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Not your "normal" varmint rifle, but I used Seafire's BD data on my 358 Win.

158 gr Hornady XTP pistol bullet
WLR primer

I tried 10-20 gr, just to get velocities, but
14 gr of Blue Dot was a little over 1400 fps
18 gr was a little over 1800 fps and both of these shot under 1" @ 100 yards and had very little recoil.

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That sounds like a lot of fun Redgun.


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How many of you have used the Blue Dot loads for game....ie...Deer or Pigs?

I ask because I am dancing with a 26" .223 bolt gun and love it so far.....

What distance?
What bullet?
How far would you stretch your shots on game of that size?

Thanks

Heavy

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Originally Posted by HeavyDove
How many of you have used the Blue Dot loads for game....ie...Deer or Pigs?

I ask because I am dancing with a 26" .223 bolt gun and love it so far.....

What distance?
What bullet?
How far would you stretch your shots on game of that size?

Thanks

Heavy


PM sent....


"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC

“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

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PM's are starting to float in, so thought I'd send this to the top again for this season...


"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC

“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

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You da man! And, thank you.


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I just loaded 50 of my favorite 223 loads. I load 10grs blue dot with 50 hornady spsx with rem 7 1/2 benchrest primers in LC brass. Have shot these for years, since I first saw seafires workup using blue dot.
Have used it on groundhogs out to 200 yards and works well. I like just using them to target shoot and woods walking.

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Blue Dot is the fo-shizzle, bruddahs!


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I’ve been using blue dot for 10 years now for 223 and 22-250. Seafire gave me some data for the 260 Rem a few years ago. 100gr bullets out of my very heavy 28” barrel is like shooting a 223. Bonus is it stacks them. I really should kill a deer with one of these loads just to say I did.


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TAG

Chemo has been a world of surprises. It's been 6 months, but the surprises keep coming. I was shuffling through my powder larder yesterday. There was a pound of Blue Dot in the back, unopened.

WT?

I had no recollection of ever loading with Blue Dot. I looked through all my pistol loads-- nada. I started using Google-Fu (actually it's Duck-Duck-Fu now) and eventually found a mention of Blue Dot being used for reduced rifle loads. Half an hour later, I'm sitting here.

I must have been reading this, or another Seafire post, and thought "I gotta get some of that magic stuff." The memory is gone, wiped clean with the bug juice back in June.


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260madman, Any chance of sharing your 22-250 load? Mine is a 14 twist so I'm stuck with 50s.

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Not 260 Madman... but will this work out?

Blue Dot Range Report: 22/250

Firearm Used: Ruger 77 Mk 2

Barrel: 22 inch sporter weight

Case: Remington

Range Tested: 7 grains to 20 grains. 20 % ( 6.6 grains) 60 % ( 19.8 grains)

Full Case Capacity to Rim: 33 grains/

Bullets Used in Test:
46 Win HP, 50 Hornady SP, 52 Sierra HP Match, 55 Win FMJ, 60 Hornady SP
63 Sierra SMP


Test Results:

I. 46 grain Winchester Hollow Point, Win Large Pistol Primer

1. 7 grs: 1721 fps
2. 8 grs: 1895 fps
3. 9 grs: 2095 fps
4. 10 grs: 2264 fps
5. 11 grs: 2390 fps

6. 12 grs: 2537 fps
7. 13 grs: 2675 fps
8. 14 grs: 2781 fps
9. 15 grs: NO Reading
10. 16 grs: 3063 fps

11. 17 grs: 3177 fps
12. 18 grs: 3274 fps
13. 19 grs: 3388 fps ( Consider Max)
14. 20 grs: 3440 fps ( Extractor Mark, Scrapped Case)

II. 50 grain Hornady SP, Win Large Rifle Primer

1. 7 grs: 1722 fps
2. 8 grs: 1911 fps
3. 9 grs: 2057 fps
4. 10 grs: 2206 fps
5. 11 grs: 2328 fps

6. 12 grs: 2473 fps
7. 13 grs: 2627 fps
8. 14 grs: 2729 fps
9. 15 grs: 2856 fps
10. 16 grs: 2940 fps

11. 17 grs: 3116 fps
12. 18 grs: 3181 fps
13. 19 grs: 3271 fps
14. 20 grs: 3354 fps

With this bullet, all the way to 20 grains was reached ( 60%). However, I would recommend max being set at 19 grains or less.


III Sierra 52 grain Hollow Point Match Win Large Pistol Primer

1. 7 grs: 1676 fps
2. 8 grs: 1841 fps
3. 9 grs: 1998 fps
4. 10 grs: 2127 fps
5. 11 grs: 2311 fps

6. 12 grs: 2416 fps
7. 13 grs: 2551 fps
8. 14 grs: No Read
9. 15 grs: 2795 fps
10. 16 grs: 2935 fps

11. 17 grs: 3029 fps
12. 18 grs: 3127 fps
13. 19 grs: 3252 fps
14. 20 grs: 3297 fps

This bullet also reached the 20 grains mark ( 60 %) . However once again I recommend max being set at 19 grains or less.


