What's Blue Dot good for?

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I load .380/9mm/.38 special/.40/.45acp/.45 Colt. I guess I should start .357.

Any recommendations? I wouldn't normally buy it but nothing else is available.
 
Absolutely nothing!. It is FLAMING DIRT:fire:

It's OK for max magnum loads and I do not know about shotgun use. With all the powders out there it is not one I would pick. I have 1lb of it I am trying to use up.
 
I never found a BD load that I liked in .357 Magnum nor .30 Carbine -- and those are the cartridges I bought it for. Just to use up the last little bit I loaded some hot .45 Colts, and it worked wonderful for that. I wish I had tried that one sooner, while I still had at least a half a pound.
 
Just under 8 grains works like a champ in my 7.62/25 CZ. Either under a 90 gr. Hornady XTP or a 100 gr. straight wheelweight RN. That Hornady load will smoke stuff to the size of a coyote!
 
Blue Dot is at its best in heavy 12ga loads. It works great in the 10mm, and max 147gr 9mm loads. I have used it some in the .357 with 158 and 180gr XTP's with good results. They used to publish loads for the 125gr bullet in the .357, but issued a statement a few years ago that it was no longer recommended.
 
Let it sit on the shelf. It's a good magnum load shotshell powder and none of the calibers you list would work well with Blue Dot. Even if you find data it still isn't an appropriate powder for your pistols. Too slow burning. Keep looking and you will find a much better powder. Don't waste your time, bullets, and primers with Blue Dot.
 
I use Blue Dot in my 230 grain 45 ACP loads, most of my jacketed 357 loads, 44 MAG loads, and in my heavy 9MM loads (147 LFP). Now I use 700X for the 45ACP because I have a few kegs of it.:) As stated heavy handgun loads are where it shines as well as in 12 GA loads. You should find data in most reloading books for those caliber choices with Blue Dot.
 
Sounds a lot like what I hear about Longshot.

If you sing it just right, sub BD for "war" and this sounds a little like the James Brown song. "BLUE DOT...WHATS IT REALLY GOOD FOR!!??"
I think it was JB anyway.


Sorry bout that one.
Might be a sign of being on the computer to long.
Logging out now.
 
I use Blue Dot in 38 Super, 38/45 Clerke, and 357 Magnum.

In the 357 Magnum, a 158 grain SWC driven by Blue Dot is a nice cartridge.
 
I'm curretly trying it in 38 Sup. Still developing a load for it but so far I like the results over all the other powders I have tried.
 
Blue Dot is excellent for those wanting to duplicate NATO loads in 9mm.

7.0 grns 124grn FMJ 1225 fps G-17

7.8 grns (full case up to mouth) 1255fps G-17

7.9 grns Book max but 7.8 is a full case load. I stick with 7.0 as it is the most accurate.
 
It might be OK in shotguns: I don't load shotguns. I have stopped using it entirely in handgun cartridges. It gets way too peaky way too fast.
 
It does get peaky fast. I have used it quite a lot in .41 Mag. and it works very well but you are walking a thin line if you push the upper limits. It will also cut forcing cones like a cutting torch if you run light bullets in a magnum handgun cartridge (especially .357 mag). As stated, there are better powders to choose from (if you can find any) Good luck. I am seriously looking at learning to manufacture black powder if the situation doesn't improve pretty soon. It's changed from a shortage to something more like a blockade.
 
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I use it for everything from 9mm to 44 magnum. I've bought it in 5lb jugs because I use so much.
 
I've used it in the past for .357 and 38 Spl. I had no complaints but have moved on to other powders.

There is quite a following for using it for reduced rifle loads, mainly in .223.

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-575061.html

Google it and you will get a ton of hits. I always wanted to try it for a 22 mag equivalent in .223 with cast bullets as I still have most of a lb. in my cabinet.

Laphroaig
 
I've loaded Blue Dot and 10mm. Blue Dot will push a 200gr. bullet, nicely. Used it on some heavier 9mm, few years ago,also. Works pretty well with .44spl. I was pleased with these combinations. I don't know about lighter loads but it worked well with these heavier loads.
 
I use Blue Dot in my 9mm, .40 and 10mm a lot. Works best with the heavier 9mm bullets, and gives the best velocity of any powder in the Hornady manual for 10mm, from 155 grains and up.
 
It works well with 158 Gr bullets in .357 Mag, and 240 Gr bullets in .44 Mag, but it does it with more powder, heat, and recoil.

It also works well with 180 Gr bullets in .40 S&W.

It does need pressure to burn well, but be don't go over max data. "Flaming dirt" is a bit over the top, but it can get dirty at low pressures.

There are better powders that are more versatile, but it can work for a few things if that is all you can get.

When I use mine up, I won't replace it. I stopped using any in .357 or .44 Mag years ago. I will let my kids have it to load their .40s with.
 
Sounds a lot like what I hear about Longshot.

If you sing it just right, sub BD for "war" and this sounds a little like the James Brown song. "BLUE DOT...WHATS IT REALLY GOOD FOR!!??"
I think it was JB anyway.


Sorry bout that one.
Might be a sign of being on the computer to long.
Logging out now.

Nope it was Edwin Starr:D

Still think it is good for nothing,(handgun wise) No comparison to Long Shot.

If other powders were/are available then there are several that work far better.
IMHO it does nothing better than anything else.
 
I haven't used it in quite a while, but there was a time when I did use quite a bit of it for various handgun and shotgun applications. I thought it did pretty well in everything I ran it in.

But I don't believe it is applicable for .380 acp, too slow burning.

GS
 
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