Blue Dot Powder and Low light firing

mr-geep · February 1, 2010, 07:11 PM

I just had a friend give me about 500 rounds of 9mm hollow-point ammunition. He said they were loaded hot with Blue Dot powder (I dont remember exactly how much now and I'm at work so I can't look at the boxes),
Anyway, he said he was at a indoor range in low light and everytime he fired, the flash from his Beretta was so bad, he completly lost his night vision and his accusition of the target. This is an issue that had never really occured to me until he brought it up. Someone breaks into your house, you meet them in the dark, you fire....lights out.
Has anyone out there experienced this, and is there a better powder/load combo to use for HD at night when your most likely to need it?

BTW, he is a very experienced handloader and I trust him with my life otherwise I don't accept other peoples handloads unless I'm gonna pull the bullets.

[email protected] · February 2, 2010, 12:31 AM

For legal reasons, you shouldn't use handloads for HD, as some lawyer could argue you're cooking up the "perfect killing machine" or some such. That being said, a faster powder might be in order. I'll take those rounds for my 9mm carbine though

Chinny33 · February 2, 2010, 01:39 PM

That is true,

DO NOT USE HAND LOADS for self defense.

Massad Ayoob has written MANY MANY articles about why NOT to use handloads/reloads for self defense, in legal terms. Look it up online somewhere...they are extremely convincing articles on why not to use such ammo.

Yes, lawyers sit around ALL day thinking of ways to convince 12 people in a jury that the ammo said person used was the ultimate KILLER of bullets EVER in existence and might as well have used poison darts, because they are on equal playing field.

sad truth

zxcvbob · February 2, 2010, 02:03 PM

I use Unique or Bullseye, but I haven't tried shooting them at night. I tried American Select (in .38 Special) and I loved it except for the blinding white flash. I didn't expect that from such a fast powder.

markj · February 2, 2010, 04:11 PM

When we used to hunt coons at night I would aim with one eye closed so after the shot I could still see where he fell.

February 1, 2010, 07:11 PM	#1
mr-geep Member Join Date: January 15, 2010 Location: Northern Idaho Posts: 46	Blue Dot Powder and Low light firing I just had a friend give me about 500 rounds of 9mm hollow-point ammunition. He said they were loaded hot with Blue Dot powder (I dont remember exactly how much now and I'm at work so I can't look at the boxes), Anyway, he said he was at a indoor range in low light and everytime he fired, the flash from his Beretta was so bad, he completly lost his night vision and his accusition of the target. This is an issue that had never really occured to me until he brought it up. Someone breaks into your house, you meet them in the dark, you fire....lights out. Has anyone out there experienced this, and is there a better powder/load combo to use for HD at night when your most likely to need it? BTW, he is a very experienced handloader and I trust him with my life otherwise I don't accept other peoples handloads unless I'm gonna pull the bullets. __________________ "The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission." John F. Kennedy

February 2, 2010, 12:31 AM	#2
[email protected] Member Join Date: December 10, 2007 Posts: 73	For legal reasons, you shouldn't use handloads for HD, as some lawyer could argue you're cooking up the "perfect killing machine" or some such. That being said, a faster powder might be in order. I'll take those rounds for my 9mm carbine though __________________ everything in moderation. except, of course, moderation itself.

February 2, 2010, 01:39 PM	#3
Chinny33 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 248	Legal reasons....awww That is true, DO NOT USE HAND LOADS for self defense. Massad Ayoob has written MANY MANY articles about why NOT to use handloads/reloads for self defense, in legal terms. Look it up online somewhere...they are extremely convincing articles on why not to use such ammo. Yes, lawyers sit around ALL day thinking of ways to convince 12 people in a jury that the ammo said person used was the ultimate KILLER of bullets EVER in existence and might as well have used poison darts, because they are on equal playing field. sad truth __________________ PLAN PLAN PLAN A prudent man forsees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished Proverbs 27:12

February 2, 2010, 02:03 PM	#4
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	I use Unique or Bullseye, but I haven't tried shooting them at night. I tried American Select (in .38 Special) and I loved it except for the blinding white flash. I didn't expect that from such a fast powder. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

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February 2, 2010, 04:11 PM	#5
markj Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2005 Location: Crescent Iowa Posts: 2,971	When we used to hunt coons at night I would aim with one eye closed so after the shot I could still see where he fell.