44 magnum Blue Dot recipes?

junker · October 23, 2011, 07:18 PM

I have some Blue Dot that I would like to use up. I have read that some people like it in 44 mag but I am having trouble finding recipes that relate directly to my 225 gr Round Nose Flat Point cast bullets.

From what I understand Blue Dot is ok in high pressure rounds but does poorly under low pressures (like 45 ACP). I figured using it in the 44 mag or 357 mag would be my best bet.

Does anyone have any load data for me to consider?

44 mag 225 gr cast RNFP
357 mag 158 gr cast LSWC

zxcvbob · October 23, 2011, 07:38 PM

I bought a pound of BlueDot a couple of years ago, intending to use it in .357 Magnum, but I never found a load that I liked. I also tried it in .30 Carbine and it didn't work there either. I used up the last couple of ounces in .45 Colt +P and it was wonderful in that cartridge. I was loading 255 grain cast bullets with 16.5 grains of BD and shooting them in a Ruger Bisley-Blackhawk. It was over 1300 fps, was not a max load (although it was getting close) and didn't cause any leading.

So 16.5 grains should also be a good load in .44 Mag with 240 grain cast bullets [eta: or 225's] it might be getting closer to max though because the .44 is a little smaller case, and also you'll be burning it at a higher pressure, so back off a little to start.

PawPaw · October 23, 2011, 08:38 PM

In the .357, try 10 grains of Blue Dot under that 158 cast bullet. I've used that load in the past and found it to be accurate in my SW pistols. It gave me about 1100 fps from my 4" guns, not quite the velocity I'd like, but it didn't show any leading and lube wasn't an issue at that velocity. I've since used up my Blue Dot and use 2400 or L'il Gun in my .357 loads.

FrankenMauser · October 23, 2011, 08:58 PM

I bought a pound a few years ago.

I never did find a revolver load that was worth my time.

I never did find a 9mm load that seemed useful (just trying to get rid of it).

However... I found an excellent .380 Auto Blue-Dot load.

Now, that pound of Blue-Dot will last me about 25 years... since I can't get anyone to take it off my hands.

2003flht · October 24, 2011, 08:45 AM

i'll take it! send it to me!

bluedot is what i use for my 10mm loads....

Scorch · October 24, 2011, 10:55 AM

I have loaded my 44 Mag with Blue Dot for about 25 years. Works very well out of my Redhawk.

240 gr JHP/JSP
WLP primer
18.0 gr Blue Dot

madmo44mag · October 24, 2011, 11:09 AM

Just my 2 cents.
I've been loading 44 mag for almost 35 years and have tried all kinds of powders and always come back to Elmer Keith favorite Alliant 2400.
Good loading range and selection of bullets can be used with 2400.

AlaskaMike · October 25, 2011, 11:14 AM

Lots of powders work well in .44 mag, but I've had relatively poor results with Blue Dot. Lots of unburned powder flakes that always seem to make their way under the ejector star and tie up the gun.

If you're just trying to get rid of it, it'll work okay and the fact that you're using 225 grain bullets (relatively light for caliber) is probably a good thing. Blue Dot gets pretty volatile at the upper end of it's pressure spectrum, and light for caliber bullets tend to mitigate that behavior somewhat.

one more shot · November 1, 2011, 04:19 PM

I stumbled across this website a few months ago. It's pretty awesome and the guy has a lot of information. Check him out.

http://stevespages.com/page8.htm

SRE · November 2, 2011, 06:50 PM

Blue Dot in 9mm 8 grains behind a 90g Hornady XTP.

I know this isn't pertaining to original thread, responding the FrakenMauser.

black mamba · November 2, 2011, 07:06 PM

Tried Blue Dot in both .44 mag and .45 Colt using both jacketed and cast bullets with only so-so results in Ruger 7-1/2" barreled single actions. Never bought a second pound.

