BE-86 reduced loads 9mm

[Lee Q. Loader]

This post contains load info that has been safe for me in my guns. Please work up your own loads.

When I got my first pound of BE-86 I decided to use it with RMR 124gr MPR. I did what I always do with Alliant powders and reduced the charges listed in the book by 10%. This gave me a starting load of 5.3gr. From there I worked up to 5.6, but decided I like 5.5 grs at OAL 1.08.

This weekend I shot about 150 of those 5.5 gr loads and really decided I didn't like them. The sole reason was the recoil, it was starting to feel like my 357 mag after a while. (I know it doesn't kick that hard really).
I'd like to start over with the same bullet and OAL and BE-86, the question is: how low can I go? I was thinking about maybe going down to 4.8 grains, but I'd like to hear from you how this powder behaves at loads that far below max. If you have experience with this please comment on accuracy and if you have seen unburned powder, etc. Thanks!
EDIT: I just wanted to add that I shot these in my Ruger SR9e

 

[Bat Rastard]

I am using RMRs jacketed flat point 124. I settled in at 5.2 BE-86 seated to 1.065. Consistent 1050fps, clean cases, seems more accurate than I am.

 

[Walkalong]

I am using RMRs jacketed flat point 124. I settled in at 5.2 BE-86 seated to 1.065. Consistent 1050fps, clean cases, seems more accurate than I am.

If you are going to go a lot lower than this ("thinking about 4.8 grains"), another faster powder may be better suited. I am not sure how low BE-86 can go and still do well. Maybe others have tried it, 5.5 is as low as I went.

Sounds like 5.2 is good to go.

I am using RMRs jacketed flat point 124. I settled in at 5.2 BE-86 seated to 1.065. Consistent 1050fps, clean cases, seems more accurate than I am.

 

[reddog81]

I wouldn't be surprised if 4.8 functions the gun, but the POI will be noticeably off and it''ll probably be dirty. 5.0 or 5.2 would probably be better. I'd guess that somewhere in that range would be a great target/plinking load.

 

[Toprudder]

I just looked at my data, and found the following. (My results, my gun, yada yada yada ).

BE86 powder, Winchester small pistol primers.

RMR 124 FN plated bullets, seated 1.050".
4.2gn was the lowest I went. (No chrono info, cycled the gun and locked on empty mag). I settled on a load of 4.5gn, which worked well in my Witness Elite Match, and my Sig P938.

RMR 124 Hardcore Match RN bullets, seated 1.110".
4.9gn was the lowest charge, 1067fps, 9.9sd. This was my favorite load of BE86 for this bullet. I went as high as 5.5gn, which resulted in 1151fps in my Witness (4.75" barrel).

RMR 124 JHP, seated 1.040".
4.4gn was lowest charge, 1025fps, 15.0sd. 4.8gn was the best @ 1094fps, 10.2sd. Highest was 5.2gn, 1149fps, 7.6sd. Again, from my Witness pistol.

Zero 124 JHP (virtually a clone of the Hornady HAP bullets, .356" diameter) seated 1.080"
4.0gn was the lowest, 917fps, 11.5sd. The best accuracy with my Witness was at 4.2gn, 961fps, 17.7sd. 10 shots, 0.65" @ 10 yards. Highest I tried was 4.6gn, 1033fps, 13.2sd.

It has been my observation that BE86 does well at low charges, as it is one of the least position-sensitive powders I have tried.

 

[Bat Rastard]

I had tried lower charges.
I did not try many to test for reliability. The chronograph numbers were not high enough at the lower weights.
I want to be able to make power factor if need be.

 

[Toprudder]

I had tried lower charges.
I did not try many to test for reliability. The chronograph numbers were not high enough at the lower weights.
I want to be able to make power factor if need be.

Yeah, that's the thing. I don't shoot any competitions so I don't worry about power factors.

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

Great info! Thank you all. I'm going to load some at 4.8, 5.0 and 5.2 and see how they do. I've decided to quit working up in 1 tenth increments because I know my powder drop will vary by that much. Thanks again!

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Interesting
I was using Win 231 and RMR 115 gr
The combo was good but like OP I wanted a low recoil load

Well folks suggested BE86 and RMR 124gr
I love the combo, it shoots accurate and the load is low recoil. So I’m not sure what OP is seeing, but my load was one that folks recommended here. I don’t recall the exact load and don’t have my log handy. If memory serves me correctly it’s near the recommended low but not below it.

