Old red dot

[michael.birdsley]

So we are cleaning out my wife’s grand fathers house. among other things that we took included an acme shot shell reloader and I https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221030/631bf627a52f6f99a8ed500e0af0c9f0.jpg
found an old metal 4 lbs container of red dot. It smells fine but, not being familiar with red dot I don’t know if it’s good or not. Attached is a picture what what I dumped into my hand


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[Winger Ed.]

Looks OK to me.

I'd be a little careful for using old powder that has dried out* for maximum loads if you weigh your charges,
but haven't had any problems otherwise.

*
I figure the left over solvents in it that you smell have a bit of weight. The fresher the powder- the stronger the smell.
If each little speck has the same energy if its dry or still has some of the solvent's humidity---
If you weigh the powder when it's dry, you'll end up with more of the individual grains and it could possibly work towards a over charge.
If you use a dipper, it shouldn't matter.

[garandsrus]

I have used Red Dot that had the dots pretty faded. No problem….

[CastingFool]

I have some red dot that's close to 40 yrs old. No problems with it

[stubshaft]

Better send it to me, I'll dispose of it for you.

[michael.birdsley]

Here is a picture of the can it came in https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221030/7ebcdf5deee5057aef8ee9716f638cee.jpg


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[Fitz]

I hate those cans , so hard to get the last of powder out.

[michael.birdsley]

Now I just need to find a use for it. I have a 38 s&w , 2 9mm’s, 325c 30-30, 742 30-06, mosin, 3 12 gage shot guns.
So it’s shot gun powder obviously, used it shot guns and I’m guessing can be used in pistols ?


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[farmbif]

red dot is almost as useful as bullseye. to some its even more useful than bullseye or 231. ive got an old cardboard container of it that works just as well as the new stuff in plastic bottles. and it wasn't stored anyplace special its been through decades of hot summers and freezing winters.

[garandsrus]

8.5gr Red Dot and a 150gr cast bullet do very well together in 30-30 cases! I have also used it with 9mm and 38 Spec. The 38 Spec load is 3.7gr with a 120gr cast truncated cone.

[Winger Ed.]

Here is a picture of the can it came in

A couple years ago, I got a metal can like that of Bullseye.
For handguns, all I load is cast SWCs in .38Spec. and .45ACP.
So far, I've only shot about 8-900 loaded with it, and it's doing great for me.

[tja6435]

Here is a picture of the can it came in https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221030/7ebcdf5deee5057aef8ee9716f638cee.jpg


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I have a full can just like that with 1967 date on it, mine is fine and my dots are way more faded than yours look to be.

[GhostHawk]

I primarily shoot Red Dot powder and I shoot it in everything from .32acp to .444marlin. It does not need a lot for good accuracy.

I shoot a lot of 2, 3, 4.5 gr loads up to 6 or more for .44mag/.45 colt, and up to 13 in the .444marlin although I prefer 6.5 or 10 grains.

[Fast54vw]

I have red dot in the same can and you can’t even make out the red dots anymore

[MT Gianni]

I once looked at Lyman cast manual #3 and #41. Red Dot was the most used powder. I've used it in 32 Long, 32 H&R, 38 special, 9mm, 44 specai, 44 Mag, 45 acp, 45 Colt, 243, 7/30 Waters, 30-30, 308, 3006, 358, and probably a few others that are not easily coming to mind.

[technojock]

I have a 15# cardboard container that must be more than 40 years old. It's down to about 1/4 full and I've been loading it for the last 30+ years. It's more faded than that and still shoots great. Unless you want to send it to me to add to what I have, I suggest you use it up and think of the old man whenever you pull the trigger...

Tony

[Harter66]

I have a can just like that . Except that it's twice that size and probably still has 10# in it the lot is August or September of 1967 . Worked fine in 9mm and 38 .

[pworley1]

It should be fine and you can use it in everything you listed. Enjoy.

[15meter]

Old powder is good powder, in the last week I've used H4227 from a can that didn't have a zip code on it and Bullseye from a quart screw top paint thinner can from the days when a gun shop owner would buy a barrel of powder then break it down into smaller cans (or paper bags) and peddle that.

The Bullseye went through a 70+ year old Colt target revolver into a fat fist sized group @ 25 yards.

Using Winchester 1-1/2 primers from a yellow sleeve. But they were new enough the tray was plastic, not wood.

[John Guedry]

Red Dot is great stuff. As someone just said use it and think of that old gentleman everytime you pull the trigger.