October 23, 2011, 07:18 PM	#1
junker Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Posts: 65	44 magnum Blue Dot recipes? I have some Blue Dot that I would like to use up. I have read that some people like it in 44 mag but I am having trouble finding recipes that relate directly to my 225 gr Round Nose Flat Point cast bullets. From what I understand Blue Dot is ok in high pressure rounds but does poorly under low pressures (like 45 ACP). I figured using it in the 44 mag or 357 mag would be my best bet. Does anyone have any load data for me to consider? 44 mag 225 gr cast RNFP 357 mag 158 gr cast LSWC

October 23, 2011, 07:38 PM	#2
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	I bought a pound of BlueDot a couple of years ago, intending to use it in .357 Magnum, but I never found a load that I liked. I also tried it in .30 Carbine and it didn't work there either. I used up the last couple of ounces in .45 Colt +P and it was wonderful in that cartridge. I was loading 255 grain cast bullets with 16.5 grains of BD and shooting them in a Ruger Bisley-Blackhawk. It was over 1300 fps, was not a max load (although it was getting close) and didn't cause any leading. So 16.5 grains should also be a good load in .44 Mag with 240 grain cast bullets [eta: or 225's] it might be getting closer to max though because the .44 is a little smaller case, and also you'll be burning it at a higher pressure, so back off a little to start. Last edited by zxcvbob; October 23, 2011 at 08:49 PM.

October 23, 2011, 08:38 PM	#3
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	In the .357, try 10 grains of Blue Dot under that 158 cast bullet. I've used that load in the past and found it to be accurate in my SW pistols. It gave me about 1100 fps from my 4" guns, not quite the velocity I'd like, but it didn't show any leading and lube wasn't an issue at that velocity. I've since used up my Blue Dot and use 2400 or L'il Gun in my .357 loads. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

October 23, 2011, 08:58 PM	#4
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	I bought a pound a few years ago. I never did find a revolver load that was worth my time. I never did find a 9mm load that seemed useful (just trying to get rid of it). However... I found an excellent .380 Auto Blue-Dot load. Now, that pound of Blue-Dot will last me about 25 years... since I can't get anyone to take it off my hands. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

October 24, 2011, 08:45 AM	#5
2003flht Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 199	i'll take it! send it to me! bluedot is what i use for my 10mm loads.... __________________ "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming...Wow! What a ride!" Give a Liberal a fish, he'll ask for seconds. Teach a Liberal to fish, he'll sign up for unemployment...

October 24, 2011, 10:55 AM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I have loaded my 44 Mag with Blue Dot for about 25 years. Works very well out of my Redhawk. 240 gr JHP/JSP WLP primer 18.0 gr Blue Dot __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

October 24, 2011, 11:09 AM	#7
madmo44mag Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: Ft.Worth, Texas Posts: 1,522	Just my 2 cents. I've been loading 44 mag for almost 35 years and have tried all kinds of powders and always come back to Elmer Keith favorite Alliant 2400. Good loading range and selection of bullets can be used with 2400. __________________ Texas - Not just a state but an attitude! For monthly shooting events in DFW visit http://www.meetup.com/TexasGunOwner-DFW

October 25, 2011, 11:14 AM	#8
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	Lots of powders work well in .44 mag, but I've had relatively poor results with Blue Dot. Lots of unburned powder flakes that always seem to make their way under the ejector star and tie up the gun. If you're just trying to get rid of it, it'll work okay and the fact that you're using 225 grain bullets (relatively light for caliber) is probably a good thing. Blue Dot gets pretty volatile at the upper end of it's pressure spectrum, and light for caliber bullets tend to mitigate that behavior somewhat.

November 1, 2011, 04:19 PM	#9
one more shot Junior Member Join Date: September 18, 2011 Posts: 10	Great reference site I stumbled across this website a few months ago. It's pretty awesome and the guy has a lot of information. Check him out. http://stevespages.com/page8.htm

November 2, 2011, 06:50 PM	#10
SRE Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2011 Location: Southern York County, PA Posts: 145	Blue Dot in 9mm 8 grains behind a 90g Hornady XTP. I know this isn't pertaining to original thread, responding the FrakenMauser. __________________ Combat Commander

November 2, 2011, 07:06 PM	#11
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	Tried Blue Dot in both .44 mag and .45 Colt using both jacketed and cast bullets with only so-so results in Ruger 7-1/2" barreled single actions. Never bought a second pound.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search