Does anyone use Green Dot?

[Fla9-40]

Last time I ordered powder I picked up some Green Dot with some load in mind???? Can't seem to find what it was I was going to try. I load slug, 00, 000 Buck Shot. Have #4 but have not loaded any yet.

Does anyone use Green Dot for their shotgun or any other loadings?

[longbow]

I use Green Dot for trap loads and I have listings for slug loads using Green Dot. I don't recall any buckshot loads with Green Dot but you can substitute equal shot weight for buckshot loads. Not sure you would get many buckshot pellets in though as Green Dot is usually used for fairly light shot loads.

If you are interested in Green Dot slug loads I can look some up for you. What slug are you loading for?

Longbow

[Fla9-40]

Forgot to mention I also have some #8...Maybe I was thinking of this also???

The only slug mold I have is the Lee 1oz.
If you have a load for it longbow I sure would appreciate it.

[longbow]

I find listings for Green Dot and:

- 0.690" round ball
- BPI 1 oz. improved Foster (like the Lee fits into a shotcup)
- BPI AQ slug (full bore just over 1 oz.)
- Lyman 1 1/16 oz. slug (full bore)
- Buckbuster 1 oz. slug (also like Lee fits into a shotcup)

Any of these should be suitable for the Lee 1 oz. slug though shotcup/wad column might need adjusting some.

Lee does not list Green Dot in their supplied slug reloading data but does show Green Dot for their 1 oz. and 1 1/8 oz. universal shot reloading data. These would be safe for slugs as well but will likely yield velocities of 1200 to 1300 FPS just like the shot loads.

I do not find Green Dot listed for any buckshot loads or any heavy shot loads over 1 1/4 oz. You might use that data for equivalent weight in buckshot but might have to mess with wad column.

What other components do you have? You may or may not be aware that substitution of components can be dangerous. Hull and primer changes in particular can raise or lower pressures quite dramatically.

If you let me know what components you have, I will see if I can find a listing for them.

Longbow

[Fla9-40]

Longbow thanks for the info. You gave me a place to start looking in my notes.
I'll keep looking and see if I can sort through my "Record" keeping and find it =)

Thanks again for the help!

[longbow]

The references I have are:

- 3 volumes of the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook
- Reloading for Shotgunners
- BPI Shotgun Slug Loading & Field Application handbook
- Several BPI slug loading bulletins
- Lee Drive Key Slug reloading info
- Loading info from several powder manufactures
- internet info from various sites/posts (which always get checked and compared to published recipes before use)

Since it is difficult and potentially dangerous to try working up loads for shotgun I generally try to use published recipes. I do make changes to wads and wad columns to suit the slug for good crimp and occasionally substitute wads but never make even a primer change without ensuring equivalent primer energy or that the load is a low pressure load.

The Green Dot loads I mention above are all from published sources. If you let me know what components you have I would be happy to post or PM you with recipes.

Longbow

[Ole]

I use GD for my light buckshot loads. Also use it with the Lee 1oz slug. It runs between 1100 and 1200 fps and it is nice and soft on your shoulder.

19-20 grains is the normal charge weight, depending on what the data says.

[possom813]

I use 20.5 grains with 1oz loads of 7 1/2 shot

[mtgrs737]

I use a lot of Green Dot, so much that I buy it 32 lbs. at a time (4 x 8 lbs.) I shoot a lot of trap and I like the way it shoots. I feel it shoots a bit softer than my next choice which is Red Dot. I like 1200 fps loads and load in Remington or WWAA hulls.

My loading is:

20.0 grs. of Green Dot
WW209 primer
Blue Duster Wad (WWAA12 clone)
1 1/8 oz. of #8 or # 7 1/2 lead shot depending on yardage and temp.

This load turns targets to smoke balls if I do my part, is soft shooting and runs about 9500 psi which helps with clean burning. You can look up this and other loads in the online Alliant powder companies webbsight at www.alliantpowder.com

[vonmajor]

From Randy at Lightfield Slugs. Using Chedditte or Fiochi 2.75 hulls (roll crimped until firm contact with slug-no rattle) loads of 24.0 to 27.0 (27.0 MAX Load) will yield 1400 to 1550 fps with thier IDS Slugs. [Impact Discarding Slug]. Use in rifled barrels only. Mentions it to be a good cold weather load. Slug components can be found at sportsmansguide.com

[rbertalotto]

I only use it in 45LC, 45ACP, 454 Plinking loads, 9mm, 40S&W, 41Mag, 38spl, 32H&R and 44Spl..............:drinks:

I love how clean, cheap and easy to meter it is.

[Firebricker]

For a long time only used two 12ga loads both used GD a trap load with ounce and 1/8 and a field load with once and 1/4 I found it to be a very good all around powder. Based on that I think it would make a good non-magnum buckshot or slug load. FB

[JIMinPHX]

When I first loaded 12 ga., I had good luck loading 18.5 grains of green dot under a Lee 1oz slug for a reduced recoil load & good accuracy @ 1,000fps. More on that here -

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?88327-Where-to-get-12-Ga-crimp-starter/page2&p=958613#post958613

[shorthair]

I use Green Dot for my upland loads in 12 ga Active hulls for a great patterning 1 3/16 oz load that only moves about 1,100 fps.

[turbo1889]

Green Dot is a good choice for reduced velocity "plinker" slug loads, preferably slugs in the 7/8oz to 1-1/8oz weight range. It burns slower then a lot of other shot load powders for the 12ga. while still not being a magnum load powder like Blue Dot is. So you can make good slug loads with it that are low velocity and get good clean burn from a small powder charge but at the same time it isn't as hard on the wad column and soft lead slugs as other powders like Red Dot, Clays, etc. can be.

[sirgknight]

Been using GD for shotshells since 1972. Great powder with many applications.

[sundog]

Outstanding in 357 and 44 Mag, 45 acp, 45 Colt, and a few others (as is RD).

[Lon246]

I use Green Dot for my upland loads in 12 ga Active hulls for a great patterning 1 3/16 oz load that only moves about 1,100 fps.
I have a bunch of Active hulls and would appreciate knowing what wad and charge weight you're using.
Thanks.

[Four-Sixty]

I've not seen Green Dot charge weights for 38 Speical on the Alliant site, or the Lyman manual. Where can I find that data? I'd like to try Green Dot in 38 special to see how clean it is.

[Ole]

I've not seen Green Dot charge weights for 38 Speical on the Alliant site, or the Lyman manual. Where can I find that data? I'd like to try Green Dot in 38 special to see how clean it is.

Try taking 10% off the charge weights listed using Unique data if it's available. Start low and work up if you do this.

[Lalka686]

Speer #11 is the best older reloading manual for .38 special loads and many other pistol and revolver calibers using Green Dot.
I got it just because of widest load selection for my 38spl match loads 148gr. HBWC in 1911 Giles auto and S&W 686 revolver.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Speer-reloading-manual-no-11-/171047359621?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d3379485#ht_38wt_885
My 1978 Hercules reloading guide has these 38 special loads using Green Dot powder:
110 Hornady JHP - 5.4gr - 1,095 fps
125 Hornady JHP - 4.5gr - 930 fps
148 Speer LWCM(match)- 4.0gr - 850 fps
158 Rem. L (lead SWC or RN)-4.2gr - 890 fps
I'm just getting ready to try GD and 700-X powder in my 1-1/8 oz. trap loads instead of Red Dot to reduce the recoil (for my son) just to see the diference.

[Lalka686]

Try taking 10% off the charge weights listed using Unique data if it's available. Start low and work up if you do this.

You are very close, 12% to be exact (according to Hercules load book).