web.

Mac

 

Like many shotgun powders green dot works well with some pistol cartridges. I’ve used it with 45 Colt. With 255g cast bullets works very well.

 

What do your reloading manuals tell you?

 

It isn't listed in any of my manuals. Hence, I'm trying to see if its even viable. I know Red Dot and Clays are listed for 38, but can't get a straight answer for Green.

Mac

 

It is either IMR Green, a Hodgdon powder, or Green Dot, which is an Alliant powder. There is no IMR Green Dot. BTW, the IMR 'color' (Red, Green, Blue) powders have been discontinued, don't get too attached to it.

My Speer #9 (1974) lists Green Dot (Not IMR Green) starting at 3.8 gr. with a 158 LSWC or LRN bullet, and 4.2 for a Max.
3.8 gr 784 MV 215 ME
4.2 gr 877 MV 269 ME

I have plenty of 1 1/8 oz. Green Dot loads-it's all I use since I ran out of the free Unique I got a while back.

 

You are absolutely correct, and my humble apologies. The powder in question is IMR Green. Would it be safe to assume that load data would be similar?

As far as it being discontinued, I'm not too concerned. I'm just a plinker, and my SAA isn't a target gun. If it runs out, I'll find something else to pop around with.

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.

Mac

 

It usually is close in shotgun loads, but that small difference gets a lot bigger with pistol loads. As you might have noticed, Hodgdon doesn't even list IMR Green for any pistol loads on their site, but lists them for 1 1/8 oz. 12 ga. loads. Those loads are the same amount as Green Dot, it has a listing for the same load as my Trap load, but with IMR Green.
19.3 gr. IMR Green, Win. 209 primer, WAA-12 wad, 1200 fps 9900 PSI with Rem. STS, Nitro (27 or Clays) or Gun Club hull.

So starting at that 3.8 gr load should be fine. Just be aware this is not published data for an IMR Green load.

 

Thank you for the info. At this point, I'm thinking of passing on the Green and trying to find some Unique or Trail Boss. I think either would be better for my purpose. As far as shotgun loads go, the Green sounds ok for what I want to do. However, the offer is for 8 pounds of the stuff, and I'd rather have a dual purpose powder if I'm going to invest in that quantity.

Thanks again.

Mac

 

I've been loading .38 spl using158gr cast RN and SWC bullets with 4.0 gr of Alliant Green Dot since I picked up a Keg at an estate sale a couple years ago. Using coated bullets there is little smoke and the load is accurate.

 

This explains why I’m seeing some pretty good prices on the imr colors. Seeing 8lb jugs for about $135. Think I’m going to get a keg of blue to keep me going until bluedot comes back available.

 

Current Speer reloading manual doesn't list Green Dot for reloading any .38 special, .38 S&W, .38 Special +P or .357 Mag. Green Dot formulation has changed several times since 1974. I also have found the IMR shotgun powders to be more dense than their Alliant counter parts and have reduced IMR shotgun loads by 12 to 15%

 

I did some research through old Alliant Powder Manuals. In 2005 was the last time they showed using Green Dot for .38 Special, 158 gr. lead SWC. At that time, they show 3.5 grains of Green Dot as MAX. 870 fps, 15,600 fps.

 

I wound up with some w231, and 3.5 grains of it under a 158 lswc makes a keen plinking load, and according to hornady's data its moving along about 700 fps. I'm sure it'll be decent against any marauding critters as well. Might bump it up to 4 grains and see what happens, that's still .8 under max, so it shouldn't be too snappy.

Mac