bluedot how low can it go 40S&W

[mrapathy2000]

anyone put Bluedot through the limbo?

nearly set to load my first 40S&W. got selection of powders down.

I am using Steyr M40 full supported chamber

will be loading 180gr though thinking of giving 200gr a try. load data I have for Bluedot shows compressed load for 180gr 8.0gr starting one source(Lee Modern reloading 2nd ed, also have paper that came with dies that list same info though not compressed) mentions Compressed curious if this is correct? never exceed 8.8gr 1.125oal 1065fps pressure ?

page I have dled from Alliant Powder list Bluedot oal 1.125 8.8gr 1,065 pressure 34,000.

with 180gr bullets I only need 925-975fps 950 would be nice.
with 200gr 925-975fps 950 low pressure and some safety if possible.

with 200gr loads I see 7.9gr max 960fps 33,800 psi 1.130oal from both lee Modern reloading 2nd ed and alliant info. the Lee data says start with 7.2gr of Bluedot they list that doing 880fps not sure for pressure. is it possible to go lower gr or take the oal out more(1.135-1.150 might be able to get more) without problems 880fps is little faster than I want, with 200gr more margin the better.

how is Longshot for 180gr and 200gr loadings?

also considering Hodgon Universals but for now only want to work with something that burns slow and is

appreciate any help

 

[cottontoptexan]

Blue Dot

Blue Dot seems extremely slow for the 40 S&W. I would go with a faster burning powder. It make work well in a revolver with a longer barrel and heavy crimp but on the 40 in an auto it seems to me to not be an ideal powder.

 

[HSMITH]

LOts of questions. Lets see if I can help.

Blue Dot is OK at full loadings, it is a terrible low pressure powder. That and it still takes a lot of it for light loads. Run your Blue Dot loads at full pressure and they work nicely.

I can't find my notes but I did start compressing Blue Dot in 40 before I got to max listed loads.

It has been my experience that Blue Dot will suddenly spike pressure with small changes in OAL or loading weight. For this reason I would not push this powder AT ALL.

Accuracy in my gun with Blue Dot was OK, muzzle flash was present and fairly bright.

Universal works great in 40, I have burned over 7 pounds of it in 40. Ultra clean at full pressure, accurate, no flash. It is another powder that will spike pressure with small changes, don't push this powder. I load 5.6 under 180's for standard practice loads, and they work great.

Power Pistol is a better choice for what you want to do. It does not spike pressure dramatically like the other two above and will achieve the performance you are looking for. It has a bright white muzzle flash, that is the only potential downside.

Longshot is a good 40 powder also, LOTS of performace at low-ish pressures. I have mainly worked with 135-165 grain bullets so I don't know what to expect with the 180 and heavier bullets.

What exactly are you trying to get from these loads? These sound like bowling pin loads........

 

[mrapathy2000]

not crazy with bluedot as it does take alot.

want soft shooting loads with heavier bullets though also want to get away with as much safety as possible, keep pressure low and some space in the case no max loads if I do any max loads will work my way up slow and check every case for pressure signs.

outside of bluedot the bullets 180gr-200gr generally take almost half as much powder to launch getting away from blue dot might drive price down. have heard about universals rep with pressure spike and changes.

would be nice to load 1,000 or more cartridges per 7,000gr of powder

every store that has 40s&w bullets tends to have more 180gr than anything else in my area.

many questions<-new loader, I want to be sure before I start actually loading.

just safe plinking/target loads mediocre loads if that.

just weird all powder manufactures have data for 200gr bullets in 40sw but no commercial load. have heard many complaints of 180gr not being safe then I see a total otherside to same issue. caution expressed on both sides though.

appreciate replies.

anyone have any experience with Winchester Super Field-WSF?