[Terry_P]

I have noted the warning with Blue Dot and 125 gr bullets and to tell the truth I don't understand why? You would think a lighter bullet would generate less pressure so it must have something to do with a secondary powder burn after the bullet has left the case mouth generating a pressure spike?? I may drop Alliant an e-mail as I will always abide by any warnings but also like to understand why???

I use a lot of Blue Dot in 357 Mag as it has proven to provide a great combo of power and accuracy in my revolvers but most of my loads are under 158 gr bullets. I will check my stock as I may have some bullets to pull.

Anyone any ideas??

 

[jimbo1096]

Terry - since Alliant absorbed Hercules they have been running all their powders through testing to make sure they have no liability issues. I'm guessing there were some test results that came back for the 41mag and the 125gr .357mag that didn't fall within their comfort zone. They also tweeked some of the powders by changing density or shape which affect the Burn Rate. So some new manufactured powder may not react the same as the old formula. If you have the old powder and have used it suscessfully in the past with no problems in the bullet, powder, primer combos you have already loaded, I wouldn't worry about pulling them and starting over. If this is a new work up with the new powder, then I would select a different powder and start over.
And also to note that the lighter 125gr bullet weight could leave the case before the powder has a good burn and cause a pressure spike or erratic burn rate. The funny thing about smokeless powder is that it burns evenly with a constant pressure rise when it is contained in a confined space, like a cartridge case. That is why you get uneven burn and erratic ignition in light loaded cases with fast powders. Now why the 41mag is a no-no, and has always been OK in the past is a mystery to me and I can find no explaination.
Of course I qualify the above by noting it's just my 2c.

 

[Terry_P]

I sent Alliant an e-mail and asked them why. I went down and checked and nothing is loaded with a 125 gr bullet but there is about 30 bullets left in the box so I must have sent a bunch down range. Glad I own Rugers. I'll pick a different powder for the rest but it does seem counter intuitive. It has to be the light bullet releases early from the crimp and the extra oxygen or some other physical occurance cases a faster powder burn and a pressure spike.

I don't load 41 Mag but something wierd has to be happening there as well.

 

[Terry_P]

Finally got a reply from Alliant and they don't know much more than we do other than it's a problem:

Unfortunately we do not have an explanation and are a bit perplexed about this too. The bottom line is that the pressures were higher and unacceptable, hence the warning. We will offer some new load data after we complete our investigation. Thanks for your interest in contacting us and have a nice day.



Ben Amonette

Consumer Service Manager

Alliant Powder Company

 

[Wizard]

I guess they were at least honest about it..... :?

 

[Bountyhunter]

Yeah that's wierd. :?

 

[Terry_P]

I have sent him several e-mails on different reloading topics as I burn a lot of Alliant powders and he has always answered and has been very helpful in the past. I have even asked about shotshell reloading as I had empty cases they didn't have listed and they have said "go ahead and use this receipe". Most would have just said we don't recommend... but he gave me an answer and they worked just fine. I think they are a first class outfit with powders I like in handguns and shotgun. For rifle I usually use IMR or Hogdon for no other reason than I started using them and they worked so why fix it.

 

[Bountyhunter]

A company like that is hard to beat. We need more of them.