Thought you would find this interesting......I just purchased some of this powder from a distributor. When I went to the Alliant website there was no load data published so I called Alliant and talked with Dwayne. He told me that this powder was not supposed to have been released for retail until the load data had been published on-line so someone dropped the ball on the release protocol. The data is available in the new 2014 Alliant manual but it has not been published on the internet yet. I asked him if it was similar to UNIQUE. He checked different bullet weights and could not find data for any bullet that would be the same. They are sending my a new 2014 manual. I have read a lot of BS about BE-86 being the same as UNIQUE but it is not; it is a powder of it's own entity.

Data can be found online here. Either download or view.

Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide


After scanning some of the data, what they have "conveniently" done is not list data for the same bullets with BE-86 and Unique and some of their other powders so it's hard to compare. Maybe they did not have all the others to test at the time?

Supposed to have less flash. Would like to see it on a the infamous burn rate chart!

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Still Running Against the Wind

Any way you might be able to post a "maco" picture of the powder for us to see ?

I was wondering if it was like Bullseye ......or flake like as the slower powders ......or even 2400.

Glad to see you got a real early Christmas present !!!

DATA is not available on line. The manual that contains the data can be ordered from Alliant by filling out an on-line form. That's a big difference.

Or you can click on "View the Reloader's Guide" or "Download the Reloader's Guide", between the image of the 2014 Reloader's Guide cover and the online form. So, no the data can't be directly accessed (yet) online, but it is definitely available online.

According to the 2014 Alliant Handloader's Guide (which I just downloaded), burning rate of BE-86 is slower than Unique, faster than Power Pistol.

I'd like to see where BE-86 sets on a burn rate chart.

.

I had thought BE86 was a "new-improved" Bullseye powder.

This. The .pdf available for download is the exact book they will mail you. It's nice they've branched out on bullets with BE86 but as noted makes it hard to compare it to other powders.

Yes it is. I just looked at it No waiting for the mail.

Go to the link and look under the Alliant symbol clicky either link.

Either VIEW or DOWNLOAD

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Still Running Against the Wind

All I need to do is find a dealer within reasonable distance who has it in stock! >***, sniffle<

Ooops! The blocker didn't like that word, signifying a crying sound! Sorry!

Am I the only one that's really tired of new powders that keep coming out during a great powder famine? Can we just fire up the factory to produce some of the best sellers until the shelves are flooded with them? PLEASE?

By the by:

Alliant Powder - BE-86

The special extruded flake formulation results in excellent ballistics in a wide array of centerfire pistol loads, with high energy, an ideal burn speed and less flash. It meters well and is available in 1- and 8-pound canisters. Like all Alliant Powder offerings, BE-86 provides superior lot-to-lot consistency.
Improved flow
Contains flash suppressant
High energy
Lot-to-lot consistency
Versatile performance

Principal Purpose: Handgun loads

Remarks:
Excellent for 9mm and .40 S&W.

How about .38/.357???

There is data in the manual for those also but it is probably "geared" more towards the semi auto high pressure rounds,

Even if it was around I would not run out and buy any.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I agree with you. I just want some Unique and 2400.
I'm too old to be chasing new powders.

found the guide.....thanks.

yeah I noticed the switch thing too.
They used to have data for+P 45 with power pistol.
New data, pp was dropped in favor of the new kid in town.

With the powder plight of late, I find these things out of touch with reality.
Why swap and drop when the customer base needs data to load what they can find, rather than what is billed as optimum.

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it just needs more voltage

Alliant's manual have been getting worse each year which disappoints me since I use their powders the most.

They list (3) 45ACP (+P) loads, all BE86. The 230gr JHP (+P) lists 6.9grs/935fps as max & the standard pressure load for the same bullet/components lists as 6.8grs/927fps? Really?

I thought I heard this powder would be closer to Power Pistol but it does appear to be closer to Unique.

Tell me about it.
Here's a good one the new 2000 mr powder.
Loads for both 308 and 300 win mag, yet no data for 3006
Stranger still, it's listed for most of the calibers derived from 06.
not sure what they are doing in the lab these days.

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it just needs more voltage

And

They don't even list 2400 for 357 mag with 158 LSWC'S

Their marriage to Speer is short sighted....they are a powder company.

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I'd like to agree with you BUT

I never cared for Alliants "manual" or data listings. Compared the Hodgdons their listings are very poor.

Plus they could not come up with a better name than BE-86? No confusing there with Bullseye

Actually Power Pistol was Bullseye 84 used by the manufacturers.

Guess they like to spread the Bull.

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Still Running Against the Wind

A few months back I found some data some where.. 2014 new.

Only one loading per bullet weigh for the weapons !

the one for a 38 158 lead had a maximum of 982 fps.

I hope they come out with a little more info !!

I was told at the NRA show that BE-86 is essentially Powder Pistol with flash suppressors added.

If I had some, I would work up slowly from Power Pistol data and see how it did.

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SWCA 1646

This is BAD advice!!!!!!!

If BE86 is slower than Unique, and faster than Power Pistol, (and this is what it appears to be) then start with UNIQUE data and work up from there, not from the slower propellant!!!! If you look at what data is available where a relatively direct comparison can be made you will see that BE86 charge weights are lower than Power Pistol for the same bullet weight.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Gee, why not use the limited data that they have published??

