Blue Dot Range Report: 223 Caliber ( Full )
Bullet Weights Tested:
1. 35 grain Hornady V Max
2. 40 grain Hornady Vmax
3. 45 grain Sierra SP
4. 50 grain Sierra SMP
5. 52 grain Sierra Boat Tail Match
6. 55 grain Winchester FMJ
Rifle Used: Ruger 77 Mk 2, VT 26 inch Barrel, Stainless Steel First yr Model
Case: Lake City Surplus, previously fired
Primer: Remington 6 ½
Powder: Blue Dot
Charge Weight Tested: 4 grains to 14 grains.
Weather: Sunny, NO clouds, 80 degrees, NO wind,
Altitude: 2000 ft
Humidity: Very Low
Field Results:
35 grain Hornady V Max:
4 grs: 1284 fps
5 grs: 1488 fps
6 grs: 1862 fps
7 grs: 2163 fps
8 grs: 2392 fps
9 grs: 2636 fps
10 grs: 2722 fps
11 grs: 3076 fps
12 grs: 3205 fps
13 grs: NO Reading
14 grs: 3518 fps
15 grs: NO Reading, Too hot, Extractor Marks, Scrapped Case
16 grs: NO Reading, Too Hot Blew Primer
Hornady 40 grain Vmax:
4 grs: 1161 fps
5 grs: 1538 fps
6 grs: 1798 fps
7 grs: 2148 fps
8 grs: 2243 fps
9 grs: 2539 fps
10 grs: 2771 fps
11 grs: 2956 fps
12 grs: 3013 fps
13 grs: 3218 fps
14 grs: 3375 fps
Sierra 45 grain SP
4 grs: 1239 fps
5 grs: 1447 fps
6 grs: 1688 fps
7 grs: 1880 fps
8 grs: 2118 fps
9 grs: 2363 fps
10 grs: 2553 fps
11 grs: 2811 fps
12 grs: 2875 fps
13 grs: 3008 fps
14 grs: 3164 fps
Sierra 50 grains SMP
4 grs: 1064 fps
5 grs: 1345 fps
6 grs: 1624 fps
7 grs: 1788 fps
8 grs: 2033 fps
9 grs: 2257 fps
10 grs: 2466 fps
11 grs: 2655 fps
12 grs: 2779 fps
13 grs: 2882 fps
14 grs: 3038 fps
Sierra 52 grain Boattail Hollow Point Match
4 grs: 1061 fps
5grs: 1460 fps
6 grs: 1632 fps
7 grs: 1916 fps
8 grs: 2142 fps
9 grs: 2225 fps
10 gr: NO Reading
11 grs: 2673 fps
12 grs: 2782 fps
13 grs: 2879 fps
14 grs: 3012 fps
Winchester 55 grain FMJ
4 grs: 896 fps
5 grs: 1264 fps
6 grs: 1568 fps
7 grs: 1825 fps
8 grs: 1994 fps
9 grs: 2201 fps
10 grs: 2328 fps
11 grs: 2453 fps
12 grs: 2677 fps
13 grs: 2821 fps
14 grs: 2915 fps
Notes:
1. IN the evaluation of the 223, I came further to the conclusion of the versatility of the 223 in the use of training new shooters, and for a very versatile varmint caliber.
2. Essentially the 223 can be loaded to the specs of a 22 Long rifle, a 218 Bee, a 221 Fireball, a 222 Remington, a 22 Hornet, and a 22 Win Mag., while allowing the shooter to be able to pick the type of bullet that he prefers.
3. Bullets were limited to use of 35 grains to 55 grains. Heavier bullets will not serve any purpose unless a 223 is to be used for deer hunting. I do not believe that their would be a significant difference in the use of a 55 grain bullet vs a 60 grain bullet.
4. The recoil on the lighter loads using 4 to 6 grains of powder had minimal recoil if any at all. These would be ideal for young shooters being trained.
5. Noise level on the lighter loads ( 4 to 6 grains) were on par with a rim fire. An increase in noise level was very noticeable above 7 grains, but still very acceptable. ( No sounding like a rim fire any more)
Noted Observations:
1. It was noted but not considered part of the testing, with a tree used as a back stop for some of the testing, that all bullets ( 45 to 55 grains)penetrated thru the tree at a distance of 20 yds.
2. The diameter of the tree was measured at 5 inches.
3. The 40 grain Vmax loads failed to penetrate the tree at loads above 10 grs, above 2771 fps. However at 10 grains and less, the bullets penetrated thru the tree and did a large amount of damage ( like turning the wood into tooth picks) on the exit side of the tree. The penetration stopped at the 5 grain load.
Some of the Author’s Conclusions:
1. I learned some significant items beyond the versatility of the 223 with the bullets tested, but focusing on its use in the field, got some ideas.
