I am going to try to work up a load for my .357 ruger security six 4" using a LBT 150gr. OWC with gas check and BE-86.
After some Googling about I have not found much with cast. In the Lyman book thy show Herco at 7.8gr. with 358477 150gr. and 8gr of Unique and a 146gr. JHP. The Alliant 2014 reloader's guide shows a 158gr. cast rnfp with 8.1gr of BE-85
Every thing I have read says that BE-86 falls between Unique and Herco and 8grs. seems to be the common top end for that range of powders.
If Alliant calls for 8.1grs. with a 158gr. I am thinking that with a 150gr. that maybe calling 8.2 tops and 7.2 to start, going up .2grs. at a time.
Most of the stuff I could find on BE-86 is two or three years old and am wondering if any of you have any newer experience with it in .357's.
I have used this boolit with 15grs. of 2400 sense the 90's but am all out of 2400 and was looking at BE-86 as a replacement. Most of what I could find about it puts it about 100fps slower than 2400. BUT the Allinant book says tha 8.1grs. will get 1438fps with a 158gr. cast boolit! That is faster than I think I'm getting now.
I know that it will not have the power I was gatting with 2400 but most of what I have read says that you can get 1200fps and that is good enough. I have one pound to play with to see if I like it. And I would get all most twice the rounds from a pound.
If you have tryed it in..38's I would like to hear how you liked it. Just looking for ideas.