IV Winchester 55 gr FMJ, Win Large Pistol Primer

1. 7grs: 1636 fps
2. 8 grs: 1800 fps
3. 9 grs: 1986 fps
4. 10 grs: 2126 fps
5. 11 grs: 2247 fps

6. 12 grs: 2392 fps
7. 13 grs: 2504 fps
8. 14 grs: 2631 fps
9. 15 grs: 2738 fps
10. 16 grs: 2872 fps

11. 17 grs: 3003 fps
12. 18 grs: 3095 fps
13. 19 grs: 3203 fps
14. 20 grs: 3250 fps

As again Noted, this bullet also achieved reaching the 20 grain Mark ( 60%). However once again I recommend max capacity at 19 grains or less.


V. Hornady 60 grain SP, Win Mag Rifle Primer

1. 7 grs: 1587 fps
2. 8 grs: 1769 fps
3. 9 grs: 1901 fps
4. 10 grs: 2034 fps
5. 11 grs: 2162 fps

6. 12 grs: 2290 fps
7. 13 grs: 2406 fps
8. 14 grs: 2489 fps
9. 15 grs: 2618 fps
10. 16 grs: 2735 fps

11. 17 grs: 2832 fps
12. 18 grs: 2832 fps
13. 19 grs: 3058 fps ( considered max)
14. 20 grs: 3119 fps ( primer leaked, extractor marks, scrapped case)

Max was achieved at 19 grains. Recommend Max load at 19 grains or less.
Based on tree used as back stop, which had a 6 inch diameter to it, bullets at 15 grains of powder and up were penetrating the tree completely. Based on this I would recommend this point as a potential deer load for youths, keeping range within 100 to 125 yds or so ( 30/30 range). The 63 grain Sierra SMP showed a lot more damage to the tree than did the Hornady, and at a much lower velocity. Use on deer is the personal choice of the shooter or adult. Some argue against 22 Center fire on deer and others are just fine with it. Key is shot placement and range limitation. I am just reporting damage to media, and penetration that I am passing on to the reader.



VI. Sierra 63 grain Semi Pointed ( SMP) Win Mag Rifle Primer

1. 7 grs: 1455 fps
2. 8 grs: 1607 fps
3. 9 grs: 1848 fps
4. 10 grs: 1860 fps
5. 11 grs: 2034 fps

6. 12 grs: 2176 fps
7. 13 grs: 2327 fps
8. 14 grs: 2443 fps
9. 15 grs: 2578 fps
10. 16 grs: 2668 fps

11. 17 grs: 2787 fps
12. 18 grs: 2850 fps
13. 19 grs: 2958 fps ( Consider Maximum!, NO problems observed)
14. 20 grs: 2982 fps ( Popped primer, jammed bolt)


Conclusions:

For training and starting out a youth, I consider the 22/250 a better first choice to start out with, based on the test results as compared to a 223. The 223 has the economy of cheaper brass, but the 22/250 I thought offered more flexibility by being able to achieve higher velocities with heavier bullets than the 223 achieves.

For training of youths to deer hunt, the 63 grain bullet offered a lot of promise of everything tested. Results for a 64 grain Winchester would be close to the same, just recommend working up. Start looking for max with 18 grains or so. As one can see, the increase in fps is not that much, and would make no real world difference, as I consider that 200 yds would be max range. I also feel that training a youth not to take shots over that distance is a responsible habit for an adult to teach younger shooters. Let them learn with experience and practice to learn to shoot at longer ranges.

The 22/250 can be loaded down to levels that are between a 22 Long Rifle and a 22 Mag.
The recoil is very low, but also so is the noise at these levels. Especially the 10 grain loads and under. It can also be enjoyable for an adult. My own 22 mags are going to get dusty, as these loads are not only cheaper to shoot, but are more accurate� plus one can have a bullet of his choice instead of what the factory picks to load. At the lower volumes, such as 7 grains and up, these can also make a very satisfactory load for Squirrel hunting, or similar sized game at appropriate ranges. Consult a trajectory chart in some of the commercially available reload manuals. Even at 2000 fps or under, these would make good loads for calling coyotes if you can bring them in at 100 yds or so.
Game bullets would have the punch to drop a coyote at those velocities.

Important Notes:

These loads were tested in cool weather, moist outside and around the 55 to 60 degree ranges. Work up if the higher loads near max are to be used in hot weather.

Bullets were seated out to the magazine length in the Ruger. If your rifle has a tight neck, or a shorter chamber ( Rugers are generous) then work up your loads. Also seating bullets deeper can increase pressures.

Remember Blue Dot is a faster powder. However no filler is needed and I have tested it down to just 10 % of load capacity ( 3.3 grains and it worked just fine). It is not powder position sensitive in the case either.

This data represents data that I have observed. It is shared as a point of reference.
Outcomes are the responsibility of each handloader, who should be careful in his work.

