Substituting BE-86 for Unique

[MaLar]

I have a lot of BE-86 and I'm low on unique. Has anyone tried BE-86 in cast rifle loads?

[racepres]

Every single one..handgun too!!!
First thing is you will find that Grain for Grain seems a Good starting point...actually mostly I just stay there..a bit softer but...IDC
The Smaller Calibers...ie 221Fireball and 222Rem seem to like BE-86 Better.. tho the 221 is Now getting Nitro100NF...just as experiment!!

[TribunusSanGeorgii]

Yes. I use it in 7.62x54R following the C.E. Harris cast bullet loads for military rifles article.

I use an unchecked Lee 312160 with (I think) 7grs BE-86. I followed the data for the faster Bullseye powder group rather than the Unique powder group.

I have not chrono'd it, but it plinks well :D

[racepres]

Yes. I use it in 7.62x54R following the C.E. Harris cast bullet loads for military rifles article.

I use an unchecked Lee 312160 with (I think) 7grs BE-86. I followed the data for the faster Bullseye powder group rather than the Unique powder group.

I have not chrono'd it, but it plinks well :D

Load er up like it is Unique...You gonna Like It!!

[Shawlerbrook]

I have been looking for a substitute for Unique. Can BE-86 be substituted in all situations grain for grain ? Are there any other identical substitutes since BE-86 is also an Alliant product that will soon be impossible to find ?

[Delkal]

Be-86 has a slower burn rate than unique and is slower than Herco. I can assume when people say you can use Unique data it is because it is a slower powder and you are unlikely to get into trouble but the performance will be lower.

Looking at the latest Hodgdon burn rate chart BE-86 is close in burn rate to AA5 (which is good stuff) and HS-6. But, as always, use the correct data.

https://hodgdonpowderco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/updatedburnrateschart-1.pdf

[racepres]

I have been looking for a substitute for Unique. Can BE-86 be substituted in all situations grain for grain ? Are there any other identical substitutes since BE-86 is also an Alliant product that will soon be impossible to find ?

Darn good Question.. I discovered that BE-86 is some other powder, except with flash retardant...they say...All I know is, all I have put it in, have been Grain for Grain (Not Volume), weight,,, it works...in general BE-86 is slightly slower than Unique...but, Not enough to keep ya from being Happy with Starting loads!! for Me anyway!! I will cross the "no Aliant powders Available" bridge when/if I get to it.. Gonna be a Hard thing for me, as I have always used Mostly Hercules/Aliant Powders!!!

[DDriller]

BE-86 and Power Pistol are pretty close in grain for grain in a 10mm.

[racepres]

BE-86 and Power Pistol are pretty close in grain for grain in a 10mm.

Perhaps it is Power Pistol that BE-86 actually Is, except with flash suppressant.
https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?381469-BE86-vs-Power-Pistol-blast

[WRideout]

I have been looking for a substitute for Unique. Can BE-86 be substituted in all situations grain for grain ? Are there any other identical substitutes since BE-86 is also an Alliant product that will soon be impossible to find ?

I have also been looking for a substitute for Alliant Unique. So far I have been able to use Herco and Accurate #5 in my pistol loads. The Accurate #5 has worked very well so far in 7.62x25 Tokarev, and 32-20 revolver loads. Herco has been very accurate in my 7.62x38R Mosin Nagant revolver.

Wayne

[racepres]

I have also been looking for a substitute for Alliant Unique. So far I have been able to use Herco and Accurate #5 in my pistol loads. The Accurate #5 has worked very well so far in 7.62x25 Tokarev, and 32-20 revolver loads. Herco has been very accurate in my 7.62x38R Mosin Nagant revolver.

Wayne

2 powders instead of one.. if I get where I cannot get Unique, nor BE-86...I may look to WSF...Maybe...Someone try it out OK??

[popper]

WSF works fine in 40sw with 165gr cast. About the same as hp38.

[racepres]

WSF works fine in 40sw with 165gr cast. About the same as hp38.

But...In the Old Days...Unique was very specializes also...Wonderment is...What off the Wall Uses is WSF???
or...What makes Unique...Truly Unique!!!! use in 25ACP to 30-06!!!

[WRideout]

But...In the Old Days...Unique was very specializes also...Wonderment is...What off the Wall Uses is WSF???
or...What makes Unique...Truly Unique!!!! use in 25ACP to 30-06!!!

The first load I ever tried in the lowly 25 ACP was with Unique. I saw no need to change it until I ran out.

Wayne