Alliant Bullseye Smokeless Powder

[pcallahan1984]

Started using Bullseye for loading .45 ACP 200gr LSWC loads. I had been using Hodgdon 700X for some time but heard Bullseye was a better powder. Seems like the 700X was working better for me and I am not convinced. I would like feed back on your thoughts on Bullseye and what caliber and load you like to use it for.

 

[nettlle]

I use it for 45acp. Bullseye performs well in a lot of guns with low powder charges making it one of the more economical powders to use. That's why I use it.

 

[X-Ring]

Two of my favorite target loads are for 38spl 3.6g of BE over 158g SWC and for 45ACP 4.5g of BE over 230g LRN.

 

[Bronx kid]

I find that Bullseye works better with some SWC. WST & PB work better with others. That being said, Bullseye is a good powder. It's something that I will keep a stock of.

 

[rsrocket1]

Bullseye is almost as versatile as Unique. I've used it in 9/38/357/40/45 and low recoil .308 loads. It's not the best for all loads, but it works very well for medium speed loads in all these cartridges. It likes to be loaded in its upper pressure ranges (like most powders) and leaves more soot than most newer powders. It will turn a stainless revolver into what looks like a blued revolver in about 50 shots, but it cleans off just fine. It is denser than Unique so it's easier to double charge. Another good new powder from Alliant is BE-86. About the same density as BE, cleaner and just a tick slower than Unique. Like most pistol/shotgun powders, they're all very spotty in terms of availability.

 

[mdi]

Long time reloader here and have used Bullseye since the beginning (1969). I have used it in .38 Spec., .357 Mag., 9mm, .44 Spec., .44 Magnum, and 45 ACP. Some claim it's dirty, but it has never clogged/stopped any gun I've fired it in and I clean my guns regularily, each shooting session. Nope it isn't good for every situation but it will work in every handgun caliber I've reloaded. (Uncountable .38 Specials w/150 gr. wadcutters over 3.0 gr. Bullseye)...

 

[PO2Hammer]

Love Bullseye in .45 with 200 gr SWC's. 4.2 gr makes for a nice load that will cycle most stock guns and burns pretty clean. It also works surprisingly well for light loads in .357.

What didn't you like about it?

 

[Starter52]

Bullseye is great. It was the number one powder for .38 and .45 reloaders back in the 1960's during the glory years of bullseye target competition. That said, 700-X and WW 231 are just as good for most shooters. Use what you've got.

 

[eo1bart]

200 gr LSWC over 4.0 gr of Bullseye and call me in the morning.

1.25 OAL

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Bullseye has been around a long time and works well in many handgun cartridges. BUT, every gun is different and if you like the results 700x produces there is no reason not to stick with it. The only opinion that counts is yours and how your gun shoots. Personally I use W231.

 

[TfflHndn]

Bullseye is one of my favorites in .45 and .38 target loads. I used one bottle of 700-x and vowed never to buy another. It worked okay, but had to hand-weigh each load and got very tired of that. But bottom line - use what works for you. Just have to find the sweet spot for the powder you have in the gun you use.

 

[Rule3]

Bullseye was/is? the powder used for a gazillion years in the Military 45 ACP standard ammo.

 

[Bula]

I was recently sitting on just under 3 pounds, THEN I scored an 8lb jug. I am really nervous about the next few years , polictically, so I'm conserving all my favorites (2400, Unique and W231) I am burning the BE up to shoot .45acp, .38 and 9mm. Works great for my needs. Planning on trying some lightweights in .44mag and .45colt soon. Shooting my home cast under target loads, makes up 99% of the shooting I do. Keeps me on the trigger and a pound goes a LONG way with 2.8g under a full WC in .38's. Fun, fun, fun. I started reloading .45 auto with bullseye as thats what the old timers (the guys who knew their stuff) recommended and I migrated to W231 because it shot a little softer and it was cleaner. But I'll happily load Bullseye if thats what I have on hand. I need to clean my guns anyways, you should see my shiny 686 after 100 rounds of cast bullets with NRA 50/50 soft lube. I still love it.

 

[dragon813gt]

I use it for low level rifle loads across a broad range of cartridges. It lasts a very long time in this application. Haven't found a need to use it for pistols because W231/HP-38 has always worked for me.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

I've been using in 45 with pretty good succes. Shooting out of a mil spec Springfield 1911 I had no trouble cycling any of my test loads spanning low end (~690fps) to top end. Most any pistol load that will stabilize a bullet is more accurate than me so can't say much there. I bought, originally, as it was the only locally available non magnum pistol powder. I wouldn't hesitate to buy more, it does ok in 9mm and light 38s for me too.

