IMR Blue - 44 mag?

[ElGuero]

Happy New Year!

Has anybody used IMR Blue, specifically in 44 mag (revolver)?

I just bought a pound at Scheel’s for $15, partly because it was cheap, because I like to try new powders, and because it clearly hopes to be like Blue Dot, which I love in 44 mag.

IMR website only shows loads for 38 special and +P, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP. Pretty disappointing dataset. I should have checked load data before buying...

Thanks for your guidance.

 

[joneb]

I would guess it has a burn rate similar to Accurate #5, for lead and plated bullets in 44 mag. it may do well.

 

[FROGO207]

You could always go onto IMR's website and ask them for data. They should be able to help you out. This propellant is new and it will take them some time to test for safe loads and then to flesh out the data on their site. The present data may represent what it was used for by a bulk end user and therefore those loads were already tested out extensively. I am thinking it is a previous non canister propellant or a reloading type not available here in the US previously that they have decided to make available to reloaders here.

 

[Texas10mm]

They have not responded to my numerous requests for IMR Blue load data.

It's a volume to volume equivalent for Blue Dot. One could spend the afternoon with a micrometer powder measure and come up with a formula to determine load data.

 

[ElGuero]

Got this reply today from IMR:


Thank you for reaching out to us.

We have done load data for 4 handgun cartridges but not the 44 mag. Based on the cartridges tested no further handgun data is going to be developed for this powder.

I guess they see it mostly as a shotshell powder. Kind of a weak response, as I see it.

 

[ATLDave]

We have done load data for 4 handgun cartridges but not the 44 mag. Based on the cartridges tested no further handgun data is going to be developed for this powder.

I guess they see it mostly as a shotshell powder. Kind of a weak response, as I see it.

Or maybe they realize there are technical reasons that the powder isn't a good one for pistol cartridges. Not putting out data because they think it would be impudent to do so wouldn't be "weak."

 

[ElGuero]

Or maybe they realize there are technical reasons that the powder isn't a good one for pistol cartridges. Not putting out data because they think it would be impudent to do so wouldn't be "weak."

That’s fair, and if it’s the case, then they should say so. In fact, NOT saying so is rather imprudent.

 

[Walkalong]

I think that was a pretty good response.

Where IMR Blue falls on a burn rate chart it would be good for midrange loads in .44 Mag at best, and some medium burn rate powders just don't do that well.

 

[sparkyv]

RDub01 over at the 10mm firearms forum ran it against BD in 2018 using 180gr FMJ. Showed lower velocities at same loadings as BD...and a little less accurate. Otherwise it shot well.

I'd use it at that price!

 

[kcofohio]

Or maybe they realize there are technical reasons that the powder isn't a good one for pistol cartridges. Not putting out data because they think it would be impudent to do so wouldn't be "weak."

Clay's International comes to mind. When International came out, the label listed some pistol cartridges that it could be used with. Then early reports of the powder being spiky came out. Then Hodgdon came out saying the powder was good only for 12 ga. and some 20 ga.

 

[mrawesome22-250]

Maybe they are going to discontinue it.

Did IMR Unequal ever even hit the shelves before it was scrapped?

 

[Texas10mm]

Maybe they are going to discontinue it.

Did IMR Unequal ever even hit the shelves before it was scrapped?

Nope.

 

[ElGuero]

Maybe they are going to discontinue it.

Did IMR Unequal ever even hit the shelves before it was scrapped?

The Scheels near me has an IMR UNEQUAL 8 lb empty canister on the shelf. Every time I ask them about it, they say it’s discontinued...but they won’t take it off the display!

 

[Walkalong]

It was such a stupid name, I am not surprised.