Updated Data:

I was able to get out and test the BE-86 loads with the correct Alliant data and additional BE-86 loads with different bullets.  80 degrees. Shooting Chrony 10 feet from muzzle. Few error messages.

New Starline 10mm brass
CCI standard LP primer
Alliant BE-86 powder, hand-weighed
1.250" OAL
Glock 20sf 5" KKM barrel
9-10 shot averages

8.2gr BE-86 w/180 XTP: 1,238 fps avg (8.2 is Alliant's max, expected 1,256 fps)

8.5gr BE-86 w/180 FMJ: 1,293 fps avg (8.5 is Alliant's max, expected 1,265 fps)

9.0gr BE-86 w/165 FMJ: 1,343 fps avg (9.0 is Alliant's max with GDHP, expected 1,344 fps) Close!!!

9.3gr BE-86 w/155 XTP: 1,403 fps avg (9.3 is Alliant's max, expected 1,403 fps) Right on the money!!!

Primers looked good. No signs of excessive pressure. All ammo fed and cycled well.  BE-86's test results are very close to results I've gotten from Power Pistol.

BE-86 burned very clean!  I fired 65 rounds of the different loads during testing and the pistol had very little powder residue and no unburnt powder afterward.  I did not test for accuracy or flash.

I'm pleased with BE-86.  I'm going to use it in my nighttime hunting and defense loads for the flash suppressant.  I'll probably use Power Pistol for range loads.  Longshot will be used for higher velocity daytime hunting loads.

I used different components than Alliant, but my test results are very close to their max load data. I hope this info helps someone else considering or developing 10mm loads with BE-86.

I hate losing good 10mm brass.  I have a large golf course like mowed area where I shoot my 10mms as much as possible.  My stock Kimber STII throws brass a good 25 feet in random directions. My Glock 20sf with a 22lb spring throws brass about 8-12 feet in a consistent area.  I have a large mesh tarp I put down in taller grass to recover as much brass as possible.

I try to use my newer brass at the range and older brass for my hunting loads so I don't fret as much when I lose them.

I was wondering about this question the other day. Glad to see a thread.  I figured I could get 5 moderate loadings out of a piece of Starline brass then recycle. I shoot book max loads but not above.  Maybe I should get a few more light loads out of it but don't really like to shoot light loads of out my 10mms.

I loaded some additional test loads at the correct Alliant 8.2 gr max of BE-86 with 180gr XTP bullets to check velocity.  I also loaded some 180 and 165gr FMJ and 155gr XTP loads with Alliant's data to test. I will post my data as soon as I can get to the range and chronograph.

I think BE-86 is a good powder for upper moderate 10mm loads. The flash suppressant could be plus for me since I hunt hogs at night.

UPDATE: I realize now I made a rookie reloading mistake! I read the line for the 180gr FMJ powder charge instead of 180gr JHP in Alliant's data, and that's what I based my test loads on. That explains the higher velocities than I expected! 8.2gr of BE-86 shows 1,256 FPS in Alliant's data, making my chrono data right on with Alliant's. I'm so embarrassed.

My intention was to start at just below Alliant's max then load max and just over (8.3, 8.5, 8.7) since individuals and ammo manufacturers have safely gone beyond max. However, the max I used was for FMJ and not JHP.  I should have loaded (8.0, 8.2, 8.4) for JHP.  Fortunately, I didn't experience any signs of excessive pressure and tested the loads in a Glock 20 with a KKM barrel.  I only loaded and tested 5 of the highest load as a precaution.

Don't make my mistake!  Learn from or be reminded from my mistake.

I find new Starline brass to be tight after I size and expand it. It feels tight when I seat a bullet.  Makes me wonder if the tight grip the brass has on the bullet increases pressures a little.  Maybe it's just the batch I have. The second loading is different.

That is confusing about the burn rate. I wish companies were more direct and conclusive with powder properties. The chrony data I got yesterday was more in line with Power Pistol than a faster burning powder if my Chrony was reading right.

Something I meant to mention is BE-86, Power Pistol and Longshot have all burned very cleanly at near book max loads in my 10mm test ammo. No unburnt powder and very little residue.

I've also been loading test ammo with Longshot and my early tests with it have been very good.

I hunt hogs at night with my 10mms sometimes, so the flash suppressant could be a help. Otherwise I would just use Power Pistol or Longshot. I also want to use it in my 9mm loads.

I'm a big fan of Power Pistol for several calibers. Having Power Pistol with flash suppressant seems to be a win. I did see a post with a response from an Alliant technician saying that the suppressant reduces the flash but doesn't eliminate it. I think he said it reduced it from a basketball size fireball to a baseball sized one.

NOTE: Please see updated data further down in the thread with additional bullets.

I've been curious about Alliant's BE-86 powder ever since it was announced as it is very similar to Power Pistol and has flash suppressant. I am pretty anal and try my best to load precisely.  However, I am not saying this data is scientifically accurate.  I am seeking book max 10mm loads for range and hunting use, not nuclear.

03/30/2018 Range Session: 70 degrees, Sunny, 12:30 pm

New Starline 10mm brass
180gr Hornady XTP JHP
CCI standard LP primer
Alliant BE-86 powder, hand-weighed
1.250" OAL
Glock 20sf 5" KKM barrel

UPDATE: See my important correction in a post below
8.3gr BE-86 avg: 1269 fps
8.5gr BE-86 avg: 1289 (expected 1256 fps or lower)
8.7gr BE-86 avg: 1296

My chronograph results are about 30-50 fps higher than I expected based on Alliant's load data and results I've seen in internet searches.  I attribute the higher fps to using tight new Starline brass and the fact the Shooting Chrony was only 8 feet away. No shot error messages.  No signs of excessive pressure.  Accuracy was good but I was mainly testing for speed.

Even if the fps in my results are a little higher than reality, I'm pleased with the performance of BE-86 for book max 10mm loads so far.

Any comments or ideas appreciated.

I'm not the OP but appreciate the information.

So what are the 150-155's and 135's good for in 10mm applications?

There seems to be a velocity range where bullets expand adequately and penetrate as much as possible. Any velocity more than that seems to result in more expansion but not more and maybe less penetration.

The tests I've seen on YouTube seem to favor the 180 grain bullets for expansion and best penetration.

So what are the 155's and 135's good for?

I've had the same question and thoughts recently.  I have quite a bit of Hornady 155 bullets I've gotten free from Hornady with die purchases.  I've seen people write they (155s) don't have the sectional density to penetrate effectively for self defense or hunting.  However, I had the same thought about the 125 and 158 gr .357 magnum loads that have been popular.  Seems like the 155 10mm loads would be similarly effective, especially for self defense.

I've had good luck with my Kimber Stainless Target II 10mm. Sorry to hear others haven't fared as well.  An article in Hanloader magazine used a STII for extensive 10mm load development without issue.

sqlbullet - Thank you so much for the great pics and links.  I really appreciate your help and time!

I shot some more of the same ammo with the Kimber 10mm afterward and there was no damage to those cases.  I also shot some of the same ammo in my Glock 20SF with KKM barrel with no damage.  So probably not the load? Maybe just a quirk? What do you think the case mouth hit to cause that much damage?

See pics below.  My Kimber Stainless Target II 10mm has torn up a few cases lately.  Can anyone tell me why? The handload is a book load and was assembled with care. The pistol did not jam. Starline case.  No obvious marks on the ejection port area.  Primer looked normal. The pistol has been 100% reliable with anything I've fed it.





Thanks!