1006 and Blue dot

[Joebrewer1]

Joebrewer1 new guy here, I went to Alliant site for blue dot loading info for my 1006, 11 grains for 180 FMJ, seems really high! from scanning through tonight I see 8.2 loads - what is the correct weight for 180 gr. FMJ

[gandog56]

Depends on how hot you want them. I'm showing 9.7 to 11.0 grains in my Lee manual.

[The_Shadow]

Joebrewer1, Here is data from Alliant 2006, it shows the pressure values for the given loads...



and some Speer data back when it was Hercules Blue Dot

[Joebrewer1]

Thank you Both, I had loaded some at 11grs. and I'm going to try some at 9.7 and see what happens, I will let you know

[Taterhead]

The 11.0 grain Alliant/Speer data is based around Speer bullets, and they are of a different construction than typical cup/core jacketed bullets. Their data does not exactly track with some of the other data around, and it would likely be on the high end for a higher friction bullet like an XTP. I'd work up to 11.0 with care, but it likely wouldn't be a big problem.

[bear10]

I shoot a lot of loads of 11.2gr Blue Dot behind 180gr XTP bullets and Montana Gold Bullets seated to 1.257 in my G20 and my G29 and they are the most accurate loads I find! How the Smith will handle them I don't know. Start at about 10.4  and ease your way up.

[tommac919]

Found that with a 180gr fmj, the 10.2 to 10.4 of BD seemed to be just right and very accurate

[Joebrewer1]

Update@Tommac919, I loaded 40 rounds of 10.2 and 10 rounds of 11gr.
10.2 very smooth and controllable shot a little to the left (typical) cases good, no primer issues, powder is extremely dirty and rounds would not cycle.
11gr. very accurate, I used 1076 instead of 06, I will clean and re spring gun and try again.
Thank you for all the info - Everyone

[tommac919]

Update@Tommac919, I loaded 40 rounds of 10.2 and 10 rounds of 11gr.
10.2 very smooth and controllable shot a little to the left (typical) cases good, no primer issues, powder is extremely dirty and rounds would not cycle.
Snip

All guns shoot different... With 10.2/10.4 my stock g20 fires Xtreme plated, Remington fmj, Montana gold, and xtps.   Ymmv

Yes, BD foes cleaner at high end of load range

[gandog56]

May burn cleaner there, but how's it affect the accuracy? If it's more accurate lower down I'll just clean them better after.

[Seabeeken]

Joe,
My hornady manual shows their 180 gr XTP with a starting load of 7.5 gr and a max load of 10.7 gr of blue dot

[Taterhead]

An XTP pushed until BD burns clean is a nice grouper.  BD is unusual in that it is a slow burner that happens to group well at lower and dirtier burning pressures.