Blue Dot

[robert kuester]

What is the formula for Blue Dot in a bore rifle ie 12 bore with 750 gr bullet?

 

[sestoppelman]

Hmmm, Blue Dot is a shotgun/pistol powder. What are you shooting? Think I would be looking at other powders.

 

[flatwater bill]

You can see some heavy 12 bore loads on YT..........using both Blue Dot and Blue................750 grains is about 1.7 oz. I have used Blue Dot in 12 ga shotguns with such loads, but that was for shot.....not slugs.....which "give" less, and can be more sensitive to the pressure pulse.............good luck, be cautious ................FWB

 

[robert kuester]

You can see some heavy 12 bore loads on YT..........using both Blue Dot and Blue................750 grains is about 1.7 oz. I have used Blue Dot in 12 ga shotguns with such loads, but that was for shot.....not slugs.....which "give" less, and can be more sensitive to the pressure pulse.............good luck, be cautious ................FWB

Cal and others use it all the time.

 

[flatwater bill]

Then they are the ones to ask........................and, as always with a load new to you....be cautious.................FWB

 

[degoins]

Cal Pappas should chime in here shortly with exactly the answers you seek.

 

[robert kuester]

Cal Pappas should chime in here shortly with exactly the answers you seek.

Yes that would be great. I have all of his books and he lists loads for my 4 Bore and others but not what i'm looking for.

 

[rookhawk]

Yep. @cal pappas may know.

the two sources of truth on blue dot loads for bore rifles I’m aware of that others may parrot: Ken Owen or Ross Seyfried.

Be very,very careful on assumptions and extrapolations.

 

[cal pappas]

I have been using Blue Dot for 25 years in double bore rifles (I've even fired it in a few single shot bore rifles but I keep that a secret). There has never been published a formula for its use so after nearly 25 years of using it I have found the following to work for me: 33% of the original charge of black powder for Blue Dot when using a round ball and 25% of the original charge of black powder for Blue Dot when using a conical. Generally, regualtion on a target starting at 25 yards and out to 50 yards is good but the charge may have to be added to or subtracted from to get the best target. Of course for liability I will suggest havign the rifle checked out by a licensed gunsmith who knows double rifles. I have owned well over a dozen bore rifles, both rolled steel and twist or Damascus, hammerless, exposed hammers, top lever or under lever. The above has worked for me so well I have not sought out another powder as BD does just what I wanted.

The above said, I am now experimenting with Unique in my 8 and 4 bores (I have sold my 10s and 12s as I am liquidating most of my double rifles and loading components). Unique is showing less recoil for the same velocity and the bore shows less powder residue. I'm not done so I won't publish anything until spring or summer 2021 when my work is done.

 

[robert kuester]

I have been using Blue Dot for 25 years in double bore rifles (I've even fired it in a few single shot bore rifles but I keep that a secret). There has never been published a formula for its use so after nearly 25 years of using it I have found the following to work for me: 33% of the original charge of black powder for Blue Dot when using a round ball and 25% of the original charge of black powder for Blue Dot when using a conical. Generally, regualtion on a target starting at 25 yards and out to 50 yards is good but the charge may have to be added to or subtracted from to get the best target. Of course for liability I will suggest havign the rifle checked out by a licensed gunsmith who knows double rifles. I have owned well over a dozen bore rifles, both rolled steel and twist or Damascus, hammerless, exposed hammers, top lever or under lever. The above has worked for me so well I have not sought out another powder as BD does just what I wanted.

The above said, I am now experimenting with Unique in my 8 and 4 bores (I have sold my 10s and 12s as I am liquidating most of my double rifles and loading components). Unique is showing less recoil for the same velocity and the bore shows less powder residue. I'm not done so I won't publish anything until spring or summer 2021 when my work is done.

Thanks Cal. I have been shooting it in your friend Ron's 4 bore and was impressed. The 12 is a Reilly and has steel barrels and weighs 12 lbs. I will go slow.

 

[cal pappas]

If the Reilly is 12 pounds it is for a heavy charge. Is the rifle made for a conical or ball?

 

[flatwater bill]

Cal.......that is some worthwhile data for sure. Surprising on the Unique though. It is such a fast and dirty powder in my handgun. But glad it is doing well in your big guns. I have used it for well over 40 years for heavy 12 ga loads. Bruce, I also used a heavy charge in my .58 with a Minnie......but it proved a poor choice with a soft, obturating skirt that blew out on occasion....got better accuracy with a flat base bullet and a heck of a lot better penetration. I like a lightly hardened RB for use in my 20 on deer and elk. Since I have 12 pounds of Blue Dot, am interested in these loadings now............FWB

 

[robert kuester]

If the Reilly is 12 pounds it is for a heavy charge. Is the rifle made for a conical or ball?

The rifle is chambered for a paper case and a fast twist for a bullet.

 

[robert kuester]

The rifle is chambered for a paper case and a fast twist for a bullet.

Forgot to say I have been shooting 130grs of black and a750gr bullet and it regulates fair.

 

[cal pappas]

Rifling: 1 turn in 100" (approximatley 1/4 turn down the bore0 is for a ball. 1 turn in 50" (approxiamtely 1/2 turn down the bore) is for a conical. If you rifle is accurate you are on the money. But, 130 grains is a bit less than 5 drams and I would imagine in a heavy 12 at least 6 drams and maybe 7.

 

[robert kuester]

Rifling: 1 turn in 100" (approximatley 1/4 turn down the bore0 is for a ball. 1 turn in 50" (approxiamtely 1/2 turn down the bore) is for a conical. If you rifle is accurate you are on the money. But, 130 grains is a bit less than 5 drams and I would imagine in a heavy 12 at least 6 drams and maybe 7.

If I remember when I checked it. It was 1 in 60.

 

[cal pappas]

Then it's for a conical.

 

[robert kuester]

Then it's for a conical.

Thanks for the info. By the way I love your books!

 

[cal pappas]

Thanks for the kind words and good shooting.
Cal;

 

[robert kuester]

Thanks for the kind words and good shooting.
Cal;

Should tell you I shot Ron's 4 bore on Friday with 90grs of blue dot and at 25yds all shots were touching dead center and at 50 they were an inch high and an inch apart. I think that cannon is a hoot. My friends think I lost it.