BE-86 Reloading Knowledge needed

[ezekiel38]

Been a reloader since the 70s. Always ran Unique in 45 Auto and 38 Spl cases and 44 Spl. Power Pistol came along and I fell head over heels in love with it in 44 Spl after reading Brian Pearce's articles in Handloader. Worked as he advertised in 44 Special.

Switch to 38 Special out of a snubby and again some of Brian's recommended loads and Holy Cow, the Muzzle flash could set the sagebrush on fire. Especially out of snubby revolvers (Colt Cobras). Power pistol in 357 in a short barrel load in a 3" Colt and the guys shooting ARs in the adjacent lanes stop and step over to see the handcannon that's belching fire and blast.

Accuracy and velocity is good but "muzzle signature" takes on a new meaning. I'm always thinking lowlight situations.

So I read about BE86, the 86th varient of Bullseye powder, Power Pistol being number 84. But 86 has flash suppressant in the mix. Sounds like all my desires can be met. The can is unopened on my bench, I'm looking for data for two bullets: 158 Lyman 358156, and a Hornady 125 XTP in 38+P loads and short barrel 357s. Also what is the general info on using this powder. Charactaristic and any "heads up" issues.

Thanks in Advance.


PS: Didn't find a great amount of reliable info on "searches" on the net.

[ea]

I’ve been experimenting with BE-86 in 357 Magnum with 158 gr cast…works pretty well. It still has an authoritative “bark” to it but noticeably less than Power Pistol. I also have a 158 gr 38 Spl +P load using BE-86 which is accurate with low ES/SD. Alliant has a lot of reloading data for it in most calibers.  Many like it in auto cartridge applications.  Give it a try, it’s a viable replacement for Unique nowadays.

[paul105]

I settled on 7.0gr BE86, 125gr XTP, CCI 500, New Starline 357 Mag cases because it shoots to POA at 25 yds in my 1 7/8" S&W 360. These chrono 906 fps in the 357 mag cases on my labradar at 78 Deg F. In the 12oz 360, quick follow up shots are doable. I carry 3 of these to keep potential predators away from my dogs the last two are 180gr Buf Bore WFN for up close personal protection.
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The laser was adjusted after firing upper right shot in picture. The 360 = blue circled shots. The Ruger LCR is in yellow.
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Plenty of room to tailor this load to your personal requirements.
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Paul

[richard]

I like BE-86 a lot, primarily using it in 9mm amd 10mm. It meters like a ball powder, gives good velocity without pressure and seems to be less blasty than other powders in those two cartridges.

I tried it in .38/.357 and it was quite satisfactory, then I tried Hodgdon’s CFE Pistol and it’s everything BE-86 is with 50-100 more fps while being no more severe at the muzzle or in recoil.

I’ve kind of settled on BE-86 for the auto pistols, CFE Pistol for .38’s and 2400 for .357, .44 and .45 Colt. But also with the idea that BE-86 will work in all of them I recently sprung for an 8# jug of the stuff.

[pbcaster45]

Here's a load I was working on with my Glock 22 (Alpha Wolf Barrel)

Bullet: Speer 180 gr. Gold Dot
Powder: Alliant BE-86 5.7 grs.
Primer: Winchester Small Pistol
Case: Starline
LOAL: 1.125
Average Velocity: 934.74 fps
ES: 25.39
SD: 8.94
Recoil Spring: Wolf 17 lb. Recoil Spring and Steel Guide Rod

[ezekiel38]

Thanks guys. When I looked at Alliant before blogging here they only listed one load for 158 in 38 and also in 357. I mostly carry either a Colt Night Cobra 38 or a 3" King Cobra now in the suburban jungle and out in the farm land. 44s for everything else. Good advice I will keep and use it!