Using True Blue

[alta]

Hi all, been lurking for awhile. I'm new to loading the 10, but not reloading. I've got a bunch of True Blue for 9mm, .40 and .45. I have seen the listing for using it in 10mm with lighter bullets. But I'm shooting heavier ones. I've got a bunch of 180gr XTPs for my .40s and some 200gr XTPs for the 10mm. Why is True Blue listed for 125gr, 155gr and 175gr bullets but not heavier? and what would the issue be if I tried to use it for them?

[robert4]

True Blue is a fairly fast burning powder, about like 231. It's just not ideal for heavier bullets and high velocities.

[The_Shadow]

True Blue is a very fast burning powder but if you want to push the 180 grain you could work up to what Mike of DT did back in the day
THIS WAS POSTED BY mike McNett over at Glock Talk for True Blue powder in his testing...August 25 2003

I made a call to Ramshot regarding their True Blue powder. I was told that "as far as I can tell no one had ever tried that powder in 10mm". I told them that I would. I also gave them my Enforcer data that I had developed, just in case they were interested. Anyway, here it is: 10 shot avg, virgin Starline brass, CCI 350 primers, 1.26 OAL.

G29:
10.8 TB 135 Nosler - 1301fps
11.5 TB 135 Nosler - 1393fps
10.0 TB 155GDHP - 1204fps
10.8 TB 155GDHP - 1284fps
9.3 TB 165 Sierra - 1149fps
10.0 TB 165 Sierra - 1216fps
8.7 TB 180XTP - 1048fps
9.3 TB 180XTP - 1091fps
8.1 TB 200XTP - 1014fps
8.7 TB 200XTP - 1070fps
7.0 TB 220 West Coast FP - 869fps
7.5 TB 220 West Coast FP - 925fps

6"KKM"
10.8 TB 135 Nosler - 1488fps
11.5 TB 135 Nosler - 1542fps
10.0 TB 155 GDHP - 1325fps
10.8 TB 155 GDHP - 1432fps
9.3 TB 165 Sierra - 1268fps
10.0 TB 165 Sierra - 1380fps
8.7 TB 180XTP - 1145fps
9.3 TB 180XTP - 1235fps
8.1 TB 200XTP - 1109fps
8.7 TB 200XTP - 1182fps
7.0 TB 220 West Coast FP - 982fps
7.5 TB 220 West Coast FP - 1042fps

I think that this is the tip of the iceburg for this powder. I know that these velocities are not head-snappers, but these were very conservative "starter loads". This powder meters perfect and exhibits less pressure in than 180 UMC in all loadings shown!

[The_Shadow]

Mike McNett's True Blue update:
75F 3000ft elev all loads use 1.26" OAL CCI 350 primers.

G29:
135 Nosler JHP 12.5gr TB - 1438fps
155 GDHP 11.5gr TB - 1324fps
165 Sierra JHP 10.8gr TB - 1246fps
180 XTP 10.0gr TB - 1155fps
200 XTP 9.3gr TB - 1130fps
220 Precision FP 8.1gr TB - 1017fps

None of these loads exhibited signs of overpressure.

Same shooting session as before:
6"KKM:

220 Precision FP 8.1gr TB - 1115fps
200 XTP 9.3gr TB = 1242fps
180 XTP 10.0gr TB - 1281fps
165 Sierra JHP 10.8gr TB - 1389fps
155 GDHP 11.5gr TB - 1477fps
135 Nosler JHP 12.5gr TB - 1566fps

There is still some room to grow comfortably!
-Mike

Again, same shooting session as before, but with bone stock G20:

135 Nosler JHP 12.5gr TB - 1467fps
155 GDHP 11.5gr TB - 1355fps
165 Sierra JHP 10.8gr TB - 1312fps
180 XTP 10.0gr TB - 1235fps
200 XTP 9.3gr TB - 1191fps
220 Precision FP 8.1gr TB - 1052fps
Interesting powder.
-Mike

[The_Shadow]

220gr WC= West Coast 220, PB= Precision Bullet 220
All loads use CCI 350 primers and 1.26" OAL

10.5gr Enforcer PB220 - 1068fps 6"KKM 70F
11.5gr Enforcer PB220 - 1140fps 6"KKM 70F
7.0gr True Blue WC220 - 982fps 6"KKM 85F
7.0gr True Blue WC220 - 869fps G29 85F
7.5gr True Blue WC220 - 1042fps 6"KKM 85F
7.5gr True Blue WC220 - 925fps G29 85F
8.1gr True Blue PB220 - 1017fps G29 75F
8.1gr True Blue PB220 - 1052fps G20 75F
8.1gr True Blue PB220 - 1115fps 6"KKM 75F

These were Mikes test with 220 grain cast bullets same time frame...

[alta]

thanks Shadow, I use one powder in all my revolvers with very good results, I want to do the same with the semi autos. This is a big help, with magnum primers no less.

[The_Shadow]

You're welcome, Just understand these are test loads from Mike McNett of Double Tap Ammo.  He started off easy and worked up his loads in his guns and should provide some insight with the True Blue Powder where no other data is available...

Mike used to be very active on several forums over the years but he has since been consumed by the business over time...