BE-86

red rick

red rick

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Aug 11, 2009
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I have been looking for a one powder for 9mm , .38 , .357 and .45 acp and maybe 45c . I haven’t tried it before , but I have read enough good reviews about it that I bought 8lbs of it last night . Natchez had it for $230 plus free hazmat . Still high from just a few years ago like most of the reloading components , but I haven’t seen it cheaper anywhere else .
 
red rick said:
I have been looking for a one powder for 9mm , .38 , .357 and .45 acp and maybe 45c . I haven’t tried it before , but I have read enough good reviews about it that I bought 8lbs of it last night . Natchez had it for $230 plus free hazmat . Still high from just a few years ago like most of the reloading components , but I haven’t seen it cheaper anywhere else .
Click to expand...
Now there's a brave, trusting, and committed reloader! Eight pounds right off the bat! Hope you like it.

(Here's another review: I've used it for both 9mm & 45acp and like it. Only have a one pounder left so I'm holding it back.)
 
The one thing that I don’t like about it , is there isn’t much load data on it . It is probably going to make me buy a chronograph to work up loads .
 
red rick said:
Natchez had it for $230 plus free hazmat . Still high from just a few years ago like most of the reloading components , but I haven’t seen it cheaper anywhere else .
Click to expand...
BE-86 is currently the lowest priced 8lb jugs that Alliant is offering. I still had a couple of pounds left in my last jug and picked up an 8 pounder during the Natchez sale.

Natchez also has the best prices for Vihtavuori powders also...N310 works well in the calibers you are inquiring about
 
red rick said:
The one thing that I don’t like about it , is there isn’t much load data on it . It is probably going to make me buy a chronograph to work up loads .
Click to expand...
Sierra No. 6 has a good amount of BE-86 data. I did the same thing as you, bought an 8 lb keg to try it out. Liked it enough that I bought a second 8 lb keg before the price went up. Works well for strong but “non nuclear” loads in 10mm. Haven’t tried it yet in 9mm or .357 Mag, but anticipate it will work well there as well.
 
2ndtimer said:
Sierra No. 6 has a good amount of BE-86 data. I did the same thing as you, bought an 8 lb keg to try it out. Liked it enough that I bought a second 8 lb keg before the price went up. Works well for strong but “non nuclear” loads in 10mm. Haven’t tried it yet in 9mm or .357 Mag, but anticipate it will work well there as well.
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I have the Sierra no. 6 and I don’t see anything in it for BE-86 and 9mm , .38 or .45acp . I might need to get new edition of books .

Edited , my Sierra book is NO. V , 6th printing .
 
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For those that don't know, Alliant still publishes an extensive reloading manual you can download and print. In that manual, it mentions optimum use of BE-86 is for auto loading handguns. That is the use they claim in was developed for. But BE-86 data is included included for most handgun calibers. Downside of Alliant handgun data is they only list bullets from Vista brands like Speer and Federal.

But what I find curious is for 9mm Luger +P loads, the only powder they list load data for is Sport Pistol. Not Power Pistol or BE-86. I rarely hear mention of Sport Pistol.

Hornady manual also lists several loads for BE-86, as does Speer online data. Hornady data is to the light side. Speer guys must be nuts. They pile in the powder.
 
Howa 9700 said:
For those that don't know, Alliant still publishes an extensive reloading manual you can download and print. In that manual, it mentions optimum use of BE-86 is for auto loading handguns. That is the use they claim in was developed for. But BE-86 data is included included for most handgun calibers. Downside of Alliant handgun data is they only list bullets from Vista brands like Speer and Federal.

But what I find curious is for 9mm Luger +P loads, the only powder they list load data for is Sport Pistol. Not Power Pistol or BE-86. I rarely hear mention of Sport Pistol.

Hornady manual also lists several loads for BE-86, as does Speer online data. Hornady data is to the light side. Speer guys must be nuts. They pile in the powder.
Click to expand...
I have the Hornady 9th and no data for BE-86 in it for 9mm , 38 or 45 . I have been to Alliant’s site and found a little data to get me started on 9mm , but I like my books , especially when all I have is a phone screen .
 
red rick said:
I have been looking for a one powder for 9mm , .38 , .357 and .45 acp and maybe 45c .
Click to expand...
BE-86 seems to be a somewhat slower powder, just a tad slower than W231/HP38. It also has a flash suppressant. These 2 features make it perfect for self defense loads in higher pressure cartridges. It will be "OK" in 38 Spcl and 45ACP, but it won't be stellar. In fact, when it was first introduced the scuttlebutt on THR was that it had been developed for Speer in their defensive ammo. You might look up some of those older THR posts.

• Look for it to do best in 9mm with 135gr and 147gr defensive loads, 357M, 38Super, and I got first class results with it in 10mm with 165 and 180gr bullets. In 10mm it edged-out VV N340, the first time I ever saw an American powder best Vit.

• The powders it replaced on my shelf were: Blue Dot, H110/W296, HS-6 and CFE Pistol.
 
BE86 is a fav of mine for loading up full power 9mm loads. I use it for speer 124gr gold dots and 124gr sierra V-Crowns.
Burns clean and consistent at the Chrono.
 
CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums 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 9MM loads with BE-86:
147 gr Hornady XTP 5.1 Gr (over max listed in Hornady’s manual, but max listed on Alliant. No signs of over pressure)
124 gr Sierra JHP 5.9 gr
124 gr Sig V Crown 5.9 gr

Both of the above 124 grain loads are .1 over Alliant max, for FMJ but not JHP, but still did not show signs of over pressure until I hit 6.1 so I settled at 5.9 with the best accuracy.
 
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