There are many choices between the two powders and I don't think that you could tell which one is best in your barrel(s) unless you do some pattern testing with each load. I use Longshot in 28 gauge and my preference for 1oz. loads in 20 gauge is Blue Dot.

 

I used to use Blue dot for all my late season 12 gauge loads and it was a bit dirty. I'm sure they (Alliant) has improved the powder in the past 20-30 years though.

From the data I've seen I would choose Longshot, only because I've seen more recipes for it.

 

Longshot takes up a lot less room in the hull than Blue Dot; it is easier for me to get a good crimp with heavy loads. As said, there is more comprehensive data with Longshot. Alliant's data typically has recipes for Rem hull with Rem primer, or Win hull with Win primer, but not much cross data between the hull/primer combo from the same maker in their guides.

Jeremiah

 

/

Longshot is going to burn cleaner in my opinion, and that would definitely be my preference if I even owned a CITORI, which I cannot even afford.

Both Longshot and Blue Dot show up frequently in Slug Loads, but it doesn't look like you want to shoot slugs, so I'm wondering why you would narrow the selection down to Longshot & Blue Dot, when the more prominent option would be Longshot vs. Hodgdon HS-6.

Alliant Blue Dot is not that expensive, whereas the Hodgdon powders will cost more per pound. If I was shooting a Citori, I'd go with Hodgdon Longshot or HS-6.

/
If I was shooting a Mossberg (which I do) I would buy Alliant Blue Dot. But I cannot find any, so I shoot Longshot, HS-6, and a bunch of other powders through it; but I sure would not hesitate to shoot the Hodgdon's through the Citori, just out of respect for the gun.

/

/
/

 

Having used both, Longshot by a longshot!

Yes, that is a pun, but the statement still stands. Longshot is the better powder in my opinion for this purpose. Mostly because it is far denser than Blue Dot. Blue Dot has had some inconsistent ignition issues in cold weather. I've heard that was corrected?.... I've not been overly enamored with Blue Dot for anything but light 35 Gr bullet varmint loads in my .222 and .223. Longshot is a very good, clean burning powder that has performed admirably for me in every situation I used it.

BP

 

Never used Longshot but have used Blue Dot. My most recent being 37.5 grn 1.25 oz. pushed to 1425 according to Alliant. This is in a AA hull w209. Cleaner burning than I was 25-30 yrs ago. Drops Crows nicely when pointed right.

 

You didn't ask about this powder but I am gratuitously offering my two cents on it. I use 33.5 grains of 4756 in a 1 3/8th oz load of #5s for pheasants and Crows. It drops them like they were hit with a hammer and it burns pretty clean and there are plenty of loads published for 4756 in a variety of hulls and wads.

 

You didn't ask about this powder but I am gratuitously offering my two cents on it. I use 33.5 grains of 4756 in a 1 3/8th oz load of #5s for pheasants and Crows. It drops them like they were hit with a hammer and it burns pretty clean and there are plenty of loads published for 4756 in a variety of hulls and wads.

noocher - I think you are giving a 12ga load data - the OP was looking for 20ga data.

Longshot would be my choice for 20ga hunting loads. I use it for 28ga, but limited pattern testing in 20ga with 15/16 oz and 1 oz loadings was very impressive.

 

I have switched from Blu dot to Longshot for my pheasant loads and I love them . I also have a citori 20 ga. I use 17.2 gr. --Rem sp20s wads --win 209 primers- 1 oz of shot-Rem hull . Beast shell I have ever made ,great on pheasants and if you have the chance make a 1oz #5 load and put in the full choke barrel it is deadly!

 

Thank you all for your input here. Longshot seems like the way to go.

 

Shootist-you were absolutely correct. I just reread the post and it asked about a 20 not a 12 ga. load. Just goes to prove that free advice is worth about what you paid for it.

Sorry striper.