Red dot powder, good, bad?

[Bwell]

Pretty much everyone around my area is sold out of powder, but I found a place close that has 8lbs of Alliant Red Dot for 140 dollars.

I am planning on using this in my 40 S&W using a 4 grain charge with cast and jacketed bullets, is this a decent powder for the 40 S&W? I have tried searching the site but it doesn't come up with to many applications for the 40 S&W round.

If I use this round in an indoor range will I smoke everyone out or would I be okay?

[tazman]

here is a link to an Alliant data manual that lists loads for the 40 for red dot as well as others.
http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Freebies/RM/Alliant/Alliant01.pdf

[xacex]

Do a search for "the load" for rifles. Red dot makes a great plinker powder for many rifles.

[Ole]

It's not optimal, but should go bang and keep you shooting.

[chutesnreloads]

If I were buying it ONLY for .40 S&W loads....I'd pass.The .40 has done much better for me with a slower powder .
Blue Dot is one worked particularly well in .40.If you'll use it in other loads as well then buy it up.Especially enjoy Red Dot
in rifle/cast loads.Also Red Dot works well in .38 special .

[Bwell]

It's not optimal, but should go bang and keep you shooting.

That's all I really need it for, but will I smoke out other shooters if in an indoor range?

[Bwell]

The only other load I would use it in is pistol loads, 9mm, 45, and maybe .357 mag.

[Outpost75]

5 grains of Red Dot with 150-grain #401654 for 1000 fps.

[tazman]

If you use near max loadings most powders burn clean including red dot.

[runfiverun]

red dot is one of my go-to powders.

red-dot, unique, and 2400 are my three [main] handgun powders, and get used in several rifle cast loads too.
I'm on the hunt for more right now...
it ain't all that hard to push a patch through a barrel every now and then.

[DLCTEX]

If that is what you can get, use it. I use it in everything from shotgun, pistol, and cast loads for some rifle.

[btroj]

Good stuff, real good.

I'm starting to use red dot more and more in handguns.

[MaryB]

Red Dot is handy stuff, I buy the 8 pounders because my nephews can do through 500+ trap loads in a weekend of shooting. Use it for my 9mm and 380 cast loads too. Looking at using it for a plinker Mosin Nagant load once I get some dies.

[Larry Gibson]

All the above are wrong......wrong.....wrong.....WRONG........

Red Dot is a very bad powder, not useful in anything.....too bad you wasted your money..........

Send it to me (I'll help with shipping) for "proper" disposal.............

Larry Gibson






LOLs; Red Dot is an excellent powder and my second choice only to Bullseye for many applications.:drinks: good find.......

[HighHook]

A good power to be stuck with... Shotgun, handgun And light rifle loads.

We use it for target loads in the 10/40. Burns clean for us

[Blanco]

I like Red Dot and use it in 9mm. 3.5 Grains is a pretty universal weight
I haven't used it in 40 yet.
With the supply issue I would get it and use it. Maybe not the best for what you shoot... but it will go bang

[Double B]

Get it and enjoy. I've shot Red Dot mostly shotshell and 38 target loads. Very good powder. Find a 40 load at a velocity that will cycle reliably and you will like it. Consistent stuff.

[Harry O]

I don't know specifically how it will do with .40 S&W since I don't load that caliber.

However, I used it (and still do from time to time) for many, many years. I got it free from my father, who used it to load shotgun shells. It is just about a duplicate of Bullseye except for one thing. It does not meter worth a darn. That is why I am using it less and less nowadays. Bullseye and 231 do the exact same thing and both meter MUCH better. I think I would pass for that reason alone. With 8# you are going to have this for a very long time.

[Walter Laich]

If that is what you can get, use it. I use it in everything from shotgun, pistol, and cast loads for some rifle.

same here--from .32, 9mm, .45 Colt, shotgun, did use it in .40 and .45 APC but not shooting those these days

[jonp]

Promo is my powder for all handgun target loads. Buy a pound of it and see if it works for you. If it does then buy 8lbs of Promo which is cheaper and works by weight the same

[Bwell]

I would, but powder is scarce around here... Everyone is always sold out

[Ed_Shot]

+1 for Promo or Red Dot. It's all I use in 40 SW. In my G22 w/LW barrel my favorites are Lyman 401043 over Promo 4.1 @ 990 fps and 401654 over Promo 4.2 @ 995 fps.

[freebullet]

Red dot is among my favs for nonmagnum pistol loads. Cheap, clean, meters good, fills cases well, what's not to love.

[dverna]

I have about 100 lbs of Promo (same as RD - but I got it for $72/jug). Great powder and you can still find it for under $100/ 8 lb jug. Sometimes the old standbys are all you really need.

For full power loads in the .40 I use Longshot. Red Dot will not give the same velocity but it will work OK.

Don Verna

[fredj338]

I've shot #s of it in 45colt, a little in 45acp & 9mm. It should be fine for the 40 for light to midrange loads, just work it up. Smoke with conventional lubed lead bullets is gonna happen regardless of powder. Some like TG offer more, but RD will be fine & it will likely smoke some depending again on your lube choice.

