Blue Dot

[Brassjunkie]

   I've heard great things about blue dot in the 10mm so I picked up a lb. it seems to work pretty well, it works.. good velocity and accuracy, a little dirty and not the greatest in the meter.
   Anyway, is there any other calibers it shines in? I tried a few loads in 357 mag. It was kinda slow for the recoil it produced and not overly accurate. With a 158gr JSP at 9.2,9.5 and 9.9... holy hell 9.9 felt like 15grs of 2400.
   Basically I'm wondering if I could use it in any other pistol cartridge with good result- I load 40s&w, 9mm, 357/38spl, 45acp/ar, 45 LC(Ruger) and 44 mag/spl.
   Thanks

[The_Shadow]

I have used Blue Dot in 10mm, 40S&W, 9mm, 38spl/357mag, 44 spl/mag, 45ACP, 357 Sig, 9x25 Dillon, 12 ga
It tends to burn its cleanest with upper end loadings as the pressure builds.  This data below has pressure values for the loadings...

This might help you with the Blue Dot loads...Aliant info 2006

[Graybeard]

I'd avoid using Blue Dot for lower pressure calibers like .44spl, .45acp, and .38spl. I was forced to use it for .45acp a few years ago, due to the reloading components shortage. Really nasty acrid smell and less than great accuracy when it doesn't fully burn.

I'm actually surprised it didn't do better for you in .357 mag. According to the data Shadow posted, it takes quite a bit more 2400 to only slightly better Blue Dot performance. I would expect a pretty good muzzle blast. Blue Dot is know for that. Makes me wonder about their 10.7gr 158gr JSP load.

[Kenk]

My favorite 10mm Blue Dot load is 10.4gr's under a 180gr  XTP or HAP. Accuracy is awesome for range use. This load is nothing close to nuclear, and is very flashy but an overall great load

Ken

[The_Shadow]

I will say that Speer #11 has some higher charge weights listed than those of the 2006 Alliant data...I have exceeded some of the published dat with my loads!

[Kenk]

Afternoon Shadow, do you by chance have a screenshot of the Speer # 11 manual for Blue Dot 180gr loads? As I don't own that manual
Thanks

Ken

[sqlbullet]

I would add that Blue Dot wants to be pushed.  When you run it below pressure you get dirty burns and less ideal accuracy.  I was not happy with it until I start approaching max loads and velocities.

[The_Shadow]

KenK, Speer #11 doesn't have any 10mm data at all.  However you can Study the Speer supplement prior to Speer #12 and the Speer #12 data here;
http://10mm-firearms.com/reloading-10mm-ammo/10mm-load-data-collection/

[tommac919]

** at own risk, above book values**

Some of the old books do run higher... I have run to 11g of Bl Dot with 180's  and it's a pretty good load.

Normally I run the 10.2 +/- with the 180s in my measure, when I need a woods load for my G20, I use the same power drop with a 200gr XTP
It is very warm/hot but no real signs of over pressure tho it is running on the edge... build up to it
The 200gr xtp is running at just about 1120-1150fps

Some older Speer info;


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[Kenk]

According to the Speer data sheet for the 200gr TMJ bullet, it looks like  9.4 to 10.5. Would that Blue Dot range work ok with the 200gr Gold Dot JHP?
Thanks

Ken

[The_Shadow]

KenK, I have used 10.6 grains of Blue Dot behind the 200 grain XTP and Gold Dot (1200 + fps) in my own guns with 22 lbs recoil springs.  I will also say that Longshot still gets better velocity...

[Kenk]

Thanks Shadow!

[Brassjunkie]

Yeah I honestly think that Longshot is the best for the hot stuff. If you take into account meter flow vs cleanliness vs availability(to me anyway)
   Mr Shadow- did you have good results with the blue dot in 357 and 40s&w?
   Thanks

[Kenk]

Evening Shadow,
So with the 10mm / 200gr Speer Gold Dot JHP using Longshot, what have you found to your liking. As always, working up incrementally to find a safe load is the best practice
Thanks man!

Ken

[The_Shadow]

Well using Longshot with the 10mm and 200 grain bullets, I stop at 9.2 grain @ 1225-1235 fps or 9.4 grains 1245-1255 fps...  The brass can show signs at the 9.4 grain in some firearms...