Red Dot for 10mm Auto

[mokin]

Has anybody tried this? I decided to use some "leftover" components including some Red Dot and 200 grain Hornady XTPs today. I based the load on Lyman data from a page I photocopied out of an older manual - no edition number available. The data listed 5.1 grains as a starting load with 1034 fps as the result. The top load was 5.9 grains that would push a 200 grain bullet at 1150 fps. I split the difference and loaded 5.5 grains. I only had enough powder for 20 rounds so that's what I did and headed off to the range.

The result was a very easy shooting round that hit the target in a good group just left of the POA. I was very pleased with the result. As I didn't have that many rounds I left the chronograph at home and went out just to have fun. Given the usually "optimistic" velocities listed in manuals I doubt my bullets were going that fast.Is there anybody out there with more experience using Red Dot in the 10mm? None of my manuals have data and Alliant doesn't have data on line. I'm interested in possibly pursuing this load. Any experience or advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[BigBore44]

Never tried Red Dot in 10mm. Have used it in many Pistol and rifle loads though (Research “The Load RedDot”)My go to for the 10mm is Blue Dot. Others will suggest Power Pistol, 800-X, Tight Group and I’m sure a few others. However, I’ve got some RedDot I believe. Or did I load it all in 45? Heck I don’t remember. If I have any, I’ll give it a go.

 

[mokin]

I'll agree that Blue Dot is a great powder for the 10mm. Loaded many hundreds of rounds with 9.5 grains under a 180 grain bullet. IIRC that produced around 1100 fps. My pistol is a Glock 29 and when I found that I was blowing a lot of unburned powder out the muzzle, I switched to 800-X. I got about another 100 fps. I wont hesitate to recommend either one.

(Those results are shooting over my chronograph. Your results may vary).

 

[Havok7416]

I use Red Dot quite a bit in 10mm if only because I have a ton of it. It works well and as you've discovered, is very manageable. I think Lee has some Red Dot data in their manual but I'm not home to verify it ATM.

 

[SamT1]

I bet velocity is just over 1000. I load 5.0 in 45acp with a 200 grain bullet. Should be mild like you said. If it cycles the gun it’s a good cheap load.

 

[BigBore44]

I'll agree that Blue Dot is a great powder for the 10mm. Loaded many hundreds of rounds with 9.5 grains under a 180 grain bullet. IIRC that produced around 1100 fps. My pistol is a Glock 29 and when I found that I was blowing a lot of unburned powder out the muzzle, I switched to 800-X. I got about another 100 fps. I wont hesitate to recommend either one.

(Those results are shooting over my chronograph. Your results may vary).

I’m shooting 11gr out of my 5” 1911 with 180gr Noslers. I need to chrono that load.

 

[rsrocket1]

Red Dot will work in 10mm Auto, but you won't be able to get more than 1000 fps with a 180g bullet before you go over 35k psi out of a 5" gun @ about 4.5g. 4g works fine in 40 S&W and I get low 900's with a 4.25" M&P40. The good news is that with such high pressures, it burns very cleanly in the gun.

 

[ATLDave]

It's hard to find data for many faster powders in 10mm, simply because most companies don't develop that data on the assumption that 10mm shooters are all looking for max velocity all the time. I have never tried Red Dot, but I'm not surprised it does well. Fast powders work great in 10mm for lighter loads! I have shot thousands and thousands of 10mm rounds loaded with VV N320 under heavy bullets (220 grain most often).

Many people miss out on the versatility of 10mm's - they are the semi-auto equivalent of .357 magnum, with the ability to cover the widest range of any semi cartridge.

I once read an article about how to (cautiously) convert .40 loads into 10mm loads, but haven't been able to find it again despite some searching. The experienced and cautious handloader can often begin with published 40 data for lighter loads/faster powders and work up loads for 10mm cases.

 

[mokin]

I bet velocity is just over 1000. I load 5.0 in 45acp with a 200 grain bullet. Should be mild like you said. If it cycles the gun it’s a good cheap load.

I figured it was about 1000 fps while shooting.

Red Dot will work in 10mm Auto, but you won't be able to get more than 1000 fps with a 180g bullet before you go over 35k psi out of a 5" gun @ about 4.5g. 4g works fine in 40 S&W and I get low 900's with a 4.25" M&P40. The good news is that with such high pressures, it burns very cleanly in the gun.

That's kind of the information I'm looking for. Thanks.

It's hard to find data for many faster powders in 10mm, simply because most companies don't develop that data on the assumption that 10mm shooters are all looking for max velocity all the time. I have never tried Red Dot, but I'm not surprised it does well. Fast powders work great in 10mm for lighter loads! I have shot thousands and thousands of 10mm rounds loaded with VV N320 under heavy bullets (220 grain most often).

Many people miss out on the versatility of 10mm's - they are the semi-auto equivalent of .357 magnum, with the ability to cover the widest range of any semi cartridge.

I once read an article about how to (cautiously) convert .40 loads into 10mm loads, but haven't been able to find it again despite some searching. The experienced and cautious handloader can often begin with published 40 data for lighter loads/faster powders and work up loads for 10mm cases.

I'm not really looking for maximum velocity but I am trying to develop the most controllable round that delivers 500 fpe at the muzzle. I've come up with a few that seem rather "stout". I've experimented quite a bit with 180 grain bullets and am now considering 155-165 grain bullets. I get the 500 fpe number as it is the minimum allowed to hunt with here (handgun).

The 10mm is really versatile. I feel like I've handicapped myself with the short barrel on my pistol. With a full size handgun I could really have fun.

Thanks for the discussion.

 

[someguy2800]

I don't have a 10mm or red dot, but I love fast burning flake pistol powders. Pretty much the only powders I use anymore are 700x, bullseye, and slow magnum powders like H110 and 2400. Nothing in between.

 

[ATLDave]

If you're having to chase muzzle energy (kind of a questionable metric for handgun terminal efficacy, but sounds like the law is set that way where you are), then lighter bullets driven faster will get you there more easily. With 135's, a lot of starting loads are over 500 ft/lbs.