BE-86

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Artofgolf said:
I've only used it in 9mm; I don't load .45 ~ although there will be posts from folks trying it, I'm sure ;)
I'm thoroughly impressed by it's performance, even up thru the heavier 165g from Xtreme (ordered another 500 today with the Veteran's Day free shipping).
Looking forward to the testing with 380 Auto .........:evil:
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My mid level loads with 124 grain 9mm were very nice. I'm thinking dropping down to 185 grain in .45 will give better results. Meant to do some reloading yesterday, but never got to it. Maybe tonight.

Russellc
 
11/11/14 - Looking forward to the testing with 380 Auto .........:evil:

Yes, we continue with one of our favorites - BE-86

I asked my daughter to give-up her G-42 for a couple days so the old man could try a new load.
The 90g XTP's tested provided a good baseline for this pistol, as it's known for exceptional performance in Glocks.
Sooo, away we go :what:

BE-86XTP380Auto.jpg (click on image to expand)

From 7 yards, the test ammo was performing as expected (outstanding).
The mouse is a little small for my meathook; I always tend to pull shots left :eek:

Anyway, solid brass-ejection followed flawless feeds from the new magazines (they are not totally broken-in yet) :)

They felt really solid since the charge was the max. posted in Alliant data off their website.
Folks familiar with the Wharf Rat know that upper-band charges are necessary for proper cycling & function.

This powder continues to perform ~ from 90 to 165g bullets, BE-86 gets the job done :cool:
 
AoG said
I can't remember the last time I hit near dead-center Help me, Potatohead!
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Im here to help. I think you've mastered the first goal, which is realizing that the circle in the middle of the target is indeed the exact spot where we want the bullet to contact the target. You are progressing very well in my opinion.
 
Nice grouping AoG!

Yes, many posted G42 needs heavier charges to reliably cycle the stiff recoil spring/slide. Will do some mid-to-high range load testing with my TCP 738 after the move with jacketed/plated bullets.
 
Looking for a 380acp charge suggestion from experienced folks here. I normally load a PC'd Lee 356-95RF (actual 99gr) @ .905 oal with 2.9gr BE. Longer OAL's drop test but won't cycle through my wife's P238. Alliant only lists 2 .380 charges for BE-86, both for jacketed bullets. What would ya'll consider to be a safe max charge to work up to for the 356-95?

<edit>Correction: Powder used in current load is 231 not BE. And this is why everyone needs to be extra careful when getting loads off the internet.</edit>
 
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I have some Titegroup, W231, HP38, Bullseye, and Power Pistol. I'm not sure why, but I have some BE-86 on the way. Not sure what it will accomplish that the others won't.
 
Artofgolf said:
Gee, thanks Dr. Tater :D Now, when are you gonna post some pix for us to gawk at? :scrutiny:
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LOL.

Actually I've long though it weird how my bullets never seem to hit the bullseye. It's almost like they are purposely avoiding it for some reason. One would think, especially at the end of the shooting session when I look at that last target with bullet holes absolutely plastered all over it, that I'd see a few that landed where they were supposed to...
 
Hey tater,
this is what their supposed to look like at our non-professional level. Now study these and their will be a test next week. THE RED DOT IN THE CENTER.

I'm just fooling with you.

The indoor range I shoot at doesn't like my hunting loads so I don't shoot them much there. There to much for the patrons to handle

These are Power Pistol loads that I use extensively.

If I can get groups like this out of BE-86 with my 41mag I'll be a happy man. I know Paul, from Alliant, said that it wasn't really designed for that but neither was Power Pistol.

The powder forward test Walkalong is interested in would be more suited for the 41 mag with it's larger volume. In 357mag and 158gr bullets the case is full enough it negates any positional issues.


Walkalong, I know you don't have a lot of time either but the 41mag in low pressure loads would really prove the versatility of this powder and I know you have one. My .41 is extremely accurate with low pressure loads of Power Pistol. It should be with BE-86 also.

Unique, Bullseye, Power Pistol all are very accurate in low pressure loads just about across the board, I would think that BE-86 should be also, since their all kin to the same original formula. The odds are with it anyways.



That .380 group of AOG's was a pretty good group I thought. Probably better than I would have done. I'm a revolver guy, always have been. I practice with my Shield strickly for self defense but I have shot it offhand at 25yds and got about 10" groups with it off hand. That was on a really good day though.
 

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tightgroup tiger said:
Unique, Bullseye, Power Pistol all are very accurate in low pressure loads just about across the board, I would think that BE-86 should be also, since their all kin to the same original formula. The odds are with it anyways.
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It wasnt with .45, for me anyway with 230 grain RN. I know its different than .41 and you are not asking about .45, just say'in! Still havent tried 185 grain yet....
 
It wasnt with .45, for me anyway with 230 grain RN.
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Your right, let me rephrase that, they will work in most everything, they may not be the most accurate. I don't think a powder that is very accurate in all calibers will ever exist. Some do come closer though, like Unique. If BE-86 has as wide of a range as unique, will definitely meter better, and burns cleaner, has a very low muzzle flash, it should knock down the amount of powders we have on our shelves. I'm hoping anyways.

