IMR Blue

[ACC]

Anyone have any loads for the .357 Magnum and IMR Blue. I was just give what I guess is four pounds of the stuff. It's in the original milk jug type container.

ACC

[DAVIDMAGNUM]

Alas, the IMR/Hodgdon reloading data center has no IMR Blue loads in 357 magnum. There are however loads listed for 38 special +P with several bullet weights. I would not hesitate to use this data in a 357 magnum case. The decision is up to you. http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

[Ia.redneck]

I've worked with it some.
out of a 5" S&W 686: Lee 358-158-rf, 9.5gr IMR Blue-1143fps, 44es
Lee 358-158-rf, 10gr IMR Blue-1200fps, 65es
Lee 358-158-rf, 10.5 IMR Blue-1257fps, 26es
Std primer, boolit sized .358, HF red powdercoat.
The 10.5gr load was the most accurate for me. 5 shots in an inch at 25yds.
This is bench rested with an optic.

[ACC]

Thanks.

ACC

[trapper9260]

I've worked with it some.
out of a 5" S&W 686: Lee 358-158-rf, 9.5gr IMR Blue-1143fps, 44es
Lee 358-158-rf, 10gr IMR Blue-1200fps, 65es
Lee 358-158-rf, 10.5 IMR Blue-1257fps, 26es
Std primer, boolit sized .358, HF red powdercoat.
The 10.5gr load was the most accurate for me. 5 shots in an inch at 25yds.
This is bench rested with an optic.

Have you compare it with the Blue Dot if it shoots the same and the same weight ? It would be interesting to know what the test would show. thank you

[Ia.redneck]

No, I haven't. Got a bunch of the IMR Blue cheap, and needed to use it in something.

[Terminatorret]

Burn rates (according to imrpowder.com):
IMR Blue #49
Alliant Blue Dot #51

I'm curious, too, as to how they compare load-wise, weight-wise, density-wise...etc.
I am very happy with the results Blue Dot gives me with my .357 loading.

[Terminatorret]

Not much activity, so I'll add my Blue Dot load data. I focus on milder loads with 180gr. bullets.
For a Ruger 77/357 (18 1/2" barrel):

6.5 BD = 1090 fps
6.8 BD = 1156 fps
7.0 BD = 1187 fps
7.2 BD = 1228 fps
7.6 BD = 1272 fps
7.8 BD = 1307 fps

For a Henry H015B-357 (22" barrel):

6.5 BD = 1094 fps
6.9 BD = 1137 fps
7.1 BD = 1192 fps

All this data is from at least 5 rounds measured by a Ohler 35P @ 10'. I measure my charges with a redding manual scale.

[fcvan]

8 years ago, a rep from Alliant said they had changed the Blue Dot formulation which caused problems in certain 357 revolvers. Specifically, the K Frame S&W revolvers started showing extreme flame cutting of the top strap resulting in failures. This was with 125 gr JHP bullets but not necessarily with the 158 s and heavier due to a different pressure pulse.

I have only used 1 pound of Blue Dot with 125s, but this was back in the late 1980s. I did use some of it with the Lee C358-158 SWCHP back when they made such things. They shot well, but I generally use Unique and sometimes IMR 4227. I don't shoot much in the way of 357 magnums, mostly 41, 44 and 45 Colt.

[PAndy]

A friend has a .357 carbine that shoots very well with 125 cast bullets and 8.0 gr of Blue Dot. this is the starting load from the gmdr lever gun data page. Not sure how close IMR Blue would be. I have only tried it in a few 30-30 cast loads, but didn't spend much time on it. I would proceed with caution.