Red Dot Loads

[1Shirt]

Have a qty of Red Dot, and have played with the 13 gr. Harris recommendation for 308, 06, 7.65 Swiss, and 303Brit, with excellent result as a starter load. Wonder if anybody out there has any Red Dot data for Hornet, 222, 223, etc. If so would be interested your results. Have used 9 gr. of it under the 150 gr. Lee in 30-30, and it shoots well. Just seems like there ought to be some data out there for some of the small bores. For that matter, would be interested in any tested and proven safe red dot loads for 444,45-70, and 375 H&H as well. Never hurts to ask is my thought on the matter, but am most interested in the 224's. Thanks in advance to all who respond to this thread.
1Shirt!:coffee::coffee:

[waco]

makes me wonder if red dot would work in my .221fireball?
have a few pounds on hand
50gr cast

[Rocky Raab]

You can load "22 WMR" equivalent loads in the Hornet, Bee, Fireball, Deuce and 223 using RedDot and either cast or those "other" bullets up to about 50 grains weight.

I use 3.5 RedDot in the Hornet and up to about 5.0 in the others. For faster loads, you ought to move to BlueDot, but for very light gallery loads, Red is fine. I never use a filler, as RedDot is fluffy enough that the primer will "leafblower" it no matter where it lies in the case.

Edit to add: small pistol primers are entirely adequate for these loads, which is a relief with small rifle primers being so scarce.

[RayinNH]

!shirt, read this article by ED Harris.
http://www.castbulletassoc.org/forum/view_topic.php?id=1387&forum_id=22

...Ray

[1Shirt]

RayinNH, Have/had read Ed's 13gr "The Load" many times. Interest was in ctgs w/Red Dot in the smaller cases.

Col Rocky, Was going to start with 2-3 gr in Hornet and 3-4 gr in the others if I did not get responses. Just wanted confirmation from some who had played with the little guys.

Thanks,
1Shirt,:coffee:
Phu Cat, RVN

[Rocky Raab]

An admirable plan, one most practical as well as prudent; in short, just what a 1shirt would do.

That 2.0 load will get you 22LR results in the Hornet or Bee, BTW.


( I FACced out of LZ English for a while, just up Hwy 1 from Phu Cat. Long time away and far, far ago.)

[RayinNH]

I know you wanted smaller case info, but you also mentioned .444, 45-70 and the .375 H&H. Ed addresses those...Ray

[RayinNH]

1Shirt, I just checked the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 3rd. Ed.. Red Dot loads are listed for all three you asked about, 22 Hornet, .222, .223...Ray :-D

[35remington]

In the 22 K Hornet in a 22 inch barrel, 1-14 twist (close enough to a standard Hornet for reduced loads) I get:

Lyman 225438:
3.5 Red Dot 1550 fps
2.0 Red Dot 1140 fps

Lyman 225415
3.5 Red Dot also 1550 fps
2.5 Red Dot 1300 fps

2.0 Red Dot 1120 fps (threshold of stability for this bullet and speed)

Make sure your measure works to meter properly at these low charge weights. No problems with the Lyman 55 or Lee Perfect at these low weights, but the Lee Pro Auto Disk will throw squibs due to the small size of the disk charge hole - this causes powder bridging and squibs in these small amounts. Don't go below 3.5 grains Red Dot and expect proper metering in the Pro.

[1Shirt]

Thanks Guys! Col Raab, got into and out of LZ English a few times. Used to horse trade some stuff with an old Army Lt.Col, that I was quite fond of. I got Army Poncho Liners, He got whatever I could scrounge that he could use.

Words of wisdom from all. Can always count on this forum and the good guys on it. Ya gotta be a good guy to be a caster, even if you occaisionaly find one who is a bit of a grump.

1Shirt!:coffee:

[1Shirt]

35Rem, Good advice on small charges in rifle cases and with different measures etc. In short stubby pistol ctgs it is fairly easy to see a double charge, but not so in a rifle case. After a mishap that I don't care to repeat, I weigh (dig scale) every completed cast rifle ctg. charged with small amounts of pistol/shotgun pdr. It is an extra step, but is worth the effort. It is also important to have like cases from same mfg rather than have mixed mfg brass which weighs appreciably different.
In some 30 cal cases that I have weighed, there can be a difference in weight of up to close to 30 grains. In small cases like Hornet, Bee etc. I want to have the same batch of brass from the same mfg. Even in same mfg of brass for hornet w/different lots of brass, have found up to 2.5 grain difference.
1Shirt! :coffee:

[Rocky Raab]

Just a tip about an often overlooked gem of a product. Lee dippers are a quick and amazingly accurate way to measure small charges for reduced or normal handgun loads. If you develop a consistent technique, they are as accurate as any drum measure, and almost as good as a digital dispensing system. Faster, too. AND, you can SEE how well every single charge fills the dipper - unlike with a drum measure.

[1Shirt]

Have used all of the Lee dippers from the set at one time or the other. Not fancy, but very accurate if you dip fully and level off the top. Great for range work also if that is your cup of tea.
1Shirt!:coffee: