BE-86

[jell-dog]

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

Reasonably-good results?
Methinks Artofgolf is a master of the understatement!!

 

[Artofgolf]

Reasonably-good results?
Methinks Artofgolf is a master of the understatement!!

Even old men get lucky every once in awhile..........

Likum' that BE-86.

 

[Alliant Reloading]

Guys,
I am happy to see all the good results being reported with BE-86. Too bad it isn't working out to be a good long range (7yd) 380Auto powder, but it should do the trick for in close.
I have found it to work great in 45Auto, so I thought I would share some data we just generated. My favorite load (which I just sort of fell into) is 6.5gr behind a 230grFMJ at 1.265"OAL. That seems to shoot lights out for me from my stock Colt Series 70. I don't typically shoot paper, but it is mean on steel, tin cans and golf balls at 12yds.
I asked our handloading tech Dave (who fancies himself as a pistol shooter) to load some Federal components with BE-86 and shoot from a match grade Springfield Armory 1911, from a rest at 25yds. He loaded 3 groups of 5 at 6.3gr, 6.5gr, 6.7gr, 6.9gr and 7.1gr and shot those groups on paper and through our acoustic targeting system. We didn't measure the velocities, unfortunately. Results below:
6.3gr BE-86: 3x5rd groups 1.91", 2.08", 2.79", avg 2.26" total 15rd group 2.71"
6.5gr BE-86: 3x5rd groups 1.86", 1.00", 2.17", avg 1.68" total 15rd group 2.69"
6.7gr BE-86: 3x5rd groups 1.47", 1.81", 1.73", avg 1.67" total 15rd group 2.06"
6.9gr BE-86: 3x5rd groups 1.34", 1.96", 1.85", avg 1.72" total 15rd group 2.55"
7.1gr BE-86: 3x5rd groups 2.19", 1.60", 1.41", avg 1.73" total 15rd group 3.04"
Based on this, I think I might increase a couple of tenths to the sweet spot at 6.7gr.
Thanks for your interest in our American made BE-86.
Shoot well,
Paul

 

[Artofgolf]

Good to hear from you again, Paul

Although we've found BE-86 not an optimal choice for 380 Auto, we've had very good results in the heavier calibers.
There are some guys here who will appreciate Dave's 45Auto test results ~ very useful information, indeed.

Thanks again for chiming in from time-to-time

 

[sellersm]

Thanks Paul (Alliant Reloading) for the data. Many here will be pleased to see these numbers!

 

[cswpsi]

Great to get further 45Auto results.

I happen to be in a 45Auto loading frenzy with 700X, Bullseye, Titegroup, WST and AA#2. I'll add BE-86 to the regime and compare test results.

Thanks for the update, Paul.

csw

 

[9mmepiphany]

Thanks Paul

Since Dave is a pistol guy, would you ask what he'd recommend for IDPA in .38Spl, 125gr and 158gr, or 9mm, 124gr

I just got my 8lb jug and was thinking of starting out just below 5.4gr for the 124/125gr bullets

 

[jell-dog]

Thanks Paul

Since Dave is a pistol guy, would you ask what he'd recommend for IDPA in .38Spl, 125gr and 158gr, or 9mm, 124gr

I just got my 8lb jug and was thinking of starting out just below 5.4gr for the 124/125gr bullets

^^^^+1^^^^

 

[Mckscott]

Good to hear results from BE-86 guy!!!
FYI, for those that use LEE PRECISION Turret, or any CC scoops RE:
THE VMD# for BE-86 is ".087 x Charge Load = Disk selection, or CC's"
The LEE Co. does not have it on their Tables yet, so I did the math from what the Experts gave me 1cc is = to .75 grams of BE86, or 11.574 grains. then equation 1 " 11.574 / chrg of 5.4 grn. = .47cc, "
then simply divide .47cc by /chg 5.4 grains, and you get the VMD .087
The formula works for any "cc results divided by the charge" that you get in equation 1. Copy the VDM and use it on the Tables that Alliant has for most handgun ammo, under reloading recipes.

 

[Artofgolf]

Good to hear results from BE-86 guy!!!
FYI, for those that use LEE PRECISION Turret, ....

Welcome aboard, Mckscott
Thanks for the additional Lee calculations & info.

 

[Toyman]

Thanks Paul, I shoot and reload 45 200gr swc any chance of working up some loads?

 

[GBExpat]

My .45ACP test loads of 6.5gr BE-86 under a 230gr FMJ from a 5" RIA 1911 (no belling of case, just chamfered & pressed) turned in an avg of 800.7 with a 44.5 ES and 14.7 SD.

