Does BE-86 render Power Pistol Obsolete?

[Palladan44]

The more I use BE-86, the more I wonder......
Why Power Pistol?

In addition to the flash suppressant, the performance seems to have a slight edge in just about every caliber. But all-in-all, the powders have a lot in common.

Thoughts?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I could flip a coin and go with either. The flash suppressant in BE doesn't really matter to me. I have used a lot of both. If I were only buying one, it would probably be BE.

 

[WrongHanded]

My experience has been BE-86 gives lower velocities that Power Pistol, but not by much. So it's a trade off for the flash suppressant. But I've only made a direct comparison in .357 Sig. I'd assume the same is true for cartridges with greater capacity also. This is what the number on Alliant's site suggest.

However, as I value the concept of a flash suppressed loads for woods/camping purposes, I'd be inclined to pick BE-86 over Power Pistol. Actually, I'd like to discontinue use of both Power Pistol and Unique, in favor of BE-86. And perhaps one day I will.

 

[Lennyjoe]

In 10MM I’d say no. Works well in 9MM so far.

 

[Palladan44]

In 10MM I’d say no. Works well in 9MM so far.

I have Blue Dot and Longshot for 10mm.

 

[mrawesome22-250]

It has for me. Has all the great qualities of power pistol with a much reduced flash and report. BE-86 is fantastic.

 

[kmw1954]

When I first started reloading I used a whole lot of Hercules Bullseye. Today I mostly use Ramshot Silhouette and Accurate AA#2 in everything from 380acp with a 90gr bullet to 45acp with a 230gr bullet. I was given a bottle of BE-86 but as of yet I have not opened it.

 

[Swampman]

I love BE-86 and shoot a lot more of it than Power Pistol, but for pushing a 255 grain 452424 out of a .45 Super at high speed, the Power Pistol is definitely superior.

 

[BW460]

I've used a fair amount of Power Pistol but, for the last couple years, I haven't been able to find any BE-86. Therefore, I've never tried it. It seems several of you like it in the semiautomatic calibers but what about .44 mag and .45 Colt? 9 grains of PP under a 250 gr RNFP in 45 Colt is an excellent load in my Ruger Redhawk. Are you having the same success with BE-86 in the bigger revolver calibers?

 

[Walkalong]

BE-86 is much less position sensitive than Power Pistol, and I am not looking for max velocities most of the time anyway. BE-86 for me.

 

[Charlie98]

Actually, I'd like to discontinue use of both Power Pistol and Unique, in favor of BE-86. And perhaps one day I will.

I made the opposite choice... I'm sticking with Unique over powders like BE-86 and SportPistol, and certainly PowerPistol because of the blast.

with a much reduced flash and report.

That's one of the things that had me scratching my head with my .45 Colt test loads and BE-86... the report. One of the ladders almost sounded like a squib load, and I kept checking to make sure the bore was clear... it was the oddest thing, and quite unnerving. Yes, the chrono told me it was doing what it was supposed to, and there was the requisite hole in the target, but it was very odd.

 

[Palladan44]

I've found in 9mm loads, report is on the stouter end for both BE-86 and PP. To me, it sounds more like a .40 S&W. And, stout recoil.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I love BE-86 for 9mm. For practice it’s amazing. To me it seems like it’s not as snappy as Win231 which is the other powder I use a lot of.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I don't think it's a 1:1 comparison and it really doesn't seem like Alliant is positioning BE86 as a replacement for anything of their newer powders. I do think it was intended to replace "original formula" Bullseye.

EDIT: correction, BE 86 was positioned to replace the much lauded, venerable and appropriately named Unique, not Bullseye.

 

[AJC1]

I don't think it's a 1:1 comparison and it really doesn't seem like Alliant is positioning BE86 as a replacement for anything of their newer powders. I do think it was intended to replace "original formula" Bullseye.

