Handloading with Blue Dot

[PA Freedom]

For over 10 years, my "go to" plinking load for .357 Magnum has been 158 gr. SWC/10.0 gr. Blue Dot. I have shot thousands of these and have seen no signs of high pressure. A couple years ago, I started loading 158 gr. SWC/8.0 gr. Blue Dot for .38 Special. Standard primers for both loads. Again, no high pressure signs. After hearing about the recent Blue Dot problems with certain bullet weights in .357 Mag., and all loads in .41 Mag., I wonder if I want to use this powder anymore. I have also heard people say this powder is "umpredictable" and causes all types of problems in all kinds of loads. From what I understand, 158 gr. bullet loads in .357 Mag, and all .38 Special loads are still OK, according to Alliant. Like I already said, I am thinking of giving up this powder, even tho I haven't had any trouble. What's everyone think?

 

[Slamfire]

I shot Blue Dot in a bunch of different calibers. The only loads that really worked were magnum loads with jacketed bullets.

I don't know why, but 158 grain commerical cast bullets with the same charge you report, leaded something awful in my 357 revolvers.

I much prefer 2400. My favorite 357 load is 13.5 grains 2400 and a 158 L or J bullet. 2400 is granular, throws well, and you can reduce the charges without fear of blowing something up, but it really is a magnum powder.

So, I did not find Blue Dot flexible at all. I am sticking to Bullseye, Unique and 2400 which covers every pistol caliber I have.

 

[ojibweindian]

6.9 grains of Blue Dot under a 125 grain LRN works wonders in my XD9.

 

[PA Freedom]

The 158 gr. SWC are made locally and are VERY hard. Regardless of the fact that I have shot thousands of loads with Blue Dot with no problems, Im giving it up. I have been hearing too many horror stories, and it's creeping me out. I too, use alot of 2400 and Unique.

 

[Doug b]

I don't like the new Blue Dot or the new Unique.

Blue Dot was my powder of choice for 357 mag. cast bullets for years the new stuff is hard to keep on paper let alone group up.The first couple of rounds of the new Unique cracked the forcing cone of my Python.

But I still like 2400,I sure hope they don't make it "NEW" to.

 

[Whitman31]

I just purchased a pound of Blue Dot to reload my 10mm rounds with. I'm using jacketed bullets, middle of the recommended charges, should I be concerned?

 

[freakshow10mm]

Nope.

 

[Doug b]

Here's the product warning http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/safety_notices.aspx you be the judge.

 

[Walkalong]

I have a couple of pounds that will likely go unused. Although it worked well for medium power plinking loads in .44 Mag, my son has preferred full loads for years now.

 

[Shimitup]

I'm really bummed about Blue Dot, It's been my favorite for for many years in .357 and light bullets in .44 mag. I'm still burning my old stock of the Hercules stuff purchased in late 80's.

 

[Fumbler]

I've never been a fan of Blue Dot.

I bought a pound of it when I was new to reloading and it always seemed inconsistent in ignition. Some rounds felt hotter than others of the same load. I'd get a lot of unburnt powder and some primers would start to flow even at low charges.

This is in a 357 mag.

I thought maybe I was making a mistake in my crimping or whatever, but I recently tried to load some more 125gr JHP in my 357. The load felt more consistent (got better at weighing charges) but I still had lots of unburnt powder.

After seeing the safety notice I've decide to not use it anymore.
Who knows, maybe I got a bad batch.
Anyway, its not worth trying again because Unique and Lil'Gun work so well for me.

 

[freakshow10mm]

BD needs to be pushed hard to burn completely and clean. If you aren't within .5gr of max load it's a waste.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Doh... I used to use Blue Dot for .41 Magnum initially but it seemed like the primers were flattening and a imprint was showing on the base of the brass case so I stopped. Wow. How old is that recall notice?

 

[freakshow10mm]

July of 2008 or so.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

That makes sense, right in the middle of the time I had stopped reloading for a while. I just got everything out again this month after a two year hiatus.

 

[the foot]

Blue Dot, for me, is my ultimate 44 mag powder for hunting. I kill whitetail deer with 240 JHP Nosler bullets and a max load of Blue Dot.

I learned from my reloading mentor, maybe 25 years ago, that Blue Dot is not a powder to use with reduced loads. This information has been out there a long time.

Don't give up on Blue Dot, just use it with the appropriate (maximum) loads.

 

[TurboFC3S]

Blue Dot rocks in 10mm, no worries there ... I don't want to post my hunting load, it's hot, but it does a number on Whitetails and has been very consistent.

 

[Fumbler]

I learned from my reloading mentor, maybe 25 years ago, that Blue Dot is not a powder to use with reduced loads. This information has been out there a long time.

Apparently I never saw any info like that when I started loading.
People use Blue Dot for very reduced loads in centerfire rifles.

Now that sounds like a bad idea...

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Blue Dot actually works really well in my 40 S&W loads, 9 grains behind a Ranier 165, accurate and it "thumps".

 

[remingtondude58]

I loaded many rounds of 41 mag with blue dot, some have been shot, no problems yet.