Red Dot?

[olyinaz]

Red Dot is what I have been able to find, so that's what I've got plenty of (this is sure a crummy time to get into reloading). Can some of you tell me if you use it and/or like it for the standard rimmed pistol calibers? Or should I put the stuff on Craigslist and try to acquire something else?

If Red Dot is good I'll start loading that to get into the game and see how I do/where I go from here.

Sorry for such a general question, but I see that it's listed as a useable powder for many cartridges and it was available so I picked some up. Please let me know if I've screwed up or not.

Thanks!

[Old Savage]

Good for the 44 Spl and 45 Colt.

[earlmck]

Oly -- Red Dot is wonderful powder. For approximately target-velocity loads (700 to 800 fps, say) in pistol cartridges. It is a fast powder, which means it generates quite a lot of pressure for modest velocity. And you use small amounts (not very many grains) so it is quite possible to fit a double charge into your pistol case, which might make the gun come unglued. I always put in a step where I get under good light and look at the powder level in my charged cases to make sure there are no skips and no double charges and you should have this step also.

Enjoy your Red Dot -- lots of shootin' per pound of powder with Red Dot.

[3leggedturtle]

RedDot is great for pretty much everything. Lyman Cast bullet handbook from the 70's has a WEALTH of loads with it for 80% of all calibers. Only surpassed by 2400 for usefulness. My opinion and $2 will get you 100 generic tea bags I have never been without Red Dot or Unique since 1973.

[olyinaz]

Thanks guys!

[Mescalero]

Yeah,
You are good to go,
but like Earlmuck says; put that final inspection step in.

[Blaine]

" The Load "

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthr ... ns-Red-Dot

[olyinaz]

Yeah,
You are good to go,
but like Earlmuck says; put that final inspection step in.

Wilco!

[olyinaz]

" The Load "

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthr ... ns-Red-Dot

Go figure.

[Blaine]

The local Cabela's hasn't had any of the Dots for a long time....I use a bunch of Blue Dot....It's real close to 2400, and can power 45-70, 444, and others in a pinch. I use nothing else for .44mag, and .357.....

[Sixgun]

Not much to add other than I loaded 500 rds. of 9mm last night using 4.5 gr. of Red Dot. ------6

[piller]

Oly -- Red Dot is wonderful powder. For approximately target-velocity loads (700 to 800 fps, say) in pistol cartridges. It is a fast powder, which means it generates quite a lot of pressure for modest velocity. And you use small amounts (not very many grains) so it is quite possible to fit a double charge into your pistol case, which might make the gun come unglued. I always put in a step where I get under good light and look at the powder level in my charged cases to make sure there are no skips and no double charges and you should have this step also.

Enjoy your Red Dot -- lots of shootin' per pound of powder with Red Dot.

Inspection steps are always a good idea. I have a sort of sentimental attachment to my fingers and eyes.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I shoot lots of Red Dot under 230 gr. cast bullets in my Ruger SR 1911.
Runs great and very accurate.
Red Dot makes a fine cast bullet powder.

[olyinaz]

Well I came across an 8lb jug of the stuff so this really makes my day guys.

Lyman Cast bullet handbook from the 70's has a WEALTH of loads with it for 80% of all calibers.

I even found a copy of that 1970's Lyman handbook on Amazon! I look forward to comparing it to the current manual.

[3leggedturtle]

Well I came across an 8lb jug of the stuff so this really makes my day guys.

Lyman Cast bullet handbook from the 70's has a WEALTH of loads with it for 80% of all calibers.

I even found a copy of that 1970's Lyman handbook on Amazon! I look forward to comparing it to the current manual.

I wont say much time I spent listening to rock-n-roll, keep the fire stoked and the Coleman lantern pumped up while reading that Lyman manual on cold winter weekends. But more than a few questioned my sanity

[FWiedner]

Not saying it's a good or bad powder one way or the other, 'cause I got no opinion, but just sharing a story.

Had a buddy when I was in the service that blew up two Super Redhawks using Red Dot.

(... and no, I don't have his load data.)

Ruger replaced the first one with essentially no questions asked.

