Blue Dot and 9MM?

[Heathen]

I'm pretty new to reloading and was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I went to buy a lb of Titegroup but unfortunately they were out. I was in a rush so I panicked and grabbed Blue Dot.

When I got home I searched Blue Dot and 9mm and found a couple of posts telling me that Blue Dot isn't ideal for 9mm. I'm not really sure what that means. Does it mean don't use it at all? Can I still get reasonable practice ammo out of it? I'm not trying to make power factors, just getting ready to take the black badge with an M&P Pro.

Also, I would be using it with 147gr plated bullets.

I hope this is in the right place, I apologize if its not

Thanks for your help

[theycallmeingot]

I wont post load data here but you can look in a manual and easily make minor pf with blue dot. i have used 1lb of it in a similar scenario as yours. i found it to not be very soft shooting so im using winchester wsf.

[Heathen]

Thanks, I just wanted to make sure so I don't do something dumb.

[ebg3]

Check Alliant's website, they have reloading data and you could call or send them an email.

[MTSCMike]

Blue Dot is an excellent large caliber magnum pistol powder. I used it for hunting loads in my 44 mag. It is probably not a really good choice for 9mm.

If you haven't opened it yet you may be able to swap for something better. Look in your loading manual and select a few powders that comes closest (on paper) to the one you normally use. Try them instead of Blue Dot...you may like them.

[sargenv]

Blue Dot can be used, it just isn't the "optimal" powder.. it will tend to be a little dirty and have a bit more snap to it than a more medium burn rate powder. It was one of the older powders that people used to make 9 major with 15-20 years ago before there were better choices available. As long as you load it to what Alliant tells you to, you should have few issues beyond it being dirty..

[Heathen]

Thanks for all your input. I took some test loads to the range and it worked like a charm, no hang-fires, bulging primers or crazy muzzle flashes. I was actually quite pleased with it.

[TonyT]

I had some Blue Dot left over from my shotshell loadind and used it up in 9mm with a 147 gr. FMJ. Not the best bchoice of powders for 9mm.

[goat68]

Blue dot is a "slower" burning powder so you may see more flame out the front and a bunch of unburnt flakes in the gun. The flame is the powder that did not burn in the barrel and is not contributing to velocity. I remember a lot of flame out of my shotgun when I used Blue Dot for heavy field loads.

[joelpend]

IMO Blue Dot is too slow burning for 9mm even with heavier 147gr bullets. Blue Dot is better suited for magnum pistol loads such as .357 & .44.