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Still Running Against the Wind

Because that's just crazy talk!!!

Next thing you know Dillon haters will be mounting Dillons to their reloading benchs.

I guess, real Men do not need instructions

There should only be one powder. Trail Boss, we don't need no stinking load data for that!

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Still Running Against the Wind

Like I have said before, it seems the powder industry is moving towards "newer" powders and retiring the older ones. This is probably a good thing but not for people like me who are adverse to change. Add to that the fact of all the time and components dedicated to working up loads with those powders, well you see what I mean.

When you see old and trusted powders like SR-7625, SR-4756, SR-4759 and even PB being discontinued and newer powders like Lil'Gun, AutoComp, BE-86, CFE-Pistol, Clay Dot and Power Pro 300-MP coming to market we can only guess that's the way the manufacturers are heading.

One note, Alliant seems to have a huge catalog of powders, more than any other company. I don't understand how all the shotgun powders they have can't be an overlap and in excess. They now list 14 shotgun powders and an additional 5 handgun powders. That is a whole bunch of stuff IMO. (not to mention the 14 rifle powders in their catalog too)

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Rule 3,

They don't have data out for the caliber I am interested in using in. Thus you have to "wing it". That is what I will do when i get some so we can learn.

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SWCA 1646

Old powder out, new powder in.............

In the 70's we had Grey B, N2010, 230-P, 450-LS, N2020, 500-HS, AL-7, 630-P etc. etc..................

Some of these had to go to make way for todays "Old Powders".

I would not mind the change over if they produce a true "Magnum Powder" that keeps up with the SR4756, 2400 or the H110 type powders.

Less muzzle flash is a good thing.....if we don't loose fps for it.

Yes, but were to start??. If we at last had a burn rate we could kinda sorta figure about maybe somewhere to begin Even that is no guarantee.

Perhaps call or e mail them. Most cases if they do not list it it is not a preferred powder for that caliber but with Alliant. who knows.?

I would not base anything on what it is "supposed to be like"

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Still Running Against the Wind

Because that isn't what "Experimental Loading" is about! That said, the vast majority of handloaders, especially ones with limited experience(!!!!!!) are well advised to stick to published data as you suggest.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Don't get yourself in a tizzy now.He doesn't even have the powder and if your read the previous posts, Alliant does not list data for the cartridge he wants, so there may be a reason for that.
Difficult to experiment with something you do not have, nor know anything about.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Yes, he does have BE-86, read the original post, "I just purchased some of this powder from a distributor."

Based on the statements on the Alliant web-site, BE-86 is suitable for revolver loads, they just haven;t developed much data yet.

OP never mentions what caliber he is interested in! All he said was "When I went to the Alliant website there was no load data published....". You see, I read the OP and know what he said! The problem was he didn't know how to find the information on the Alliant web-site.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

You are mixing up the posts. There are a few side tracks going on here.

My post was to Peter which is what I quoted, he does not have the powder and made the comment on "winging it"so we were no longer talking about the OP.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Calm down guys, you are both better than that...

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Didn't stop the Wright Brothers or Marathonrunner !

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S&WHF 366

They must have at least 6 fast burning shotgun powders that all say their primary purpose is 12 gauge target loads. How does one choose? If I ever run out of bullseye, I thought I might try one.

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Common sense isn't so common.

Just make more unique....PLEASE...I am ready to quit due to no powder.

Here, this thread was first

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Still Running Against the Wind

I've been using Red Dot as a substitute for Bullseye.
I can get the Dots anywhere and have a lot more of it than BE
I generally use the same amount of RD as BE for a given load.
Sometimes I use 2-3 tenths of a grain more RD, sometimes up to 1/2 grain more. Usually not.

It has worked well fore, as a sub for BE, & it's a lot easier to find.
I may tailor most of my pistol loading to the Dot powders, since they are everywhere.

The Alliant manual shows some screaming .357 and .44 mag loads using the new 300-MP powder.
I have a pound of that.
Still trying to find some BE-86, as it seems to be a good 1000 FPS +\- pistol powder.
Seems like a performance substitute for Unique.

If only PB and 4756 weren't being dropped.
4756 is my favorite powder for hot Specials/light Magnums.
Unique is my second favorite, only because I have a lot more experience with 4756.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

Sort of weird how Bullseye and the w231 type powders have disappeared....................................

I just hope the companies are not making us use the new powders, due to this problem ??
If you get my drift..................

There should only be one powder. Trail Boss, we don't need no stinking load data for that![/QUOTE]

Nah. Bring back the holy black!

The problem is you can't get Trail Boss to shoot bullets any faster than airsoft velocities. You may as well use a slingshot . The only difference is that it makes a "bang" rather than a "boing" when flinging the projectile.

I find it crazy that Alliant is working on putting out a new powder when they can't seem to put out enough of what most people want (Unique, Bullseye, Red Dot).

Usually the company's data is a little high but they claim 982 fps with a 158 lead........
My test a few days ago with CFE put out 939 fps.

Looks like both "New Powders" are very close to one another.


CFE is just like w231 but slower............ I might have to try out the BE-86, one of these days, hoping it will fill the case up MORE.

anyone use WW 296 for 357? JS

Yes, Win 296 is the same as H110 but this is another topic??

If you have questions on that application you can start another thread.

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Still Running Against the Wind