Blue Dot max?

[daved20319]

So I loaded up some test ammo for my new to me Witness, Blue Dot powder, Hornady XTP 180 gr., once fired Federal small primer brass.  I was looking for a "full power" load, defined by me as 1250 FPS in this case.  My max charge for this round was 10.6 gr., that only got me to 1200 FPS, and that was only one of five at that charge weight, the other 4 were in the high 1100's.  Still need to examine my brass, but I'm not seeing anything concerning, although I haven't measured case head expansion yet.  Max load data I've found for Blue dot and a 180 gr. bullet is 11 gr., but that was with a Gold Dot.  I have some new Starline brass on the way (if Fedex hasn't lost it, it was supposed to be here Weds.  ), I think I'm going to hold off on any further testing until it arrives.

On an interesting side note, the brass came from some Federal AE ammo, 180 gr. FMJ's.  It shoots well in this Witness, and since I had the chrony set up anyway, I went ahead and ran a mag past it (Labradar).  Box says 1030 FPS, I was getting 1090's.  Is this common with this ammo?  This is the first time I've ever had factory ammo chronograph faster than claimed, especially Federal, took me by surprise.  Later.

[sqlbullet]

Hornady (7th) says 10.7 for 1250 fps is max.  Lee 2nd (2016 Rev) says 11.0(c) for 1295 fps.

Blue Dot likes some heat to fully burn, so a faster powder is indicated if you are interested in velocities below about 1200 fps.

[Kenk]

Accuracy wise, 10.4gr Blue Dot, under a 180gr XTP is the best I've seen. It's not a hot load by any stretch, but man is it accurate

[cwlongshot]

As you should know or understand Velocity along is not a factor in a max pressure loading.

Every gun is a lil different. Chamber dims, OAL differences Bullet lengths and diameters a d materials made from all effect the pressures a load creates.

Best way I know is case head expansion. Its in the FAQ's. If you are searching for the safest route. There are many a reloading manual listing BlueDot.

Good luck,

CW

[md66948]

I may use Blue Dot for my 8" barrel. Do you think I should look at a different powder?

[cwlongshot]

Blue Dot is a favorite of mine, but there are many other powders that can work You gonna need to try them to see what your gun likes!!

CW

[Kenk]

Absolutely

[Snubbie 357]

I'm loading 10.5 grs blue dot with hornady 180xtp using magnum primers. Out of my Ruger 1911 I'm getting 1300 fps. Seems fast but I don't have any reason to question my chronograph.

[daved20319]

I'm loading 10.5 grs blue dot with hornady 180xtp using magnum primers. Out of my Ruger 1911 I'm getting 1300 fps. Seems fast but I don't have any reason to question my chronograph.

That does seem fast, with 10.6 and the same bullet, I just barely got to 1200 FPS from my 4.5" barreled Witness.  But I'm not using magnum primers, maybe that's the difference?  I'll bet it's pretty snappy!  Later.

Dave

[cwlongshot]

Does seem a lil quick. But as we should know elevation changes things as does simply barrels differ.

I have loaded more and not hit 1200 in factory 4.6". But its always surprising comparing my Factory G40 and a KKM barrel. The KKM is always quicker yet only .1 longer.

[The_Shadow]

I hear you cwlongshot, I always thought my CRONY was on the slow side of things while testing, while seeing other's results they post. 
That being said the amount of space between the muzzle and the CHRONY can and does affect readings for the optical sensors.
Yes barrels can be quite different, Colt bore may be 0.3990"  S&W bore 0.4000"  Glock bore 0.4005"
Then the actual barrel length & rifling, width/height/cut style all are an influence for velocity and accuracy.

[daved20319]

I'm loading 10.5 grs blue dot with hornady 180xtp using magnum primers. Out of my Ruger 1911 I'm getting 1300 fps. Seems fast but I don't have any reason to question my chronograph.

Wanted to come back to this, I meant to ask why the magnum primer?  Compared to some of the rifle powders I've been using lately (in rifles!), Blue Dot seems light and fluffy, it doesn't seem like it should need a magnum primer.  Just curious, the only time I've ever used magnum primers was with ball powders in rifles, or actual magnum hand guns.  Later.

Dave

[fltbed]

Back when I started testing handloads for my 10mm's, sqlbullet and shadow convinced me to try Blue Dot in my then new 5" RIA 1911.  (later a G40 then finally a RIA 6" Pro Match)  In my ladder tests from 10.0-10.8, the four loads from 10.0-10.6, the brass looked about the same.  At 10.8, the cases started to looked a bit stressed so I decided, for me, 10.6 was max.
Even the chrono numbers looked confusing, there wasn't even 100 fps difference from low to high and the extreme spread and standard deviations were atrocious.
The targets told a different tale with 50 yard groups going from 5" to 4" to 2.5" (10.4gr) then back up to 4" to 6".

Some people chase velocity numbers but those people usually use Longshot and 800X.  I've read claims of velocities close to 1400 fps with tiny groups and empty brass, (those that didn't go into low earth orbit) totally useless except for the scrap man. 
Now I did work up some loads with Longshot that chronoed 1300 fps with the brass looking safe enough to reload but with the exception of the Speer Gold Dot, all the targets looked like I was patterning my shotgun.

Now I prefer hitting targets over stupid high velocity numbers and my guns are no exception when it comes to Blue Dot.  With that 10.4 gr load my 5" RIA 1911 only chronos 1185 fps with my 6" G40 (now sold) showing 1210 fps and my 6" RIA Pro Match giving 1220 fps.
However, all would shoot that load into 2.5" (or better!) at 50 yards.
For the last few years, I always keep Blue Dot on my powder shelf, (4 pound jugs when I can find them) I load that 10.4gr load in bulk and always keep 500+ on hand.

Jeff

PS I've also ran primer tests because I learned from the first primer shortage back in the 90's, you just never know what's gonna be available.  I only ran these tests with my accuracy loads and not anything near max.  YMMV.
Blue Dot, like many others, show almost no difference in brand, standard or magnum primers with a slight accuracy edge going with CCI #200 or Federal 150's.

[RedTeam98]

200 XTP @ 10.0
180 XTP @ 11.0
220 Hard Cast @ 9.5
Blue Dot
Starline Brass CCI 300 primers

G20 gen 4
KKM barrel
22 pound spring