Guys,

I'm loading 15.5 grains of Blue Dot under a 265gr Beartooth gas checked bullet.

At 50 yards, I'm getting about a 4 inch group with a 2.5x Leopold scope. I've been pretty spoiled by conventional bolt action/high mag scope/high velocity deer cartridges in the past.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure where I am velocity wise with the round. I'm using this ammo primarily on a Marlin 20" barrel 1894. The projectile diameter is .432" per Beartooth advice. I'll also be shooting this out of a Ruger SBH too.

Anyone have a good loadbook for this type round? I'd like to stick with Blue Dot since thats what I have on the shelf. I know Marshall has recommended 23.3gr of H110. If I dont get good feedback for the Blue Dot, I'll probably just go that route....

Thanks in advance for your help,

Shane

Lyman 48th Ed. has a Blue Dot listing on the .44 Mag for a 255 gr cast (in a 4" bbl, though) at 14.0 gr = 911 fps, max. of 17.4 gr = 1160 fps.

Since you're loading both a handgun and rilfe, anticipate you're wanting to use the same load in each, right?

Always had good luck with Alliant 2400 in my Ruger .44 Mag carbine. Lyman shows this to be the potentially most accurate powder in their manual. 18.2 gr = 915 fps and max. of 22.2 = 1165 fps.

My favorite, however, was a 240 gr JFP loaded with 24.5 gr of H110, a mag pistol primer and R-P brass. This load shows 1745 fps in the book and acutally chrono'd at 1700 fps at the range with the Ruger's shorter barrel. Accuracy was 3 MOA and less (depending on how well I shot that day).

Don't know if this answers your question in any regard, but thought I'd pass it along for what it's worth.

I am on my 2nd or third box of those rascals and I was getting pumelled by the H-110 not to mention the cost. The Blue Dot is a good idea. I was going to give it a try and some Universal but Marshall gave me a load with Accurate #5 and it has done well.

I am moving to the LFNGC now due to feed problems. I am not going to fool around this time. I am going straight to the soarce for this one and save the developement. Marshall has not been wrong yet.

When I retired, I spent the first three months at the range five days a week working up a load for a S&W 44 mag. Performance Center Master Hunter revolver with a Leupold 2X8 EER scope. After the tests to select the primer, brass and bullet, I then worked on 9 different powders. I went through 174 combinations of those powders and shot a little over 5000 rounds to determine the best powder for the 272gr. GC home cast bullet I was using. I was surprised to find Blue Dot was the most consistent and accurate.....better, in this instance, than H110 or W296 and other old stand-bys. 15.6 grains gave me 1345 fps and 2 inches at 100 yards.

So, while I can't address the Blue Dot rifle performance, I'd sure recommend it for the revolver, at least the one I have.

Dan

Now that is impressive. Was the Accuate#5 in your test and if so how did it fair? Wow!, DOK. I have a bunch of questions? Would you consider writting up your findings here?

That would be some valuable data. What about any reduced loads? No. I'm stopping asking. I would just go on and on.

Thanks Dan

Now that is impressive. Was the Accuate#5 in your test and if so how did it fair? Wow!, DOK. I have a bunch of questions? Would you consider writting up your findings here?

That would be some valuable data. What about any reduced loads? No. I'm stopping asking. I would just go on and on.

Thanks Dan

I kept all the results in a Microsoft Access data base, but don't think I kept it after I finished. I'll look around and see what I've got. The somewhat large number of rounds was based on testing at 25 yds. out to 200 yds. in 25 yd. increments. I can sure vouch that the 44 mag in revolver is not what you'd call flat shooting :) Sighted at 100 yds., it dropped 15 inches at 150 yds. and 31 inches at 200 yds. Elmer obviously had a lot talent to perform his long range shots.

Dan

You need AA#9 or Solo #4100 or H110/W296, #2400,
VN110 or LilGun.

Bill

Now that is impressive. Was the Accuate#5 in your test and if so how did it fair? Wow!, DOK. I have a bunch of questions? Would you consider writting up your findings here?

That would be some valuable data. What about any reduced loads? No. I'm stopping asking. I would just go on and on.

Thanks Dan

Chief,

Like a dummy, I didn't transfer the files from the old PC when I gave it to my son who did delete the files. I do remember that Accurate #5 was not one of the powders tested. I can also state that I continue to be surprised how much each of my 44 mag revolvers (qty 9) differ on the cartridge combination they prefer. That's part of the reason I didn't worry about the data as the next revolver tested (Ruger SBH) didn't agree with the S&W at all. Any way, I did sent you an email that includes another test of surplus H108, WC 820 and H110, W296 that I hope you find interesting.

Dan "not as organized as should be" K.

Thanks Dan. I will check out your PM.

Shane,
I have used Blue Dot in my 44 Mag with pretty poor results. It works great in my 10mm and 357, but not the 44. My advice is to get some slower powder such as H110. Good luck.

rt

I too recommend 2400 powder with Large pistol primers, thats what I use but H110 is also good powder in the 44 mag. with hunting loads.

I recently lost my reloading logs, due to a sump pump failure. However I have been using blue dot as one of the powders for evaluating the 44mag 240 for pistols and the 265 for the 16" marlin.
I loaded 15.0 of BD behind a 240 lead swc and ended up with a turned barrel in a SBH. I believe the load is fine for the Marlin. Sorry, when I can find my notes I will pass it along. I experienced no recoil problems, barrels looked ok. I est 1300+ fps / no gc. I think 5 rds turned a shorter barrel.
Jim

Jim,

What is a turned barrel?

Chief
The barrel rotated ccw looking at the muzzel. I think it unscrews it self. Shoots low and left. Ruger repaired it and I haven't tried it out yet. Had the same problem with this load on a 5.5 RH after 5 rds. In defence of Ruger, I have a 7.5 RH that has had a lot more heavy lead of the same load fired through it, maybe double, and the barrel has not turned. I don't think this problem is unique to Ruger. Some time ago S&W was pinning their barrels. Since every rag writer states that Ruger and FA are the only guns to handle stout loads, no one hot-rods the others. IMHO
Jim

Now, that is a problem. Scoping the thing is your only option if you can't do a build up of the front sight or bend it and if it keeps turning then that fix is out too. Man, they have to fix that.

The SBH came back fixed, and I am waiting ont he RH. I plan on keeping the hard cast at 1000 or less. My 265 bullets came from Rock Island and were made for the Marlin 1894 P. I think my rifle is not that sensitive to bullets, so that many "cone shaped" with a flat point will feed fine. I will probably use the remaining Laser Cast 240 pb in 44sp loads, and move on to gas checks in the mag. If I had never taken that red dot off the SBH I may not have noticed the barrel turning, for a while any way.
Jim

Bluedot is a good powder for light for caliber bullets in handguns. 88 gr JHP 9mm, 110's in 357, seems especially well suited for both the 10mm and 41 mag in any weight. I think its too fast for cases bigger than 41. I always end up shooting H-110 with heavy bullets in bigger calibers. I also think you'll notice that Bluedot and Unique both give greater perceived recoil with lower velocities than either H-110 or 2400. Both Bluedot and Uniue slam bullets into the forcing cone at higher velocities at max loads than H-110 or 2400 and I always get more leading at the forcing cone. However for light loads I shoot alot of Unique, it is very economical for the velocities it produces. I think the faster acceration helps upset cast bullets to seal the bore and prevent blowby. Bluedot is probably a better medium velocity powder than Unique in 44 mag and definately more economical than H-110 or 2400.