How much Blue Dot for 148 gr wad cutter??

[tackbustr]

Hello...tackbustr down in Texas here....getting back into reloading after a 35 yr hiatus... want to load up some .357 dia. 148 gr lead (but they look like hard cast??) solid base wad cutters that I just rec'd (from x treme bullets)....

Can not locate any of my preferred Bullseye powder anywhere in the D-FW Metroplex area so will have to go with some left over Blue Dot from a ways back
(don't want to pay the $27-29 haz mat fee in buying Bullseye on-line)...so I continue looking or it locally at LGS, Gun Shows, etc... no luck so far...so its Blue Dot to start with.

Question....what amount of Blue Dot is a good mild load pushing the 148 gr lead or solid cast? wad cutter @700 -800 fps??? I only have the Lee powder Dippers.
The Sierra manual @ the LGS did not show any pistol rounds for Blue Dot... It was the rifle manual...arg !! Is Blue Dot safe for lead wad cutters ??? Any info, suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, tackbustr

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Not the best choice for the job. I tried BD with SWC in .38. I had alot of unburned powder.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I would strongly suggest another powder. IMR 4227 is at the top of my list for this. Also 7625 and 700-X. Some I list, but haven't tried for pushing the 148 WC are 800-X, Green Dot, Red Dot and Unique. Loads for all are listed in either the manufacturers' manuals or Lee's #2.

 

[ljnowell]

Blue dot and moderate or mild load really doesnt work very well. I dont think I have ever seen data for a 148gr WC and blue dot.

AA#2, 700x, titegroup, and many others would be better choices.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said above, Blue dot is not a good choice for light target loads you build with 148gr WC bullets. I use W231/HP-38 for most of my .38 Special loads.

There are MANY good choices for WC loads, if you can find one of them on the shelf locally.
W231/HP-38, Clays, Trail Boss, PB, Red Dot, Promo, AA#2, Zip and probably a few more like Green Dot. On the slower side if none of those are available you can also use Universal and Unique and possible AA#5 too.

 

[rcmodel]

Sure would not be my first choice.

But 2002 Alliant data says 148 grain WC + 5.3 MAX will give 810 FPS at 13,600 PSI.

As noted above, you can expect a lot of unburned powder at that very low pressure.

rc

 

[orionengnr]

pm sent...

Happy Independence Day.

 

[mdi]

"I would strongly suggest another powder. IMR 4227 is at the top of my list for this."

Jes wondering; IMR 4227 is way slower than Bluedot, why would you suggest it for mild .38 Special loads?

 

[tackbustr]

Thanks for the advice fellas ....I will not use the Blue Dot for my .38 spcl loads...
A fellow THR member and I are working on getting me some Win 231... that should be a better powder.
tackbustr

 

[zxcvbob]

5.3 grains is a max load for .38 Special per Alliant, and I wouldn't go any lower than that either.

 

[ljnowell]

Thanks for the advice fellas ....I will not use the Blue Dot for my .38 spcl loads...
A fellow THR member and I are working on getting me some Win 231... that should be a better powder.
tackbustr

Thats a good choice. Glad you have a good resolution to your problem. Happy loading!