10mm Chrono Results - BE-86 and 180 Hornady XTP (UPDATED)

[10mm-Admirer]

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.

[The_Shadow]

Your results are in line with what we have seen as well...The XTP is a little longer than the FMJ so more pressure to push

10mm 180 FMJ Test 4/2/2015 BE-86  8.8 grains
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"

[gjarcher]

Thanks for the information on BE-86, it appears more promising than I figured ... I've been seriously thinking about BE-86 as an alternative to Power Pistol, mainly because most bear problems happen at night and muzzle flash could be a major issue. I'll be picking up a pound of BE-86 and working up loads for CEB 190gr Solid Copper.

I'll post chrono results and my opinion on muzzle flash vis-a-vis Power Pistol when I get the tests done. I'll check for accuracy/group with the BE-86, but I'm not really concerned about it since most legit Bear Defense is going to be inside of 10yds or so ... or inside the tent

[10mm-Admirer]

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.

[gjarcher]

X2 on PowerPistol.

I also read that comment by the Alliant tech ... interestingly he said, back in 2014, that BE-86 was slightly faster burn rate than PP (BE-84), some place between Unique and PP. Later articles I've read said BE-86 was between PP and Longshot, closer to Herco burn rate. Very confusing.

I just picked up a pound of BE-86 to work up for muzzle flash. After reading The_Shadow's comment on another thread, I might also give another try with Longshot.

[10mm-Admirer]

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.

[10mm-Admirer]

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.

[BillinOregon]

Glad everything held together. Thanks for sharing your data.

[10mm-Admirer]

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.

[10mm-Admirer]

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.

[Kenk]

Great info, I plain to work  up some of these loads soon

[The_Shadow]

10mm-Admirer, Great report!  I really like BE-86, After seeing the results from the pull-downs and other test it really sold me that it was a great powder for many caliber and cartridges...

[Pablo]

I've run BE-86 max loads with 180gr HAP bullets with zero over pressure signs across my 10mm platforms. I have insufficient knowledge and data to exceed max with this powder.