BE-86 38 Spl velocity - Alliant response

[Hi-Speed]

Alliant lists a std velocity 38 Special using 4.6 grs BE-86 and 158 gr cast at 982 FPS - Alliant confirmed that this was with a universal unvented 6 inch barrel. I suspect actual velocity would be at least 150 FPS slower. Very disappointed with the lack of any viable “real world” revolver reloading data using cast bullets and BE-86 in 38/357...guess I’m out to the range with my chronograph again.

[osteodoc08]

Book velocities have never matched up well for me in “the real world”. It does give me a general idea and if something is way off, makes me pause and review.

[tazman]

Since we pretty much know what Bullseye and Unique are going to do, compare the listed velocities for those two powders to real world known and see how they look.

That will give you an idea if you need to change expectations for BE-86.

[onelight]

Don’t know if this helps but the 10th edition Hornady manual shows in a 4” 38 with 158 xtp with BE-86 4.4 700 FPS , 4.7 750 FPS , 5 800 fps

[Outpost75]

I am unable to comprehend why there is any advantage to BE86 vs.traditional Bullseye?

[stubshaft]

i am unable to comprehend why there is any advantage to be86 vs.traditional bullseye?

profit!

[Outpost75]

Here is some realistic .38 Special revolver velocity data:

.38 Special Factory Loads - Velocity vs. Barrel Length

_______________S&W Mod.10, 2” S&W Mod.10 4”__ S&W HE 6”____BSA Cadet 25”
-------------------------0.005”cyl.gap___0.005”cyl. gap_____0.005”cyl.gap___solid barrel

Rem-UMC 148 HBWC_702 fps, 12 Sd__747 fps, 6 Sd____804 fps, 7 Sd____897fps, 17Sd
WRA SM 148 HBWC__697 fps, 18 Sd__742 fps, 13 Sd___783 fps, 13 Sd___857 fps, 11 Sd
W-W Q4196 158 LRN__728 fps, 24 Sd _793 fps, 10 Sd___814 fps, 19 Sd___958 fps, 13 Sd
Rem-UMC 200 LRN___627fps, 27 Sd___702 fps, 22 Sd___ 747 fps, 16 Sd___895 fps, 15 Sd
Win. 158-gr. LHP +P___831 fps, 10 Sd__920 fps 21 Sd___952 fps, 11 Sd__1093 fps, 19 Sd

Column Mean________717 fps________781 fps________820 fps________940 fps
∆V from 4”__________-64 fps________Baseline_______+39 fps________+159 fps

 
Standard Pressure .38 Special Load Data

____________________Ruger SP101, 2” Ruger Serv.Six 4”___Marlin Cowboy II 24”
-------------------------------0.005”cyl.gap___0.005”cyl.gap________solid barrel

Saeco #348 146 DEWC, wheel weights, OAL 1.25”
3.0 grs. Bullseye_________691fps, 9 Sd___736 fps, 15 Sd_______804 fps, 17 Sd
3.5 grs. Bullseye_________792 fps, 9 Sd___863 fps, 7 Sd_______1062 fps,5 Sd
4.0 grs. W231___________653 fps, 21 Sd__ 837 fps, 22 Sd______900 fps, 32 Sd

Saeco #358 160-grain “Cowboy” FN, wheel weights, OAL 1.45”
3.0 grs. Bullseye_________650 fps, 26 Sd__825 fps, 18 Sd_______884 fps, 7 Sd
3.5 grs. Bullseye_________711 fps, 14 Sd__853 fps, 21 Sd_______956 fps, 7 Sd
4.0 grs. Bullseye_________809 fps, 13 Sd__901, fps, 12 Sd______1096 fps, 3 Sd
4.9 grs. AutoComp_______725 fps, 10 Sd__850 fps, 15 Sd_______1001 fps, 34 Sd

Accurate 36-190T Flat nose, 195 grains 1:30 alloy, OAL 1.53”
2.7 grs. Bullseye_________595 fps, 29 Sd__685 fps, 28 Sd_______789 fps, 12 Sd
3.0 grs. Bullseye_________631 fps, 14 Sd__716 fps, 28 Sd_______816 fps, 13 Sd
3.2 grs. Bullseye_________662 fps, 7 Sd___737 fps, 11 Sd_______865 fps, 24 Sd
4.5 grs. AutoComp_______603 fps, 7 Sd___735 fps, 18 Sd_______911fps, 30 Sd

[frogleg]

Thank you Outpost75 this I can use !

[Outpost75]

Thank you Outpost75 this I can use !

My pleasure. Few people will appreciate the gunsmith time it takes to sort out, inspect and tweak a group of revolvers so that they ALL have been fitted to the same barrel-cylinder gap to run a test like this.

[osteodoc08]

My pleasure. Few people will appreciate the gunsmith time it takes to sort out, inspect and tweak a group of revolvers so that they ALL have been fitted to the same barrel-cylinder gap to run a test like this.

Time and skill. Great info. Thanks.

[Boogieman]

I ran a quick test using a 3" SP101 158gr. Lee RNFP 4.3gr. BE86 678fps, 4.6gr. 747fps

[onelight]

I am unable to comprehend why there is any advantage to BE86 vs.traditional Bullseye?

BE 86 compares to Unique not Bullseye the BE in the name is confusing.
BE-86 is between Unique and power pistol on Alliants burn rate chart.
It meters well and burns cleaner than Unique

[Outpost75]

BE 86 compares to Unique not Bullseye the BE in the name is confusing.
BE-86 is between Unique and power pistol on Alliants burn rate chart.
It meters well and burns cleaner than Unique

Thank you for this succinct explanation. That is the first time I have ever had that explained.

I agree with you that using BE in the name is confusing. It would have been better to call it anything else.

[onelight]

Thank you for this succinct explanation. That is the first time I have ever had that explained.

I agree with you that using BE in the name is confusing. It would have been better to call it anything else.

No thank you you put together some exceptionally informative posts.