In an attempt to find adequate replacements for hard to find powders as Alliant Unique, I undertook testing of various 38 Spl +P and 357 Magnum 158 gr - 178 gr loads using N340, Accurate #5 and BE-86.
N340 - higher ES and SDs and less accuracy unless driven at maximum VV manual charges in 38 Spl+P. Obtained some of the best accuracy with VV 357 magnum loads (357 cases of course)… and lowest ES (10) and SD (3, yes THREE) (10 shot string) using a 358439HP, avg fps 1,105 fps (Ruger 4 5/8 BH). Will be my go to powder for Mid Range to “entry level” 357 magnum loads. Only problem is that N340 bridges a bit in my RCBS Little Dandy but powder still measures spot on.
Accurate #5 - found to be good and accurate with the heavier Keith SWCs (170-178grs) in 38-44 loads at approximately 950 fps - 1,000 fps from my Ruger. Accuracy and consistency (ES/SD) was lacking with 158 gr bullets with 38 Spl +P charges. In 357 Magnum loads, Accurate #5 was neither as accurate as my Unique or N340 loadings or as “tight” consistent over the chronograph. I’ll use just for my 38-44 range loads using heavier Keith bullets.
BE-86 - gave me excellent accuracy using 158 gr and 38 Spl +P load data. ES and SD were as low as 24 and 7 respectively while obtaining 961 fps from the 4 5/8 inch Ruger. I’m also using BE-86 with the 158 gr bullet as a mid range 357 Magnum load (approx 1,050 fps with excellent low ES/SD). BE-86 is amazingly consistent and gives me the lowest ES/SD and best accuracy from 900-1,050 fps range. I have not yet experimented with this powder with heavier Keith type bullets in either 38 or 357 absent published load data.
If Unique was readily available I wouldn’t replace it with the above powders except for perhaps N340 in 357 Magnum loadings or BE-86 in 38 Spl +P. If I was limited to one powder of these three, I would pick Unique.
Would I replace Power Pistol if it was readily available in 38 Spl +P with BE-86, probably not since I already get very good accuracy and consistency with Power Pistol. Unique vs Power Pistol (using 158 gr SWC): my 5.2 grs Unique and 5.6 gr Power Pistol 38 Spl +P loads are nearly identical in performance over my chronograph… limited to one, I would select Unique. I also like how Unique “behaves” in 357 Magnum cases compared to Power Pistol…and I can push Unique to nearly 1,100 fps with 158 gr SWC cast in my Ruger 357 Magnum without that loud bark using Power Pistol!