Be86 & hp38

[JamieC]

Just bought some of both, trying to figure out the best use of each. I load 9mm, 45acp and .380. Seems like the BE86 would work for higher velocity loads, the HP38 more target, range work? Is the HP38 better suited to 45acp? The BE86 better for 9mm? Not sure about the .380...

 

[mjtripper]

I've had good luck with be86 with slow and fast loads. It's my go to pistol powder and I prefer it to hp38. Be86 is the best for 9mm I've found so I'd use it for that and 380, use up the hp38 for 45, and buy more be86.

 

[egd]

I have loads worked up for both in 9mm. I like the hp38/231 better, but they both work fine.

 

[RPegram]

The BE-86 if very happy in 9mm. It will work fine in the other two, but HP38 may be a little better in the 45ACP. If you do some searching you will find a long thread, going over several years of where many have tested BE-86 in multiple calibers, all of yours included, and post the results of their tests of both velocity over a chrono and accuracy. Unless you are into some serious shooting for accuracy, once you develop a load for both with either powder, you'll most likely be happy.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think HP-38/W231 is a match made in heaven for the 45 ACP and .38 Spicial. That said I have never tried BE86 in either but you know what they say, if it ain't broken don't fix it. I find it hard to believe my accuracy could improve with anything other than W231.

Sorry, I can't help with BE86 and the 9mm, like I said, I have not tried it yet.

 

[sellersm]

BE-86 is now my favorite powder for 9mm loads, including hotter SD-replica loadings. It can pretty well replace Silhouette and WSF, imnsho. There's a good thread in this forum on BE-86, take a stroll through those pages and you'll see our comments, some target pics, chrono results, etc.

As to the other calibers, +1 to what ArchAngelCD said!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

BE-86 is now my favorite powder for 9mm loads, including hotter SD-replica loadings. It can pretty well replace Silhouette and WSF, imnsho. There's a good thread in this forum on BE-86, take a stroll through those pages and you'll see our comments, some target pics, chrono results, etc.

As to the other calibers, +1 to what ArchAngelCD said!

Right now I'm using W231 for lead and FMJ bullets and when loading JHP bullets at higher velocities I use Power Pistol, HS-6 and more over Longshot. Do you think BE86 would be an improvement over those, if you know?

 

[wlkjr]

I'm happy with W231 for my .380 loads.

 

[JamieC]

Right now I'm using W231 for lead and FMJ bullets and when loading JHP bullets at higher velocities I use Power Pistol, HS-6 and more over Longshot. Do you think BE86 would be an improvement over those, if you know?

I've read that BE86 is basically the same as Power Pistol, (which I use quite a bit of in all three calibers, mainly 9mm), BE86 has an added flash suppressor. I guess I'll have to work up some loads, break out the chronograph, some targets and find out. A man's work is never done!

 

[JamieC]

I'm happy with W231 for my .380 loads.

I've had a little problem finding load data for LSWC, 105gr Bayou Bullets. Not to hard finding data for FMJ, any hints where to look?

 

[ConcernedCitizen]

I've read that BE86 is basically the same as Power Pistol, (which I use quite a bit of in all three calibers, mainly 9mm), BE86 has an added flash suppressor. I guess I'll have to work up some loads, break out the chronograph, some targets and find out. A man's work is never done!

I've read that it's a bit closer to Unique than to Power Pistol, but falls right between the two on the burn rate chart.

 

[wlkjr]

I've had a little problem finding load data for LSWC, 105gr Bayou Bullets. Not to hard finding data for FMJ, any hints where to look?

Not sure where I got my info. I've shot a few thousand of the Bayou 105's in my G42 at 2.8 to 3.0 W231. Now I'm making my own RN that drop at 98 grains. Those I have loaded at 3.0, anything less than 2.9 I have cycling problems.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've read that BE86 is basically the same as Power Pistol, (which I use quite a bit of in all three calibers, mainly 9mm), BE86 has an added flash suppressor. I guess I'll have to work up some loads, break out the chronograph, some targets and find out. A man's work is never done!

It's a dirty job but someone has to do it lol.

When you do I would appreciate it if you post the results. Thank you...

 

[Average Joe]

I have used HP-38/W231 and BE86 in 9mm and .38 spl. I really can't tell any difference between the powders. They all meter well, and are accurate enough for my needs.

 

[Dudedog]

HP38 works great for me in .45. MY powder of choice for anything less than max loads in that round.

BE86 works ok from light to heavy in 9mm, but to me seems happier midrange up.
Both HP38 and BE86 seemed to work ok for me in .380.
I would say use up the BE86 in 9mm (I like HP38 better than BE86 in 9mm) and save the HP38 for .45.

However,
I would say test each in all three calibers. Every gun is different and has it's own favorites.

As a side note I have decided I really like AA#2 for .380 as it meters great in ,380 size charges.

 

[sellersm]

I'll put this here so perhaps folks can find it (again). This is from Paul, at Alliant, regarding BE-86:

I am very confident you will really like this powder. It is the same magic formulation as Bullseye(R) and Power Pistol(R), and virtually the exact geometry of Power Pistol. It is a little faster burning that Power Pistol though, and very similar to Unique(R), burn speed wise. As you mentioned, we have added flash suppressant to this product to moderate the flash response, whereas we do not for Power Pistol. BE-86(TM) is a high energy propellant though, so do not expect it to be flashless. The FS added moderates what would be maybe a basketball or bushel basket size bloom for a stout load of Power Pistol down to more like a baseball or cueball. I find it very acceptable from the shooter's position, and we have several OEM's that use this material for duty applications.

So to summarize, the "so what" on BE-86 is that it has the outstanding ballistics and ignitability of the BE series powders, in Unique burnrate, with great metering characteristics, with FS to moderate the flash bloom.