Please note, the load data contained in this article is over Alliant's published max load data, it was safe in my firearm (Glock 19 Gen4), however please reduce by 10% and work up.
Thanks to shadow for the help! Provided me with some good data and what to consider for this load
I've been sitting on this bottle of BE-86 for a while and finally decided to do some testing. I wanted to duplicate the factory Speer 124gr +p load.
Seeing as I had the 124gr gold dot bullets, and much reading, I settled on a load. Charge weight of 6.3gr BE-86, seated to 1.125" crimped to 0.3765 and ignited by a winchester small pistol primer. The brass used was once fired blazer brass.
I headed outside in the cold and wind yesterday, with my gun, the ammo, and the chronograph. Temperature here in central ohio was ~65°F, 15mph west wind. sprinkling rain too lol.
Five shots
1261
1243
1241
1234
1219
Avg. 1240 fps
I carefully collected each piece of brass after each shot for measurement purposes, I decided to use the case from the 1261fps cartridge just for safety concerns.
The fired case measured 0.379" at the mouth and a case web measured at 0.3865"
I took several measurements on this because the results were surprising to me. These measurements were showing hardly any expansion signs on the brass. They were basically 0.001~0.002" over a sized case.
While I know reading a primer is not best, there was no flattening, primer was still very round.
I made the assumption that Alliant's load data shows a max charge of 5.9gr BE-86 for a 124gr JHP. With the little expansion these rounds showed I'm drawing a conclusion of the fact that Alliant has some watered down load data on this. For safety reasons, I'd like it if they published pressure data!
On a side note, as per the pull downs show a factory Speer 115gr Gold Dot +p+ is charged with 8gr BE-86. The bullet is 0.528" long, and seated to 1.120".
The 124gr gold dot bullet is 0.570" long. I believe I could I could squeeze some more velocity but why risk it? This load actually slightly beat what I was attempting (Factory 1220fps), the coil was nice, almost soft, and the cases ejected about 2 feet to my right.
(http://s29.postimg.cc/xew343yvb/image.jpg)
(http://s15.postimg.cc/7573ui3bv/image.jpg)
(http://s2.postimg.cc/6dw6y87qx/image.jpg)
(http://s21.postimg.cc/4uu9sjk5z/image.jpg)
(http://s27.postimg.cc/tfa7byar7/image.jpg)
Thanks for sharing your range results for everyone to review/study/compare... :D
BE-86 seems awfully similar to Power Pistol with as flash suppressant.
I wonder if Alliant would confirm or deny?
10mmGarand, BE-86 is said to be derived from Bullseye and modified to burn slightly slower, but is slightly faster than Power Pistol.
Here is another fact from the past, Power Pistol was also derived from Bullseye and was originally BE-84.
Hope this help with your understanding more about the products. ;)
The Speer 115gr +P+ we tested had Power Pistol. Did they change it recently?
Speer Lawman 115gr FMJ #53615 had the BE-86
Ballistics Information: 9mm
Muzzle Velocity: 1200 fps
Muzzle Energy: 368 ft. lbs
BE-86 6.6 grains
Quote from: The_Shadow on August 10 2015 09:38:30 AM MDT
10mmGarand, BE-86 is said to be derived from Bullseye and modified to burn slightly slower, but is slightly faster than Power Pistol.
Here is another fact from the past, Power Pistol was also derived from Bullseye and was originally BE-84.
Hope this help with your understanding more about the products. ;)
Thanks. I'll probably grab this for 9x19 if I'm out of Power Pistol and can't find any locally. Love the stuff with a 124 gr JHP.
I knew Bullseye and Power Pistol has something in common and just figured BE-86 did too.
Got any clue on loads for 165grfn with bullseye and oal (just plinking)
grimreaper, the 9x19 9mm 165 grain FN is a non standard weight and as such data isn't readily available, however you may be just fine using the 4.0 grains of Bullseye
or with 5.0 grains of BE-86.
I would refer you to this link for some data as well
https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/reloading-heavy-bullets-in-9mm-luger/99514 (https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/reloading-heavy-bullets-in-9mm-luger/99514)