Blue Dot now unsafe?

[mbogo3]

I just acquired 5lbs of Blue Dot upon looking at it's uses I see a warning that it is not to be used in 125gr loads in the .357 or in the 41 mag at all.I called Alliant and they said the same re: unpredictable rises in pressure. Apparently 12+ 20 shot loads are still ok?

 

[gewehr76]

Send it to me, I'll dispose of it safely for you.

 

[mbogo3]

dream on

 

[Ganderite]

They probably mean it is not a good choice with light bullets.

Most slow powders work best with a heavy bullet, so the pressure can be uniformly high.

 

[lone ranger]

I used it for 357. It didnt seem to burn all the powder properly. It was accurate always worked.
I switched to bullseye.

 

[caperaway]

125gn .357mag loads have a reputation for problems iirc. With Blue Dot especially. I got a deal on a few thousand 125gn projectiles a few years ago and came across many warnings back then not to use blue dot when loading them. I guess Alliant finally just said don't do it. Still a good powder just not in that combination.

 

[mbogo3]

They also dropped 28 ga data for Blue Dot. I remember JD Calhoun who made bullets in the 80's here in AB well he lives in MT and and is promoting his .19 Calhoun.He has data for reduced loads in a .223 and a 40gr using Blue Dot from 1200fps-2800fps with great accuracy for shooting gophers in cattle pastures.

 

[lpel]

Do a Google search of “Seafire” he has used reduced loads for rifles using BD. I have used his information with great success.

 

[mbogo3]

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/
click on Informative Articles then To Bee or 223 revisited

 

[B]

This has been the case for several years now.

 

[mbogo3]

https://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/safety_notices.aspx

 

[mbogo3]

I never used this specific powder before and was looking for a replacement for Win 571 in my 1 oz 20ga pheasant loads. As well a recently acquired .357 mag Ruger Security Six.Also a buddy uses it in his model 57 and Marlin 94 both in .41 mag with no issues the past 20 years?

 

[Bubba Yugga]

I found 5.0 gr of Blue Dot under 147 FMJ to be a nice 9x19 PCC plinking round at just under 1000 FPS.

 

[B]

I never used this specific powder before and was looking for a replacement for Win 571 in my 1 oz 20ga pheasant loads. As well a recently acquired .357 mag Ruger Security Six.Also a buddy uses it in his model 57 and Marlin 94 both in .41 mag with no issues the past 20 years?

Consider how many 125grn loads were shot before and probably still to this day. These kinds of things are often a CYA motion. I wouldn't risk it myself but mainly because there are much better powders for that combo out there.

 

[mbogo3]

I'd be more likely to load 158-180gr jacketed with Blue Dot or Win 296 and for paper 148grHBWC under 850fps with Bullseye in .357 brass.I'll use the Blue Dot up in the shotguns if all else fails.

 

[bearhunter]

I use it with 180 grain jacketed hollow points in my 357 maximum when I run out of 2400. It's a bit hotter load because it's built on an old Martini action.

I also use it exclusively with 158 grain jhp bullets in my Taurus.

 

[B]

I'd be more likely to load 158-180gr jacketed with Blue Dot or Win 296 and for paper 148grHBWC under 850fps with Bullseye in .357 brass.I'll use the Blue Dot up in the shotguns if all else fails.

That's about as well as you could do. It's not bad with heavier bullets. Bullseye and 148HBWC is a classic that I used to enjoy burning thousands and thousands of. 3.2grns in a .357 case and 3 in a .38spl gets me 750fps from a 4.2" revolver. I have never bothered to Chrono anything longer. Blue Dot is a top velocity powder for 12g slugs if that is your kind of thing.