green dot for .380 and .45acp (charge check?)

[Ethan.G]

does anyone agree disagree?

for the 45 i intend on using Plated 185 gr Flat Points, so around 6.1-6.8gr of powder

380 will be using Berrys Plated 100 gr Round Nose Hollow Base with around 2.8-3.1gr. i understand there might be some OAL issues? does any one have any experience with these bullets or powder combos.

[BDS-THR]

Berry's MFG recommends we use start-to-mid range jacketed load data. I have used lead load data for Berry's regular plated bullets rated to 1200 fps and jacketed load data for Hollow Base Thick Plated (HB/TP) bullets rated to 1450 fps with good results.

Here are 2004 Alliant load data for lead and jacketed bullets with Green Dot (note they are max charges so use 10% reduction as your start charge):

[Ethan.G]

cool cool looks like i got it right, so the oal wont be an issue with the hollow base? i intend on keeping these bullets sub sonic (personal preference) so im not worried about the plating ripping off

[zxcvbob]

The hollow base doesn't make any difference to the powder charge, it's just to give the bullet a longer bearing surface. I have a box of those bullets but haven't tried them yet (I haven't loaded any .380 in a long time, and usually use 95 grain cast bullets)

Three grains of Green Dot sounds about right. And Unique is the powder for .380 (about 4 grains, but look it up) when you want your little mousegun to really bite your hand when you shoot it.

[tom234]

Take your pick: http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Fre...M/Alliant.html

[Ethan.G]

iv used unique for 38spl and i cant say i really liked it

[Ethan.G]

oh man Tom234 that is the greatest link iv seen all month thank you man

[Sevens]

I have used Green Dot a scattered bit over many years. When you HAVE THE PROPER CHARGE, it seems to produce a fairly accurate and quite economical load. The very little bit I used it in .45 Auto worked so well under a lead bullet that I intend to try it again.

The big problem is that it meters like Unique in most equipment -- which is to say, it meters really crappy, like crushed oreo cookies.

And if using it in a small volume case like .380, where you need a small charge, you'll have to be really careful that you get the powder drop that you think, expect, or hope you are getting. If you get too light a charge, you will stick a bullet in your bore. Go ahead, ask me how I know!

It's my recommendation that you don't even use Green Dot, especially in a small volume case like .380. Unless an old Uncle gave you 10 pounds of the stuff, just treat yourself to something better for the role.

[Ethan.G]

i intend on weighing/trickling every single case (ocd/pride + a whole LOT of free time) so im not Too too worried about the metering.
Having said that, What powder do you recommend? as i said before these are the two bullets i intend to load and id like to keep them sub sonic

[Slamfire]

Green Dot worked very well in 45 ACP and 38 Special. It functioned the M1911's at low velocity and shot accurately.

Have no idea what it would do in a 380, but since it is a fast powder, don't see why it would not work well.

Kimber Custom Classic 

230 gr LRN  4.5 grs Bullseye 99' & 2005 mixed lot Mixed Brass WLP (brass)
 °F OAL 1.250"	taper crimp .469"
16-May-09	 high 83 

Ave Vel =805.2				
Std Dev =38.07				
ES =	136.9				
High = 912.4				
Low =	775.5				
N =	24				

230 LRN 4.5 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP  Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"

27 Feb 2010         T = 48 ° F	
			
Ave Vel =708 fps	 
Std Dev =12		 
ES =	40		
High = 727		
Low =	687		
N =	9		

accurate, little high, mild recoil
			
230 LRN 5.0 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP  Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
27 Feb 2010         T = 48 ° F	
			
Ave Vel =802fps	
Std Dev =19		
ES =	61		
High = 841		
Low =	780		
N =	15		
	 		
230 LRN 5.5 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP  Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"

27 Feb 2010         T = 48 ° F	
			
Ave Vel =873	fps	
Std Dev =30		
ES =	88		
High = 	922		
Low =	834		
N =	11		



M1911 Springfield Armory 5” Kart Barrel		
					
					
230 LRN 4.5 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP  Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"

27 Feb 2010         T = 48 ° F			
					
Ave Vel =719	fps			
Std Dev =26				
ES =	105.1				
High = 	771				
Low =	665.9				
N =	14
				
accurate, little high, mild recoil		
					
230 LRN 5.0 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP  Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
27 Feb 2010         T = 48 ° F			
					
Ave Vel =803  fps			
Std Dev =25				
ES =	97				
High = 	867				
Low =	770				
N =	16
				
Accurate, centered

230 LRN 5.5 grs Green Dot lot 178 WLP  Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"

27 Feb 2010   T = 48 ° F			
					
Ave Vel =853  fps			
Std Dev =29				
ES =	116				
High = 	918				
Low =	802				
N =	15				
very accurate, centered