The only powders alliant has come out with recently that I would buy are in rifle. Ar-comp is wonderful. Intrested in rl-15.5. Their current offerings in pistol will never replace unique or 2400. Is be-86 more likely to be on my shelf than pp, yes as pp will never be in my cart again. No worries as I havent seen alliant products available in 18 months.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

The only powders alliant has come out with recently that I would buy are in rifle. Ar-comp is wonderful. Intrested in rl-15.5. Their current offerings in pistol will never replace unique or 2400. Is be-86 more likely to be on my shelf than pp, yes as pp will never be in my cart again. No worries as I havent seen alliant products available in 18 months.

My powder chest looks like a hodge-podge of everybody's product lines: Accurate No. 2, No.5, No. 7, No. 9, No. 4100, Alliant Blue Dot, Bullseye, Red Dot, Unique, 2400, Hodgdon HS6, 700X, TiteGroup, LeveRevolution, IMR 3031, 4227, 4064, 4895, RamShot Competition, Enforcer, True Blue, Winchester 231, 244, WST... I'm temporarily out of Green Dot, RL-7, RL-15, IMR 4198, W296 and WSF. I may not replace Green Dot, W296, or IMR 4198.
,

 

[CQB45ACP]

My powder chest looks like a hodge-podge of everybody's product lines: Accurate No. 2, No.5, No. 7, No. 9, No. 4100, Alliant Blue Dot, Bullseye, Red Dot, Unique, 2400, Hodgdon HS6, 700X, TiteGroup, LeveRevolution, IMR 3031, 4227, 4064, 4895, RamShot Competition, Enforcer, True Blue, Winchester 231, 244, WST... I'm temporarily out of Green Dot, RL-7, RL-15, IMR 4198, W296 and WSF. I may not replace Green Dot, W296, or IMR 4198.
,

Ahhh, quit thumping your chest!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Ahhh, quit thumping your chest!

Sorry. Definitely not my intent.

 

[Charlie98]

I do think it was intended to replace "original formula" Bullseye.

Everyone talks about BE-86 as being the successor to Unique... unless 'original formula' Bullseye was much, much slower than the current version.

Some of the manufacturers are kicking out new powders that seem to overlap existing powders... W231/W244 are an example, they are close in burn rate, and behave similarly. I don't compare BE-86 to Unique directly, in my limited experience they behave completely differently. I think BE-86 was just a refinement of PowerPistol... and Alliant probably thought they might as well bottle it and throw it out there.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Everyone talks about BE-86 as being the successor to Unique... unless 'original formula' Bullseye was much, much slower than the current version.

Some of the manufacturers are kicking out new powders that seem to overlap existing powders... W231/W244 are an example, they are close in burn rate, and behave similarly. I don't compare BE-86 to Unique directly, in my limited experience they behave completely differently. I think BE-86 was just a refinement of PowerPistol... and Alliant probably thought they might as well bottle it and throw it out there.

Nope just a brain cloud. Meant Unique, typed Bullseye.

I have to wonder about things like that. Maybe marketing and development crossed signals?

 

[Lennyjoe]

I have Blue Dot and Longshot for 10mm.

Me too, as well as 5 lbs of 800X still. But I was looking for a replacement after I run out of 800X and BE-86 didn’t give me what I wanted.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Me too, as well as 5 lbs of 800X still. But I was looking for a replacement after I run out of 800X and BE-86 didn’t give me what I wanted.

Have you tried Accurate No.7?

 

[CQB45ACP]

Sorry. Definitely not my intent.

I was completely joking! No offense intended.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Have you tried Accurate No.7?

Have not. Been using the traditional stuff like AA#9, 800X, Blue Dot and PP. also found a good load of Longshot under 180 gr XTreme Bullets for range fodder.

 

[gonoles_1980]

I much prefer BE-86 over Power Pistol. I'm out of Power Pistol and probably won't get anymore. I have enough BE-86 to hopefully get me through this shortage, but it's what I'll buy the next time.