No stranger to reloading but this is my first foray in the 10mm. I've been doing a lot of research on the powders used for the 10 and pretty much decided to get some Blue Dot for starters since I'm only looking for moderate loads using Xtreme 180 gr plated bullets. The gun shop didn't have any but they did have BE 86 and I remember reading that it was a good choice also. Problem is there isn't much load data out there for it. Alliant's info states 8.2 to 8.5 gr max loads for 180 gr jacketed bullets. I loaded 10 rds at 7.5 and 10 more at 7.8, new Starline brass,Federal LP primers, oal 1.250, crimped enough to remove the bell, about .421-.422. I'll be shooting these in an XDM 5.25. Curious what the more experienced loaders on here think about this load.
I've noticed most of the loads I've been seeing on the net are over published max according to my manuals. Are the loads watered down that much? Sure does tend to make things confusing,lol. I would like to end up around 1200fps eventually. Thanks for your input.
Parker welcome to the forum. We have seen BE-86 and it has performed quite well but it will be slightly over the published loadings to get the most it can produce.
Alliant quit publishing pressure values with their data which is a shame.
We found the Sig 180 FMJ using 8.8 grains of BE-86
The Sig 10mm 180's that I tested and loaded with 8.8 grains tested as follows
Sig 10mm 180 FMJ Test 4/2/2015
Glock 29 velocity 1178 fps case expansion 0.4315"
Glock 20 velocity 1250 fps case expansion 0.4315"
Glock 20 velocity 1260 fps case expansion 0.4315"
S&W1006 velocity 1276 fps case expansion 0.4265"
S&W1006 velocity 1286 fps case expansion 0.4270"
In this test I was using the plated JHP and they worked well.
Nov. 27th 2015 I tested Glock 20 factory barrel Wolff 22lb
180 Gr Rainer HEX COAL 1.2540"
8.5 grains BE-86 CCI 350
Velocity 1220 fps – 1180 fps
7.8 grains under the 200 cast bullet were making 1200 fps but need to test and measure them.
Thanks for the info Shadow. I should be on the right track for my work ups then. Heck, they may be just fine where they're at.
Hello and welcome
I had worked up to 9.0grs. BE-86 with a 180gr Hornady FMJ in a G20-SF. I found 9.0grs to be absolute max in this gun according to case expansion.
So you shouldn't have any issues where you want to be with BE-86.
The XDM is a fully supported chamber yes?
Are you shooting over a chronograph?
You will find some valuable information on this forum.
Here is some work I did with BE-86 and some others;
http://10mm-firearms.com/reloading-10mm-ammo/g20-sf-180gr-where-i'm-at-so-far-part-2-2012/
If you can find some Power Pistol where you are, that might be a good one to try also...
Thanks RDub, that's some good info in the link. Yes the XDm is fully supported. I went to the range today to try these loads out over the chronograph but one of my skyscreens is broke, which really didn't matter as I had an old folks moment and left my 10mm mags at home,lol. I was able to shoot my .40 cal loads at least.(in another gun) Good to know I've got room to grow with these loads. I'm not looking to push the envelope but I want more than a hot .40 cal load. I need to read up on measuring the case expansion. Thanks again.
Parker when we measure case expansion it is at the are just above the extractor cut shown here as poor sizing arrow.
(https://i.postimg.cc/NjbyrbN3/Figure-7-Plunk-Test-Brad-Miller.jpg)
I really like BE-86 for my 180gr hunting loads, my load is an absolute maximum in my 2 handgun due to the bearing surface of the bullets I use. The load is:
New Starline brass,
Fed 155 LPM primer
8.5-8.6 gr BE-86
180 gr Winchester T PDX bonded bullet.
Velocity averages 1240-1250 in my Kimber and around 1180 in my Hunter 6"
Accuracy average is 1.5 inch @25 yds from the Hunter
I believe im getting the same velocity window as Sig due to the magnum primer and the added bearing surface on this particular bullet.
I really like it for its consistency and clean burning characteristics.
If you start at 8gr and work up using case head measurements you should be able to create an upper middle range load that will give you great accuracy.
My only regret is not buying 3-5K of the bullets(I only purchased 500), I could have doubled my money selling a couple thousand at gun shows.
Got them from RMR back when they were getting really nice and unique pulldown components. When I inquired of Joe Durnbrough about the future prospects of unique components like these bullets, he sadly explained their main supplier of the commercial pulldown components lost their bid and RMR has had a tough time getting the commercial pulldown stuff; although they are trying to get a workaround.
That's one mistake I won't make again.
Hell I bet you wished you had bought more of the 200gr gold dots Shadow.
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Todd it seems that yours loads are matching up to what we are also seeing.
Yes the 200 grain Gold Dot's were an interesting buy...Glad I got them when I did...We can only hope Speer will listen to those of us asking for the newer 200 grain Gold Dots to be made available sometime soon!
Posted as a FWIW. I found this on another forum and it's directly from Alliant in regards to BE86. Power Pistol per Alliant is known otherwise as BE84.
I am glad to see you have stumbled onto some of the BE-86 we began shipping into distribution recently. Sorry to take so long to get it to market, but we have been under siege demand wise for all of our existing products in both OEM and canister markets that marketing didn't want to prioritize this new product (for canister). We will continue to get some out as we can, so if you ask for it, those orders should pull through.
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.
We worked up a good amount of data for this powder, but if we have left any applications out that you think might be interesting, send a message in through our "ask the expert" on our website, www.alliantpowder.com
Thank you for your interest in our new pistol powder BE-86.
Yes Trapper, I had been trying to explain that Power Pistol (BE-84) was also a derivative of BullsEye, but at a much slower burn rate. Then Alliant produced the BE-86 also a BullsEye derivative but with Flash Suppressants... All are great powders but BE-86 was interesting as I studied its performance vs. cost vs. amount used for its yield. With the looming talks during the O Bummer years and supplies being scarce, When an 8lb jug was found at a good price point, I jumped on that purchase...This should carry me through for several years. ;D