[openbook]

It's an incredibly useful powder, even for many rifle calibers. It's especially good for cast in rifles, with published loads all the way from 218 Bee on up to 45-70 (and probably higher).

Also check out this cool article where C. E. "Ed" Harris describes his adventures with a leftover caddy of Red Dot, and how he found a highly repeatable load for shooting most any military service rifle in .30 cal or larger: https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/The%20Load.htm

[15meter]

Old powder is good powder, in the last week I've used H4227 from a can that didn't have a zip code on it and Bullseye from a quart screw top paint thinner can from the days when a gun shop owner would buy a barrel of powder then break it down into smaller cans (or paper bags) and peddle that.

The Bullseye went through a 70+ year old Colt target revolver into a fat fist sized group @ 25 yards.

Using Winchester 1-1/2 primers from a yellow sleeve. But they were new enough the tray was plastic, not wood.


Oldies but goodies:
306299

And if you don't want to use it, I'm not that far away, got a rifle I want to drop off @ Dick Williams up in Saginaw to be re-blued anyway. Make it a two fer trip[smilie=w:

[Wireman134]

Here is a picture of the can it came in https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221030/7ebcdf5deee5057aef8ee9716f638cee.jpg


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I got one of those filled with 2400

[elmacgyver0]

Hang onto those kegs, they don't make them like that anymore!

[Seeker]

All these comments about Red Dot. I've yet to find a good and accurate load in .45 colt out of my N M Blackhawk or the Henry Steel.

[michael.birdsley]

red dot is almost as useful as bullseye. to some its even more useful than bullseye or 231. ive got an old cardboard container of it that works just as well as the new stuff in plastic bottles. and it wasn't stored anyplace special its been through decades of hot summers and freezing winters.

I run bullseye in my 9mm loads both plated and hollow points. For my sr9e and sr9c. I’ve got 2lbs of bullseye


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[michael.birdsley]

Oldies but goodies:
306299

And if you don't want to use it, I'm not that far away, got a rifle I want to drop off @ Dick Williams up in Saginaw to be re-blued anyway. Make it a two fer trip[smilie=w:

You lost be fairly close if your going to dick Williams. Where abouts do you live. I live west of Chesaning. I grew up in Chesaning and Owosso


I’ve got 2 lbs of unique I was going to use for my 30-30 cast/plated load. However, I may use this red dot instead. Loading using a dipper does have some appeal rather than using the perfect powder measure every time.

This 4 lbs metal can is pretty much full of red dot


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[searcher4851]

I'm using 42 year old Red Dot currently. It's a very versatile powder that can be used in many pistol cartridges and is very handy for use in working up light loads.

[15meter]

You lost be fairly close if your going to dick Williams. Where abouts do you live. I live west of Chesaning. I grew up in Chesaning and Owosso


I’ve got 2 lbs of unique I was going to use for my 30-30 cast/plated load. However, I may use this red dot instead. Loading using a dipper does have some appeal rather than using the perfect powder measure every time.

This 4 lbs metal can is pretty much full of red dot


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I'm 15 miles south-southwest of metro airport. I've got a Winchester 52 that was treated roughly, considering having Dick Williams do the metal work. I've had several other rifles done and have been pleased with their work.

And I've got that red dot can's big brother, came filled with vintage H-380 that shoots great in my 22-250. Shot some in my 300 H&H over the weekend that shot just ok, but just ok is still fun.

[schutzen-jager]

All these comments about Red Dot. I've yet to find a good and accurate load in .45 colt out of my N M Blackhawk or the Henry Steel.

4.5 gr. works great for me with 185 , 200 , + 230 gr. cast lead bullets -

[quilbilly]

Now I just need to find a use for it. I have a 38 s&w , 2 9mm’s, 325c 30-30, 742 30-06, mosin, 3 12 gage shot guns.
So it’s shot gun powder obviously, used it shot guns and I’m guessing can be used in pistols ?


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I am using RD in 270, 30/30, 308, 7mm TCU, 444, and, of course 45LC. It is a very useful powder for light loads with CBs.

[sse]

Old red dot brings back memories of when I bought a coffee can with a pound of red dot in it at a shoe store that had some gun stuff behind the counter back in the late 1960's. Those were the days.

[michael.birdsley]

The 325c also, came from the same place that the red dot came from ( wives grandpa) . He was alive though when he gave me the gun. So I will use the red dot in that gun.


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[michael.birdsley]

I'm 15 miles south-southwest of metro airport. I've got a Winchester 52 that was treated roughly, considering having Dick Williams do the metal work. I've had several other rifles done and have been pleased with their work.

