Range Report: Lipstick Bullets

[Karl]

Don,

I don't have any 115 grain FMJ bullets. I have been using the 115 grain plated bullets for all of my 9mm vintage handguns. I understand that my report is limited in scope but I wanted to share what I had. It would also be useful to test with faster burning powders.
KFS

[rhuff]

Karl,

Thank you for your time, effort, and report. This info gives me second thoughts on the coated bullets for my Lugers. I was a bit surprised to see that you load Blue Dot powder for 9mm, as that is not a powder normally mentioned on loading forums for 9mm. Obviously, you have a track record with it, and are comfortable loading with it. I have had very good results with BD in 357Sig brass, but load at or slightly above max loadings.

Do you have any idea why the toggle lock did not function with the coated bullets?? Perhaps a reduced recoil impulse? Quite a difference in velocities between the two loads.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by rhuff

I was a bit surprised to see that you load Blue Dot powder for 9mm, as that is not a powder normally mentioned on loading forums for 9mm.

My Speer's Reloading Manuals list Blue Dot, as well as Red Dot and Green Dot, for 100, 115, and 125gr 9mm bullets. Hornady lists Blue Dot for 147gr bullets.

I'm surprised a 9mm case will hold 7.0grs of anything...But Speer lists 10 grs of Blue Dot for the 100gr hollow point as well...

[Zorba]

I shot 200+ rds of "Bayou Bullets" a few years back. My Luger really liked them, but there was exactly zero science applied!

[rhuff]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

My Speer's Reloading Manuals list Blue Dot, as well as Red Dot and Green Dot, for 100, 115, and 125gr 9mm bullets. Hornady lists Blue Dot for 147gr bullets.

I'm surprised a 9mm case will hold 7.0grs of anything...But Speer lists 10 grs of Blue Dot for the 100gr hollow point as well...

Some of my loading manuals do list BD for 9mm, but a good many handloaders consider Blue Dot powder as a magnum powder, and that it needs to be loaded at or near max loads for it's best performance(no unburned powder). I know of a couple of folks that load BD powder in 45ACP(low chamber pressure round), but that is uncommon......doesn't mean it won't work, just uncommon.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by rhuff

...a good many handloaders consider Blue Dot powder as a magnum powder...

As do I, for my .357/.44 magnum wildcat cartridges, out of a S&W M27 w/8 3/8" bbl. But I was surprised to see it listed for 9mm...

[Eugen]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Pic of my .357/.44 mag wildcat. Has nothing to do with this thread...I just like showing it off...

Sheepherder, the topic of this thread is way over my head. But, I must say, that is one nice revolver you have there. Thanks for sharing that beauty.

[rhuff]

[QUOTE=sheepherder;293305) But I was surprised to see it listed for 9mm -[/QUOTE]


I have some old Lyman handloading manuals that list 4227 Powder for 38 special/357 Mag, among other calibers. Now that is a slow rifle powder for sure!!! Will it work....absolutely it will, but is it one of the better powders for handgun calibers, no way.


If one is stuck with no handgun/shotgun powder available to purchase, many, many of the powders we consider as unsuitable for handgun calibers will get the job done.....just not ideally!!


Many handloaders have gotten spoiled(including me) by having so many really great powders available to us these days, when in the past, that just wasn't the case.


Karl is having good success with his 9mm handloads using Blue dot powder, and it is hard to argue with success!! I might just try it one day, just because!!