Was 223 Blue Dot loads, now 2400 loads.

JerryinPA

New member
Hi Alliant, (probably Ben Ammonette),

I've read a number of discussions about "Blue Dot" loads in the 223 Remington for reduced power levels, recoil levels, and noise levels. Since there was at least one fellow who experienced a barrel rupture, I'm leery of them.

I sent an inquiry to Alliant powders, manufacturer of Blue Dot powder. Ben Ammonette is the fellow who typically responds from Alliant.

While he had no data on Blue Dot, he did have data on 2400 powder. His response is quoted below the dashed line...

Regards,

Jerry.
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"We actually have a couple 2400 loads in the 223 for a 45 gr Speer (14.9 grains) and a 50 gr Hornady (14.5 grains). For starting loads, I would reduce these by approximately 1 1/2 grs. As for the Blue Dot loads, I have read about them too, but we have not tested any of those loads here. Thanks for your interest in contacting us and have a nice day."

Ben Amonette
Consumer Service Manager
Alliant Powder Company
www.alliantpowder.com
 
I dabbled around with the bluedot loads for my AR last summer. Too me they still sounded loud as hell (16"bbl) and dirtied the rifle up really quick. I remember someone on here having a bad experience with those loads. Here's a link, but I would suggest not messing around with it..IMO

http://www.reloadingroom.com/page33.html
 
To set the record straight, the blow up was in a
Contender barrel, and the guy that blew it up,
wasn't sure what caused the barrel to let go.
Contenders are not high pressure barrels, so it
could have been a little of both. I have tried
Blue Dot loads, in my AR-15 Varminter, and they
do not cycle, and yes they are dirty. Now with that
said, I will be shooting Blue Dot loads, with 40 gr.
VMax bullets, for close to building varmints, in my
Tikka T-3 .223 Rem. They do have a soft report, and
the velocities are decent. I don't expect explosive hits,
but I do expect dead vermin, and safe shooting.

Squeeze

P.S. A poster on Accuratereloading.com, that goes
by the handle Seafire, has done a bunch of testing,
on different calibers, with Blue Dot, and these
loads have not presented problems in any of the rifles
he has used to test his data. Also, the small bore
specialist Calhoun, has a bunch of Blue Dot data on
his site, too.
 
Kudos for the 2400 powder. I use it a lot in my reloads for the .221 Fireball. Great metering powder and clean shooting.
 
I worked up a load with Blue Dot and Sierra 40gr. H.P.that gives me 3/8 inch three shot groups at 100 yds with a Tikka with 24 inch barril. Started with 10gr. and worked up 1/2gr. at a time and stoped at 13gr.still with no high pressure signs but great groups!!
Above all, be safe. Work your loads up a little at a time.!!!!

Good hunting, Emilio ... Pico Rivera, Ca. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
WARNING, WARNING, WARNING!!!

I'm posting this warning just in case someone is doing a casual reading of this post and decides to build a load based on Ben Ammonette's Alliant data that is quoted above.

BEN AMMONETTE'S DATA IS FOR 2400 POWDER, NOT FOR BLUE DOT!

I only used the title with Blue Dot, since it has been often discussed for reduced 223 loads.

Since one fellow had a blow-up with Blue Dot, I asked Alliant's tech for advice. He responded with DATA FOR 2400 POWDER.

Regards to all,

Jerry.
 


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