Need help choosing Be86 .357/.44 magnum load data

[Big-bore-bob]

Hi all! I'm finishing up my loading sessions for my auto pistol cartridges this weekend and moving on to loading .357 and .44 magnum light/midrange target loads. I scored an 8lb keg of be86 and I love it for 9mm. I've been doing some research on our favorite forum and it looks like be86 will work for both 357 and 44 loads. So I have a few questions regarding bullet choice and loads. I plan on buying zero bullets jacketed soft point 158gr and 240gr for 357 and 44 respectively. I'm also looking at Rimrock bullets 158gr and 240gr cast semi wadcutter bullets (they're inexpensive and made close to where I live). Alliant lists 7.8gr be86 max load with a 158 jacketed bullet at a minimum coal of 1.57. Questions: 1. starting load is 10% under max load of 7.8gr for .357, will this data set work for a cast swc in the 12-15 BHN range (my goal is a 950-1050fps accurate plinker load with no leading). 2. The swc in question are bevel base, does this matter much? Seems people prefer flat base for better accuracy. 3. These questions apply to .44 mag also, for that im looking for a 850fps +/- unique level load. How should I approach this project? Thanks in advance for any insight!

 

[JO JO]

I have used BE 86 in 44 Mag , my two chronographed loads below
Ruger Blackhawk 7.5 in , projectile 240gr plated RNFP shot well and cleaner than Unique
9.5 GR = 1031 fps
10 GR = 1083 fps
I have ran out of BE 86 and settled AA # 7 for my mid 44 loads

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Hi all! I'm finishing up my loading sessions for my auto pistol cartridges this weekend and moving on to loading .357 and .44 magnum light/midrange target loads. I scored an 8lb keg of be86 and I love it for 9mm. I've been doing some research on our favorite forum and it looks like be86 will work for both 357 and 44 loads. So I have a few questions regarding bullet choice and loads. I plan on buying zero bullets jacketed soft point 158gr and 240gr for 357 and 44 respectively. I'm also looking at Rimrock bullets 158gr and 240gr cast semi wadcutter bullets (they're inexpensive and made close to where I live). Alliant lists 7.8gr be86 max load with a 158 jacketed bullet at a minimum coal of 1.57. Questions: 1. starting load is 10% under max load of 7.8gr for .357, will this data set work for a cast swc in the 12-15 BHN range (my goal is a 950-1050fps accurate plinker load with no leading). 2. The swc in question are bevel base, does this matter much? Seems people prefer flat base for better accuracy. 3. These questions apply to .44 mag also, for that im looking for a 850fps +/- unique level load. How should I approach this project? Thanks in advance for any insight!

I can’t speak to the question about BE-86 - I don’t use it - but I can at least partially answer about bevel vs. flat base cast.

The beveled base doesn’t expand to fill the throat of the cylinder so there’s a gap for gas leaks. That’s how leading happens. Gas jetting also prevents the bullet from leaving the barrel completely stable in flight. At handgun plinking distance you’ll likely not notice the lower accuracy but if the gas jetting is bad you will notice the lead deposits.

When I use bevel base bullets it’s usually with a fast powder in top-of-the-chart loads to encourage base expansion. TiteGroup and Red Dot excel in that area. Unique and BE-86 are supposed to be similar and I have had success with mid range Unique loads and BBSWC for .357Mag. Not spectacular but better than just okay. It’s going to take some experimenting.

I think flats are better, especially in a low tin alloy but it doesn’t hurt to try the BB’s if they are inexpensive.

I won’t call them cheap because that word is sometimes taken as derogatory and I mean no offense.

 

[Big-bore-bob]

I won’t call them cheap because that word is sometimes taken as derogatory and I mean no offense

I take no offense to that statement... I'm looking for an inexpensive/cheap plinking solution that's easy on my revolvers. I don't want to run my h110/xtp loads all the time for fear of wearing them out prematurely. Iirc the Rimrock 357 158gr swc are $72 per 800, not to rough on my wallet. If there are better options for my goals I would love to hear about them, I don't mind spending a bit more cash and getting a bulk bullet that better suits my goals for this load work up. Either way, hand loading .357/38 ammo with any bullet will be cheaper than current factory ammo prices for these calibers. Thanks for the info!

