Red Dot

[Blammer]

Ok I have discovered I have some Red Dot powder.

What do you use red dot in?

I'm looking for ideas.

thanks

[lathesmith]

Well, let's see...I use Red Dot in 38 Spec, 38/55, 44 mag, 45 Colt...anything sound familiar yet? My use mostly consists of mild to mid-range loads, I started using it in place of Unique many years ago because back then they had just changed its formulation and it was much cleaner burning than Unique, and worked just as well for me.

lathesmith

[Blammer]

ok, I have 44mag, 41 mag and 45acp

[blaser.306]

The day after I married my lovely wife one of my trapshooting buddies( a retired police officer ) brought a wedding present to the house . A full unopened 23 lb red tin( still maked as Hercules ) keg of red dot , and with the 148w/c that I load for my wife's 6" gp100 she had better live a long time to burn it up . I have also used some in .45 acp and "gallery" .44mag . The lyman cast boolit handbook also lists it for quite a few reduced cast rifle loads .

[TCLouis]

Let me see Red Dot in . . .
219 Donaldson Wasp
222
257 Roberts
30-30
30-06
7.7X58
7.92X57
338 Mag
357 Herrett
38 spl

[35remington]

It may be one of the single best choices in powder for the 45 ACP. It is capable of anything from light loads as low as 3.5 grains to full power loads that exceed factory velocities.

Bulky, so an accidental double charge is pretty obvious. Decently clean burning. Gets high velocities for the charge weight. Takes only about 4.5 grains to duplicate factory/military ball velocities with a 230 grain lead bullet. 5 grains with a 230 lead bullet approaches 900 fps. More versatile than Clays as it has more "top end."

Also has a lot of use for light cast loads in rifles, and moderate velocity loads in the magnum handgun calibers

[Japlmg]

I use Red Dot as my powder of choice for all my pistol cartridge reloading.
32 S&W Long, 30 Nagant, 8mm Nambu, 38 Special, 9mm L, 9mm M, 40 S&W, 45 Colt, 45 ACP
No, you can not load full power magnmum loads with it, as it is too fast burning for that.
But Red Dot works great in just about any pistol cartridge, as long as you keep the loads in the middle of the road.
There is tons of reloading data out there for Red Dot.
It also works very well with most cast bullet rifle loads, as long as you keep muzzle velocity in the 1600 fps range.
Gregg

[GrizzLeeBear]

Don't forget Red Dot is a shotgun powder. More Red Dot has been burned in 12 ga. trap, skeet and sporting clays loads than probably all the other powder combined.

Also, just something to keep an eye on, RD doesn't meter well in small charges (like under 3 or 4 grains) depending on your measure. Can cause "squib" loads due to low or no powder charges that result in bullet tying up a revolver (bullet between cylinder and barrel) or more seriously a bullet stuck halfway down the barrel. Just need to pay attention when using it in small charges.
But as everyone else said, it can be used in a VERY wide range of calibers, especially with cast boolits.

[EDK]

Ok I have discovered I have some Red Dot powder.

What do you use red dot in?

I'm looking for ideas.

thanks

GRAFS in Mexico MO has PROMO (same stuff without the red taggarts) for under $90 for an eight pound keg. Slightly different in volume, so check the powder measure and DO NOT MIX RED DOT with PROMO.

I've got some RED DOT to experiment with reduced loads in my 30/30s with cast boolits (of course!) There's been a lot RED DOT in HANDLOADER, etc. lately in pistol loads as well.

[woody1]

Ever hear of "The Load?"

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=2751

Regards, Woody

[Ricochet]

I saw Promo listed for $76/8 lb at Widener's the other day. As broadly useful as Red Dot is, I think Promo's the real bargain out there.

[HollandNut]

a starting load of around 5.5 is good with all cast weights in the 45 Colt from 175 to 255 grains ..

[Slow Elk 45/70]

Most of us use it in Shoutguns, Rifles and Pistols, not beeing a SA... Go the the Classics and Stickies....and be enlightmed...have fun.

[jjohnson]

Red Dot's pretty useful in those midrange target loads in your .45 - it's a fast burning powder, not too unlike Bullseye. You won't want to try to load full house .44 Mag loads with it, but if you go through a lot of cast .45 ACP, you'll find it pretty useful. Same deal for .38.....

The pressure curve builds pretty fast - but if you're loading squirrel loads for your rifles, you can use it there, too.

[Tazman1602]

Ever hear of "The Load?"

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=2751

Regards, Woody

I've still got the old Handloaders Digest (I think that's the one..) That shows 13 grains of Red Dot as "The Load" shoots cast great in my 30 cals but wouldn't use it to hunt with unless it was squirrels or something. Great for reduced 30-06 shooting though with cast. Funny I just dug that book out a while back.

