BE-86 9mm 147gr Load Data?

Gary H said:

should I try to use data for other powders like Power Pistol?

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I wouldn't try to substitute data from other powders by any means...
I sent you a PM..............

BE-86 data, different 147 grain bullet. But gets you to a starting point. Be aware Speer has you seat bullets pretty shallow. If you need to seat your bullets deeper, you need to cut back.

In addition to the Speer data above, Alliant lists a FP and a JHP load:

FWIW, if you start with on an Alliant page for the powder (click products, click pistol, scroll to BE-86 and click on it for this example), then click "View all recipes", it makes you pick a caliber to click on (so much for all recipes) and you get all the load data for that powder and caliber combo.
The 9mm one is:

(you still have to pass through the warning)

Gary H said:

I’m new to 9mm, but now have various pistols and PCCs ... have an inventory of 147gr. Sig V-Crown JHP, Zero FMJ and Missouri Bullet Company Coated subsonic FN. I decided to start with one powder and picked up some BE-86

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If your PCCs are blowback action, consider this.

I have found faster than W231/HP-38 burn rate powders to produce greater accuracy than slower burning BE-86 (Think faster case mouth/neck expansion to seal with chamber before blowback action moves bolt/buffer back to leak gas) with less soot on cases (Likely from more efficient powder burn from more consistent chamber pressures) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/9mm-carbine-reloading.919747/#post-12642113

Here's list of powders preferred for PCC/3 gun match shooting along with other divisions and bullseye match shooting (All faster burning than W231/HP-38) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-and-discussions.778197/page-11#post-12415502

• PCC (9mm) - Titegroup 31%, Sport Pistol 18%, N320 16%, Clean Shot 11% (Comparable to AA No. 2)
• Limited/L10 (40S&W 88%/9mm 12%) - N320 23%, Titegroup 22%, Sport Pistol 11%, WST 5%
• Production (9mm) - Titegroup 35%, N320 23%, Sport Pistol 16%
• Bullseye matches - Bullseye/N310/N320/700-X/Clays/Titegroup/WST/W231(HP-38)

Gary H said:

PCCs ... My first goal is to replicate my 147gr HST and Winchester white box JHP.

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Consider this also.

If you are loading defensive rounds, BE-86 produces some of highest muzzle velocities (Compared to other similar burn rate and faster powders) and I have used it for duplicate factory JHP practice rounds using Speer Gold Dot HP/Remington Golden Saber/RMR JHP projectiles but mostly for pistol.

If you are shooting PCCs beyond 25 yards, effects of bullet drop and vertical stringing will start to show even at 50 yards. If you want smaller groups, faster 115 gr bullets will experience less bullet drop and produce smaller groups. (I currently use RMR 95/100 gr bullets with fast burning Promo/W231/HP-38 around 1500 fps as my PCC loads out to 100 yards for minimal bullet drop)

BE-86 runs clean in my 9MM loads with 147’s at the top of the listed max. It’s a great powder so don’t focus so much on the HST data and see how it groups in your pistols, my G17, G19, Walthers, and Berettas all like a near max load with 147’s.

Gary H said:

The 147gr is for a roller delayed home defense PCC with a silencer.

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Roller delayed action will negate issues with blowback action PCC and you may want to try BE-86 with other faster burning powders to see how it does in comparison.

Lennyjoe said:

Gary H said:

Am I correct in thinking that BE-86 will be a bit dirty in my pistols?

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BE-86 runs clean in my 9MM loads with 147’s at the top of the listed max. It’s a great powder so don’t focus so much on the HST data and see how it groups in your pistols, my G17, G19, Walthers, and Berettas all like a near max load with 147’s.

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I agree that BE-86 burns clean for locked breech pistol loads. Not only has it produced higher velocities in 9mm/40S&W loads, it also produced greater accuracy for me compared to other powders I have used.

Gary H said:

I’m just curious as to why so many 9mm competitors use 147gr coated bullets? Of course, cost would be one plus of the coated bullets.

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Yes, mostly due to cost as when you are shooting several thousand rounds per month for practice/matches, even small saving per round adds up to quite a bit. Also, many match shooters prefer heavier 147 gr bullet over 124/115 gr due to softer/milder recoil loaded to same power factor.

At 125/130 PF, 115 gr felt recoil seems almost like factory Winchester white box ammunition but 147 gr at same PF shoots with much milder recoil (Think flatter muzzle/front sight) for faster follow up shots. And many USPSA and other match stages are set up where faster stage times trump slightly greater accuracy for higher stage scores. So a little drop in accuracy won't matter but faster stage times will.

BE-86 is one of my favorite powders, but you will have to reduce their listed charge for a 147 if you want subsonic. Every round that I loaded with 5.1gr was supersonic out of my 8" PCC.

Gary H said:

I’m just curious as to why so many 9mm competitors use 147gr coated bullets? Of course, cost would be one plus of the coated bullets. Thanks.

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As others have noted to make PF a heavier bullet with an Uber fast powder will result in less recoil, less muzzle flip. Blue Bullets has been a prominent name for bullets used by reloaders at the USPSA Nationals for several years, I believe they’re also a sponsor. There’s also a hope heavier bullets can help knock down steel easier, especially with less than perfect hits.
While coated lead tends to be less expensive, you may want to point your browser to RMR bullets and look at their lineup of jacketed bullets. You may decide the delta cost is worth it.