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

Interesting
I was using Win 231 and RMR 115 gr
The combo was good but like OP I wanted a low recoil load

Well folks suggested BE86 and RMR 124gr
I love the combo, it shoots accurate and the load is low recoil. So I’m not sure what OP is seeing, but my load was one that folks recommended here. I don’t recall the exact load and don’t have my log handy. If memory serves me correctly it’s near the recommended low but not below it.

I'd like to see what your load is please if you get a chance to look at your log. I know recoil is subjective and also I've only been shooting and reloading 9mm for about a year now. Honestly, prior to that I always shot my revolvers, so maybe my expectations are a bit messed up. Prior to trying BE-86 I used Unique and Herco, they seem to have less recoil. I still use all 3 powders for 9mm.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I loaded RMR 124gr FN with BE-86 for several thousand rounds...usually in the 4.6-4.8 range....firing them in a M&P9

It was fairly accurate and soft shooting...the ejected cases cleared the ejection port and my hand and fell into a neat cluster. The only issue was a lot of soot on the side of the cases.

The RMR 124gr FN, 5.2gr of Be-86, 1.114" OAL, *FC* cases, CCI SPP was just as accurate and much cleaner

 

[rsrocket1]

The lowest I ran BE-86 with a 124g lead bullet was 4.8 and got an average MV of 1112 out of a 5" 92fs. I prefer running it at 5.2 to 5.6 because it causes the cases to eject more reliably over my shoulder rather than dribble out a foot or 2 beside the gun (and hit me on the face with some other guns). If you have faster powders, try 'em. Otherwise BE-86 isn't really bad at that charge, as you work down here's what to look for:

1. More smoke/sooty cases. First soot around part of the case, then soot all the way around the case. If the soot extends all the way down to the base, the case is not sealing the gases and your velocities will vary a lot.
2. Shorter ejections of the case
3. Failure to cycle the slide or lock the slide back on the last shot
4. Stuck bullet

Hopefully you will stop at step 2 or 3 and not go all the way down to a stuck bullet although it takes almost zero powder to really stick a bullet

 

[vaalpens]

The lowest I ran BE-86 with a 124g lead bullet was 4.8 and got an average MV of 1112 out of a 5" 92fs. I prefer running it at 5.2 to 5.6 because it causes the cases to eject more reliably over my shoulder rather than dribble out a foot or 2 beside the gun (and hit me on the face with some other guns). If you have faster powders, try 'em. Otherwise BE-86 isn't really bad at that charge

That is a good range for BE-86, but I prefer to go to a slower powder to get a softer feel. My preferred 9mm load is in the 5.3gr to 5.6gr range, but using Power Pistol. It is slower than BE-86, so it gives a softer recoil at the same range as BE-86. For me going to faster powders feels like I get a sharper recoil.

 

[Walkalong]

For me going to faster powders feels like I get a sharper recoil.

If you get too fast, yes, but at lower speeds like the OP is looking for a faster powder like Sport Pistol or N320 will give a shorter lighter recoil impulse. Either powder pushing a 124/5 Gr bullet at 1050ish FPS (3.9/4.0ish grains) will be very pleasant to shoot, leave brass very clean and drop it at your feet.

Load #120 @ 84 Degrees & 66% RH (1.073 to 1.075 OAL)
3" P-365
Hi=975
Lo=955
Avg=967
ES=21
SD=10

4.5" XDm OSP
Hi=1069
Lo=1048
Avg=1059
ES=21
SD=7

5" Colt 1911
Hi=1095
Lo=1060
Avg=1075
ES=35
SD=10

 

[LeftyTSGC]

I have been using this load in my SIG P320 and M&P Shield, 124gn MPR JHP, 5.1 BE-86 at 1.08, gets me 1037fps out of the SIG.

leftytsgc

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I'd like to see what your load is please if you get a chance to look at your log. I know recoil is subjective and also I've only been shooting and reloading 9mm for about a year now. Honestly, prior to that I always shot my revolvers, so maybe my expectations are a bit messed up. Prior to trying BE-86 I used Unique and Herco, they seem to have less recoil. I still use all 3 powders for 9mm.

Send me a PM and I’ll reply tomorrow or Saturday when I can dig up my log. I’d rather not post load data even though it’s stuff Jake and others have posted and it’s in Alliant’s book.