Sometime ago, I read some posts about reduced loads using Blue Dot powder. I believe Seafire
was the fellow doing the workup on the loads. I have been thinking about trying some in my .30/06 with 100 gr. plinkers and 125 gr Remingtons. Does anyone have any data on these loads? Thanks.

I have some data but not reduced.

Bullet Sako FMJ 125 grain
VihtaVuori powder..
N135 Min 47grains Max 50 - 3185 fps
N140 Min 52 Max 54 - 3342 fps
N150 Min 53 Max 55 - 3289

37 Gr. IMR4198, R 91/2 Primer, 125 Core Lokt, Rem Brass. Pretty close to the same point of impact at 100 yds as my hunting loads.

In my rifle up to 24gr. of blue dot gave safe and accurate results for bullets up to 125 gr. Start low and verify the amount of dispensed powder. roger

Blue Dot Range Report: 30/06 Springfield

Rifle Used: Winchester Model 70

Barrel Length; 24 inch

Case Remington
Primer: CCI Large Rifle


150 grain Remington SP: Case: Remington, CCI/LR Primer, OAL: 81.36mm

21 grs: 2057 fps
22 grs: 2180 fps
23 grs: 2225 fps
24 grs: 2272 fps

25 grs: 2363 fps
26 grs: 2421 fps
27 grs: 2422 fps
28 grs: 2512 fps

Consider 27 grains as max load for reliable brass life. Recoil was greatly reduced, ( guestimate of 50% or more!) Accuracy was excellent in my Winchester Model 70. There are a lot of good bullets available that would work well at these velocities. My favorite is the ballistic tip and the 150 grain round noses. The 150 grain FN meant for the 30/30 would also be a good bullet. Speer’s Magtip also does an excellent job.

I would not hesitate to use these loads on any deer. At 24 grains, a 3.5 inch high zero at 100 yds, would be close to dead on at 200 yds. Penetration is a lot better than most people would believe reading modern ballistic charts.
Good shot placement, and you would be surprised what these loads will do.

I have taken an Elk, ( cow) at 175 yds, that weight 650 lbs on the hoof. She was taken at a broadside shot at a dead gallop. The load was a 165 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, with an MV of 2250fps. The bullet penetrated all the way thru and was lodged on the far side under the hide. It destroyed both lungs and the liver, while cutting the esophagus in half also. The Elk cow went 50 yds and expired.

This load was not being carried to try and prove a point. As typical in hunting, the wrong ammo got packed for the trip, in the rush to get going.
It was all I had with me, which meant use it, or NOHunt! I decided to hunt.
90 minutes or less, I had the Elk down!

165 grain Sierra SP: Fed 210 Primer, Win Brass, OAL: 82.50 mm

20 grains: 1852 fps
21 grains: 1894 fps
22 grains: 1986 fps
23 grains: 2047 fps

24 grains: 2102 fps
25 grains: 2157 fps
26 grains: 2228 fps

I recommend stopping at 25 grains. 26 grains gave a few stiff bolt extractions.


180 grain Remington SP: Fed 210 Primer, Win Brass, OAL: 80.85mm

20 grains: 1762 fps
21 grains: 1814 fps
22 grains: 1882 fps
23 grains: 1955 fps
24 grains: 2022 fps
25 grains: 2076 fps.

The Nosler Ballistic tip would be a GREAT bullet in these applications, due to it being able to open up at low velocities and be deadly on game. I prefer Round Nose bullets or bullets like Speers Mag Tip also in reduced loads.
Honorable mention will go to 170 grain 30/30 bullets from multiple manufacturers that were design to work in this velocity ranges.

Accuracy with all weights were exceptional.

The above max will be the same for bullet weights less than 150 grains...Blue Dot and faster powders do not have the same characteristics as regularly used rifle powders...

110 grain HP, 110 V Max, 110 SP, 125 SPs, 125 Ballistic Tips, 125 TNTs, 130 FN, 130 HPs,...

I've tried all of these bullets for accuracy and they are excellent.. 24 or 25 grains should do all you desire..Seafire Jr will be hunting with his 30/06 he got for his birthday this year.. and the load is going to be 25 grains of Blue Dot, with a 125 grain Ballistic Tip or a 125 grain TNT...

last season he hunted with a 243 and 100 grain SP Corelokt with a charge of 20 grains of Blue Dot...

That was what I was looking for, thank you very much. I will give these a try.

Glad to be able to help out.. remember to start low and work up...

do one case at a time and seat your bullet before going to the next, to prevent an accidental double charge...

quote:

Originally posted by seafire2:
...150 grain Remington SP: Case: Remington, CCI/LR Primer, OAL: 81.36mm

21 grs: 2057 fps
22 grs: 2180 fps
23 grs: 2225 fps
24 grs: 2272 fps

25 grs: 2363 fps
26 grs: 2421 fps
27 grs: 2422 fps
28 grs: 2512 fps

Consider 27 grains as max load for reliable brass life.

Hey Robert, I completely disagree with using Blue Dot in this application. Blue Dot is NOT a Universal Powder which can be SAFELY used in any Loads which approach normal "Starting" Load Levels with much Slower Powders.

Starting Loads with those much Slower Powders begin in the 2400-2500fps range and use between 42-57gr of Powder.

There are two serious problems with the above Loads:
1. They have not been Tested and Approved by " ANY " Powder or Bullet manufacturer. That alone should be enough to stop you from taking a chance on Ka-Booming your firearm.
2. As Blue Dot approaches the "Case Stretching Level", the Pressure Peaks at a very rapid and erratic rate. What appears to work well in one firearm might just be dangerous to the shooter and bystanders.

It is far better to simply go with Down Loads which have been properly and adequately Tested by the Bullet and Powder manufacturers with their $$$millions$$$ of Test Equipment. If Blue Dot was indeed a universal Powder, Alliant would be the first to let us know and they have said not to use it for these applications.

quote:

...165 grain Sierra SP: Fed 210 Primer, Win Brass, OAL: 82.50 mm

20 grains: 1852 fps
21 grains: 1894 fps
22 grains: 1986 fps
23 grains: 2047 fps

24 grains: 2102 fps
25 grains: 2157 fps
26 grains: 2228 fps

I recommend stopping at 25 grains. 26 grains gave a few stiff bolt extractions..

Once again this is well beyond the point that Blue Dot should be considered for Down Loads.

No need to comment on the other Loads since the same applies. Use only factory Tested Loads.

Best of luck to you.