BE-86

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I find BE86 much cleaner than Unique. It actually meters well to.
Loaded some rounds with Unique the other night.
Finished and dumped the extra Unique in powder funnel to go back into it's jar.
Went to the bathroom and came back..
Still had a funnel full of Unique! Guess it doesn't flow thru funnels well either. :neener:

Loaded some with BE86. Dumped BE86 in the same funnel as Unique.
It flowed back into the jar without shaking and tapping on the funnel. YEA!
So far I am happy with BE86.
 
Artofgolf

Artofgolf said:
Finally got to the range this evening - testin' those FP's from Xtreme in the mouse :what:

Standing on 34 degree concrete @ 7 yards, I sent a few downrange with our beloved BE-86 powder :)
View attachment 206673 (click on image to expand) 3.5g Alliant BE-86

I'm still yankin' 'em left with my oversized mitts; nonetheless, the shooter, not the load was to blame :eek:
3.5g functioned flawlessly out of the Wharf Rat.

View attachment 206674 (click on image to expand) 3.4g Alliant BE-86

3.4g worked well also and could be the sweet-spot for the G-42. 3.3g load provided two stovepipes and a FTE :barf:

Don't shoot the messenger: I think there are better powders for the 380 ACP (...the search continues) :cool:
Click to expand...

Artofgolf,
After loading 8 different bullets and at least 20 load-ladders, coated lead and plated, along with 90gr JHP, I agree with you that BE-86 is not the "go to powder" for 380auto.

Although I had some limited successful loads with BERRY'S 100gr HBRN and BAYOU BULLETS 105gr coated lead coneheads, BE-86 was not consistently accurate with other bullets I have onhand.
It seemed even with adjustments in powder weight (0.1gr up or down, using powder trickler to get consistent powder charge) the groups didn't really settle down.
Then I adjusted COL shorter, starting at MY max working COL , reducing in 0.005" steps. (being careful NOT to reach the point of a compressed load!)
Some showed promise, but again I could not find that sweet spot COL/powder charge.

I have literally shot up close to 1 pound of BE-86 in the search for a "go to load" in my wife's 380 pistol, with my available bullets.

With the amazing successful loads being generated in 9mm, 38/357mag, I will be moving on from 380 testing with BE-86 and start working up some of the 9mm loads mentioned here.

(I still have a few other powders to work up for 380 as I am getting down to my last pound of AA#2, and haven't seen any localy or online for over 12 months!)

I whole heartedly agree with your opinion on other powders being better suited to 380auto, BERSA or G-42.

I have found 3.2 gr AA#2, COL 0.965", CCI 500 OR WIN WSP, to be accurate in my wife's BERSA 380auto.
She can consistently get sub 2" groups @ 7 yards, open sights, no rest.
This is using BERRY'S 100gr HBRN, RMR .380 RN Thick Plate or @ .0950"
COL, using X-TREME 100gr RNFP.
As is always the case "YMMV" :D
JD
 
jell-dog said:
Artofgolf,
After loading 8 different bullets and at least 20 load-ladders, coated lead and plated, along with 90gr JHP, I agree with you that BE-86 is not the "go to powder" for 380auto.....JD
Click to expand...

Thanks for confirming my suspicions, jell-dog.
The upside is that testing beyond the BE-86 has identified several powders that, IMHO, work very well.
True Blue has performed exceptionally in 380 Auto with 100g pills from the Berry's HBRN & the unavailable :cuss: HBFP plated.
I also dug-out my stash of VV N-330 and found that it is a very good choice for 9mm Corto.
Finishing the list, HP-38 & Silhouette ~ my testing indicates that they work well :D
Remember, my tests are only with the G-42.
jell-dog said:
.... I will be moving on from 380 testing with BE-86 and start working up some of the 9mm loads mentioned here....JD
Click to expand...

I totally agree ~ I consider BE-86 the go-to powder for 9mm Luger :)
 
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Artofgolf said:
Thanks for confirming my suspicions, jell-dog.
True Blue has performed exceptionally in 380 Auto with 100g pills from the Berry's HBRN & the unavailable :cuss: HBFP plated.
Click to expand...

Good to know, LGS just got some TRUE BLUE in stock. ($26.99/lb +6% tax)
BUT, I have BULLSEYE, TITEGROUP and HP-38 on hand.
So, does TRUE BLUE out preform these powders well enough to purchase yet another powder?

.... I will be moving on from 380 testing with BE-86 and start working up some of the 9mm loads mentioned here....JD
Click to expand...

Artofgolf said:
I totally agree ~ I consider BE-86 the go-to powder for 9mm Luger :)
Click to expand...

Now THIS is GREAT NEWS about BE-86!!
Just picked up 4 1lb canisters @ $24.57 each out the door! :D

JD
 
jell-dog said:
Good to know, LGS just got some TRUE BLUE in stock.
So, does TRUE BLUE out preform these powders well enough to purchase yet another powder?......
Click to expand...

jell-dog, I have extensively tested Red-Dot, CSB-1, Unique, VihtaVuori N-310/320/330, BE-86, Silhouette, Titegroup, 700-X, HP-38 and True Blue in 380 Auto with numerous bullets.
There may be another out there that's better (ZIP ??), but of the powders mentioned, I feel that True Blue has worked best for me.
YMMV ;)
 
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I have probably missed the relevant posts on this - but has BE-86 been found to be decent in 45acp? I'm down to my last 1000 grains or so of 231, and my only other alternatives right now are good old bullseye or HS-6.
 
anothernewb said:
I have probably missed the relevant posts on this - but has BE-86 been found to be decent in 45acp? I'm down to my last 1000 grains or so of 231, and my only other alternatives right now are good old bullseye or HS-6.
Click to expand...