Art

[Ricochet]

"The Load" isn't a squib load by any means.

[dale2242]

Red Dot would be great in the 45ACP. I Use 700X in mine. 5 gr Red Dot with a 158-160gr boolit in my 357 is my favorite plinking/mid velocity load.......dale

[jimkim]

If you can get your hands on an old lyman cast bullet handbook, you will have plenty of RD load data.

[WILCO]

Let me see Red Dot in . . .
222
257 Roberts
30-30
30-06

Also:

.308
7.62x54R
8X57MM
12 ga. Shotgun

[Tazman1602]

Anyone got a pet load for Red Dot and .357 mag?

And YES "The Load" is NOT a squib in any way, shape, or form. In .30 cal it is a nice light target load that gives you lots of practice for little money with your favorite .30 cal...

[jimkim]

Anyone got a pet load for Red Dot and .357 mag?

And YES "The Load" is NOT a squib in any way, shape, or form. In .30 cal it is a nice light target load that gives you lots of practice for little money with your favorite .30 cal...

I like 4.0-4.4gr RD pushing a 158gr SWC. The 4.4gr load is from Oregon Trail.

[Tazman1602]

I like 4.0-4.4gr RD pushing a 158gr SWC. The 4.4gr load is from Oregon Trail.

Thank you, I'll start out low and work my way up. 158G is what I've got right now.

Art

[jsizemore]

45acp and 12 gauge shotshells and buckshot

[theperfessor]

I don't shoot Cowboy but my BIL says that's the powder that most of the local guys use for their mouse-fart loads. Supposed to burn clean.

[casper_zip]

Hey there:

This is my all time favorite use for Red Dot. Use this in 22 Hornet, 221 Fireball, 222 Rem., 223 Rem. Use 4.5 grains of Red Dot with a 55 grain FMJ bullet, and there is none better for squirrels, rabbits, and just plain ole fun. I buy the bulk cheapest FMJ I can find. I have used this load for years. I have chronographed it many times. I can find my actual data, but my goal was to duplicate the 36-40 grain rimfire L.R. This was accomplished, and that is how I arrived at 4.5 grains.

I guess the max I have shot squirrels is at around 65-70 yards. I know at this range, it will place 5 shots in an area you can cover with your thumbnail. This is for all the guns I shoot it in. It is pretty quite, also. I shoot many, many rounds of this great combo. One year, I killed 20
big ole fox squirrels, and all with one shot. Even with a chest shot, it is an instant killer. You also don't end up with a two piece squirrel. It is almost unbelivable, have to see it for yourself. This is one load I'll never be without, God willing.

I had too many squirrels here, they ate all my pears, pecans, and anything else they took a fancy too. By the way, squirrels are excellent eating.

Best,

casper_zip

[Thumbcocker]

In .357 cases the Lee 158 rnfp with 4.5 grns of red dot has been good for me. Also works in Marlin lever.

[Gee_Wizz01]

I use Red Dot in my .45 Colt, 45ACP, .308, 7.62X54R, .303 Brit and .30-06. My favorite load for .45 Colt is 6.0 gr with a 250 gr RNFP.

G

[stephen perry]

Red Dot is great powder for pistol, shotgun, and some cast loads in rifle. But so is Unique. What I have found is that some manuals rotate around powders. Red Dot and Unique will be rotated out to make space for a newer powder no big deal. They come back with the next cartridge on the list.

Stephen Perry
Angeles BR :cbpour:

[NHlever]

I shot some Red Dot in my 30-30 Handi rifle today. I used 4-6 grains under the Lyman 3118 plain base sized to .310, and 7-8 grains under the Lyman 311316 GC boolit also sized to .310.
All 5 shot groups were less than 1 3/4" most under 1 1/2", and the 5 grain load under the 3118 (I think 31108 now days) shot both 5 shot groups at 50 yards under 7/8". I'm guessing the velocity of that load is around 1200 fps or less, and duplicates the 32-20 standard load I would think.

[GP100man]

I`ve shot my share of 158gr swc over 5.0 grs . of RD, 4.5 grs is easier on the hands though.

All this in a 357 mag.

[TAWILDCATT]

I use Red Dot in all my military laods.13.5 gr in a 1903 with 311291 gives 1680 fts
I also use the lee 312-160 TL with same load and both shoot into 1 inch at 100 yds.

[Newtire]

Aside from a great 12 gauge powder, Red Dot worked for me in .30-30 Ackley @ 9.0gr. and the Group buy 120 grain .314" RF sized to .310.

Red Dot got real hot on me in a hurry using it in .30-06 under a 130 gr. RCBS.

I found "the load" a bit too hot using 13 grains of Herco and a 180 grain cast boolit. Would think that RedDot was a little hotter since it's a faster burning powder. I stuck with 11.0 grains of Herco and had no trouble. I'm just saying, watch out.

