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Thread: Substituting BE-86 for Unique

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy MaLar's Avatar
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    Substituting BE-86 for Unique

    I have a lot of BE-86 and I'm low on unique. Has anyone tried BE-86 in cast rifle loads?
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  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    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!!

  3. #3
    Boolit Man TribunusSanGeorgii's Avatar
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    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

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by TribunusSanGeorgii View Post
    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
    Load er up like it is Unique...You gonna Like It!!

  5. #5
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
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    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 ?

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    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-conte...teschart-1.pdf

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shawlerbrook View Post
    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!!!

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

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

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by DDriller View Post
    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/sho...r-Pistol-blast
    Last edited by racepres; 05-15-2024 at 09:16 AM.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master WRideout's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shawlerbrook View Post
    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.

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  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by WRideout View Post
    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??

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master popper's Avatar
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    WSF works fine in 40sw with 165gr cast. About the same as hp38.
    Whatever!

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by popper View Post
    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!!!

  14. #14
    Boolit Master WRideout's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by racepres View Post
    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
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  15. #15
    Boolit Master Hi-Speed's Avatar
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    Transitioned from Unique to BE-86 in my 38 Spl +P loads. I still like Unique in 357 Mag mid range cast loads.
    “Start Low, Work Up Slow”

  16. #16
    Boolit Buddy
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    Be86 is available at Powder Valley. Watch prices though. 8 1# are cheaper than 1 8#.

  17. #17
    Boolit Mold
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    I just got in 8 1lb jugs of this powder.
    And yeah it came to $38 a pound with free shipping.
    Not bad for these days but not good either.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master almar's Avatar
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    Not sure why its taking quickloads so long to add this powder and other new ones...
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