Range report, unique vs. BE 86

[elpac3]

Been working up loads for my model 53 Remington jet, 4”.

Given the shortage of loads available for the jet, and with unique being difficult if not impossible to find, I have been using BE 86 as a unique substitute.

Developed a 6.2 grain unique load, with a 45 grain PPU, .222 dia bullet seated an overall length of 1.529”. Load runs 1545 fps out of the 4” barrel with an SD of 32.

Using BE 86, grain for grain, 6.2 grains, the load is running 1450 fps with an SD of 40. Accuracy is not quite as good as the unique load. No pressure signs, case necks are pretty clean.

May try going to 6.3 to see what happens.

 

[gwpercle]

This is very interesting ... Thanks for posting .

Following closely .

I was expecting Be86 to be a little faster than Unique by where it sits on the Burn Chart ... but real shooting results tell the real tale ...

Great range report ... Keep On Keeping On !
Gary

 

[Nemo288]

Depends on who's burn rate chart you look at
2024 Hodgdon's version shows BE86 as slower than Herco and next to VV N340 and AA #5.
That fits with the OP's results.

 

[BrBa]

The important thing to remember is Unique has a slightly faster burn rate, but the two powders are reasonably close. BE-86 load data is often scarce, where as Unique load data is easy to find. It's generally going to be safe to use a starting load for Unique to begin working up a similar load using BE-86.

 

[gwpercle]

The important thing to remember is Unique has a slightly faster burn rate, but the two powders are reasonably close. BE-86 load data is often scarce, where as Unique load data is easy to find. It's generally going to be safe to use a starting load for Unique to begin working up a similar load using BE-86.

That is a good thing to know ... thanks !
Gary

 

[Nevada Ed]

With my 5" Milt. style 9mm pistol and a 124 gr bullet I get the following;

5.8gr Unique, fmj at 1238

6.1gr BE86, THP at 1233

BE-86 beats out Unique with a large 147 fmj bullet by 70fps with a full load,
in my 3.5" pistol.

In my m49 & m15 Universal Clays also worked pretty well as a back up to Unique powder.