Load advice ADI AS30N/APS350 (Clays) going to Red Dot

[Buckshot Bear]

G'day pards, after some load advice.

I've just about run out of my ADI AS30N/APS350 (Clays) which I have been loading my .38's for years now running 125gn projectiles, 3.6gn powder and approx 800 fps.

I REALLY like this load and want to duplicate it as close as possible.

I have lucked out and got many many years worth of freshly made and imported Red Dot.

Anyone using Red Dot, shooting 125gn projectiles in .38 brass around 800fps?

 

Its pretty close to Clays -

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

My Laser-Craft Reloading Handbook states 3.4 grains of Red Dot gave 879 fps out of a 6-inch barrel revolver.  This is the starting load.  (I do not shoot Red Dot and personally have no ballistic data.)

[Erasmus]

As a data point, 3.1 grains of Red Dot under a 125 RNFP gets me about 550 fps in a 5.5 inch barrel. 

[Kid Rich]

The older formulated Red Dot and IMR Red would clump and give inconsistent loads. I have some new RD and do not know about it. According to the container it says it is more consistent.

kR

[Erasmus]

In this game, and with light charges of Red Dot, I've found that consistency isn't really a thing. But then I'm using some 10+ year old bottles of it at the moment. 

 

For instance (mind you I was using an older chronograph that I don't see as having been the most reliable) the first shot from the holster was always slower than the subsequent shots, likewise using those same loads in a rifle, shooting from the shoulder I get an average velocity that is about 50ish fps slower than when shooting off a tripod for accuracy. 

 

Real data (rounded to 10 fps) for pistol A (5.5 inch barrel Uberti): 480, 590, 560, didn't record, didn't record

Pistol B (5.5 inch barrel Uberti): 500, 600, 590, didn't record, 630

For the rifle (uberti '73): 770, 750, 760 - switch to using a tripod for support 830, 840, 830, 830, 860, 820

 

Red Dot seems to be pretty position sensitive so far as I can tell. I've noticed the same trend with loading Red Dot in .45 LC cases as well. Likewise in shooting, it seems to speed up a bit as the day warms up. 

 

 

[Wild Eagle]

I shot Red Dot for quite a while.  When it got hard to find I saved it for my shotgun loads, now I'm almost out of it.  You should get close to your 800fps using about 3.4 grains with a 125 grain bullet.  I usually load 38 special to 1.500" COAL.  If you load a little shorter, you should be right at 800fps.

 

 

PS.  Happy to hear that you guys are getting fresh supplies of Red Dot.  Maybe we'll see some soon too.

[Major E A Sterner #12916]

I always used 3.5 (Three point five) grains of RedDot in my .38's with either a 105 or 125 grain bullet, I used a heavy crimp and had no problems.

[El Chapo]

You guys definitely load hotter than me.  My Clays load was 2.7.  I'm using 2.8 of Ramshot Competition right now, all with a 125 Lee RF bullet.  I never really thought these were gamer loads, just start loads out of the book.

Edited May 14 by El Chapo

[Orient Express]

My lgs now advertises aps350 for sale, so there's new stock coming out of ADI.

[Major Crimes]

1 hour ago, Orient Express said:

My lgs now advertises aps350 for sale, so there's new stock coming out of ADI.

APS350 (Clays) and AR2205 (H4227 / H110) have just been released to Australian Gun stores, but there isn't much of it. 

[El Chapo]

I'm so excited to hear that.  I never thought I'd see Clays again.  Now can I get my beloved Accurate Solo 1000 back, too?

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

On 5/12/2025 at 7:06 PM, Buckshot Bear said:

I have lucked out and got many many years worth of freshly made and imported Red Dot.

That is interesting since Red Dot and most other Alliant powders have not been availble in the U.S. for many, many months.

[Erasmus]

I picked up an 8lb'er of Red Dot a few months back, that was the first I'd seen of it in years, and the last time I saw it available. 

[Buckshot Bear]

3 hours ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

That is interesting since Red Dot and most other Alliant powders have not been availble in the U.S. for many, many months.

It must have been a big shipment Larsen because it was available pretty much all over Australia in up to 8lb jugs with no limit. Lots of gun shops still have some so it's sated a lot of reloaders. 

Trail Boss and lots of other ADI powders are back on the shelf after a L-O-N-G drought and of course everyone is buying up big so they don't get caught short again. 

[Griff]

Check your specific bullet dimensions and see if this is close, specifically seating depth.

[watab kid]

yes i load both red dot and clays - i use the same measure for both , they are so close that i find no change at all , they meter nearly identical for me , 

[Constable Nelson #11784]

We've also had a bunch of LOVEX DO32 come in... in up to 12 kilo (25lb lots)     That shipment was MUCH delayed, and other powders started trickling back in the interim.. but I'm very happy I did NOT cancel my order during the hiatus...and its been great  so far for 9mm minor IPSC loads...and when I run out of the APS350 I still have I'm sure it will be fine in 38 special CAS loads... it flows through the thrower like water..or at least 231...😁

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

On 5/12/2025 at 10:06 PM, Buckshot Bear said:

I have lucked out and got many many years worth of freshly made and imported Red Dot.

Where'd you get Red Dot?

 

[Buckshot Bear]

3 hours ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

Where'd you get Red Dot?

