BE-86 vs Unique

38SPL HV · May 2, 2016

Seems like BE-86 is a flash supressed Power Pistol (aka BE-84). how does it compare with Unique in 38 Spl and 357 Mag? I always like the velocity obtained in these two calibers with Unique (strong std velocity through +P in 38 Spl and moderate range loads in 357 Mag). Power Pistol is like BE in volume capacity - Unique takes up more space in the given cases and eases my mind. My powder measure - Little Dandy, throws Unique well, as long as I settle the powder before each throw (3 taps on the bench (I hand hold the device) before throwing - weighs out in this fashion right at RCBS's capacity chart.).

Been Using Unique for years. If I was ever limited to two powders it would be Unique and HP38 (WW 231).

Moe Mentum · May 2, 2016

I have only heard good things about BE86. I have not tried it yet, because nobody locally has it in stock yet. It should meter better than Unique, if it is just like Power Pistol (which I have used) without the flash. I will definitely use it when I come across it.

Nevada Ed · May 2, 2016

+2;

I whish I could find some in town to miss the hazmat fee.....
I would be loading up a storm and seeing what the difference is.

A picture of Unique and BE-86 together would also be nice to see.

shovelwrench · May 2, 2016

Nevada Ed said:
A picture of Unique and BE-86 together would also be nice to see.

Unique on the left.....

Haven't got around tp playing with BE-86 YET, but its getting warmer!!

Alk8944 · May 2, 2016

Just happens I finally found some BE-86 at the Lehi Cabela's yesterday. It is the first BE-86 I have found in Utah since the powder was announced something like 3 years ago! They had one pound! I have seen virtually no Alliant handgun powders during this entire time, but we seem to get the new rifle numbers with no difficulty! Maybe someone can explain why no Alliant pistol powders are being shipped to the Intermountain West, while east of the Rockies and the West Coast don't seem to have this problem!

Going by the data available from Alliant in the 2016 manual it doesn't look like it will be very good in straight wall revolver cartridges, but it does look very good in automatic cases!

Regardless I now have enough BE-86 to play with and will probably have a few test loads to shoot this weekend, weather permitting. If I do I will post some results.

fredj338 · May 2, 2016

It loads between unique & PP, so should do fine in midrange magnums.

Nevada Ed · May 2, 2016

Shovelwrench;
Thank you for the picture.

WOW!!

I was expecting a little smaller in size..........
that is way smaller than what I was expecting to see.

Just wonder what BE86 will do with larger bullets in the 9mm and smaller cases, now that a compressed load
is not going to be a problem developing a full loading, as with the bulky Unique powder that limited the amount
of power that could be used.

Nemo288 · May 3, 2016

Get the latest Handloader.
HL302PARTIAL.pdf (does NOT include the referenced article).
The Propellant Profile is all about BE-86.
The BE stands for Bullseye.
Power Pistol is actually BE-84 and they all share chemistry with Bullseye.
BE-86 is rated by Alliant to stand in the somewhat narrow gap between Unique and Power Pistol in burning speed.
As such it could be a good substitute for Unique should you run out and meters way better.
If and when I run out of Universal, I'll be looking at BE-86 for sure.

Quite a lot of neat information I certainly didn't know about this family of powders as I have never really used BE much and PP not at all.

38SPL HV · May 3, 2016

PP worked well for me, but IMHO, too much airspace with PP and BE86. I like powders which fill up the case more in 38/357 as Unique. Just my quirk I suppose, they're great powders regardless

Clovishound · May 4, 2016

shovelwrench said:
Unique on the left.....

Haven't got around tp playing with BE-86 YET, but its getting warmer!!

Now I see why everyone complains about how Unique meters!

venomballistics · May 4, 2016

Clovishound said:
Now I see why everyone complains about how Unique meters!

anyone who gripes about the metering properties of Unique should be forced to load 200 rounds of 9mm using 800X

fredj338 · May 4, 2016

venomballistics said:
anyone who gripes about the metering properties of Unique should be forced to load 200 rounds of 9mm using 800X

I bought some 800x to run in my 10mm. It is the darling of the 10mm fan club but i found it just ok, no better than bluedot or longshot & meters worst than either. When the 1# can i have is gone, never again. AA#9 is more accurate, meters great.

Nevada Ed · May 4, 2016

Years ago 800-x was the powder for shotgun steel loads.........

Then Alliant finally came out with the new "Steel Powder" that increase the fps big time
and sent all the other powders running.

I was forced to use it up on 38 and 357 loads and yes, it was a bummer
and I will not buy any more but it was good for high fps in the J frame snub nose with the 125 JHP !!

Nemo288 · May 5, 2016

I suspect most if not all of the "old chemistry" IMR powders are on their way out now that they are rapidly expanding the new line.
I am not enough of a shotgun reloader to know if 800x is indispensable but there have to be alternatives
or IMR will come up with one more suitable to their new manufacturing processes.

BTW BE-86 seems to be pretty cheap right now.
I was cruising Recob's website and BE-86 is $19/lb and $132/8lb.
Next time I am up there I might have to pick some up just to have it around

Many of the Alliant powders are similarly priced.
Compare that to Accurate 5744 @ $34.40/lb!

rsrocket1 · May 5, 2016

venomballistics said:
anyone who gripes about the metering properties of Unique should be forced to load 200 rounds of 9mm using 800X

I've loaded at least that much but I'm a glutton for punishment. But 800-X is a great powder for 9mm. It's slower than Unique so you can push the bullets faster without going over pressure, it's bulky so you can't double charge it (which you won't anyway because you have to hand measure each load) and it produces extremely tight velocity spreads and excellent accuracy in 9mm.

With my pound of BE-86, I've found that it meters great, shoots great and does everything well. The only problem is its unavailability.

I had a chance to buy 8 pounds through Sportsman's Warehouse and have it shipped to the local store, but the stupid store policy was to charge tax AND hazmat even though they get delivery of a bunch of unwanted powders in their shipments every week. Their shelves are overflowing with a bunch of slow rifle powders and all other powders either don't show up or the few pounds that do show up are scooped within the first hour or so of sitting on the shelves.

If you like Unique, don't tell anyone, but try a pound of 20/28. Of course start low and work your way up. You'll find that you will use about 5% less and you'll be amazed at how well this powder works in place of Unique.

BE-86 vs Unique

38SPL HV

Member

Moe Mentum

Member

Nevada Ed

US Veteran

shovelwrench

Member

Alk8944

US Veteran

fredj338

Member

Nevada Ed

US Veteran

Nemo288

Member

38SPL HV

Member

Clovishound

Member

venomballistics

Member

fredj338

Member

Nevada Ed

US Veteran

Nemo288

Member

rsrocket1

Member

Similar threads

Latest posts