 

[joneb]

Lately I been using 5.3gr of Bullseye in 45 acp with 200gr plated RN with excellent results.
IMR 700X is a great powder, but it doesn't meter well for me.
W-231 is another favorite of mine for 45 acp loads.

 

[ljnowell]

I've used both 700x and Bullseye in my 45 loads. My experience is that 700x provided cleaner, possibly more accurate loads, but bullseye metered better.

These experiences led me to where I currently am. I use WST on the 50 yard line, and AA#2 on the 25 yard line.

 

[Slamfire]

Bullseye was a better powder. Seems like the 700X was working better for me and I am not convinced

Better is a concept that requires more expansion to define. If 700X is working well for you, than what other criteria do you need? I work on the principle that if it shoots good, it is good.

My experience with Bullseye has been very positive. It is an outstanding powder in 32 S&W Long, 38 Spl, 9mm, 45 ACP. It provides consistent velocities and prints bullets where I aim. I am surprised by the number of fixed sight pistols that my Bullseye loads shoot to point of aim, that is not necessarily a gimme. Bullseye is the oldest powder on the market, and I have found ancient load data and that data was still good. Bullseye had not changed enough to make the data irrelevant. Certain loads that have been around forever, in the NRA Bullseye Pistol world, such as a 50 yard load of 200 LSWC with 4.0 grains Bullseye, shoot outstanding in every 45 ACP I own, and I am using it in NRA Bullseye Competition. The original 1910 Army load, of a 230 FMJ with 5.0 grains Bullseye is still a standard "Hardball" Bullseye load. Try to find any load receipe that goes back to 1910 that is still competitive, I found this one, let's see some others.

Anyway, shoot what works.

 

[mgmorden]

Bullseye meters better, uses less, and has a more preferable recoil profile compared to 700X.

It (Bullseye) is pretty much my go-to powder for handguns.

The metering thing really seals the deal for me. Generally for handgun I use a progressive but even when I don't I still dispense charges using a powder measure. 700X just jumps all over. Usually not so much variation as to be dangerous (as long as you're not right up against the max loading), but enough for inconsistent velocities.

 

[PapaG]

When we were loading commercial we bought it in 18# kegs. Standard load for 38 special was 2.7/BE and the Zero HBWC. Loaded hundreds of thousands of them. (Star loaders). Also used a pile in 45ACP with the 200 H&G 68.
I don't use much now other than to put some plinkers together for my wife and sons in 38 but it is still a great, dense powder. Just be darn careful if loading in trays to look into each case with a good light before seating bullets to be sure there is only one charge.
I still use mainly Alliant (it was Hercules when we started) Unique, Red Dot, 2400, and Herco. All good.
Please don't tell me how dirty they are. My old time belief includes two things: each shot wipes out the previous one's dirt and it takes only a few minutes to wipe down the bore after you're done. I get more crud from lube than from powder.

 

[Slamfire]

Standard load for 38 special was 2.7/BE and the Zero HBWC. Loaded hundreds of thousands of them. (Star loaders).

That load will shoot one hole clusters with a 148 LWC. That was a very popular Bullseye load when lots of shooters used a 38 Special in the centerfire stage.

 

[north east redneck]

I load .38 Special and .357 Mag. .38 is 2.8 gr Bullseye under a 158 gr LSWC. .357 is 5.6 gr Bullseye under the same bullet. Decent plinking/target loads. I'm sure there are better loads out there, but I find these loadings work well for the weekly target shooting session.

 

[pcallahan1984]

Maybe when using the Bullseye I am overcharging my .45 ACP loads for my gun. I am using 5.0gr for a 200gr LSWC. and when using the 700x I am 4.6gr. Like I stated the 700x seems to work better. I probably need to do more testing and try to work up the Bullseye load.

 

[Kingcreek]

5.0gr isn't over charged but you might find 4.5 or so with a moderate crimp will work well with a 200gr lswc. BE is a little dirty but it cleans up easy.
My 1911 has popped many many thousands of these loads. very accurate, comfortable to shoot and cheap. its been around a long time because its a great powder, not the other way around.

 

[hdwhit]

Bullseye

I use Bullseye in my .25 ACP and .38 Special loads both of which are shot out of guns with 2 inch barrels. I use Blue Dot in my .45 ACP loads that are shot out of a 1911 pistol.