 

 

I'm in Australia, a large shipment came in from the States ..... every gun shop down here at the 8lb jugs for sale. 

[Buckshot Bear]

23 hours ago, Constable Nelson #11784 said:

We've also had a bunch of LOVEX DO32 come in... in up to 12 kilo (25lb lots)     That shipment was MUCH delayed, and other powders started trickling back in the interim.. but I'm very happy I did NOT cancel my order during the hiatus...and its been great  so far for 9mm minor IPSC loads...and when I run out of the APS350 I still have I'm sure it will be fine in 38 special CAS loads... it flows through the thrower like water..or at least 231...😁

 

I REALLY like LOVEX DO32 (Cleanshot)  ..... you certainly know on your XL650 if you don't have a primer in place....it flows out in a millisecond! 

[watab kid]

45 minutes ago, Buckshot Bear said:

 

I REALLY like LOVEX DO32 (Cleanshot)  ..... you certainly know on your XL650 if you don't have a primer in place....it flows out in a millisecond! 

ahhhh , just a dumb question here but why wouldn't you have a primer in place ? i knew it was fine but never had that happen - i can see the problem , but still , prime before you charge 

[Buckshot Bear]

6 minutes ago, watab kid said:

ahhhh , just a dumb question here but why wouldn't you have a primer in place ? i knew it was fine but never had that happen - i can see the problem , but still , prime before you charge 

 

Because sometimes with a Dillon XL650 automated press, gremlins get involved with the priming mechanism and a primer, for 101 reasons doesn't get inserted.  

[watab kid]

10 minutes ago, Buckshot Bear said:

 

Because sometimes with a Dillon XL650 automated press, gremlins get involved with the priming mechanism and a primer, for 101 reasons doesn't get inserted.  

 

 

ok , i get that - your depending on the equipment operating 100% , I DONT , I HAND PRIME , but im a lot slower that you might be , 

 

i did learn to load on a dillon , the friend that taught me made me check every 5th cartridge for both primer and charge before moving on , i trusted his loads and he trusted mine , but he passed away , these days i load on a single stage nd hand prime every one , im consistent , i dont waste anything and i handle every cartridge many times so i know they are good , not sayin anyone should do as i do , do what works for ou 

[Buckshot Bear]

2 minutes ago, watab kid said:

 

 

ok , i get that - your depending on the equipment operating 100% , I DONT , I HAND PRIME , but im a lot slower that you might be , 

 

i did learn to load on a dillon , the friend that taught me made me check every 5th cartridge for both primer and charge before moving on , i trusted his loads and he trusted mine , but he passed away , these days i load on a single stage nd hand prime every one , im consistent , i dont waste anything and i handle every cartridge many times so i know they are good , not sayin anyone should do as i do , do what works for ou 

 

I have an electronic powder check and a gooseneck LED light aimed at the case and eyeball each case for powder still. I also take a cylinder our and every single round gets dropped into the cylinder and I check for no primer, high primers etc etc etc
If I loaded just for me, a single stage press would be ok.....but my whole family of seven and soon to be eight when my granddaughter turns 12 in a few weeks shoot Cowboy Action and Wild Bunch and I load for everyone.....I'd never get it done without a Dillon. 

[watab kid]

1 hour ago, Buckshot Bear said:

 

I have an electronic powder check and a gooseneck LED light aimed at the case and eyeball each case for powder still. I also take a cylinder our and every single round gets dropped into the cylinder and I check for no primer, high primers etc etc etc
If I loaded just for me, a single stage press would be ok.....but my whole family of seven and soon to be eight when my granddaughter turns 12 in a few weeks shoot Cowboy Action and Wild Bunch and I load for everyone.....I'd never get it done without a Dillon. 

obviously it makes a huge difference whe more that one leyt alone seven are shooting , congrats by the way - ive yet to get any of mie to join me , i can spend whatever time it takes to reload mine - i actually have enough in stock to shoot several years but i like to be up to date every spring so i spend winters reloading what i shot ....save for shogun - those i loaded ahead for and have as well as having factory lights , that i like shooting , ill run out eventually but for now my shotgun reloaded is idle ,

[Painted Mohawk SASS 77785]

On 6/10/2025 at 2:57 PM, Constable Nelson #11784 said:

We've also had a bunch of LOVEX DO32 come in... in up to 12 kilo (25lb lots)     That shipment was MUCH delayed, and other powders started trickling back in the interim.. but I'm very happy I did NOT cancel my order during the hiatus...and its been great  so far for 9mm minor IPSC loads...and when I run out of the APS350 I still have I'm sure it will be fine in 38 special CAS loads... it flows through the thrower like water..or at least 231...😁

Saw a container of that in LGS [ Toowoomba..price was $3,000 for the 12kgs  [26.4 LB ]

[Buckshot Bear]

21 hours ago, watab kid said:

obviously it makes a huge difference whe more that one leyt alone seven are shooting , congrats by the way - ive yet to get any of mie to join me , i can spend whatever time it takes to reload mine - i actually have enough in stock to shoot several years but i like to be up to date every spring so i spend winters reloading what i shot ....save for shogun - those i loaded ahead for and have as well as having factory lights , that i like shooting , ill run out eventually but for now my shotgun reloaded is idle ,

 

I try to bulk up my reloads in Winter as it gets far too hot in Summer where I have my reloading setup.