Blue Dot for loading 9mm

[ptmn]

I was running low on W231 and I ended up receiving an 8lb can of old Blue Dot, so old it's marked Hercules instead of Alliant.

I was weary at first, since I read in several postings that Blue Dot is a horrible performer when loading 9mm. I ended up loading 100 rds of 9mm 115gr Berrys plated with 7.2gr, CCI SP primers, Speer cases, seated to 1.135" and 100rds using 124gr Berrys played with 6.6gr

Results were excellent accuracy, no pressure signs and perfect functioning in both my Brett 92FS and Glock 19.

The burn was pretty complete. Not quite as clean as W231, but no more dirtier than Unique.

Big question is if Blue Dot is such a poor performer in 9mm, are my excellent results due to the fact I'm using the old Blue Dot formulation from Hercules instead if the current Alliant manufacture?

I'm curious to hear from loaders that have used both Hercules and Alliant Blue Dot for 9mm and what differences they noticed between the two powders.

BTW, if there are typo errors in this post, it's most likely due to the fact I'm creating this post off my Blackberry

[J-cat]

The reason you heard Blue Dot was bad in the 9 is because the people telling you this are liars who have never used it.

[rm1911]

I have a couple of pounds of BD. Old bottles. Hmmm...might have to try that recipe.

Blue dot is a great 357mag powder. I think a lot of your question is that older powders, and many years ago when powder availability was never an issue, powders that had been around a long time got kinda got locked in to a caliber or type of round.

For instance bullseye is the 45 powder. And a great 38 powder too. People developed loads for green dot, red dot, etc. , especially unique, for a variety of calibers. As rounds like 9mm and later 40 got more popular, powders began to be developed specifically for those rounds. But some powders never really got used for other calibers. I'm not surprised blue dot have you good results in 9. It's a great powder. Sure it works "best" in magnum loads but it should work well in non mag loads too.

[ironhorse1]

There should be no difference in the powder due to an ownership change.

All canister grade powders must be very consistant in burn rate to avoid any possible legal ramifications.

I think Blue dot is ok for loads in the 9mm. There was a warning from Alliant about use in the .41 magnum

The only thing bad about it is it is very flashy and it does not meter well.

Now it can definitely produce some hot and fast loads in the 9mm.

Velocities over 1300fps are possible with 115jhp's and a full charge of BD.

I can tell you that I ran thousands of these full power loads through a S&W 639.

These loads are hard on the gun and the shooter.

I had to look up your loads in an old Hornady manual as I could not recall using less than 8 grains

with either 115jhp or 125fmj. Except when I tried some 147 grain bullets.

Blue dot does not work well in the .38 special but is excellent in the .357.

Warning letter posted to thread for those who may not have read it previously.


ATK Commercial Products
900 Ehlen Drive Anoka, MN 55303

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Dick.Quesenberry@ATK.com or call me at 540-639-8503.

Dick Quesenberry
Alliant Powder
Product Line Manager

[ptmn]

It was pretty hard to meter Blue Dot in my Lee Disk powder measure. I ended up having to use my CH powder measure instead. The charges went thru the CH smoothly.

I'm pretty happy with the two loads, they were both slightly more accurate in the Beretta. I wonder if it has something to do with the Beretta's barrel being longer than my Glock 19. Not sure, it could just be me being less accurate with my Glock.

I'm planning to load a batch of 1000 115's and 1000 124's, since that load shot so well. I am a bit worried about when I use up this batch of powder, since I will have to switch over to the Alliant manufacture. Not sure how much it will change things with my loads.

I do like W231 better, since I only have to use 4.2gr vs 6.6gr of BD when I load the 124gr plated. But beggars can't be choosers, I am out of W231 and a friend gave me the 8lb can of BD. His sister in laws husband was a reloader and he passes away, so they had no use for the powder and they gave it to me. I am glad to have the powder, but I wish I received it under different circumstances.

[buffybuster]

Blue Dot is on the slow side for 9x19 loads, but it is an excellent powder for heavier bullet loads. It needs pressure to burn clean.

It's not great for high volume progressive loading because the flakes don't meter that great compared to ball powders.

As long as the powder has been stored correctly, it should be fine.

[ptmn]

Ironhorse1, I never thought about the cannister grade issue and liability. I'm glad you advised me of this. It makes sense, so I guess I won't stress anymore about using up my powder and buying current manufacture.

I hear people mentioning that BD is good for 357 Magnum, does this indicate that it might be good for loading 44 Mag? I saw your post about not using it in 41 Mag, so I'm a bit leary, since 44 Mag is pretty similar in size. You have any experience with BD in 44 Mag? There is some data in my load manuals, but none of them reference the factory warning that you posted

[ironhorse1]

I have not loaded 44 Mag so I'm no help there.

The warning is very specific about the .41 and light bullets in the .357.

Most new load data is reduced from the old manuals.

I can say I loaded plenty of old data magnum loads in the .357 and never damaged any revolver. Some of the primers were pretty flat.

I was able to chronograph the loads at the time so I know that I was getting some good velocity.

Now days I keep a pound of AA#7 on hand to substitute for Blue dot.

It meters well, has almost no flash and no signs of high pressure.

Nothing wrong with using Blue dot but it is best in full power loads.

irh

[ptmn]

rm1911, I wonder if your "Old bottles" of BD are as old as the can I got. The can I have is so old, the can is made out of cardboard and has a metal top and bottom. I'm not all that impressed with the design, since the flat metal top is going to make it difficult to get the last grains out of the can as it gets more empty. Might have to cut the cardboard can open once I get to the last of it.

I was surprised it shot so well, since it is so old. I did the sniff test to make sure it hadn't degraded before I loaded with it. I also got a can of H380 with the BD, but the H380 didn't pass the sniff test. It smelled like rotten vinegar, so I used it on my lawn as fertilizer. Seemed like a waste, but I didn't want to risk life, limb or cherished rifle using questionable H380.

[bigchinner]

I remember using blue dot and yes, it doesn't quite flow well with progressive reloaders. I also do remember the volume being much more than 231 and so you just don't get as much rounds out of the pound.

[UnknownShooter]

looking through my notebook, 7.7gr of blue dot behind a 124gr montana gold bullet has a "+++ love!" next to it.. thats shooting it with my hi-point carbine.. i'd make more, but im out of blue dot...

[seramafarm]

I load cast 44 magnum with blue dot works amazing

[Swagman00]

looking through my notebook, 7.7gr of blue dot behind a 124gr montana gold bullet has a "+++ love!" next to it.. thats shooting it with my hi-point carbine.. i'd make more, but im out of blue dot...

Wow, 7.7 gr. in 9mm? I can't remember the last time I put more then 3-5.5 of anything in a case that small.

Just took a look at the Alliant PDF and it shows a max charge load @:

124 gr Speer GDHP Blue Dot CCI 500 Speer 1.120" 7.9 1238 FPS

That's cookin.

I was going to save my BD for SIG .357, but this looks tempting to try.

[wild_weasel]

I have flirted with Blue Dot but found 2400 more versatile in 357 Magnum. Just picked up a pound of CFE Pistol which is a bit faster than Blue Dot and look forward to trying that in 9mm myself.

[rm1911]

Wow, 7.7 gr. in 9mm? I can't remember the last time I put more then 3-5.5 of anything in a case that small.

my favorite 9mm load is 6 grains of AA#5 and a 115jhp or fmj. depends on powder density I guess.