Opinions on Bullseye86?

[lrrifleman]

Greetings!

Traditionally, I have focused on Bullseye and WW231 for my handloads, especially when using my own cast bullets. I would be using this mostly in 380, 9x19, 38 Special, 44 Special, and 45 ACP, where loads are actually offered.

As I am starting to include plated bullets, I am seeing a broader application for my selected bullets utilizing Bullseye86.

For those that use Bullseye86, what is your general opinion on this powder, and it's charge and performance consistency?

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

 

[dmy]

Are you referring to BE-86? I've heard it referenced as the newer Bullseye before. My go-to powder is the original Bullseye for 9mm, .38, and .45 acp. I've tried midrange loads of BE-86 for each. I find BE-86 is a little more snappy. Not Tightgroup's snappy, but more than the original Bullseye. I also find BE-86 shoots a little cleaner, but my Bullseye loads are a little more accurate. I primarily tested it with MBC coated bullets, but also tried it with Extreme plated bullets. Did a few ladder tests with BE-86 and still have half of a pound left for desperate times.
For what it's worth, I also find W231 / HP-38 a little softer than Bullseye.

 

[Nevada Ed]

If you are asking about the newer BE-86 powder;

It is at it's BEST in the 9mm pistol with the large 147 gr. bullets
where it will beat the bulky Unique powder, in this small case
for fps, that are a lot higher as well as a 124 gr plated bullet
that is set at 1.10" OAL, or shorter.

I shot it in my 38 and 357, just to get fps data, for this powder when I first bought it.
Many loads were accurate but the 125 gr JH loads were top og the line, for me.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

BE-86 meters very well and I use it with my X-Treme Bullets plated bullet loads. 38 Special and 45 ACP

 

[WR Moore]

BE-86 is a very dense powder (similar but not identical to WW231). Meters very well, is consistent and burns somewhat cleaner than older Alliant powders. Burn rate is in the neighborhood of Unique, but I've noticed some weird differences. Don't try to swag the charges, download the load data from the Alliant website and BELIEVE IT!

 

[Nevada Ed]

Even though BE-86 can be down loaded or used at it's lowest starting data
I have found that it does its best work at full loads, due to its makeup,
where it will beat out a lot of a lot of my other powders, that I use for +P loads.
For light loads in the 9mm I use CFE-p or w231 powders, that will lock my slide
on the last round fired with a heavy 13 pound spring in my 5" barrel, pistol.

 

[mikerjf]

The Natoreloading site likes it for 9mm, IIRC they consider it a shoe-in for 9 Major. Haven't tried it myself but it's on my short-list.