Like I've said before, time will tell. It always does.
 
tightgroup tiger said:
Your right, let me rephrase that, they will work in most everything, they may not be the most accurate. I don't think a powder that is very accurate in all calibers will ever exist. Some do come closer though, like Unique. If BE-86 has as wide of a range as unique, will definitely meter better, and burns cleaner, has a very low muzzle flash, it should knock down the amount of powders we have on our shelves. I'm hoping anyways.

Like I've said before, time will tell. It always does.
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Like most, I am excited and pleased with BE-86. Totally agree on the Unique!
 
Like it, ordered some more but it contains a Flash suppressant???

Good thing otherwise the range might think I have flame thrower:evil:
(more muzzle flash than I was expecting compared to HP31/Universal)
 
It is a modified Power Pistol from what I understand. Paul from Alliant said in post 2;

It is the same magic formulation as Bullseye(R) and Power Pistol(R), and virtually the exact geometry of Power Pistol. It is a little faster burning that Power Pistol though, and very similar to Unique(R), burn speed wise. As you mentioned, we have added flash suppressant to this product to moderate the flash response, whereas we do not for Power Pistol. BE-86(TM) is a high energy propellant though, so do not expect it to be flashless. The FS added moderates what would be maybe a basketball or bushel basket size bloom for a stout load of Power Pistol down to more like a baseball or cueball.
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It still has a flash but it's not obnoxious like heavy loads of Power Pistol is. I always loved Power Pistol except for the Brilliant white flash. That's why for me, I was really excited. Most all of us who used and liked Power Pistol complained about that flash so those of us who have played with it are getting all the good things about it, including the absence of the fireball.
 
Newbie question about powders.
I have Power-pistol & Bullseye on hand, with BE-86 on the way.
If I'm reading this thread correctly, BE-86 & Power-Pistol should both give good accuracy in 380, 9mm, 38spl & 357mag?
Working up each powder from start load, using same components (just changing powder)
to find best accuracy from my pistols/revolvers?
I am not suggesting same grain weight to be used for each powder.
This could reduce the number of powders I would have to stock for the calibers I reload.:D:D:D
 
This could reduce the number of powders I would have to stock for the calibers I reload
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That is a statement that I made and is what I am hoping for. It does not mean it will turn out a reality.

That is why we are testing this powder amongst ourselves and want many re-loaders to have access to it so we can find the strengths and weaknesses of this powder.

Alliant said it has been used for almost 30 years in certain un-named calibers.

There quote is as follows from Alliant Powders:
I am glad you guys are having success with BE-86, but I really would have been shocked if you were not.
Professional ballisticians have utilized this powder for almost 30 years, and we have produced millions of pounds of it since.
As a hint, perhaps try 45Auto 185gr jacketed, 9mm 124gr, 40S&W 165gr. It can also be used to push 147gr 9mm, but I prefer Power Pistol(R) for full power loads there. We have one large ammo manufacturer, that shall remain nameless, that uses BE-86 in their Gold Medal Match 45Auto 185gr.
Another application that BE-86 has worked really well is 38Spl+P. Medium power 357Mag is another, but you have figured that already. We had one large mfg that was using BE-86 in a 125grJHP duty load, and that surprised me, but the engineer for that product said he wanted 1350ft/sec, accuracy and low sd's, and BE-86 was best for that.
Thanks for trying our "new" canister pistol powder. Hopefully the supply issues let up soon and everyone can get what they want, when they want, and BE-86 will be readily available.
Shoot well,
Paul
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You will have to make up your own mind when you receive it and test it and hopefully report back to us on the forum with your findings. Good luck and good testing.
 
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tightgroup tiger said:
That is why we are testing this powder amongst ourselves and want many re-loaders to have access to it so we can find the strengths and weaknesses of this powder.
You will have to make up your own mind when you receive it and test it and hopefully report back to us on the forum with your findings. Good luck and good testing.
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TG,
I plan on doing "load ladders" with BULLSEYE, POWERPISTOL & BE-86, in 380, 9mm, 38spl & 357 mag.
It will be after Christmas, but details on each cartridge will be included.
jell-dog
 
tightgroup tiger said:
There quote is as follows from Alliant Powders:
As a hint, perhaps try 45Auto 185gr jacketed, 9mm 124gr, 40S&W 165gr. It can also be used to push 147gr 9mm, but I prefer Power Pistol(R) for full power loads there. We have one large ammo manufacturer, that shall remain nameless, that uses BE-86 in their Gold Medal Match 45Auto 185gr.
Click to expand...

I need to make some 185 grain .45 as I have commented several times. The 124 grain 9mm was more accurate than I anticipated. Seeing his recommendation of 185 grain .45 makes sense. I am changing the dies on my turret press from 9mm to .45 and cranking out some 185 grain EXtreme flat nose bullets this weekend!
 
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