I like it for 45. Here are a couple of my good loads with it:

Xtreme 200 HP, 1.245 COL, 6.7gn, Win large primer, 800.9fps, 7.2sd, 23 spread.
Xtreme 230 RN, 1.265 COL, 6.5gn, Win large primer, 792.7fps, 10.9sd, 32 spread.

As always, YMMV, start low and work up.
 
As #222 suggests, I had better luck with it in 185 grain than I did 230 grain. It is the stuff for 9mm.

Russellc
 
Sounds like I might have to track down some True Blue. Now where'd my wife hide that credit card??
 
BE86 worked well for me in .45 APC.
I prefer HP38/231 but was happy with BE86 and would use it if I did not have HP38.
Loaded 5.2 and 5.6 gr with a 230 MBC Softball bullets.
I believe the listed MAX is 6.2 gr so these loads were all at at least .5gr below max.
Both seemed to shoot well. I also used 5.6 and the RMR 230 "thick plate"

The RMRs seem to shoot real well for me. The MBC coated bullets are close and are slightly less expensive.
 
Artofgolf said:
Potatohead said:
Now where'd my wife hide that credit card??
Click to expand...
You'll never see that piece of plastic after you went hog-wild last time.....:eek:
Click to expand...
I made a deal with my wife she gets to spend double what I spend ... now I get to buy all the powders I want. :D

The deal backfired when I went on a buying spree and spent several thousand dollars on guns/Dillon 650 with a case feeder and wife had a big grin, "So honey, I get to spend double, right?" :uhoh:
 
Dudedog said:
BE86 worked well for me in .45 APC.
I prefer HP38/231 but was happy with BE86 and would use it if I did not have HP38.
Loaded 5.2 and 5.6 gr with a 230 MBC Softball bullets.
I believe the listed MAX is 6.2 gr so these loads were all at at least .5gr below max.
Both seemed to shoot well. I also used 5.6 and the RMR 230 "thick plate"

The RMRs seem to shoot real well for me. The MBC coated bullets are close and are slightly less expensive.
Click to expand...
It worked well for me, it just wasnt as accurate as other loads, including Unique were. In 9mm, Unique, (and others) is accurate, but with BE-86 they were accurate beyond expectation, at least with the 1.120 OAL 124 grain RN and 5.5 grains.

Russellc
 
bds said:
I made a deal with my wife she gets to spend double what I spend ... now I get to buy all the powders I want. :D

The deal backfired when I went on a buying spree and spent several thousand dollars on guns/Dillon 650 with a case feeder and wife had a big grin, "So honey, I get to spend double, right?" :uhoh:
Click to expand...

My wife and I HAD an understanding we each could spend op to $100 without discussion.
Then I spent several hundred $ on powder and bullets and primers:D

Each purchase was "under $100" BUT I maybe made 7 purchases in one month, now it's $200 per month, NO CARYOVER unspent from previous month!

BUT sale items are a gray area, THE BOSS has yet to go thumbs down on needed supplies ON SALE:D
HAPPY WIFE = HAPPY LIFE :neener:
JD
 
jell-dog said:
My wife and I HAD an understanding we each could spend op to $100 without discussion.
Then I spent several hundred $ on powder and bullets and primers:D

Each purchase was "under $100" BUT I maybe made 7 purchases in one month, now it's $200 per month, NO CARYOVER unspent from previous month!

BUT sale items are a gray area, THE BOSS has yet to go thumbs down on needed supplies ON SALE:D
HAPPY WIFE = HAPPY LIFE :neener:
JD
Click to expand...

Well, I am lucky in that respect. My wife has her own guns that I reload for. And I let her know it, too. ;) So if I need a new reloading gadget, it isn't hard for me to justify it.
 
Toprudder said:
Well, I am lucky in that respect. My wife has her own guns that I reload for. And I let her know it, too. ;) So if I need a new reloading gadget, it isn't hard for me to justify it.
Click to expand...

Toprudder,
I reload for my wife also, in fact, she is trying to claim my Sig M11-A1 9mm:what:
This is why reloading supplies are an easy sell:D
Lucky for me, the BE-86 is super in 9mm, got no comment on buying 4lbs of that!

SO, I tell her "I guess I get a new gun!":uhoh:
"NOPE, we'll share!":banghead:

WELL, time will tell!

Anyway, loades up some 115gr RN FMJ HB "pulled" from RMR with 5.3gr to 5.5gr BE-86, outstanding accuracy!
Also loaded up X-Treme 124gr HP heavy plate, same weights BE-86, more outstanding accuracy!

Thanks for all those that supplied 9mm data, BE-86 is go to for 9mm at my reloading bench!
 
Potatohead said:
Sounds like I might have to track down some True Blue.......
Click to expand...

The modification you've made to the charge bar works great with True Blue; it's much better than fiddlin' around with the micro-disks ;)
I've been able to dial-in consistent charges for 380 ACP on the Lee turret. True Blue is a pleasure to work with. :)

Potatohead said:
True dat! You must be that fly on the wall Ive seen around here lately!
Click to expand...

bzzzzzz
 
Quote: Originally Posted by jell-dog
...Lucky for me, the BE-86 is super in 9mm, got no comment on buying 4lbs of that! ... BE-86, outstanding accuracy!.... BE-86, more outstanding accuracy!... BE-86 is go to for 9mm .....

We were discussing 147g coated bullets in another thread. First time today with BE-86 yielded reasonably-good results ;)

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=9837029&postcount=13
 
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