what is a good use for Blue Dot?

[Dand]

A few days ago I reread the Blue Dot warning thread at the top of this forum. Yesterday I discovered I had a 100 rounds of 41 mag loaded with BD in 07. In fact I bought the BD just for the 41. Well, I unloaded those rounds with a hammer puller and will reload with a better powder. Thanks again for the warning.

But, seeing some of the comments on Blue Dot I wonder if there is a good use besides fertilizer. I have about half a pound left.

[Grumulkin]

It's great for 44 Rem. Mag. loads.  There's a guy on another forum that also uses it in a bunch of different rifle cartridges and claims to get good results with it (not something I have tried).

[Luckyducker]

I use BlueDot as my "go to" powder for 357Mag with 158 grain slugs.  The only complaint I have with BD is that in cold weather it leaves a few granules of unburnt powder but not enough to be problematic.  The warning issued by Alliant is against using it in 357 with light bullets: IE 125 grains or less.  I have loaded BD to over Max load with 158 grain bullets in my Taurus M66 and the only thing it hurt was my hand because of brutal recoil.

[Badnews Bob]

I use it for light loads in several rifle loads

[BBF]

My Lyman book shows  BD used in every bullet they feature for the 41 Mag. I have used it in the 44 Rem Mag and in the 45-70 Govt. It is also used in 12 gauge max loads.

[Dand]

thanks, I have made a few 357 loads with Blue Dot but not much.  I load quite a few 140 and 158 gr for the 357 so will use it up there.  Have to say from the loads I tried in the 41, I did not find it as good at 2400 or H110.

[BBF]

In the application I have, H-110 and WW-296 are tops for the 44 Mag
Blue Dot works in the 45-70 with cast bullets, so does Trail Boss, 2400, IMR 4227.

[Tom W.]

Blue dot is good in the .45 Colt, too.

I just loaded up some last night with 9 grains and a 180 gr cast for my .357, and shot a few this morning. Did good, too!

[Lone Star]

In spite of what many chicken littles believe, the Alliant warning did not say to never use BlueDot in the .41 Magnum.  What they said was not to use their data for the .357Mag/125 loads and all their .41 Mag loads.  If you had loaded your .41 with data other than Alliant's it will be fine.  Whoever wrote the press release does not have a very good grasp of English usage.   

Like others here, I have used BD plenty over the past three decades.  It is very stable IME, gives .44 Mag velocities nearly as high as slow burners like H110 with noticeably less recoil, is very accurate and very versatile.  I use it in my .45-70s for low-power hunting loads, and in my .22-250 and .260 for medium range hunting loads (where it gives sub-moa accuracy and low recoil - but not low pressures).  Some like it, some appear to hate it, but Alliant still sells a lot of it.   


.

[Dand]

good point Lone Star, maybe that's why I didn't dump that box of loads earlier when I first read the warnings. I was using Lyman, Sierra, and Nosler data I think.  Drat - maybe I should have read further. Oh well, like I say, I wasn't finding great results in the 41 as I recall. Thanks.

[Steve P]

I have been using Blue Dot with 125 bullets in several of my .357s for over 30 years.  I have not purchased any new powder in about 10 years because of buying out the store stock on a sale.  My Trooper Mark III loves a healthy dose of blue dot and 125 grain hollow points.   

I guess I better check out this warning.................

Steve

[Steve P]

Well, now I know.........YIKES.......

I won't shoot my loads in any modern handguns.  I will only shoot them in the guns they were designed for OR better yet, tear them down and use the balance of the powder in something else. 

Steve


I wonder if it will make carrots blue?     

[JustaShooter]

In spite of what many chicken littles believe, the Alliant warning did not say to never use BlueDot in the .41 Magnum.  What they said was not to use their data for the .357Mag/125 loads and all their .41 Mag loads.  If you had loaded your .41 with data other than Alliant's it will be fine.  Whoever wrote the press release does not have a very good grasp of English usage.   
.

I just re-read the entire warning on their web site several times, and it does specifically say not to use Blue Dot in those two applications - 125gr .357 Magnum loads, and any .41 magnum loads.  I can't figure a way to read it that it comes close to what you are saying.  It is quite concisely written and conveys a very specific message.  Do you have other information from Alliant that leads you to your conclusion?

Just a Shooter

[gypsyman]

I have used it for .357,.44, and 10ga. I seen the warning on using this for the light 125gr. bullets, and I'll be honest. I really don't remember ever using it for the light bullets. But, I went back thru 9 reloading manuals, the first one I got was Lyman,45 edition, printed in 1970, was the only one that didn't have any load data for that combination. They must have changed the powder composition in the last batch. I'll heed their warning, as for that bullet I would want a quicker burning powder anyway.  gypsyman

[stimpylu32]

Alliant Powder periodically reviews and tests their published reloading data to verify that our recommended recipes have not changed over time.

These are the first 2 lines from their warning , pay heed to the last 3 words , this tells me that something has changed in either the process of making their most resent batches of powder or they have gone to a newer type of testing and found that something is diffrent from what they had before .

Would I still shoot 41 Mag rounds that were loaded 5 years ago with BlueDot , not likely , just because I don't know what changed -- the powder or the way they test the powder BUT SOMETHING HAS CHANGED   

stimpy

[JustaShooter]

I agree with you 100% stimpy.  Something changed, and we don't know what.

They didn't say "be sure to use our new load data" and then update their website with new load data.  They didn't say "don't use these lots of Blue Dot" or "don't use Blue Dot made before/after/between these dates". Instead they said "don't use Blue Dot in these applications" and then removed the Blue Dot data for those applications from their website.  I think it is clear what their intent was.  Anyone who chooses to ignore that warning is asking for trouble. 

But hey, I'm not an engineer working for Alliant, I am
Just a Shooter

[charles p]

I think I fire formed some 280 Rem to 280 Ackley using a small load of Blue Dot and toilet paper.  Been 15 years ago.

[MnMike]

I used to use it for 10mm until I tried AA9.

I am trying to use it up in reduced 50S&W loads with filler.

mike

[Blackhawk44]

BD works fine for plinker .223's.  Its great in .38 Special +P loads(really great in carbines) and .45 Colt.  BD gives me the best accuracy in full power 230gr .45 ACP loads.