Reloading data for .44 Magnum with Alliant Blue Dot

[mbclark]

I had some Alliant Blue Dot that I purchased years ago, and I decided to use it to reload some rounds for the .44 Magnum (pistol). I'm using the 180 gr Hornady XTP bullet. I used the data in the Lyman manual (49th ed) which gives a starting load of 17.8 gr and a max load of 20.2 gr. I loaded at 18.4 gr., thinking I was well within the range.

Since I'm relatively new to reloading, I thought I'd check the Hornady manual as well. Much to my surprise (fear), the Hornady manual gives a range of 12.7 gr. to 17.3 gr. for the 180gr. XTP bullet.

Other powders are similar ranges for the Lyman and Hornady books. Does anyone have an idea why there is such a discrepancy between the books for the Blue Dot powder? Are these loads safe given that they are well above the max load suggested by Hornady?

 

[Ironworker]

"Since I'm relatively new to reloading," Different lots of powders and other components like brass and primer, also test firearm. Have you fired the 18.4 gr charge yet? If they are extracted easily, then you are good to go.

 

[mbclark]

I have not fired any yet. I thought I'd look for reassurances here before trying it out.

 

[mongo chicago]

When it was Hercules Blue Dot I used 18.5 grains of Blue Dot. Great load. Higher velocities with lower pressures. Got it out of a Gun Digest decades ago. Good for Rugers or Desert Eagles, not recommended for Smith & Wessons.

 

[SSL]

I have not fired any yet. I thought I'd look for reassurances here before trying it out.

Congratulations for having the good sense to question. Conventional wisdom would suggest that you load rounds starting at the lowest starting load and carefully work up. As you mentioned, Hornady lists the 180-grain XTP with a starting load of Blue Dot at 12.7 grains (1,300 fps) and max at 17.3 grains (1,600 fps) from 7.5" barrels. Since this is Hornady's bullet and they are doing the testing, I would rely on their data.
Best advice is to not shoot what you have loaded until you have proven it safe in your firearm by doing due diligence and working your loads up carefully.
Be safe.

 

[kenhwind]

Remember this; In a high-pressure cartridge the case as well as the primer can and does make a big difference.
During load development everything makes a difference. There is a load for the 300 H & H cartridge that is the same in both the Lyman and Hornady manuals: the results are not.

 

[JSH]

As mentioned blue dot has changed. I heard a lot of hype on it some years back and got a pound to try. A multipurpose powder it is not. Get some unique and don’t look back.

New to reloading, do you own a manual and have read it? I have lots of manuals new and old and all will tell you start low and work up.

 

[mbclark]

As mentioned blue dot has changed. I heard a lot of hype on it some years back and got a pound to try. A multipurpose powder it is not. Get some unique and don’t look back.

New to reloading, do you own a manual and have read it? I have lots of manuals new and old and all will tell you start low and work up.

I reloaded a bunch about 5-6 years ago with the Alliant 2400. That worked well. When I went back to buy another pound of the 2400, they were out, so I ended up with the Blue Dot.

I do have the Lyman and the Hornady manuals. I guess what bothers me is just how different the manuals are for the Blue Dot. The starting load for the Lyman manual is higher than the max load recommended by the Hornady manual. I get that different powder lots, different casings, different primers, etc. can make a difference, but I'm really surprised by just how different the recommendations are. A few tenths of a grain one way or the other I can understand, but these differences are significant. Really got me to wondering about a change to the powder, but I see no distinction in the manuals.

 

[JSH]

What we often forget is bullet design AND what was used to test loads in. Some are tested with a regular firearm others use a fixture. Even then if all used one or another no two are alike. Chamber dimensions and wear will determine a lot. Throat wear in rifle calibers can often show big swings in loads.
OAL, is usually what fits in a magazine with no issues. What works in one may well not work in others.
All of the reality shows and youboob stuff, seems there are a huge amount of “snipers”and “crack shots”.