I found this load to be very accurate.

FWIW.

 

[RussellC]

My .45ACP test loads of 6.5gr BE-86 under a 230gr FMJ from a 5" RIA 1911 (no belling of case, just chamfered & pressed) turned in an avg of 800.7 with a 44.5 ES and 14.7 SD.

I found this load to be very accurate.

FWIW.

If I remember, I used 6.5-6.7 grains with the 230 grain RN. 185 grain FP were accurate to a greater degree. (with different powder charge and OAL obviously) I couldn't get the 230 grains as accurate as my Bullseye, Unique, HP-38 or Power pistol rounds. Havent had any more since or I would try it further...hopefully soon I will find some more! No more of this only "one pound to try it" business. Thanks to Alliant Reloading for the data. Out of curiosity, how is your accuracy ( at Alliant Reloading) with Bullseye (I used 5.1 grains), Unique (I used 6.1 grains) or Power Pistol (I used 7.1, 7.5 and 7.7 grains) compared to the BE-86 with the 230 grain RN @ 1.265?

These were shot from both a Glock 30S and a Glock 21SF.

Russellc

 

[Toprudder]

My .45ACP test loads of 6.5gr BE-86 under a 230gr FMJ from a 5" RIA 1911 (no belling of case, just chamfered & pressed) turned in an avg of 800.7 with a 44.5 ES and 14.7 SD.

I found this load to be very accurate.

FWIW.

Back in post #39, I listed my test load of Xtreme 230gn RN:

45 230gr RN plated, BE86 6.5gr, 1.265" COL, 792fps, 10.9sd.

Shot from a EAA Witness, 4.5" barrel.

Very close to your results. I would have expected a little more variation in velocity given the difference in barrel length, though.

 

[RussellC]

Guys,
I am happy to see all the good results being reported with BE-86. Too bad it isn't working out to be a good long range (7yd) 380Auto powder, but it should do the trick for in close.
I have found it to work great in 45Auto, so I thought I would share some data we just generated. My favorite load (which I just sort of fell into) is 6.5gr behind a 230grFMJ at 1.265"OAL. That seems to shoot lights out for me from my stock Colt Series 70. I don't typically shoot paper, but it is mean on steel, tin cans and golf balls at 12yds.
I asked our handloading tech Dave (who fancies himself as a pistol shooter) to load some Federal components with BE-86 and shoot from a match grade Springfield Armory 1911, from a rest at 25yds. He loaded 3 groups of 5 at 6.3gr, 6.5gr, 6.7gr, 6.9gr and 7.1gr and shot those groups on paper and through our acoustic targeting system. We didn't measure the velocities, unfortunately. Results below:
6.3gr BE-86: 3x5rd groups 1.91", 2.08", 2.79", avg 2.26" total 15rd group 2.71"
6.5gr BE-86: 3x5rd groups 1.86", 1.00", 2.17", avg 1.68" total 15rd group 2.69"
6.7gr BE-86: 3x5rd groups 1.47", 1.81", 1.73", avg 1.67" total 15rd group 2.06"
6.9gr BE-86: 3x5rd groups 1.34", 1.96", 1.85", avg 1.72" total 15rd group 2.55"
7.1gr BE-86: 3x5rd groups 2.19", 1.60", 1.41", avg 1.73" total 15rd group 3.04"
Based on this, I think I might increase a couple of tenths to the sweet spot at 6.7gr.
Thanks for your interest in our American made BE-86.
Shoot well,
Paul

I posed a question to you at post #413, but it occurred to me you might miss it. How does this accuracy compare with same OAL with 230 grain RN using Bullseye (I used 5.1 gr.) Unique (I used 6.1 gr) and Power Pistol (I used 7.1, 7.5 and 7.7 gr) ? All powder loads are from the Alliant site and fired through Glock 30S and Glock 21SF for reference.

Thanks for the info,

Russellc

 

[ColtPythonElite]

.357 Magnum using MBC 140 gr Zingers and BE-86

Alliant has no data for a 140 gr cast bullet, so I used the 158 cast data. I started at 7.0 gr and worked up in half grain increments to 8.5 grs. I had no signs of pressure. Primers were not showing signs of being flat until 8.5 gr, but empties came out easily. The 8.5 grs were screamers at 1430 fps. I would not recommend going that high.... I got my best accuracy out of 7.5 gr, which averaged 1309 fps and 8.0 gr., which averaged 1382 fps. Groups are 10 shots at 15 yards from a rest. (I was not able to make it to a 25 yard range today.) The test gun was a 8 3/8" 686. I shot 60 rounds and had no leading.

