Great substitute for 6.0 grs Unique and 158 gr SWC 357 Mag

[Hi-Speed]

With Unique nonexistent on the shelves going on three years, I worked up a fine 357 Magnum practice load which will replace the classic load using 6.0 grs Unique under generic cast 158 gr SWC in 357 Mag cases.

Chronographed the following:

Firearm: Ruger 4 5/8 inch Blackhawk
Case: Starline 357 Magnum
Bullet: Missouri cast 158 gr (12 BNH)
Powder: Alliant BE-86
Charge: 6.0 grs (Little Dandy rotor #9)
Primer: CCI 550
OAL: 1.570
Crimp: Redding Profile 1/2 turn

Shot #/MV
1. 1,010
2. 996
3. 1,011
4. 998
5. 997
6. 1,014
7. 998
8. 1,002
9. 986
10. 1,010

Hi 1,014
Lo 986
Avg 1,002
ES 28
SD 8

[AlaskaMike]

The more I use BE-86 the more impressed I am with it. I haven't played with it in .357 mag yet, but I've had great success with Power Pistol (a close cousin to BE-86) for midrange .357 loads and my RCBS 38-150-K bullets.

Thanks for posting the data!

[Hi-Speed]

The more I use BE-86 the more impressed I am with it. I haven't played with it in .357 mag yet, but I've had great success with Power Pistol (a close cousin to BE-86) for midrange .357 loads and my RCBS 38-150-K bullets.

Thanks for posting the data!
Thank you Mike!

I also ran 5.4 grs BE-86 in 38 Spl +P a couple weeks ago using Missouri cast 158 gr (12 BNH) and got a strong early type +P load:

Hi 986
Lo 946
Avg 963
ES 40
SD 14

My firearm is 4 5/8 inch Ruger BH.

Some guys like golf in retirement, I like hunting and shooting sports! I’m enjoying my new chronograph and like so many have told me, it’s an indispensable tool for handloaders.

[JCM45]

Interesting load. Is BE-86 a ball or flake powder?

[Hi-Speed]

It’s a Bullseye type powder, not ball

[Kosh75287]

I LIKE BE-86, very much! It is similar in many respects to Bullseye, but with a considerably slower burn rate, and contains a flash suppressant, if memory serves (which may also account for the slower burn rate). It meters better than Unique, and seems to burn at about the same rate as Herco.

[dverna]

Good information. As most folks struggle to find their old standby powders having options is important.

[Hi-Speed]

Good information. As most folks struggle to find their old standby powders having options is important.

Thank you Don, I’m also going to post soon N340 and True Blue in 38/357…without Unique around, one has to search hard for viable alternatives. Thanks again

[hylander]

Thanks for the info.
I just ordered a pound to try

[gc45]

Might work in the 44 special as well. Anyone tried that?

[kenton]

https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Powder.aspx?powderid=38

Alliant's load data

[derek45]

UNIVERSAL, POWER PISTOL, and HS6 work well also

[FullTang]

BE-86 is great stuff, and I've used a lot of it in all kinds of handgun loads; another newer powder which is also really good is Alliant Sport Pistol. Fast and Clean, and supposedly optimized for coated bullets. Sure, the old reliables are still good, but the whole point is that you can't find these powders during a shortage, while some of the newer ones are available precisely because so many folks want to stick with what they've been using for 50 years. It pays to be flexible!

[ddixie884]

Thank you Don, I’m also going to post soon N340 and True Blue in 38/357…without Unique around, one has to search hard for viable alternatives. Thanks again

I like VVN340 very much and 6gr is strong in .38spl..........

[hylander]

https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Powder.aspx?powderid=38

Alliant's load data

A little confused with their data.
Is the load shown at Max or Minimum.

[kenton]

A little confused with their data.
Is the load shown at Max or Minimum.

Max load, for starting loads reduce by 10%.

https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx

Fourth line from the bottom in bold.

[hylander]

Max load, for starting loads reduce by 10%.

https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx

Fourth line from the bottom in bold.

Thanks,
Missed that somehow.

[hylander]

Tried the BE-86
7.4gr. under a 158 SWC non GC
Works pretty Good.