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Thread: Substituting BE-86 for Unique

  1. #21
    Boolit Master gc45's Avatar
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    Is the powder only for pistol? How about large cases like 4570 where 10 grains of unique is common and such. I ask because unique will do both small and large cases within reason.

  2. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by gc45 View Post
    Is the powder only for pistol? How about large cases like 4570 where 10 grains of unique is common and such. I ask because unique will do both small and large cases within reason.
    BE-86 is working for me as a direct replacement for Unique in 45/70, 8x57, and 8x56R Hungarian. Start at the starting loads and work up, of course.
    Don't get angry when I post something you don't like 'cause I'm just some anonymous nobody connected by electrons. One click and I'm gone.

  3. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by K43 View Post
    BE-86 is working for me as a direct replacement for Unique in 45/70, 8x57, and 8x56R Hungarian. Start at the starting loads and work up, of course.
    ^^^ This Is also My Experience...tho No 45-70

  4. #24
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    Interesting discussion. I've not tried BE-86, I reckon I should.
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  5. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bazoo View Post
    Interesting discussion. I've not tried BE-86, I reckon I should.
    Bets you Will Like it..
    This from a guy that started with Unique in the very early '80's...Never thought I would even Look at a Replacement!!!!

  6. #26
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    And BE-86 is actually available at a halfway decent price.
    Don't get angry when I post something you don't like 'cause I'm just some anonymous nobody connected by electrons. One click and I'm gone.

  7. #27
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by K43 View Post
    And BE-86 is actually available at a halfway decent price.
    Exactly. I sold 4 jugs of Unique to a guy who wanted them more than I did. If I ever need more, BE-86 will be worth a try.
    Don Verna


  8. #28
    Boolit Master gc45's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by K43 View Post
    BE-86 is working for me as a direct replacement for Unique in 45/70, 8x57, and 8x56R Hungarian. Start at the starting loads and work up, of course.
    Thank you, K43. So Alliant shows no load data with this powder AND cast boolits in the 45-70; at least did not see it on their website. Can you please share where you are getting such data with cast. Thanks

  9. #29
    Boolit Master almar's Avatar
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  10. #30
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    BE-86 is 25% more dense than Unique, but seems to be interchangeable in all other respects. Just be mindful of the density difference, if using volumetric measures. An equal volume of BE-86 is 25% more propellant than the same volume of Unique. Please bear this in mind.
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  11. #31
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kosh75287 View Post
    BE-86 is 25% more dense than Unique, but seems to be interchangeable in all other respects. Just be mindful of the density difference, if using volumetric measures. An equal volume of BE-86 is 25% more propellant than the same volume of Unique. Please bear this in mind.
    However...If Weighed..same same is working, for Most of My Loadings, ..perfect starting point for development. Once weight is chosen, no Problem to Pick A Measure..I always check my Measure against the scale first thing...as I can No Longer rely 100% on my Memory!!

  12. #32
    Boolit Master Tall's Avatar
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    I still have close to 4 pounds of Hercules Unique so it is not critical yet. Powder Valley had a sale on BE86 (might be still) so I got a couple pounds of it for whenever the Unique runs out. May be a while. I bought the Unique when it looked like there would be a President Dukakis. I paid something like $40 for the 4 pounder. Pretty good price.

  13. #33
    Boolit Buddy
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    Have only used it in one rifle so far, but in my 1950 Long Branch No4 Mk I*, 10.0 gr BE-86 hits same impact point with same accuracy as 10.0 gr Unique. Bonus: it meters much better than Unique. Load not chronographed.

  14. #34
    Boolit Master ACC's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MaLar View Post
    I have a lot of BE-86 and I'm low on unique. Has anyone tried BE-86 in cast rifle loads?
    Be careful. BE-86 is quite a bit slower than Unique. Start low and work up to what you used to use with Unique. Better safe than sorry.

    ACC

  15. #35
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    Quote Originally Posted by ACC View Post
    Be careful. BE-86 is quite a bit slower than Unique. Start low and work up to what you used to use with Unique. Better safe than sorry.

    ACC
    That's what makes it safe to start with the Unique data. I wouldn't say quite a bit slower though.
    Don't get angry when I post something you don't like 'cause I'm just some anonymous nobody connected by electrons. One click and I'm gone.

  16. #36
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by K43 View Post
    That's what makes it safe to start with the Unique data. I wouldn't say quite a bit slower though.
    I also would Not say very much slower
    By my Chronograph, a bit slower, Just a Bit

  17. #37
    Boolit Mold
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    Quote Originally Posted by tsleas1 View Post
    Hello all,
    I have purchased BE-86 due to scarcity of Unique. The Alliant site does not have info for 124gr .356 diameter Cast Missouri RN boolits? Anyone have any advice or favorite recipe for BE-86?
    There is BE-86 load data at the XTreme Bullet web site for 124gr plated bullits

  18. #38
    Boolit Master
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    I haven’t looked but is it also used in shotgun loads?

  19. #39
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    Quote Originally Posted by Martin Luber View Post
    I haven’t looked but is it also used in shotgun loads?
    Alliant doesn't have any shotgun data online for it.
    Don't get angry when I post something you don't like 'cause I'm just some anonymous nobody connected by electrons. One click and I'm gone.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check