[340six]

If you can get your hands on an old lyman cast bullet handbook, you will have plenty of RD load data.

I agree the old book as well as the new book and the casters book too.
[smilie=s:

[rockrat]

I think there was some talk over on the CBA site about "Promo" powder, and that it was RD, just without the red flakes. Anyone know about this or heard about it. Really good price over at Powder Valley.

[blaser.306]

Loaded it for trap , promo has the same burn rate only slightly more dense.For shotshell you use 1 size smaller bushing . So likely the only time you would run into trouble is if you had a powder measure set up to throw red dot and just swiched over to promo without a volume/weight adjustment . Just my .02 worth .

[dualsport]

At $76 for 8 lbs. plus haz mat and shipping let's just say $110 delivered, or so. At 13 gr. per load (The Load) that's 4,307 loaded rounds, or .02 cents a shot. If my math is ok. Hard to beat, and very useful. With lesser charges in handgun loads it's almost free to shoot. Man, I love this country. I got a Lee 6 cav(my first one) coming for the Lee 358-125RF. I'm in for some real cheap shooting.

[Bulltipper]

Anybody know how RD compares to 700x for pistol and shotgun loads? i have a lot of 700x but have my eye on some cheap RD at the local gun shop. I don't really want to buy another charging bar for the MEC...

[mfraser264]

About Promo vs. Red Dot - Heard from a local dealer that Promo was "the fallings out from sorting" so to speak of Red Dot through processing. Remember a while back, Red Dot was reformulated for cleaner burning!!! Unique was the first of the reformulated powders and is much more uniform for certain.

Confirmed this with an article in one of the magazines reviewing the new Unique. Alliant studied and changed the cutting technique to produce a much more uniform cut flake - reformulated? Alliant mentioned they would be incorporating the change to several of powders as memory recalls.

I compared RD of recent production to the older (15 years old) RD and the difference was easily seen. Picked up a 8 pounder of Promo last year for next to nothing. A local dealer had several 8 pound kegs and they flew out of the store. Low cost backup powder. Hope this helps.

[Ricochet]

I read elsewhere that Alliant reprocesses batches of their various double base powders that don't meet specs to the Red Dot burning rate and sells the product as Promo. Its density isn't uniform. If this recycling info is correct, its composition varies, too.

[fatnhappy]

ok, I have 44mag, 41 mag and 45acp

I use it in all 3. five grains is about right in the magnums with a keith boolit. I won't quote a .45 recipe without my notes.

[mineralman55]

I'm looking for some specifics on using Red Dot for light, target loads in .44 mag. Using both 214 gn. LSWC and 240 LSWC bullets. I had thought of starting at 5 gn. Red Dot. Any thoughts or recipes?

Red Dot has been great for .357 and .45ACP for me and small charges actually meter well in my RCBS Uniflo.

For those who care:

.357mag: 3.7-4.2 gn. Red Dot 158 gn. LSWC, CCI magnum pistol primers, 1.590"LOA. Very easy shooting .

.45ACP: 4.7-5.1 gn. Red Dot in 200 LSWC CCI regular pistol primers, 1.245"LOA. Good accuracy.

[Rico1950]

44 mag, 6.0 Red Dot, WLP, 429421 or H&G 503 Miha. Mild and accurate

[Thumbcocker]

6.5 of red dot with a 429421 is my all around not hunting load for the .44 mag. So far it has shot well in every .44 I have tried it in if the boolit fit. Over 1000 shot per pound and definately not a squib load.

[casper_zip]

Hey there:

"The Load" of 13 grains of Red Dot is for real. It is plenty potent to kill about anything you need to kill.

Try this Red Dot load:

I experminted to duplicate 22 rimfire velocities and this did it. The only difference is that I used 55 grain FMJ bullets instead of the 36 grain 22 rimfire. I chronographed my loads and this is one super load for squirrels, rabbits, varmints, about anything you need for small game hunting. Accuracy ?? Glad you asked: It will put all shots in one hole if you do your part at least at 75 yards. I didn't go any furthur, didn't need to. Here is the load:

22 Hornet
22 K-Hornet
221 Fireball
222 Rem
223 Rem
5.7 x 28 MM

4.5 grains of Red Dot
55 grain FMJ (Read cheapest bulk bullets you can buy)

I killed 20 big fox squirrels one year, all one shots. I shoot all of the above in my Thompson Center Contenders. Barrels are 10-12-14" accuracy is all the same. Even a body shot and the squirrels are dead when they are hit. They don't fall out of the tree in two pieces, either. Small hole going in, small hole coming out. This is a "Quite" load for a handgun.

Try it, you'll not only like it, you'll love it.

Best,

casper_zip

I have shot these loads for years in my guns. Do I love Red Dot ?? YES YES YES