Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Why I like BLUE DOT

I've never had such great accuracy for so little money
This is from a factory Savage 12...

Nice! Sure gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling when you see that in a spotting scope.

I'll brace for this.. as I know someone will come along in the near future, curse me and my family's existence, for ever introducing the concept of blue dot in rifles on the forums here...

'since I did it just to be able to see people go out and kill themselves' as will be claimed...

but nice shooting by the way, eh?

in the 22.250 a friend tried my own personal used load of 18.5 grains of Blue Dot with a 55 grain bulk SP.... he came home with his pants on fire he was so happy with the groups that load gave him at 100, 200 and 250 yds...in his new Howa 22.250...

So how fast is blue dot pushing these?

I'm going to SWAG 3000ish fps.

The chrony reads right around 3300fps plus or minus 10 with this load.

Damn.............

That'd be REALLY hard not to like.

Really.....
So, you can push a 40gr. at 3300 fps, useing 17gr. of Blue dot.. Thats dangd there shooting for pennies////

Hard not to like that...

Yeah, like I said, I'm pretty happy with it

You should see what it does to gophers...

This load is producing the best accuracy this gun has ever given me, and I've tried a lot of loads. Several of the loads I've worked up will give me 0.4-0.5" 3-shot groups, but nothing this good.

Any other cool penny loads like this?

Yup, .22-250 with 55gr SPSX and 15gr BD is giving 0.6" for 5 shots out of the same Savage (2610fps), 16gr of BD with a .243 75gr Horn is giving 0.4" groups (3 shots) in my friends Sako AII 22" barrel (roughly 2500fps avg), and 18gr of BD is turning in 0.5" groups for 5 shots out of my Tikka T3 in .25-06 with the 75gr Horn HP (2360fps avg). I'm currently working on a load out of the .25-06 using the 60gr Horn FP. I'll report back when I'm finished. Blue dot, in general, has been producing pretty impressive accuracy for me. So far I've gotten 2660fps with 19gr of BD...

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I worked up a load for my buddy's Ruger MkII in .338 Win. Mag. using the Horn 200gr FP and, IIRC, 25gr of BD. This is going 1610fps, but is giving 1-hole accuracy, easily 0.4" for 3 shots.

Going to need another pound of Blue now...

Cool, keep it up..

THanks...

For inquiring minds:

re: 22.250

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.

Cheers and Good shooting

Thank you for sharing, great info. Printing it off now...

Now who has bullets?

Jordan Smith: I just came from the Alliant Powder Companies online site and they DO NOT recommend the use of Blue Dot powder in the 22-250 Remington!
Nor does ANY of the several loading manuals I have in my library!
I shoot several Rifles in caliber 22-250 Remington and I would not even consider using Blue Dot powder nor any kind of "squib load" in any of them!
I did some "figgerin" and I average 212 22-250 reloads per pound of powder in my safe and recommended loads. With your unsafe and unrecommended load you are getting 411 reloads.
Is it worth risking life, limbs, eyes, guns and the safety of other to "save" a few pennies on EVERY shot you take with these "squib loads"?
Its certainly NOT, to me!
Just do a google search for blown up Rifles / squib loads.
I would ALSO be VERY, VERY wary of following the recommendations of someone who is obviously intent on "martyring" themselves as evidenced by the following quote: "I'll brace for this.. as I know someone will come along in the near future, curse me and my family's existence, for ever introducing the concept of blue dot in rifles on the forums here...
'since I did it just to be able to see people go out and kill themselves' as will be claimed..." - end quote!

I, for one, "claim" and wish harm would come to NO reloader.

And a wonderful way for that to be accomplished is to stick with recommended loads!
The Alliant Powder Company DOES RECOMMEND using their 10X powder and RE 15 in the 22-250 Remington with 40 grain bullets.
I shoot 5 shot groups at 100 yards for all my testing and I get excellent accuracy (comparable to your unsafe and unrecommended loads) with my 22-250 Rifles and my recommended and safe loads!
I will gladly use my safe and recommended loads and pay the extra pennies per shot and not have to worry at every shot for my Rifle to detonate (explode!)!
Stick with factory recommended and safe loading procedures and recipes!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

There is a very good reason why Blue Dot is not recommended by it's maker for such applications.
It's designed as a shotgun powder. That means each lot is not tested for stability at pressures over 20,000 psi. Oh, sure. Lots of it have been used with alot more pressure and there have been no problems with those lots, sometimes. The trouble is that there have been problems, every once in a while with such powders when used at really high pressures.
There are plenty of powders tested at rifle class pressures that will do just as well. Try Dupont's SR 4759, up to 22 grs. with a 55 gr. bullet for 3100 fps. or IMR 4227 at 21.5 grs. for 3030 fps. Or you can use IMR 4198, 27.5 grs. for 3375 fps.
All of these are maximum loads, so start low. All of them will produce much less recoil and muzzle blast.
You can, and I have, simply reduce the faster rifle powders from their stated minimums if they are stick powders. With magnum rifle primers, they shoot quite well. IMR or H4895 are big favorites for this. 4895 can be reduced to as little as 1/3 it's maximum for pretty good results. I've used 60% charges of IMR 3031 w/ magnum primers and gotten .6 MOA accuracy in my .280.
Just don't do this with 4350 or anything slower. E

Maybe:

4895 can be reduced to as little as 2/3 it's maximum for pretty good results

Two fellas that have used and try something, and prove that it works, being heckled by two that refuse to try because they "know" better.

Well, at least one of them isn't trying to convince someone to focus a scope (at least, right now).

Very low report, very little muzzle blast, very inexpensive, very little recoil, very effective. What's not to like?

And did I mention, very accurate!

And don't give me the "dangerous" thing, you should be very careful and meticulous with any sort of reloading procedure, regardless of the powder being used!

VG,
I do appreciate your concern, BTW, but I will continue to use BD because I like it. It's just like when grown men decide to ride a motorcycle instead of driving a car, even though they are fully aware that the motorbike is much riskier. So why do they ride the bike? Because they like to! It's the same reason I use BD...