 

[jmorris]

Fast powders are great for reduced loads in "magnum" calibers. They are generally smaller charges as well, making lower cost per round (a 7.0 grain charge weight will give you twice the number of rounds per pound vs. a 14.0 gn charge weight) but the slower powder will often get the most from the round.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

For target bullets I use Brazo's coated semi-wadcutters. They sell them by the pound instead of the 500 ct box. So you usually end up with 686 for around the price that other companies charge for 500.
There are good accurate bullets. I've been using them for a long time.
https://www.brazosprecision.com/

My next favorite bullet is Xtremes plated SWC bullets, but they do cost more so I don't shoot them as much.
My favorite load is 7.3 grs of BE-86 for .357 mag, crimped to the crimp groove. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/be-86.760289/
for perspective.

This is my first target using BE-86 with the xtreme plated SWCs with the same 7.3 grs of BE-86
https://www.xtremebullets.com/38-158-SWC-p/xc38-158swc-b0500.htm That load passed Walkalongs powder forward test.

Can't help you with 44 Mag, I have a .41.

 

[AJC1]

I don't know how much your regular bullet is, but for inexpensive jacketed I like zero bullets. If cast is your preference then I have a lot of Missouri. I prefer flat base, and some type of coating makes my pistol end the session much cleaner. I've kinda been on the powder coat bandwagon since I started casting, but within the last year I've shot a lot of traditional cast and lubed bullets. It's night and day difference on how massively dirty my pistol and hands are. Even using a fast powder like ramshot competition that burns clean leaves a huge mess. Probably not helpful for someone trying to control lead uptake.

 

[Walkalong]

My next favorite bullet is Xtremes plated SWC bullets, but they do cost more so I don't shoot them as much.
My favorite load is 7.3 grs of BE-86 for .357 mag, crimped to the crimp groove. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/be-86.760289/

I shamelessly stole this from @tightgroup tiger (worked up to it), and it is a great load.
You can substitute a coated 158 in place of the X-Treme 158 Gr SWC.

 

[41 Mag]

My experience with cast is probably not as vast as some, but I do pour, load, and shoot a BUNCH of them. The biggest drawback to commercial cast is they are usually overly hard and beveled base to facilitate easier casting and to hold up to shipping rigors without getting all dinged up.

That, selection and costs are what got me into pouring my own. My original need was for my 454 which REALLY likes a 300gr GC'ed RNFP. They were running in the $30 per hundred range and I was running through them faster than I could afford.

For your goals the choices you have in mind should work fine. If you know someone who does cast maybe get with then and see if you can work out a deal, or give ya a "lesson" or three. Maybe pick up a mold and share the work and resulting products. If the powder coat maybe pick up some powder to trade off as well. You might be surprised at how an offer might help both of ya out.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I prefer flat base, and some type of coating makes my pistol end the session much cleaner

This is definitely true. I remember (and still have some) when the first Teflon and Molybdenum coated pistol bullets came out. They were supposed to prevent leading even when using lubed bullets by coating the barrel in something slicker than the lead that would also help seal the bore, preventing jetting and cutting. It worked pretty good but they were costly and people didn’t like the teflon or moly streaks any more than they liked lead streaks. Then some politicians started making noise about “Cop Killer Bullets” and they went away. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing in the end since it got us here - lower cost plasticized enamel coating.

MBC does make some good stuff.

 

[Big-bore-bob]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction everyone! I went on xtremes website and looked at those 158gr plated swc's. Very reasonably priced! Looks like I'll be getting some of those when my tax refund comes in. I'm looking forward to working with a different powder besides h110 in my revolvers.

 

[geo57]

For target bullets I use Brazo's coated semi-wadcutters. They sell them by the pound instead of the 500 ct box. So you usually end up with 686 for around the price that other companies charge for 500.
There are good accurate bullets. I've been using them for a long time.
https://www.brazosprecision.com/

My next favorite bullet is Xtremes plated SWC bullets, but they do cost more so I don't shoot them as much.
My favorite load is 7.3 grs of BE-86 for .357 mag, crimped to the crimp groove. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/be-86.760289/
View attachment 1190616 for perspective. View attachment 1190617

This is my first target using BE-86 with the xtreme plated SWCs with the same 7.3 grs of BE-86
https://www.xtremebullets.com/38-158-SWC-p/xc38-158swc-b0500.htm That load passed Walkalongs powder forward test.

Can't help you with 44 Mag, I have a .41.

Due to running out of Unique, for a mid range plinker I've also just began to use 7.3 grs. of BE-86 under both a 158 gr. Plated and JHP in.357 Mag. These are shot primarily from 4" BBL. Rugers and they average 1025 FPS & 1000 FPS respectively. I realize that several factors can have a bearing on velocity differences even in same length barrels but just out of curiosity what do those run from that Highway Patrolman and it's bbl. length ? Thanks.