Question for those familiar with Red Dot

[vaalpens]

I don't have experience with Red Dot or 380ACP, but normally if I use a total new combination I will also verify my load data against Stevespages since his data normally shows the lower and upper limits I don't want to load. If I have other data showing load data between his min and max, then I feel more comfortable that I am on the right path. This is what he has for 95gr 380 ACP:

Red Dot From 2.0 grains to 3.1 grains

 

[splattergun]

So it sounds like many of you are forced to weigh each individual round.

Forced, no. Chosen method, sometimes.
As I said before, it measures ok in the PPM, which is fine for higher quantities of plinking loads built on my turret.
I can measure with a dipper, which is still rather fast, and usually very consistent, which I use when I want to impress myself with my own shooting.
I also sometimes weigh each load, normally when I'm working up a new load or trying to impress myself with my pistol's shooting.

 

[Toprudder]

So it sounds like many of you are forced to weigh each individual round.

NO. You say you have a Dillon. The Dillon measure - with the aquarium pump trick - is +/- 0.06gn in my quick test (about 20 drops with a target of 3.1gn). That is more than adequate I would think.

 

[Dudedog]

I have not used Red Dot, but Promo meters better than Unique in my Lee disk.
Promo is bigger flakes than Unique, but thats my experience.

I have used 3.7 and 4.0 of Promo in 9mm with 125 gr MBC cone bullets.
I prefer 3.7.
Seems to shoot well, so I imagine Red Dot would be about the same.
(also used Promo in .45 APC and light .357)

4.0 is above the listed Red Dot MAX from some sources. Use this info at your own risk.
Older Alliant data show up to 4.5 as a MAX, Lyman shows less.

Lymans lists load in .380 for it, Alliant data has .38 Special loads.
Might be a pain for the small chagres in .380 but I would thik you would be good to go in 38 special.

 

[sawdustdad]

Hi, new guy here. Been shooting and reloading for 35+ years.

I'm using 5.5g Red Dot with a 240g plated (Xtreme) bullet in .44mag cases for a light plinking load. Shoots great, love it. My Square Deal seems to drop consistent charges. Of course, shooting these with a .44mag gun, there is little concern about slight over charges...

Historically been using Unique, but had run out so switched to Red Dot (granted, different burn rate class..) but you do what you have to do. Since found some Unique, but I still like the Red Dot in this load.

Also loading 5.3g of 700x with a 180g lead "cowboy" bullet in .44mag brass. 700x seems to be available more often now. It's great in this application.

 

[Miata Mike]

Fantastic powder in my 148 grain lead double ended wadcutter .38 special loads. Mild and very accurate. Didn't even try to meter Red dot in my Lee measure though. Weighed every charge in my RCBS Chargemaster 1500.

I ended up using HP-38 for my progressive press large runs of 148 grain .38 specials however.

I have also did some 9mm with Red dot that worked well, but again weighed every charge.

 

[TfflHndn]

I like Red Dot a lot with .38 and .45, but I use a Lee dipper to measure them for the same reason discussed above. Not accurate enough in small loads for a powder measure. You get pretty good with the dipper after a while that it's not horribly slow.

 

[Thomas Traddles]

I've used Red Dot powder exclusively in 38 special and light .357 magnum loads for the last year under either a 148 DEWC or 158 RFNP. It has been the only powder I could find around here up to a couple of weeks ago when I scored some Bullseye and 2400! My Lee Perfect Powder Measure throws charge weights consistently from 2.8 g target loads for the DEWC and RNFP to 5 g for a midrange 357 load (@1000 FPS). I generally load my bullets over 3.5 g which sends the bullets down range at @850 fps. I'd heard that Red Dot did not meter well, but it has for me. I only weigh the powder every 5th cartridge or so. I imagine I don't really need to do even that, but the conventional wisdom that it does not meter well has not been entirely eradicated by my own experience with the powder.