Blue Dot 9mm reloads

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coleman1495

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Hello to all

I recently started reloading for 9mm. Initially I was using AA#5 powder but recently tried using Blue Dot. I followed the Speer reloading manual using 124gr fmj and created 3 different sets of powder charges. I ran everything through a Chrony. The bottom load had an average MV of 1155 fps, the middle load had an average MV of 1209 fps, and the top load had an average MV of 1269 fps. These velocities were slightly above those listed in the Speer manual (Which makes sense considering they use a 4 inch barrel for testing and I am using a 4.5 inch).

The same day I chronographed a couple factory loads for comparison. Federal AE 124gr came in at an average 1111fps and Federal Premium +p+ 124gr came in at 1180fps. All velocities are created from 10 shot averages

The rounds seemed accurate enough ( well, more accurate than me and probably most people). Recoil was not noticeable different. They actually ran cleaner than the previous AA#5 rounds and did not show any noticeable difference from factory loads. All velocities were achieved while staying below the 35000cpu SAAMI mark ( as all Speer load data is).

Anyways I guess my question is why are these loads so fast? How is it that a mid range hand load is faster than a "+p+" Premium ammo load? In fact the middle load matches the energy output of a .45acp in accordance with Federals website.I feel as if I am missing something here. Why don't ammo manufacturers use a load like this? There obviously must be a downside to using loads like this. Any veterans here care to explain this?
 
It's all about the powder that the ammo makers use.

They buy it (or make it) by the trailer load, and to make money, they use the cheapest powder they can get that will give them the velocities and pressures they want.

As reloaders, we're not so constrained by the accountants as the ammo makers are. We can use powders that they won't because of the price.
 
The velocities you're getting are true 9mm para velocities. The US factories download the 9mm to below SAAMI levels, 'just in case' someone loads a hundred year old Luger with it. Take a look at the velocities used for NATO loads, or CIP loads and you'll see you're right on the mark for European 9mm. I used Blue Dot to do some loading with 147 grain XTP's, and as long as the crimp is firm it's very clean and yields great velocities without any signs of pressure issues. Remember, Lawyers run ammunition companies, not shooters.
 
Okay ~500 rounds of blue dot 9mm later I think I am getting some answers. I believe the following reasons to be part of why loads like this are not used in factory loads:

1. This load would most likely yield low velocities out of subcompact barrel lengths. I obviously have no way of testing this though. Not really a problem as we cannot get handguns with barrels that short. I am guessing this load would be ill suited for our southern neighbours.
2. The brass ejected is physically HOT, I had one bounce off the range roof and land on my neck. It actually blistered. Besides the obvious safety issue (which I don't really care about) I am not sure what other problems would be associated with hot brass. Maybe overheated barrels with rapid firing?
3.Increased bullet velocity means increased wear on the slide. Simple physics. Does this mean my gun only lasts 50 000 rounds instead of 60 000? I guess time will tell.
4. Muzzle Flash! I guess this is undesirable. I am not sure exactly why a person would care. I know premium rounds have flash suppressants added to them. I honestly think it looks cool but that's just me.

I cant wait to see how it performs in a carbine. Will post updates
 
Premium factory ammo is still mass produced and low QC. Nothing ever beats a hand loaded cartridge. Blue dot is a very versatile and high performance powder for a lot of the more popular cartridges.
 
"...created 3 different sets of..." Isn't enough to find an accurate load.
"...How is it that a..." +P+ loads aren't about velocity. They're about pressure. In any case, don't worry about velocities in manuals. The variables are far too great and reflect only the conditions on the day of the tests.
 
If you go directly to Alliant web site, it will give you all the necessary information but in case of blue dot I find their maximum loads dangerously hot so I reduce them by 5-10% depending on caliber/cartridge. Also I've notice if all other factors being equal, CCI primers make a little hotter loads than feds. or wins.
 
For those of you who have not tried Blue Dot, be aware that it is a flake powder. Some powder throwers do not handle flake powders very well. A powder that has similar pressure/velocity as Blue Dot is Winchester Power Pistol. It meters very well. Both are handy powders if you want near max power.

In IDPA practice we turn the range lights off and use flashlights. Muzzle flash can blind you so badly you become a much slower shooter.
 
Yeah you might be right. More testing may be required to absolutely hit the sweet spot. Honestly I simply cant tell the loads apart based on accuracy. I think that the carbine might help me out a little.

The difference between an accurate and an inaccurate 9mm load in a carbine is 2.5MOA and 10 MOA at 100 yds according to Kel Tec. Im not sure if that roughly translates into pistol accuracy?

I haven't met anyone yet that can shoot that well with a pistol to tell the difference. I know these people do in fact exist but I just do not know any. How do you find the most accurate load?

Also I understand that the +p designation is about pressure. All of my loads were below standard pressure. What is the benefit to using overpressure rounds when high velocities can be reached without going over 35 000cpu?
 
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