When he sent them the second one, he got a call direct from Bill Ruger hizself asking him "... what the H*LL are you doing...".

Vince claims that as one of the highlights of his life.

[Nath]

Makes nice 7/8oz and 1oz loads in a 12g too but a long wad is needed, steady loads, good for close pigeon, bolting rabbit and woodcock.

N.

[Griff]

I just don't know... that stuff has some limited applications and is extremely finicky to deal with. Box it up and ship it to me.

[BrianSH]

Makes nice 7/8oz and 1oz loads in a 12g too but a long wad is needed, steady loads, good for close pigeon, bolting rabbit and woodcock.

N.

I was wondering how long it would take for a shotgunner to show up. Red Dot is VERY popular with the target shotgun crowd, that and light field loads.
Red Dot it just overshadowed by Bullseye in the pistol department. Look up Paco's article "The Dots".
I do simpathise because I stocked up on Green Dot earlier this year because its what they had at the store. I know it will handle light to medium loads in all my pistols, there just is not lots on pistol data with GD. -Brian

[olyinaz]

I just don't know... that stuff has some limited applications and is extremely finicky to deal with. Box it up and ship it to me.

Too late! I got the good word, Thunderbird.

[Nath]

Makes nice 7/8oz and 1oz loads in a 12g too but a long wad is needed, steady loads, good for close pigeon, bolting rabbit and woodcock.

N.

I was wondering how long it would take for a shotgunner to show up. Red Dot is VERY popular with the target shotgun crowd, that and light field loads.
Red Dot it just overshadowed by Bullseye in the pistol department. Look up Paco's article "The Dots".
I do simpathise because I stocked up on Green Dot earlier this year because its what they had at the store. I know it will handle light to medium loads in all my pistols, there just is not lots on pistol data with GD. -Brian

Psssss, I use G.dot instead now though It fills a 12g case better and my 357 rabbits loads the case is filled better too!


N.

[JohndeFresno]

Oly,

Here is the original "The Load" information as written by the renowned C. E. Harris and published in earlier editions of The American Rifleman and elsewhere:
https://www.box.com/s/ls2g00q1shrdk33zagti

Red Dot and Unique are two truly unique powders. They figure prominently on my shelves, and will be my emergency powder if none other are available.

There are currently 78 different calibers listed at LoadData.com that are serviced by Red Dot. This includes handgun and rifle loads. Most of them are mid-range and target loads, but they would still get the job done in a pinch. Since the list is too long to post here, you can click on the following link and download the two-page PDF document to see what those loads are at:
https://www.box.com/s/wwepfjds7kk6xd8npyol

[SmokeEater2]

Makes nice 7/8oz and 1oz loads in a 12g too but a long wad is needed, steady loads, good for close pigeon, bolting rabbit and woodcock.

N.

I was wondering how long it would take for a shotgunner to show up. Red Dot is VERY popular with the target shotgun crowd, that and light field loads.
Red Dot it just overshadowed by Bullseye in the pistol department. Look up Paco's article "The Dots".
I do simpathise because I stocked up on Green Dot earlier this year because its what they had at the store. I know it will handle light to medium loads in all my pistols, there just is not lots on pistol data with GD. -Brian

Psssss, I use G.dot instead now though It fills a 12g case better and my 357 rabbits loads the case is filled better too!


N.

Agree on the Green dot. It does pretty well in the .32-20 too.

[olyinaz]

Oly,

Here is the original "The Load" information as written by the renowned C. E. Harris and published in earlier editions of The American Rifleman and elsewhere:
https://www.box.com/s/ls2g00q1shrdk33zagti

Red Dot and Unique are two truly unique powders. They figure prominently on my shelves, and will be my emergency powder if none other are available.

There are currently 78 different calibers listed at LoadData.com that are serviced by Red Dot. This includes handgun and rifle loads. Most of them are mid-range and target loads, but they would still get the job done in a pinch. Since the list is too long to post here, you can click on the following link and download the two-page PDF document to see what those loads are at:
https://www.box.com/s/wwepfjds7kk6xd8npyol

Thank you sir!