Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles IMR Blue alternative to Blue dot

Hi, I have used Seafires blue dot loads for several calibers and was wondering if anyone has used IMR Blue instead as an alternative.

Just as Seafire has done I like to keep my options open.

Working up slowly until pressure signs show up is one way to see if it works along with a chrono. Filling the case and taking 60% as the max for that cartridge is also a way but which way to use first?

very close to same burn rate......

http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Burn%20Rates%20-%202015-2016.pdf

I see that. That's what got my hopes up. If it is just a clone then it should load the same and hopefully produce the same velocity as regular blue dot loads. At the same time allowing more loads per pound.

Heavy

12/BD in my 223 w/53 V max is accurate & quiet

9/BD in 300 BLK w/110 Nozler...cool load too

HVY Dove,

I have some of IMR's and when I have time I was going to test it to compare with Blue Dot....

I was going to test the 223 and 243 first...followed maybe by the 06.

If you aren't in a hurry...

don't start out at the 60% rule...that would be like starting at max, and I don't know how much IMR Blue Will pressure spike at all...

I was planning on doing the same Seafire..... .223 , .243, and .30-06. Chrono all of them and such...
And yes, I was not going to start out at 60%.
I know better, I am not in a hurry, I understand that is the max in grains for the load.
I was going to start at the same load rate as per blue dot and watch for the pressure.

My favorite .223 load is a 55 gr sftpt on top of 14.5gr. of 2400 OR..... load of 13gr of H110.

And Hey Tikka, I load for the Black also. Mine is 11gr. Bd under a 150 gr. fmj 100yds,... 1moa in a AAC Handy rifle single shot.
The 110vmax and 110 Nosler Varmageddon is 21.5 gr. H110. REMY 700 SPS, the short barreled affair bolt action.

H Dove,

Just for Info's sake...


your 14.5 grains load with a 55 grain is above what I recommend...

that is the max load I recommend with a 40 grain bullet.

14 with a 50 and 13.5gr with a 55 grain bullet...

I thought 18.5gr was max for 40-50gr. and 18gr was max for 55-63gr of 2400? I printed it out from two different forums so I would not forget.I got them from predatormasters forum and I think here too.

I have not had any trouble with the load at all. No loose primer pockets or blown primers and the brass is fine, ..... but if there is updated load data that I need to change to?
If I need to back it down I will.

H Dove,

I've tested it higher than the max loads I have listed...

there was no increase in velocity, but there was times it was blowing primers...not always, but Blue Dot by its nature will pressure spike at some points...

When I finally had the velocity plateau, I saw no reason to go further

I know you can run higher charges with 2400, over Blue Dot...

18.5 grains being max, will work fine in a 22.250, not a 223.

any info to the effect of 18.5 being max, that data didn't come from me...actually someone may have written down 13.5 as max, and then reposted it, and typo wrote 18.5 vs 13.5..

I've seen data people said they got from me... yet I can attest it exceeds my data and findings...thinking some are taking 22.250 data and applying it to the 223.

I have no control over what morons do on their own...I've always tried to be specific of what point not to exceed...

but as always, I get reports or hear of people trying to exceed those parameters to get more velocity.. defeating the purpose of the whole concept.

I've posted the data more than enough times on the Campfire here...

if it isn't a post of mine, I'd not use the data others have posted...

I've learned NOT ALL handloaders have or utilize common sense...

Hey Thanks!!!

I appreciate the help.

I understand completely where you are coming from. I sure am glad I mentioned it offhand.

I did chrono my loads and did see a small increase in velocity........ not much....... and accuracy was the same. TEST rifle was a savage model 10.

So Heavy will pull the bullets ( I only have 20 left anyway) and re-measure to 13.0 gr ....

I will back it down.

AND.... I have changed my data logs to reflect this change for later.

Heavy, Seafire is the foshizzle when it comes to playing with Blue Dot where no one has gone before. I've gotten almost exactly the same results as he has, specific and in general trends, with his data and suggestions. Glad to have someone of "us" doing the stuff no lawyer would ever allow.....

I have played around with 700X,800X, AA9, unique, green dot, red dot, blue dot, titeWad... yes titeWad , Herco, 2400, H110, PB, both 4198's, .....all in the.223 Remy.

The .243 I have tried 700x and Blue dot, with 70 grain up to 100grain.

James Calhoon's site got me started a long, long time ago.

All went well no pressure problems and such. That Lyman cast bullet manual is....nice. Using common sense and not getting in a rush is paramount.

Are cast bullets a requirement or can jacketed bullets be used instead?

Calhoon & Seafire's BD & 4159 loads are for jacketed. I've used some of both and can attest that they are useful and accurate.

Next trip to the range I'll find out if Lil' Gun has potential with these BlitzKing blems I have.

Cliff,

all I've ever used for my load data has been jacketed bullets....

Danke, John.

Blue Dot and Seafire are the best! I ran across 1000 cast 60 grain .224 PC bullets CHEAP ( not politically correct, powder coated) and load them so they just crawl out of my 14" barrel all day shootin quietly so I can hear the CLang of steel up close

Looking forward to results of Seafire's IMR Blue test. If it matches Blue Dot in rifle cartridges, I'll probably pick up an 8er of it.

Well Tracy,

Sorry I haven't had the time in my schedule to test IMRs Blue the way I wanted to.

We are strictly talking about testing it in cartridges like the 223, and others shot in rifles, with reduced velocity.

The Negative:

MR Blue, is not as forgiving as Blue Dot when the temps get hot..

Higher Temps seem to affect it more than Blue Dot...

For those that need the quick reference point... with Bullet weights from 55 down to 30 grains..
Max charge I am recommend for my own use, in a 223, is 12.5 grains of IMR Blue

Accuracy is NOT Quite on par with Blue Dot, but certainly still awfully darn good..

I use strictly a small rifle primer.. Small pistol primers can be used in a pinch,
but like Blue Dot, I was only using those during primer shortages under Obama..

and we are not experiencing those at the moment. Mag primers are a waste of money,
be it small pistol or Small rifle.

I've chronographed a few different loads, and it has usable velocity, but I can't give numbers
as who knows where my notes got off to...house got rearranged this summer and I'm still
looking for where half my stuff got put by my wife....

Sorry its not a full report, but that is what I have to share at the moment...

as always, the disclaimer, I certify that these loads were safe in my 223s...
beyond that, its at the risk of the individual...don't start at max and work up...

anyone that wants to ask questions in private, please feel free to PM me...

Good to know John...thanks!