2. A light rifle such as a Winchester Featherweight or Rugers Compact model with a 16.5 inch barrel or the Ultra Light with a 20 inch barrel would make a good combo with the use of Blue Dot.
3. Since the powder is burned cleanly in the first 10 to 12 inches of barrel, the shorter barrels are not handicappiing velocity in the lighter shorter rifles.
4. The penetration of the 40 grain Vmax into the tree did make me ponder the use of those plastic tip varmint rounds as potential loads for small deer for youth shooters. Just like my observations in the larger calibers, the plastic tipped bullet seem to do a lot more damage, at velocities under 2700 fps. The Vmax surprised me. This is a decision any shooter will have to test on his own and make their own decisions. I am just passing on that I saw potential merit in the application.
5. Although one has to weigh out the potential of Plastic Tipped Varmint bullets on bigger game like deer and antelope, some of these loads in real life use, utilizing Barnes’s X bullets in 22 caliber I can recommend. They make a 45 grain, 50 grain and 53 grain bullet. The way I saw much better penetration and more damage in wood, at the lower range velocities, 2200 to 2700 fps, this would make a good deer load in many parts of the USA, and recoil is minimal.
I did not test any bigger bullets as I feel that those tested would be represent the best potential with the powder. 60, 63, 64, 65 grain bullets and then the larger match bullets did not give what I considered useful velocity when I have shot them before with Blue Dot, in respect to their field design uses.
223 Range Report
Powder: Blue Dot
Bullet: Berger 30 grain HP, Varmint
Rifle Used: Ruger 77 VT
Barrel Length: 26 inches
Primer Used: Winchester Small Rifle
Bullet O.A.L. : 15.55 mms
Cartridge O.A.L. : 57.93 mms
10 grs: 2844 fps
11 grs: 3082 fps
12 grs: 3210 fps
13 grs: 3407 fps
14 grs: 3712 fps
15 grs: 3797 fps
15.5 grs: 3814 fps
16 grs: 3873 fps
16.5 grs: 3957 fps.
Accuracy Potential:
Load of 15 grains of Blue Dot, 30 gr Berger, WSR primer:
5 shot group size@ 100 yds: 0.4260 –0.224 bullet diameter = 0.202 group size
Scope: 6.5 x 20 Simmons.. setting at 10 Power.
Blue Dot:
223 & 36 grain Barnes Varmint Grenade HP.
Primer: CCI Small Pistol
Brass: Lake City
Rifle : Ruger 77 Mk 2
Barrel: 22inch
1. 7 grs: 1946 fps
2. 8 grs: 2286 fps
3. 9 grs: 2477 fps
4. 10 grs; No Reading
5. 11 grs: 2704 fps
6. 12 grs: 3024 fps
7. 13 grs: 3201 fps
8. 14 grs: 3321 fps
heres a good read on blue dot in 22 caliber rifles including 223 loads and some info...*
h ttp://www.reloadingroom.com/index_files/Blue%20Dot.htm
Blue Dot in Rifle Loads
One of the most attractive aspects of the .22-caliber centerfires is their wonderful versatility. With the same .224 diameter bullets, different cartridges run the gamut from small game to 500-yard heavy varmints and even, where legal, some big game. This spread is achieved by selecting cartridges with more or less powder capacity, governed by case size. From the diminutive .22 Hornet to the booming .220 Swift, plus a pride of large and small wildcat cartridges, every imaginable niche is filled. But to cover both large and small ends of the niche, must we select different cartridges? Surprisingly, the answer is no!
There is another avenue. Downloading the large and medium cartridges will produce the same results as the smaller cartridges. Lower velocity is often accompanied by lower muzzle blast, reduced recoil, lessened reloading expense, and longer barrel life; but, thankfully, equal accuracy. The traditional way to accomplish reduced loads is to simply throw smaller powder charges using traditional powders for the cartridge. Useful to a point, this method can only be followed until chamber pressures decline to a level where combustion is no longer uniform.*
Beyond that point, as powder charges are reduced, combustion becomes erratic and incomplete. Velocities vary widely, and so does accuracy. With powders appropriate for full charge loads, then, there is a floor below which load reduction is futile. But what about using non-traditional powders?*
Before I say one word more, let me give credit where it is due. I would perhaps never have thought of this approach had it not been for James Calhoon, maker of those excellent and eponymously* named bullets. In an article published in the July 1999 issue (#31) of The Varmint Hunter Magazine, he discusses the basics of the method that follows. As they say, I owe all this to him.
