Green Dot in 44spl

[BruMatt]

I was able to find 8 lbs of Green Dot to use in my revolvers. (I am shooting S&W696, 29 & 24.) I have plenty of manuals (Alliant, Speer, Lyman, etc.) but they are thin in loads for 44spl with this powder. I use cast 215gr WCs, 200gr RNFPs, and 240-250gr SWCs in 44spl cases. Anyone have any personal experience with the powder to offer advice or share favorite loads?

[Nobade]

"Back in the day" before I switched to shooting black powder in all my revolvers, I used to use a lot of Green Dot. It does make a very good powder for 44 spl, just be careful because it doesn't take much to go from mild to wild. Don't go over 6.5gr. with the 200gr, or 5.8gr. with the 240gr.

-Nobade

[FLHTC]

Yes both loads that Nobade listed will keep you around 1,000 fps but Hercules actually listed a 5.0 grain load as max for the 240ish lead bullet and back in 1985, their manual listed 6.5 grain as max for the same bullet and 8.0 grains for the 180JHP. Dunno

[BruMatt]

Thanks. I did read that the formula for Green Dot got "hotter" in 1970 and therefore, pre-1970 loads would no longer be recommended. Not sure of the validity of the source but something to consider.

[Shuz]

I've been using Green Dot in the .44 magnum for many years, but I have no experience with it in the .44 special. Since you have a Model 29, here's what I use as a "rule of thumb" for my .44 mags: If a load is listed for the .44 magnum with Alliant Unique, you can drop the charge 1 grain and use Green Dot and achieve the same nominal velocity. IE 9 grains of Green Dot is roughly equivalent to 10 grains of Unique with a 250g cast boolit such as 429421. My favorite Green Dot load is 8.3 to 8.4g of Green dot and an MP-431-256HP. Velocity is 1088fps with an SD of 16 from a 4" 629-4 Mtn Gun.

[BruMatt]

I have that MP mold and it is my favorite 44 bullet. I'll see if I can apply that conversion to 44spl.

[tazman]

Here is a link to a 2001 data manual published by Alliant. It contains load data for green dot as well as many other powders. It covers most pistol calibers.
http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Freebies/RM/Alliant/Alliant01.pdf