Old blue dot - do the dots discolor ?

Shizzlemah · May 4th, 2008, 01:09 PM

Do the dots in blue dot discolor or change over time ?

Reloading this morning, I finished up one can of blue dot (from 2000) and opened a fresh can, older than the first. It's an earlier label style, so maybe 10 years old. The powder in the newly opened can had dark green flakes..... The can is clearly labeld "blue dot" and I opened the factory seal.

So, do these things age and discolor?

Rest assured I wont shoot it (unless I confirm it is really OK) - green dot is about twice as fast as blue.... My only bummer is the 300 cases sitting on the bench, and no new powder available for 50 miles.

I'll probably call alliant tomorrow and ask them-

Thoughts, oh wise ones ? Anyone ever see this stuff discolor?

dukalmighty · May 4th, 2008, 01:33 PM

I wouldn't think that it would discolor over time most powders are designed to last for many many years if properly stored,sounds like you're making the best decision here and if it is green dot,good catch before you blew you're gun and anything else up

Shizzlemah · May 4th, 2008, 03:47 PM

Here's a pic. My initial can of blue dot is on the right (notice the blue dots) and the freshly opened can is on the left. The dots look quite green to me .

dukalmighty · May 4th, 2008, 03:54 PM

I would definitely call them they may have you ship it to them so they can check it out

Shizzlemah · May 5th, 2008, 11:46 PM

I spoke with the folks at Alliant today, really helpful.

Newer blue dot is a lighter shade of blue (on the right in the pic above). The old blue dot was much darker (on the left, above).

Some years back, they changed the pigment used in the blue flakes to make them a more distinctive sky blue - to better differentiate from green dot.

They said I should have no problem running this stuff. And I figured if there had been a blue / green dot mixup 10 years ago, someone else would have reported it before now :-)

dukalmighty · May 5th, 2008, 11:49 PM

Like i said good catch that you even noticed,unless i'm using lots of different powders I would of never noticed,I only use unique and reloader 7 at the present time

JCW355 · May 7th, 2008, 06:40 AM

Maybe they just faded because of age.

May 4th, 2008, 01:09 PM	#1
Shizzlemah Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 491	Old blue dot - do the dots discolor ? Do the dots in blue dot discolor or change over time ? Reloading this morning, I finished up one can of blue dot (from 2000) and opened a fresh can, older than the first. It's an earlier label style, so maybe 10 years old. The powder in the newly opened can had dark green flakes..... The can is clearly labeld "blue dot" and I opened the factory seal. So, do these things age and discolor? Rest assured I wont shoot it (unless I confirm it is really OK) - green dot is about twice as fast as blue.... My only bummer is the 300 cases sitting on the bench, and no new powder available for 50 miles. I'll probably call alliant tomorrow and ask them- Thoughts, oh wise ones ? Anyone ever see this stuff discolor?

May 4th, 2008, 01:33 PM	#2
dukalmighty Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,663	I wouldn't think that it would discolor over time most powders are designed to last for many many years if properly stored,sounds like you're making the best decision here and if it is green dot,good catch before you blew you're gun and anything else up __________________ Quit your Whining Ya Whiny Baby

May 4th, 2008, 03:54 PM	#4
dukalmighty Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,663	I would definitely call them they may have you ship it to them so they can check it out __________________ Quit your Whining Ya Whiny Baby

May 5th, 2008, 11:49 PM	#6
dukalmighty Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,663	Like i said good catch that you even noticed,unless i'm using lots of different powders I would of never noticed,I only use unique and reloader 7 at the present time __________________ Quit your Whining Ya Whiny Baby

May 7th, 2008, 06:40 AM	#7
JCW355 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 25	Maybe they just faded because of age. __________________ Okiemountaineer

May 4th, 2008, 03:47 PM	#3
Shizzlemah Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 491	Here's a pic. My initial can of blue dot is on the right (notice the blue dots) and the freshly opened can is on the left. The dots look quite green to me .

May 5th, 2008, 11:46 PM	#5
Shizzlemah Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 491	I spoke with the folks at Alliant today, really helpful. Newer blue dot is a lighter shade of blue (on the right in the pic above). The old blue dot was much darker (on the left, above). Some years back, they changed the pigment used in the blue flakes to make them a more distinctive sky blue - to better differentiate from green dot. They said I should have no problem running this stuff. And I figured if there had been a blue / green dot mixup 10 years ago, someone else would have reported it before now :-)

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