 

[sellersm]

Nice shooting ColtPythonElite! Thanks for the report. Yet again, this powder seems to shine at "less than max" loads, which makes my wallet happy!!

 

[Dudedog]

Good shooting ColtPythonElite,
nice groups. Glad BE86 worked out for you.

My two cans of be BE86 worked out to a VMD of .0956 avg. Lee dense than the lot Mckscot had.

That was caculated from charges thrown by my Lee disks.
The disks I used to establish a VMD for me were the .4, .43, .46, .53, .57
I do the test again to see if my number still holds for me.
(I do scale charges when reloading, never rely on what a sisk was throwing, they are pretty consisant however.
Disk size in CC / charge weight in grains = VMD.
I have been thru two lbs (same lot number) so I don't know if it varies much lot to lot.

Not disagreeing with MckScott, just mentioning that for me the VMD was different.

 

[jell-dog]

45 Long Colt + BE-86?

I've re-read this thread from the first post, did I miss any trials with BE-86 and 200 grain bullets in 45 Long Colt?
Or haven't there been any?
Thanks,
JD

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I just picked up 10 more pounds at $ 21 per pound....Just sayin'.

 

[RussellC]

I just picked up 10 more pounds at $ 21 per pound....Just sayin'.

Lucky man. It appears to have squirted out of the universe around here!

Russellc

 

[Buckeye357]

.357 Magnum using MBC 140 gr Zingers and BE-86

Alliant has no data for a 140 gr cast bullet, so I used the 158 cast data. I started at 7.0 gr and worked up in half grain increments to 8.5 grs. I had no signs of pressure. Primers were not showing signs of being flat until 8.5 gr, but empties came out easily. The 8.5 grs were screamers at 1430 fps. I would not recommend going that high.... I got my best accuracy out of 7.5 gr, which averaged 1309 fps and 8.0 gr., which averaged 1382 fps. Groups are 10 shots at 15 yards from a rest. (I was not able to make it to a 25 yard range today.) The test gun was a 8 3/8" 686. I shot 60 rounds and had no leading.

Thanks for sharing ColtPythonElite I have gone as high as 8 grains with 158 grs. MBC LSWC bullets and have best results so far with 7.7 grs.BE-86 I'm shooting loads in a 4.25" NEW MODEL 66. I didn't want to push the listed max of 8.1 grs that's on the Alliant site. I had no high pressure signs at 8 grs. I can't wait until some of the reloading manuals get updated and include some BE-86 data. Also very nice 686!

 

[jell-dog]

Nice shootin ColtPE!
I'm going to work up to your data with my M686+ 4" barrel.
I have X-Treme 158gr SWC, but those MBC 140 Zingers look to be accurate (along with the shooter!).
JD

 

[ColtPythonElite]

That Zinger group was shot with uncoated bullets. They were very accurate, but also very smokey. I switched to the coated Zingers using 7.5 gr of BE-86. They just give off a small puff of smoke and leave the barrel very clean. They are just as accurate.

 

[jell-dog]

380auto + BE-86

Handloading 380auto for Accuracy Part II

CAUTION: The following thread includes posts of loading data tested in my guns chambered for this cartridge. Posts by other THR members contain loading data tested in their guns chambered for this cartridge.
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

My results for 380auto, 3.8gr BE-86 powder, Sierra JHP_90gr.

Basic info: Here are the guidelines I will be using: 7 yards, standing, open sights, no pistol rest, target has 1/2" grid lines, 5 rounds at each powder weight.
I will be shooting a BERSA FIRESTORM 380 with 3 1/2" barrel for all range work.

My definition of Good Accy is 1.5" group or less.
My definition of Fair Accy is over 1.5" group up to 1.75" group.
My definition of Poor Accy is is over 1.75" group.
My definition of Flyers is shooter error, not holding steady on target, so I will give my opinions on accuracy based on best of 4 out of 5 shots where there are obvious Flyers outside the group.

Load#_3A_BE-86_3.8gr_Sierra JHP_90gr_Mixed Brass_CCI500_0.955" COL_All Cases 0.673" +/- 0.001"_380auto_Mild Recoil



Group W/Fliers is +/- 2.5", group WO/Fliers is 1.25", a nice group! Mild recoil, all cartridges perfromed without a problem.
I will be reducing COL to 0.950", as COL of 0.955" was on the edge of to long for my magazine.
This powder charge of 3.8gr BE-86 closed up the groups I was able to get at 3.4gr and 3.6gr.

I'm sure with a rest I could close up the group more, but my Bersa isn't really a BULLSEYE pistol