Blue Dot , or IMR 800 X ?

Tomcat 10 · February 16 2014 05:59:48 AM MST

I have Accurate #7 , and Accurate #9 , and I have reloaded approximately 50 rounds with #9 . If I want to go to a little higher velocities would it be better to go with Blue Dot , or 800 X ? I read that 800 X had a better pressure to velocity ratio , but it is hard to meter .

I use the powder measure on my Dillon 650 for most of my reloading , but I have an RCBS charge master 1500 That I use to dispense powder for rifle cartridges . Would the Charge Master do a good job with the 800 X ?

Geeman · February 16 2014 06:22:03 AM MST

Don't try to use the measure with 800x unless you are way under max and don't mind different charges in your loads.

I use the Chargemaster, and it meters like crap through that too. Its just the nature of those large disks of powder. It works, but it will overthrow a fairly large percentage of the loads, and you will either have to scoop out the overage, or re-throw the charge. Just make sure you check the weight before puttin into the cartridge to make sure its not an over throw.

The powder does extremely well in the 10mm. Use great caution if you are referencing some on-line forum loads that seem more to me to be bombs. I loaded well under one of the "can go higher than this" loads and ended with hog bellied smiles. There are alot of 800x loads referenced in the factory pull down database that are a better reference.

Greg

gandog56 · February 16 2014 06:24:36 AM MST

Quote from: Geeman on February 16 2014 06:22:03 AM MST
Don't try to use the measure with 800x unless you are way under max and don't mind different charges in your loads.

I use the Chargemaster, and it meters like crap through that too. Its just the nature of those large disks of powder. It works, but it will overthrow a fairly large percentage of the loads, and you will either have to scoop out the overage, or re-throw the charge. Just make sure you check the weight before puttin into the cartridge to make sure its not an over throw.

The powder does extremely well in the 10mm. Use great caution if you are referencing some on-line forum loads that seem more to me to be bombs. I loaded well under one of the "can go higher than this" loads and ended with hog bellied smiles. There are alot of 800x loads referenced in the factory pull down database that are a better reference.

Greg

My PACT scale/dispenser has no problems accurately throwing any type powder.

Tomcat 10 · February 16 2014 06:31:13 AM MST

Greg , Thank you for your help . I was hoping the charge master would do the job with the 800 X .

Do you think the 800 X would be a better choice than Blue Dot for the higher velocity loads ?

Thanks again ,
Ted

Tomcat 10 · February 16 2014 06:34:41 AM MST

gandog56 , Thank you for your help . I guess I got the wrong powder dispenser .

tommac919 · February 16 2014 07:05:46 AM MST

snip... I guess I got the wrong powder dispenser .
[/quote]

Alot also depends on the powder... some just meter well, others like crap.

I run Bluedot and If the auto measure is properly cleaned and lubed with graphite it can be as good as +/- .1gr
In normal operation it's more like +/-.2gr which isn't a problem when loading mid power ( I wouldn't run it at the max load tho ).

The_Shadow · February 16 2014 08:01:56 AM MST

Tomcat 10, it depends on how high you want to be in velocity for a particular bullet. If you are going to be near the edge of high performance you will need to hand weigh any powder to verify that is precise.

Another powder that does meter well is Powder Pistol so keep that one in mind.

With loads that are being thrown using Blue Dot or LongShot , they can vary as much as +/- 0.2 grains or equal depending on the type dispenser. That means you could see a difference of 0.4 grains across the spectrum of loads.

IMR800X is a slightly worse due to the larger flakes, but with careful hand weighing you can achieve great results.

To me I hand weigh everything, just because I am a perfectionist by nature and I have to know what's inside! ${$default_grin_smiley}$

Geeman · February 16 2014 08:31:15 AM MST

Quote from: gandog56 on February 16 2014 06:24:36 AM MST
My PACT scale/dispenser has no problems accurately throwing any type powder.

I love my Chargemaster. It does a great job in my opinion. I only worry about how long the thing will last and what the cost per year will be. That is really the case with all things electronic.

I'm glad you are having great success with the PACT. I find that the RCBS unit does very well with finer powders. Power Pistol is very good. I don't think I ever mis-throw Longshot. 800X is an exception. You are looking down the trickle tube and see what is happening. The trickle unit is trying to get another grain of powder and a landslide happens when a small pile falls into the pan.

Its not the huge issue it may seem. Dip a little out or weigh short and add a few kernels.

The one issue about the Chargemaster that is IMPORTANT is to not leave double base powder in the hopper more than a few hours. The plastic reacts with nitroglycerin and makes a real mess. Don't ask me how I know ${$default_lips_sealed_smiley}$

Greg

Tomcat 10 · February 16 2014 05:36:14 PM MST

Quote from: tommac919 on February 16 2014 07:05:46 AM MST
snip... I guess I got the wrong powder dispenser .

Alot also depends on the powder... some just meter well, others like crap.

I run Bluedot and If the auto measure is properly cleaned and lubed with graphite it can be as good as +/- .1gr
In normal operation it's more like +/-.2gr which isn't a problem when loading mid power ( I wouldn't run it at the max load tho ).
[/quote]

I guess I will have to dip and weigh every charge . Thank you for your help ..

Ted

Tomcat 10 · February 16 2014 05:44:02 PM MST

The_Shadow , Thank you for all the input . I use Power Pistol for my 45 ACP loads , and I like it for the 45 , but I haven't seen any high velocity power pistol load data for the 10mm . May be I'm not looking in the right places .

Tomcat 10 · February 16 2014 05:50:22 PM MST

Geeman , Thank you for your help . It looks like if I get some 800 X I will have to just take it real slow , and hand weigh every charge .

lagarto · February 17 2014 09:45:04 AM MST

Alliant lists a Power Pistol load for a 165 gr GDP : http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=165&shellid=30&bulletid=41.

You can email their technical dept and they will send you suggested loads in any powder you wish. Generally these will give you a starting point to develop your own loads.

Also if you look at their suggested loads for 40 cal they have more load data with different powders. I have used 40 cal data as a starting point for load development with a new powder several times.

Power Pistol has a pretty good flash to it. They have a new powder BE 86 that supposedly has a flash suppressant in it: http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/be-86.aspx

dl1911 · February 17 2014 05:34:22 PM MST

I'd go with Blue Dot unless you want to individually measure each load. I run a Hornady LnL Progressive and 800X metered very poorly. No such issues with Blue Dot which has become my usual powder for 10mm (10.7gr w/180gr FMJ).

Tomcat 10 · February 18 2014 03:47:38 AM MST

lagarto , Thank you very much for the links , and your help . I'm going to check out the info in the links you provided .

Tomcat 10 · February 18 2014 04:14:18 AM MST

dl1911 , Thank you for your help . I have some Blue Dot on Back Order , and as soon as it gets here I'm going to try it out . 800 X looks like a good high velocity powder for 10mm because of the low pressure to velocity ratio , but everyone says it meters like corn flakes . I was just trying to find out if 800 X was that much better that it would be worth the extra time , and effort involved to safely use it .

I started reloading many years ago , but got out of it , for a long time . Now I'm back into it , and 10mm is all new to me .