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Blue Dot Reduced Loads
Want to try some reduced loads for .221 fireball. Have good detailed data from reloaders nest using 35-55 grain bullets all with Blue Dot and .223.
Calhoon's .223 reduced load data says to use two grains less powder for the .221fb, that sound right? |
#2
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Jtf
As of late I have been scaring people with my Remington 588 converted to 17Mach IV antics.
NOW you are scaring me ! This site has many good people that are concerned about our well being. Those that caution me have my best interest at heart. There are more than a few instances where people have hurt their weapons and or themselves with the Blue Dot reduced loads. I would be very cautious about such activities. One always wonders if it were a double charge - in which case damage would be expected. There are some powders, normal rifle powders, that have shown tolerance to light charges but as you know Blue Dot is more of a shotgun and pistol powder. I would just caution you about this idea. Others will come along soon and give their ideas. John |
#3
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Take a look at James Calhoon's Blue Dot info and see what you think. jamescalhoon, to bee or .223
I'm about to try some Blue Dot loads in both a CZ .221fb and a Savage .223. I am more concerned with too lightly charged loads building too much pressure than accidently double charging a case. Last edited by jtf; 10-31-2010 at 04:25 PM. |
#4
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Jtf
In my post I meant Remington 580 not 588 - got that fixed.
I hear you and understand your point but something strange has been know to happen using reduced loads with Blue Dot powder in the past. Through concentration and attention to detail one should be able to avoid the double charge. For many years I have loaded 38 Special with 2.7 to 3.0 grains of Bullseye and there is plenty of room in there and many have done it with disastrous results. You are going to extrapolate between the 223 and the 221 even more complicated. Be carefull. John |
#5
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Just my opinion, but I think Hodgdon's reduced charge recomendations using Trail Boss or H4895 would be the safest data around.
__________________
Any citizen accused of a crime is presumed innocent until bankrupted beyond all reasonable doubt. In our country the lie has become not just a moral category but a pillar of the State. -- Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Last edited by RareBear; 10-31-2010 at 06:33 PM. |
#6
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reduced loads
I can't speak for the 221FB reduced load, frankly have never heard anyone here mention anything other than the 223 with Blue Dot. I hae shot a lot of the reduced loads in the 223 without incident. One thing is obvious though, you can double charge the 223 with Blue Dot if you aren't paying attention. I use an electronic powder thrower when doing mine and seat right after charging each individual case. I'm not familiar with Calhouns recommendation for loading the 221FB with a reduced load.
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#7
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Quote:
What velocity are you looking for? I see starting loads in loading manuals for 55gr. bullets in the .221 Fireball that are around 2250 fps. Look at the Speer and Accurate Arms data. Are you trying to duplicate one of the .22 rimfire cartridges or make a subsonic load? |
#8
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Loaded some 221fb 55's today. Also working with blue dot .223 loads. Mulerider's data is consistant with data from reloadersnest and Calhoon's.
Something different to try, change from larger calibers. 22 mag cartridges are $30+/100 here. |
#9
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BlueDot Reduced Loads
James Calhoon's BlueDot data is a good starting point for small bore centerfire cartridges.
I have shot thousands of ground squirrels with 1.0cc of BlueDot (~11.6 grains) in the 22 PPC using bullets weighing 35 - 45 grains. Next season I will be using 1.3 - 1.6 cc of Alliant Steel. Steel is slower powder than BlueDot and less sensitive to pressure rise with an increase in powder quantity. |
#10
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"reduced load" development
Here's a great article as a guideline or for cross-referencing:
http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/DevelopSubsonic.html |
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