[jakec]

im starting to use red dot more and more. .38 spl, .40 and .45.

[Bwell]

I think I am going to jump on it, with 8lbs I will be set for a LONG time... Now if I can find a 8lb of H335 I'll be all set.

[35remington]

4.3 grains gives a duplication of standard factory velocities in the .40 using a 180 grain bullet. Works just fine in most calibers to duplicate standard factory velocities, and the low charge weights needed means it is economical to shoot.

[dtknowles]

Red Dot is good but I think I like Green Dot better. I was low on Red Dot but the seller did not have any but had Green Dot, I bought 4 pounds of Green Dot and it has been working for me you just have to use a little more Green Dot but you can get a little better velocity if you want it.

Tim

[gcsteve]

I wouldn't be overly worried about smoke at an indoor range. Smoke and shooting go hand in hand. The folks that shoot indoors and can't tolerate the smoke will probably be wearing respirators. Also, your range should be well ventilated. If not, I'd find another range.

[3leggedturtle]

I use 4gr of RD in a 30/30 with a Lee Soupcan. Also made up some loads for 9mm with 3grs and 100gr Berry boolit. Neither smoked any that I could tell. The 9mm is a 8.5" Contender barrel and only chronoed 590fps or so.

[scattershot]

A friend gave me 12# of the stuff awhile back, and I use it for just about everything. I couldn't find data, either, so I called Alliant. With a 180 ggrain LTC and 4.0 grains, I get about 850 FPS. They suggested a max of 5.0 grains, but I never used it.

Snap up the Red Dot, it's a useful powder.

[jonp]

Red Dot is good but I think I like Green Dot better. I was low on Red Dot but the seller did not have any but had Green Dot, I bought 4 pounds of Green Dot and it has been working for me you just have to use a little more Green Dot but you can get a little better velocity if you want it.

Tim

I was in Green Top in Richmond a while back looking for some 2400. None to be had but the shelf was loaded with American Select and Green Dot. I scratched my head and didn't buy any but kinda wish I had gotten a pound of Green Dot to try. I've read several posts praising it over Red and Blue but the load data is kinda light

[dtknowles]

I was in Green Top in Richmond a while back looking for some 2400. None to be had but the shelf was loaded with American Select and Green Dot. I scratched my head and didn't buy any but kinda wish I had gotten a pound of Green Dot to try. I've read several posts praising it over Red and Blue but the load data is kinda light

Since you did not buy any not much point in sharing load data but I have used it in .22 Hornet, 9 mm Para and 30-30. I was using Red Dot but ran out and switched to the Green Dot not much of an adjustment.

Tim

[SlippShodd]

8 pounds for 140 bucks. To me, that just means I'd be working up new loads to replace all those "preferred" powders that are currently being manufactured from unobtanium. Have fun shooting while the naysayers are scrounging. :)

mike

[MaryB]

No no red dot is garbage quit buying it.... that way there will be more for me!

[jonp]

All the above are wrong......wrong.....wrong.....WRONG........

Red Dot is a very bad powder, not useful in anything.....too bad you wasted your money..........

Send it to me (I'll help with shipping) for "proper" disposal.............

Larry Gibson






LOLs; Red Dot is an excellent powder and my second choice only to Bullseye for many applications.:drinks: good find.......

Awww heck..I have 25lbs of it. I'm glad you saved me from a mistake, Larry. Whats your address, I'll get it right out to you. [smilie=1:

[xacex]

He will dispose of any of that bad H4895 you might have laying around too. I hear that stuff is only good on steak.

[runfiverun]

now don't you guy's go overwhelming Larry with all that junk 4895 and red-dot.
I'm gonna put a garden in this year, and maybe some fruit trees, and we could really use
1-200 pounds of fertilizer.

[jonp]

Darn it RunFiverun i wish you had spoken up sooner. I dont have anymore of that useless red dot but i have 50lbs of Unique. That stuff sucks too. Will that work for you instead?

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Red Dot is a good powder and has worked well for me in 38 special, 9mm, and specially 45 ACP. It is found at the rapid burning end of the powder spectrum, but can also used for light (gallery) loads in some rifle calibers. Burns clean. I once fished out a lot of the grains that were red and found that they burned/performed the same as those that were not colored red. LLS

[Silvercreek Farmer]

One of my go to powders. Be sure your measure is throwing it accurately enough not to cause an overcharge and don't push for max or over max loads.

[SlippShodd]

I'm gonna put a garden in this year, and maybe some fruit trees, and we could really use 1-200 pounds of fertilizer.

Dunno, L, you seem to be generating plenty here...
:) [smilie=1:

mike

[runfiverun]

I gotta keep up my street rep...

jon.
hmmm
50 pounds of unique?
I dunno I use that stuff to keep the weeds at the range well fertilized by blowing out the muzzle with the 41,44's and the 45 colt.
they seem to grow pretty good right where all my boolits that miss the plates seem to go.
it might work on the lawn though, it seems to have plenty of weeds growing in it too.
send it over and i'll give it a go [in a small unseen area of course]