Blue Dot for loading 9mm

[ptmn]

I developed my Blue Dot loads from the Lyman manual. It is a LOT more conservative than the Alliant powder website data.

I wasn't looking for any super fast loads, I just needed something that was reliable, safe and accurate. Oh, most important, I needed a load that used BD, since I got an 8lb can.

Maybe in the future I'll start some load development on some speed demon loads. They would be useful for steel plates and bowling pins, but for now I'm happy with average loads. They make it a lot easier to get my girlfriend to go shooting.

Speaking of the girlfriend, it's frustrating to take her shooting, since she has no concept of how much ammo costs or how much work goes into loading it. But I have to be patient with her, otherwise she might not want to go shooting.

[UnknownShooter]

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.

I do want to chrono that load out of the carbine, it has to be screamin'

[bigchinner]

I figured, if you're loading 9mm, why use 7.something grains of blue dot when you would use less than 5. grains of 231. I think I used some of my blue dot for .40sw also a while back. I think I still have 1/2 lb. Great in 357 magnum.

[ptmn]

I prefer 231, but I'm pretty much out and supply and demand issues make it too difficult to obtain at a decent price right now.

Then out of no where, one of my buddies gave me an 8lb can of Blue Dot. That's why I'm using it for 9mm. After settling on 6.6gr for the 124gr plated and 7.2gr for the 115gr plated, I'm inclined to like BD for the 9mm

[coryhenry]

I used 6.8 of BD pushing a Hornady 115 HAP and have had good results. It is flashy.

[7.62Boi]

I just got 2lbs of Alliant Blue Dot, mite need some good tips on loading 9mm winchester & Federal Brass, CCi no.500 primers, Xtremebullets copperplated 115gr projectiles,

[Just-in]

Good read.

[ptmn]

7.62Boi, your bullets are similar to the Berry's that I used. I would think that you could use the same data.

I started with Lyman 49th data for 115gr using Blue Dot, I think it was 6.8gr starting to 7.6gr max.

I used mixed brass, CCI Sm pistol primers, Berrys 115gr round nose, seated to 1.135". I worked up to 7.2gr and that's the load I like, so I'm sticking with it.

Using the Berry's 124gr round nose I worked up to 6.6gr and I'm happy with that.

Let me know what your results are. I hope they are as good as my results.

[ptmn]

7.62Boi, there is one other thing, if you are using a Lee disk type powder measure, I found it didn't work well for accurate throws with Blue Dot. I had to use my CH powder measure instead and it worked just fine with accurate throws.

If you have a powder measure other than a Lee disk type, I suggest you use it instead of the Lee.

Since my initial load development, I started loading in bulk with whatever cases I have. Cranked out 600 more rounds on my single stage press and took the girlfriend shooting again. She really likes the mold recoil of both the 115 and 124gr loads. She can't even feel the recoil difference between the two weights.

[7.62Boi]

Ptmn:
Thanks for the infos, i have the Hornady 9th Edition reloading book, it doesnt show any data for 115gr fmj-rn for Blue Dot, it does show it for 124gr projectile, i just got some CFEPistol powders also, going to do some test loads for
CFEPistols, Blue Dot, HP-38, and Longshot, 3 rds of each starting from minimum load to max load, increments of .3 to .5 grains of each powders