I have some 158 gr cast bullets, BNH 12, that I would like to load to about 1100-1150 fps to keep leading down. I have Blue Dot and 2400 powder and wonder if anyone has some good loads in this power range. This is for a Colt Trooper with 4 inch barrel. The published loads I find are well past this range and would probably lead badly.
Thanks.

I stopped using it years ago,too much muzzle flash....2400 works great

My go-to load for 357Mag is 10 grains of BlueDot with a 158 grain cast bullet, but I have never ran any over a chonograph. I consider this a mid range load compared to loading 2400 or H110. I think .404 should stop shooting at night if he doesn't like muzzle flash! I have never noticed muzzle flash from my Taurus 66 with this powder.

I love the flash of powder in the morning. Or evening.

I gave up on Blue Dot because it leads with cast bullets. Blue Dot only works well in full bore magnum loads and jacketed bullets.

The day I tested Blue Dot in my 357, I got leading at velocities I did not get leading with AA#9 and 2400.

Smith & Wesson M27					
					
158 JHP (W/W) 13.5 grains 2400 R-P cases WSP					
5-Aug-06	T = 102 °F				

Ave Vel =	1222		 		
Std Dev =	26.45				 
ES	72.12				 
High	1262				 
Low	1190				
 N =	5				 



158 LRN Valiant 9.0 grains Blue Dot CCI500 Midway cases 					
5-Aug-06	T = 102 °F		Accurate		
					

Ave Vel =	1203		 		
Std Dev =	29.22				 
ES	120.8				 
High	1261				 
Low	1141				
 N =	22				 

158 LRN Valiant 10.0 grains Blue Dot CCI500 Midway cases 				 	
5-Aug-06	T = 102 °F	v. Accurate		heavy leading	
					

Ave Vel =	1290		 		
Std Dev =	24.91				 
ES	88.15				 
High	1324				 
Low	1235				
 N =	20				 



158 LRN Valiant 12.0 grs AA#9 CCI500 Mixed cases 				 	
5-Aug-06	T = 104 °F	 Accurate		little or no leading	
					
Ave Vel =	1278		 		
Std Dev =	34.98				 
ES	117.4				 
High	1344				 
Low	1226				
 N =	27				 


158 LRN Valiant 12.5 grs AA#9 CCI500 3-D  cases 				 	
5-Aug-06	T = 104 °F	 Very Accurate		no leading	
					
Ave Vel =	1348		 		
Std Dev =	34.16				 
ES	134.7				 
High	1386				 
Low	1251				
 N =	25	

I pretty much stick with 2400 on my lead bullets. I have reserved the Blue Dot for my jacketed stuff.

The 10 grain level gives me good velocity and I find leading to be minimal.

Greg

Greg, are you saying that 10 gr of 2400 is your load with 158 gr cast bullets (plain base)? I want to avoid leading as much as possible and am not interested in true magnum velocities. When I go for that, I will stay with jacketed. Thanks.

That is correct. I am using 10 grains of 2400 under a hard cast 158 grain RNL bullet. Shot out of a S&W 586 6".

Velocity is in the neighborhood of 1000 fps.

Greg