If the object is to produce reduced velocity loads while still maintaining sufficient gas pressure to insure full combustion and repeatable accuracy, why not move to a powder with a faster burn rate? In his article, James suggested two: IMR 800X and Alliant Blue Dot. Although he had previously worked with 800X, James wrote that it had several drawbacks. Namely, it was difficult to dispense evenly and burned dirty. Nonetheless, he reported loads that ranged from .22 Long Rifle speeds all the way to near normal in the .223. But his latest shining star powder was Blue Dot, which took speeds far beyond the earlier experiments, burned very clean and flowed through a powder measure with ease. I was instantly intrigued.
Calhoon’s loads just might be the answer to a perplexing dilemma I had often faced. As a varmint hunter, I had often found myself either over- or under-gunned. I’d be shooting ground squirrels with a .22 Magnum, and a badger waddles through. Or I’d be coyote hunting with a .223 when I chance upon a tasty cottontail. In either case, the rifle in my hands would either be too weak for a humane shot or too powerful to preserve any edible meat. What’s more, it’s a situation that happens to us all. About the only thing I can count on some days is that I won’t have the right gun for the game that appears. A golf cart full of rifles is most definitely not the answer. But what if I had merely to switch ammo to answer the shot at hand? What if different loads could give me the equivalent of two or even three rifles? Townsend Whelen was right. No rifle is complete unless it has both full power and reduced loads worked up for it.
Enter the Blue Dot theory. Because it is rated as a medium-slow powder for pistols and shotguns, Blue Dot is specially formulated to meter well in small doses, ignite easily and burn completely in capacious cases with very high expansion ratios (translate that as big-bore, straight cases if you like). In a rifle case, with reduced charges, it bulks up fairly well, ignites without a burble and burns down to the last flake. In so doing, it produces a very sharp, fast pressure rise but considerably less gas volume than a charge of rifle powder. The result is a load that produces nearly normal pressures, but which burns all its powder very quickly. The pressure drops almost as rapidly as it rises, and the reduced gas volume can’t continue to accelerate the bullet down a long bore.
In effect, the bullet gets a very hard, but quick shove, then coasts out the barrel. With a heavy bullet, this could result in dangerous pressures and terrible ballistics, but with light bullets, the result is reduced velocity, much reduced muzzle blast and recoil, less barrel heat and erosion, and a heckuva neat solution to our “wrong gun” problem.
Enough theory; let’s get to some shooting! I started experimenting with the .223 for two reasons: it’s my favorite varmint round, and it’s the one for which James Calhoon developed data. I loaded up a batch of military brass with standard small rifle primers, backed off of the maximum 14.0 grain load in the article by a full grain and seated some 37 grain Calhoon hollowpoints. In short, the exact load listed in the article, but reduced by one grain or about seven percent. He reported 3,240 fps from a 24” barrel. My 21” Rem 788 tripped the Oehler 35 at 3017, while my 14” Contender managed 2950. Groups? I was astounded to measure consistent half-inch five-shot clusters at 100 yards from both guns.
This load therefore achieves almost the exact performance I get from a Hornet/K-Hornet/Bee rifle with the same bullet, with accuracy that’s measurably better. Drop the charge another grain, and the accuracy stays just under an inch while velocity drops down to 2800. Case expansion, which is a reasonably accurate way to monitor relative pressure, shows that these loads deliver from three-quarters to full load levels. The big difference is in muzzle blast and recoil. They shoot and sound like a Hornet.
In addition to their valuable role in rifles, these loads are perfect for all-round use in the Contender, or other short-barreled guns. The fact that they deliver nearly the same accuracy and velocity as full-power loads is great, but their reduced blast and recoil are the real benefits here. I love to varmint hunt with a Contender, but the muzzle blast from some cartridges, and with some powders, will peel paint. Trigger a normal rifle load of H335 in the .223 from a 14” Contender, and you’ll see - and feel - what I mean: a fireball the size of a hot air balloon and a blast like a Weatherby with a muzzle brake! It hurts!
So far, I’ve tried .223 loads with bullets in the 35 to 50 grain bracket. I see no reason to try heavier bullets. With reduced speeds, a heavier bullet may not be stabilized. Here are some .223 loads that I like:
35-37 gr bullets 13.0 Blue Dot 3000 fps
40-45 gr 12.0 2800 - 2700
50 gr 11.5 2500
Want to make your Hornet into a .22 Mag? Try these:
35 gr bullets 7.0 Blue Dot 2400 fps
45 gr 6.0 2100
As always, the usual reloading precautions apply. These loads are normal to warm in my guns, but should be worked up for your use. Use no more than 0.3 grain charge increases after backing down one full grain for start loads. Standard small rifle primers in all loads, although small pistol primers may also be tried. Good shooting!
Addendum:
I have received several email messages adding to the data about Blue Dot loads. In the .22-250, several readers have reported that a good load uses 45-grain Hornet bullets over 14.0 grains of Blue Dot. This yields 2600 fps.
If you perform some similar experiments, I would be happy to pass along your reports! Thanks!
