Hi guys- I've been handloading a long time but new to loading 10mm.

I would like to carefully work my loads up to book max, carefully looking for pressure signs along the way.

All my manuals show top velocity with 800x, AA#9 and Blue Dot.  I would like to stay away from 800x because a pistol powder that meters like gravel doesn't appeal to me, and Accurate brand powder is unavailable locally even in normal times. I have several pounds of Blue Dot left over from when I used it for .357 Magnum years ago.
I have heard and read a lot of stories (from credible sources like Handloader magazine)  of sudden pressure spikes when working up loads, extreme temperature and position sensitivity, and huge lot to lot inconsistency. The load used to use is no longer recommended by Alliant, but I personally had no problem with it.
I have seen online various places that Blue Dot is popular for full power 10mm, and since I have it that's what I would like to start with.

However, that being said, I'm wondering if any of you experienced 10mm guys have any of these issues? I'm aware that every gun is different and whats safe in yours may not be in mine, and the importance of working up loads etc etc etc.

BTW, my 10 is a Glock 20 Gen3 with a KKM barrel and 20# ISMI on a captured steel guiderod. I have only shot factory loads in this gun so far, but have a supply of new Starline brass and 180gr Rem FMJ's and XTP's.

Well I have posted many of my test using Blue Dot and i have pushed it at the upper end of performance over the years in many of my pistols developing some great loads.

I have used the 200XTP with 10.5 grains 350CCI LP, COL of 1.255" from my Smith & Wesson 1006, G-20 and G-29.
They are running 1180 to 1200 fps.

Here is some data from a supplement that Speer sent me years back.  Maybe it will help you some



This is also a Alliant 2006 scan from 2006



Hope this helps you out! 

Quote from: 10mmGarand on February 08 2015 05:00:57 PM MST

I have several pounds of Blue Dot left over from when I used it for .357 Magnum years ago.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/safety_notices.aspx

Quote
Safety Notice

At Alliant Powder, we take safety seriously. That's why we periodically test our products in different situations to be sure our use recommendations stay current. Check here for any safety notes or recall information. Stay safe and keep accurate.

Alliant Powder periodically reviews and tests their published reloading data to verify that our recommended recipes have not changed over time.

During the latest review Alliant Powder discovered that Alliant Powder's Blue Dot® should not be used in the following applications:

    Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 357 Magnum load using the 125 grain projectile (Blue Dot® recipes with heavier bullet weights as specified in Alliant Powders Reloading Guide are acceptable for use).
    Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 41 Magnum cartridge (all bullet weights).

Use of Blue Dot® in the above cases may cause a high pressure situation that could cause property damage and serious personal injury.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause and appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

I haven't used too much Blue Dot yet, I used to get it in those 1 pound containers but then I switched to these...



I'm looking for my next jug because the plastic one is almost empty...

Quote from: my_old_glock on February 08 2015 08:12:56 PM MST

Quote from: 10mmGarand on February 08 2015 05:00:57 PM MST

I have several pounds of Blue Dot left over from when I used it for .357 Magnum years ago.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/safety_notices.aspx

Quote
Safety Notice

At Alliant Powder, we take safety seriously. That's why we periodically test our products in different situations to be sure our use recommendations stay current. Check here for any safety notes or recall information. Stay safe and keep accurate.

Alliant Powder periodically reviews and tests their published reloading data to verify that our recommended recipes have not changed over time.

During the latest review Alliant Powder discovered that Alliant Powder's Blue Dot® should not be used in the following applications:

    Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 357 Magnum load using the 125 grain projectile (Blue Dot® recipes with heavier bullet weights as specified in Alliant Powders Reloading Guide are acceptable for use).
    Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 41 Magnum cartridge (all bullet weights).

Use of Blue Dot® in the above cases may cause a high pressure situation that could cause property damage and serious personal injury.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause and appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Yupp that's what I was talking about as far as .357 Mag/Blue Dot.

The_Shadow - thank you for posting the data. So no problems with it like I described? LOL I would say not since you have a couple pounds

I have loaded a bunch of blue dot over the years as well in max and near max loadings.  Never had an issue with it. 

Blue Dot is a great 10mm powder. I have used 9 or 10 different powders in 10mm cartridges, but BD has been used the most. There are powders that push bullets faster, are less flashy and not so LOUD, some meter better, and most burn cleaner at modest pressures.

I like BD for its huge library of load data and dependably good groups across a wide spectrum of charges and bullet weights. It is also made in USA and reasonably priced. It burns dirty when downloaded, but my G20 doesn't mind; and groups remain respectable well down into "FBI load" velocities. And it does yield some respectable "on book" velocities. In my gun, only Accurate no. 9 gets faster speeds while following book loads, but A9 is much less efficient.

I have never seen it get spooky or show unexpected values on the chrony. It is a powder I feel extremely confident with in 10mm.

Thanks for the info everyone.  This is what I wanted to hear.

Now to get some handloading done..