Anyone using Red Dot powder for pistol loads?

[bkhann]

I have 16 lbs of red dot powder sitting on my shelf for loading shotgun loads (the need never materialized).

Anyhow I load 9mm, 357 Mag, 380 ACP, 45 ACP and 44 Mag. Is anyone using Red Dot powder for these pistol sizes, and how does it perform?

[Clark]

I shot a squirrel yesterday with 1 gr Red dot 150 gr 45/70 400 fps.

The case is filled with Aluminium for higher expansion ratio, so it is like a pistol cartridge, and the bullet touches the lands for accuracy.

It is amazing what 1 gr of Red Dot can do, when burned efficiently.

[gspman]

4.5 grns red dot 200 grn swc 45acp is a very accurrate for me. try it. It will take you several lifetimes to burn that much powder in pistol cartridges.Its alot like bullseye just does not meter as well but shoots good GSPMAN

[Rangefinder]

1.6gr for 80gr cast bullet in 32ACP, 3gr for a 38SPL 158gr SWC, 4.4gr for a 175gr SWC in 40S&W, 5gr for a 158gr SWC in 357 Mag... Yup, I have a Red Dot load for just about everything I load for, including my rifles.

[GP100man]

Reddot is a fast powder ,Id say 1/2notch under BE.

It is a very tolerant low pressure powder as you see it in reduced rifle/revolver loads.

It also gets very pressure sensitive when crowded.

If this is the old blend it burns not so clean ,where the newer burns somewhat cleaner.
It will burn clean in it`s comfort zone though.

[Diesel9]

Yup. 5.0 gr of Red Dot with a 230 gr fmj bullet works great in my (.45 acp) 1911's. 16 lbs would probably be a lifetime supply for me.

[plateshooter]

I use 3.8gr with a 158gr SWC in my 38s and 357 for target and self defense loads. Alliant shows that load as a 38+p.

4.2gr in my 40 S&W loads with a 180 gr lead bullet.

4gr in my 9mm 124gr lead loads.

13gr with a 160gr gas checked lead bullet in my 30-06. I shoot water bottles at 100 yds with that load. Very accurate in my rifle.

Guess you could say that I really like Red Dot. I buy mine in the 8lb jugs.

[Wallyl]

An excellent powder as it is fluffier and fills cases better/more than does Bullseye, W-231, or Unique. I use it in all my pistol loads. Promo is the same as Red Dot, just a bit denser..you adjust the Powder Charge accordingly and a 8 pound jug costs $88.00. One cannot use it in the .357/.41/.44 Magnums for full loads--I load to about 1,100 FPS Muzzle Velocity and it does well for that. As with Bullseye or W-231, just be careful not to double charge---place charged cases in a loading block and inspect with a flashlight..no big deal IMHO. This is something that should be done anyway to make certain all cases are charged and filled to the same level anyway. Of couse if you use a Progressive loader one cannot do so. I fing it cleaner burning than Bullseye or Unique.

[Mike Irwin]

Years ago I loaded Red Dot for 9mm and .38 Special.

It had two characteristics...

1. Gave excellent accuracy in the 9, astounding accuracy in the .38.

2. It was, without a doubt, the filthiest powder I have ever used.

I went back to 231 for my handgun rounds and saved the Red Dot for my 12 gauge loads.

[Mike40-11]

It was, without a doubt, the filthiest powder I have ever used.

Worse than Flaming Dirt, I mean, Unique?

I have a jug of Promo left over from shotgun loading and was planning on working up some 9 and .45 loads but the crud was why I stopped using Unique......

[rclark]

My goto load for .357 is Red Dot. 5g of Red Dot under 158g SWC bullet chrono's at 1019fps out of 6 1/2" barrel.

I've used it for .357, .44Spec, .44Mag, .45 Colt, and .45 ACP. Found accurate loads in all these calibers. Not for 'magnum' loads but good general purpose loads ... ie. 'fun' loads. Excellent powder! ... and I don't find any 'filthier' than any other powder I've used....

4.5g red dot 200g swc 45acp is a very accurrate for me.

+1 . I like that load too. Note I don't have a semi-auto, but shoot them from my .45 Convertibles.... However, I have settled on 5.0g of Bullseye under 200g TC bullet as my goto load for this bullet .... for no other reason than 'just because' . Both shoot very well.

[CADILLAC HOOSIER]

A friend gave me about 6lbs fo Red Dot when he quit loading shot shells and I'm like rclark, loading 357 magnum, 158 gr SWC over 5.0-5.3 grains of powder. Shoots good in my ruger blackhawk and as accurate as I can shoot. Load and shoot safe, HOOSIER.

[drail]

I shot a ton of Red Dot back in the 80s (.41 .44 and .45ACP) and found that - it IS kind of dirty and it will either go through your powder measure freely - or it won't. My Uniflow worked OK with it. Watch for bridging in your powder measure. If you're loading on a progressive pay very close attention to each case's powder level.

[Miata Mike]

1. Gave excellent accuracy in the 9, astounding accuracy in the .38.

My observation too. I have worked up a 231 powder load however for my go to high quantity .38 special loads.

[Salmoneye]

I shoot Red Dot in everything from .38 S&W, to .30-06, including round ball loads in .30-30...

Page 42 for handgun loads:

http://glarp.atk.com/2004/2004Catalo...ntPowderSM.pdf

Various reduced loads for lever gun calibers (Many Red Dot loads):

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

C. E. Harris, 'The Load':

http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/TheLoad.html

[Salmoneye]

@Clark

The case is filled with Aluminium for higher expansion ratio, so it is like a pistol cartridge, and the bullet touches the lands for accuracy.

Can you please explain the "case is filled with Aluminium for higher expansion ratio" part, please?

[Shotgun693]

I've been using Red Dot in my .45 Colt revolvers for over a year. I don't know about the 'old' stuff but what I'm using is much cleaner than Trail Boss or Unique. Very accurate too.

[Crankylove]

I have some Red Dot i use for .45 Auto and .41 Mag. Shoots well, and since I got the powder for free, its also quite economical.

[wyobohunter]

Yes, for .380 ACP, 38 spcl, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 45 colt shotshells... Just starting to expirement with reduced rifle loads too.

I got a huge amount of this stuff free so I use it whenever I can.