And I've got that red dot can's big brother, came filled with vintage H-380 that shoots great in my 22-250. Shot some in my 300 H&H over the weekend that shot just ok, but just ok is still fun.

That’s kind of a haul but, I know they do good work


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[gary0529]

Man, that brings back some memories. Wish I would have kept the old can just for memories sake
Thanks for the trip back in my old cranium LOL

Gary

[35 Rem]

I started loading shotshells in 1976 and the cans didn't look like that at that time so that is older than that for sure. Red Dot was the 1st powder I ever bought. I loaded many thousands of 12 gauge shells with 18 grains and 1 1/8 ounces shot or 16 grains and 1 ounce shot. I currently have nearly 30 lbs of Red Dot - not sure how old the oldest is but Id guess it's more than 25 years and it shoots like new. It's a great powder for handguns loads at low to mid-range power. I use it a lot in 38 Special and 44 Magnum.

[15meter]

I started loading shotshells in 1976 and the cans didn't look like that at that time so that is older than that for sure. Red Dot was the 1st powder I ever bought. I loaded many thousands of 12 gauge shells with 18 grains and 1 1/8 ounces shot or 16 grains and 1 ounce shot. I currently have nearly 30 lbs of Red Dot - not sure how old the oldest is but Id guess it's more than 25 years and it shoots like new. It's a great powder for handguns loads at low to mid-range power. I use it a lot in 38 Special and 44 Magnum.

I started loading shotgun in 1975, The dot powders came in cardboard kegs, the entire top came off, made it easy to get every grain out. The steel cans are cool but were a pain to empty completely.

[beechbum444]

Question.....How old is that big red can of red dot powder???

[dale2242]

I was gifted some old powder that wasn`t stored in the best of conditions.
I tested each can and found that it all worked perfectly.

[15meter]

Question.....How old is that big red can of red dot powder???

My guess is late 60's at the earliest. As I said above, when I started shotgun reloading in 1975 I was buying Red Dot in cardboard cans. A pound at a time, lusted after the big cardboard kegs. Didn't get one of the 8 pound cardboard kegs until early/mid eighties as my shooting picked up.

[35 Rem]

Here are two old Red Dot 1lb cans I have. I think the yellowed one is the 1st one I got in 1976. The price is $5.85. I continued to buy 1lb cans until 1984 when i got out of college and had my own money then started buying the 8 lb cardboard containers with the removable top. I'd use a modified powder funnel to refill the 1lb container because they were easier to use to fill the MEC 600 powder bottle with because of the narrow plastic spout. There was a 4lb can that was just a larger version of these 1lb cans.

I agree that the container shown by the original poster would be a pain to empty but I'm sure they were designed that way so they could be stacked.306513

[michael.birdsley]

What reloading manuals would have the red dot loads for 30-30? I’m assuming the older Lyman cast bullet manuals from the 50’s-70’s?


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[Pine Baron]

What reloading manuals would have the red dot loads for 30-30? I’m assuming the older Lyman cast bullet manuals from the 50’s-70’s?


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Try Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook - 3rd Edition - 1980

[15meter]

Question.....How old is that big red can of red dot powder???

How old #2.

Was in a gun shop yesterday with these fine bits sitting on the shelf:

306546

306547

Gets a little closer to how late the steel cans were available. Obviously until at least 1973. I remember seeing the pink cans. Curious how well they sold. Don't think it was sun faded, too even.

This gun shop must have had every old guy for 50 miles around cleaning out their garages. They had upwards of 2 dozen old weird powder cans, primers, bullets, and shotgun "wads" sitting on the shelf. All for sale. All at stupid expensive prices.

40 year old Federal Match LR primers. $299/brick. Herter's primers and bullets. Herter's and Alcan card and cork wads.

[michael.birdsley]

Received my reproduction copy of the 1980 version of the Lyman cast bullet log. They use red dot for just about every load in .30-.30. Should be good to go https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221112/bf46eb0931000d61b4dd1eebabe43eba.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221112/16093876305ca41a6a521c7ddd4ee4d3.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221112/15be9f9167dc9d8503aecc5480f62dd2.jpg


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[Ring3]

Got 11 pounds of Red Dot in its original (15# I think) cardboard container a few years back. Was marked 1977. It had been stored in a basement un-touched for at least 35 years. Looked fine, smelled fine so I loaded it up for 1 ounce shotgun target loads. Used 18g IIRC. All shot fine.