Old red dot

[openbook]

It's an incredibly useful powder, even for many rifle calibers. It's especially good for cast in rifles, with published loads all the way from 218 Bee on up to 45-70 (and probably higher).

Also check out this cool article where C. E. "Ed" Harris describes his adventures with a leftover caddy of Red Dot, and how he found a highly repeatable load for shooting most any military service rifle in .30 cal or larger: https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharri...The%20Load.htm

[15meter]

Old powder is good powder, in the last week I've used H4227 from a can that didn't have a zip code on it and Bullseye from a quart screw top paint thinner can from the days when a gun shop owner would buy a barrel of powder then break it down into smaller cans (or paper bags) and peddle that.

The Bullseye went through a 70+ year old Colt target revolver into a fat fist sized group @ 25 yards.

Using Winchester 1-1/2 primers from a yellow sleeve. But they were new enough the tray was plastic, not wood.

Oldies but goodies:


And if you don't want to use it, I'm not that far away, got a rifle I want to drop off @ Dick Williams up in Saginaw to be re-blued anyway. Make it a two fer trip

[Wireman134]

Here is a picture of the can it came in


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I got one of those filled with 2400

[elmacgyver0]

Hang onto those kegs, they don't make them like that anymore!

[Seeker]

All these comments about Red Dot. I've yet to find a good and accurate load in .45 colt out of my N M Blackhawk or the Henry Steel.

[michael.birdsley]

red dot is almost as useful as bullseye. to some its even more useful than bullseye or 231. ive got an old cardboard container of it that works just as well as the new stuff in plastic bottles. and it wasn't stored anyplace special its been through decades of hot summers and freezing winters.

I run bullseye in my 9mm loads both plated and hollow points. For my sr9e and sr9c. I’ve got 2lbs of bullseye


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[michael.birdsley]

Oldies but goodies:


And if you don't want to use it, I'm not that far away, got a rifle I want to drop off @ Dick Williams up in Saginaw to be re-blued anyway. Make it a two fer trip

You lost be fairly close if your going to dick Williams. Where abouts do you live. I live west of Chesaning. I grew up in Chesaning and Owosso


I’ve got 2 lbs of unique I was going to use for my 30-30 cast/plated load. However, I may use this red dot instead. Loading using a dipper does have some appeal rather than using the perfect powder measure every time.

This 4 lbs metal can is pretty much full of red dot


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[searcher4851]

I'm using 42 year old Red Dot currently. It's a very versatile powder that can be used in many pistol cartridges and is very handy for use in working up light loads.

[15meter]

You lost be fairly close if your going to dick Williams. Where abouts do you live. I live west of Chesaning. I grew up in Chesaning and Owosso


I’ve got 2 lbs of unique I was going to use for my 30-30 cast/plated load. However, I may use this red dot instead. Loading using a dipper does have some appeal rather than using the perfect powder measure every time.

This 4 lbs metal can is pretty much full of red dot


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I'm 15 miles south-southwest of metro airport. I've got a Winchester 52 that was treated roughly, considering having Dick Williams do the metal work. I've had several other rifles done and have been pleased with their work.

And I've got that red dot can's big brother, came filled with vintage H-380 that shoots great in my 22-250. Shot some in my 300 H&H over the weekend that shot just ok, but just ok is still fun.

[schutzen-jager]

All these comments about Red Dot. I've yet to find a good and accurate load in .45 colt out of my N M Blackhawk or the Henry Steel.

4.5 gr. works great for me with 185 , 200 , + 230 gr. cast lead bullets -

[quilbilly]

Now I just need to find a use for it. I have a 38 s&w , 2 9mm’s, 325c 30-30, 742 30-06, mosin, 3 12 gage shot guns.
So it’s shot gun powder obviously, used it shot guns and I’m guessing can be used in pistols ?


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I am using RD in 270, 30/30, 308, 7mm TCU, 444, and, of course 45LC. It is a very useful powder for light loads with CBs.

[sse]

Old red dot brings back memories of when I bought a coffee can with a pound of red dot in it at a shoe store that had some gun stuff behind the counter back in the late 1960's. Those were the days.

[michael.birdsley]

The 325c also, came from the same place that the red dot came from ( wives grandpa) . He was alive though when he gave me the gun. So I will use the red dot in that gun.


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[michael.birdsley]

I'm 15 miles south-southwest of metro airport. I've got a Winchester 52 that was treated roughly, considering having Dick Williams do the metal work. I've had several other rifles done and have been pleased with their work.

And I've got that red dot can's big brother, came filled with vintage H-380 that shoots great in my 22-250. Shot some in my 300 H&H over the weekend that shot just ok, but just ok is still fun.

That’s kind of a haul but, I know they do good work


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[gary0529]

Man, that brings back some memories. Wish I would have kept the old can just for memories sake
Thanks for the trip back in my old cranium LOL

Gary

[35 Rem]

I started loading shotshells in 1976 and the cans didn't look like that at that time so that is older than that for sure. Red Dot was the 1st powder I ever bought. I loaded many thousands of 12 gauge shells with 18 grains and 1 1/8 ounces shot or 16 grains and 1 ounce shot. I currently have nearly 30 lbs of Red Dot - not sure how old the oldest is but Id guess it's more than 25 years and it shoots like new. It's a great powder for handguns loads at low to mid-range power. I use it a lot in 38 Special and 44 Magnum.

[15meter]

I started loading shotshells in 1976 and the cans didn't look like that at that time so that is older than that for sure. Red Dot was the 1st powder I ever bought. I loaded many thousands of 12 gauge shells with 18 grains and 1 1/8 ounces shot or 16 grains and 1 ounce shot. I currently have nearly 30 lbs of Red Dot - not sure how old the oldest is but Id guess it's more than 25 years and it shoots like new. It's a great powder for handguns loads at low to mid-range power. I use it a lot in 38 Special and 44 Magnum.

I started loading shotgun in 1975, The dot powders came in cardboard kegs, the entire top came off, made it easy to get every grain out. The steel cans are cool but were a pain to empty completely.

[beechbum444]

Question.....How old is that big red can of red dot powder???

[dale2242]

I was gifted some old powder that wasn`t stored in the best of conditions.
I tested each can and found that it all worked perfectly.

[15meter]

Question.....How old is that big red can of red dot powder???

My guess is late 60's at the earliest. As I said above, when I started shotgun reloading in 1975 I was buying Red Dot in cardboard cans. A pound at a time, lusted after the big cardboard kegs. Didn't get one of the 8 pound cardboard kegs until early/mid eighties as my shooting picked up.