Red Dot. Yet another question

[Greenhorn44]

I was thumbing through my manual of the different powders that were tested and I noticed that when red dot was tested half the amount was used compared to other powders.

I use Unique right now. I paid 70.00 for 4 pounds. Its seems that red dot would last longer seeing that i would use half the amount per load. is red dot expensive.

What are the pro's/con's for using red dot in 44mag alaskan

[P.K.]

I'd try it. Keep an eye on pressures though, and it depends on the gr. wt. of what your tossing down range. But if your really lookin' to shave the last grain/ cost out of loads look up the data on HP-38.


Forgot to add it's neglegable where jacketed stuff is concerned, I only posted because it is a 2 gr. or more difference with the cast stuff though.

[AZ-Stew]

Unique and Red Dot are two different "tools". In certain cartridges you can save some $$ by using a faster powder, but don't get the idea you can automatically use half a charge of Red Dot to replace a full charge of Unique in every load you come across. Powders don't work that way. You wouldn't use needle nose pliers to torque the head bolts on your hot rod engine. Same with using Red Dot to replace Unique. Use them where they're most effective.

Use ONLY published data until you have about 25 years handloading experience under your belt. Then you'll have a feeling for what's safe and what's not.

Unique got its name from being able to work in a wide variety of cartridges. Red Dot has a limited range of usefulness. Look at the loads listed in your manuals (the three manuals you should have on your bench). Take a look through the range of cartridges and see where Unique and Red Dot are useful. Compare charge weights in those cartridges. This will help you to have an understanding of what you can and can't expect from these two excellent powders.

Regards,

Stew

[buck1]

Keep in mind, the less powder in a case, the easier it is to throw a doubble charge in to it and BOOM!...Buck

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I use Unique in my 44 Mag with deep seated wadcutter bullets and get good groups. No heavy recoil...just target loads. When I want or need more power I go to a slower powder like 4227. 17-18 grains of that provides plenty of whomp and 22-23 grains is full house. Red Dot is a fast powder...just a tad slower than Bullseye. The fast end of the powder spectrum is real economical to use, but you have to keep a serious eye on what you are doing pressure-wise or you can get into big trouble quick like leading ,flattened or blown primers, and as already pointed out a double charge will cause a disaster. Using less powder also changes the loading density because you then have more air in the case. That has a direct effect on accuracy. If you are doing just short range target work you could probably get by with a fast powder like red dot in reduced loadings and it will work ok. Unique will for sure....probably better to some extent than Red Dot. But if you want longer range accuracy and/or more performance for hunting, then you would do much better (and safer) to go further up the line to slower powders like Herco, Blue Dot, or 2400 as those will provide a better loading density and with somewhat lower pressures. LLS

[be603]

If it happens that Red Dot suits your application and you're using a fair bit of the case volume then give Alliant Promo a look.

Cheaper than Red Dot. Uses same load data by weight as Red Dot but lower volume (so it may not work as well).

[jimkim]

If it happens that Red Dot suits your application and you're using a fair bit of the case volume then give Alliant Promo a look.

Cheaper than Red Dot. Uses same load data by weight as Red Dot but lower volume (so it may not work as well).

I was going to suggest the same thing.

[WRideout]

I have used Red Dot in shotgun and light .38 spl loads. It worked fine in both. I have also used Green Dot and Unique in rifle and pistol cast loads, and had good success with both. Bullseye has been the traditional low-cost leader in pistol powders. Red Dot and Bullseye are about the same price at Midway. Keep in mind that because of low charge weights, Bullseye has a reputation for double charges.

[Greenhorn44]

thanks alot for the info. Since i use the loadmaster. double charging is a fear of mine. I double charged some unique in a 44 mag on purpose to check the level and it overflowed powder everywhere. Great indication of double charge. I think I will keep with unique.