The 22/250 showed me a lot of flexibility here, moreso than the 223 even.
It would be my pick as a better choice for a first rifle for a youth, utilizing this gathered test data.


"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC

“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

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Thanks a million Seafire.

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Seafire,

Hi John.... hey, is there any reason to be primer specific while using your BD .223 loads?

I see where guys are using whatever primers they have on hand and I'd like to do the same - saving my 7 1/2's for the .204.

I saw reference to using small pistol primers, even...

I have on hand:
Rem 6.5, 7.5
CCI 450 and sm pistol
Wolf sm rifle

Are they all appropriate to use for mid range BD loads in .223?


BT53
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Elk, it's what's for dinner....


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Originally Posted by Blacktail53
Seafire,

Hi John.... hey, is there any reason to be primer specific while using your BD .223 loads?

I see where guys are using whatever primers they have on hand and I'd like to do the same - saving my 7 1/2's for the .204.

I saw reference to using small pistol primers, even...

I have on hand:
Rem 6.5, 7.5
CCI 450 and sm pistol
Wolf sm rifle

Are they all appropriate to use for mid range BD loads in .223?

Certainly Alan....they are no picky at all... Under Obummer when all we could find in the Rogue Valley here were small pistol primers, that is what I was mainly using...and developed those loads under...

Blue Dot isn't real finicky, hence about any good or cheesy primer will work...especially in the mid range load data...

anyone of them will wack a sage rat to 200 yds with no problem and minimal scope adjustment


"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC

“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

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Originally Posted by Seafire
Originally Posted by Blacktail53
Seafire,

Hi John.... hey, is there any reason to be primer specific while using your BD .223 loads?

I see where guys are using whatever primers they have on hand and I'd like to do the same - saving my 7 1/2's for the .204.

I saw reference to using small pistol primers, even...

I have on hand:
Rem 6.5, 7.5
CCI 450 and sm pistol
Wolf sm rifle

Are they all appropriate to use for mid range BD loads in .223?

Certainly Alan....they are no picky at all... Under Obummer when all we could find in the Rogue Valley here were small pistol primers, that is what I was mainly using...and developed those loads under...

Blue Dot isn't real finicky, hence about any good or cheesy primer will work...especially in the mid range load data...

anyone of them will wack a sage rat to 200 yds with no problem and minimal scope adjustment



Perfect and thanks 👍

I wasn’t finding any BD, but a long time friend gifted me a half a pound of it that he would never use!
I’m in business 😎


BT53
"Where do they find young men like this?" Reporter Savidge, Iraq
Elk, it's what's for dinner....


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Originally Posted by Blacktail53
Originally Posted by Seafire
Originally Posted by Blacktail53
Seafire,

Hi John.... hey, is there any reason to be primer specific while using your BD .223 loads?

I see where guys are using whatever primers they have on hand and I'd like to do the same - saving my 7 1/2's for the .204.

I saw reference to using small pistol primers, even...

I have on hand:
Rem 6.5, 7.5
CCI 450 and sm pistol
Wolf sm rifle

Are they all appropriate to use for mid range BD loads in .223?

Certainly Alan....they are no picky at all... Under Obummer when all we could find in the Rogue Valley here were small pistol primers, that is what I was mainly using...and developed those loads under...

Blue Dot isn't real finicky, hence about any good or cheesy primer will work...especially in the mid range load data...

anyone of them will wack a sage rat to 200 yds with no problem and minimal scope adjustment



Perfect and thanks 👍

I wasn’t finding any BD, but a long time friend gifted me a half a pound of it that he would never use!
I’m in business 😎

I'm getting low on Blue Dot Myself... I'm down to like 12 or 13 pounds of it...

Been supplimenting some of my loads with Unique instead...9 grain loads give me 777.7 rounds per pound...the right scope and its minute of ground squirrel to 200 yds, easily...


"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC

“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

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Somewhat related, I've been working up three loads simultaneously for a Sako full stock 22-250 and 55 grain Nosler ballistic tips.. 3700 fps loads using RL15, what I call medium loads using 26 grains H4895, and small game loads using Bullseye.

Sighted 2 1/2" high @ 100 with the hot load for a 300 yard zero brings the medium load almost dead on at 100, and the Bullseye load about an inch low at 30 yards, which is useful for small game. Accuracy stellar with all three loads, but the bullseye loads stack bullets in the same hole at 30 yards.

Interesting results with the Bullseye load. Worked up to 5 grains with the same 55 grain Nosler ballistic tip as the more standard loads used and wouldn't spin the bullet fast enough to stabilize. Dropped down to a 40 grain ballistic tip and 5.2, 5.5, and 5.7 grains of bullseye and all shot in the same hole, about 45 caliber, at 30 yards.
So this one rifle serves three purposes and shoots all loads very, very well.


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Thanks Fireball. What would be your effective range with the bullseye load & a 40 grain bullet?


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Seafire, Do you have any Bluedot load information for 6.5 Grendel? Thanks for all the info you give.

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