BE86 or Sport Pistol 9mm target loads

Status
Not open for further replies.
JO JO

JO JO

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
2,793
Location
U.S.A.
BE86 or Sport Pistol 9mm target loads how to chose ?
I have found 2 loads for 9mm 124gr plated that I like and both are accurate for me these are fired in my G17 used for target loads / paper punching indoor range
I did find Sport Pistol to be cleaner burning with softer recoil but both loads works very well for me, how to pick one so I can
buy a 4lb jug ?
which of these two would you pick ?

BE86 5.0 gr
"Avg", "StdDev", "Min" ,"Max", "Spread",""
"1025.6"," 15.5"," 1000", 1048", "48","

Sport Pistol 4.0 gr
"Avg" ,"StdDev", "Min" ,"Max", "Spread",
"1051.3" ,"18.8", "1014", "1071", "57"
 
With every thing being pretty equal I would chose Sport Pistol. The reason is, I prefer a more of push than a snappy recoil, cleaner burning and you will get more rounds per pound of powder.
 
Based on your information, I would have to say Sport Pistol. But, I have not used any yet (I have a pound I have not opened).

BE86 has become one of my favorite powders. It works well in all the calibers I have tried.
 
Grin. Sorry, I should have left off the question mark.

Yes, for that velocity I would use Sport Pistol. If you followed the link, you'll see that in the neighborhood of 3.9 Grs will get you there.
 
I use BE-86 also and also have no Sport Pistol, yet. I have to much BE-86 to buy any, yet. Due time, Due time.
From your numbers I would also choose Sport Pistol. It wasn't on the market when I bought my BE-86 powder so it was the best thing going at that time.
What a problem to have with having to choose between two really good powders.
I can understand why your asking.
 
Did one or the other exhibit significantly better accuracy?

For you, you probably already know the answer. For me, it would be BE-86 because I can use it in more cartridges, Alliant doesn't show any data for SP in the .41, although they do in .44. I like Alliant pistol powders, I don't think you can go wrong either way.
 
For me, it would be BE-86 because I can use it in more cartridges, Alliant doesn't show any data for SP in the .41, although they do in .44.
Click to expand...
I started to experiment with BE-86 in 41Mag but life got in the way and I didn't get to go far. It's on my short list now. I think it should do well in .41. I'll be disappointed if it doesn't.
I talked to Paul at Alliant about it when I started that original post about BE-86 and he said he hadn't tried it in .41mag. It was still new to reloaders then.
As for the OP I think either one will do him proud but Sport Pistols burn rate ought to be better for the 9.
 
For 9MM, at least for me, it is simple, Sport pistol for plinker loads and BE-86 for full power loads in 9MM. That doesn't mean BE-86 can't work for both, it may very well, I don't know. But I prefer something near the Sport Pistol burn rate fr running 124/5 Gr bullets in 9MM at around 1050ish from a 5" barrel.

But I don't try to keep powder inventory to a minimum of different powders. I get it, I do, but I just haven't done it for a very long time now. BE-86 is good stuff, and I will continue to use it, but if I use something besides N320 to load 124/5s at 1050ish from a 5" barrel, it will be Sport Pistol or WST, not BE-86.
 
Walkalong said:
For 9MM, at least for me, it is simple, Sport pistol for plinker loads and BE-86 for full power loads in 9MM. That doesn't mean BE-86 can't work for both, it may very well, I don't know. But I prefer something near the Sport Pistol burn rate fr running 124/5 Gr bullets in 9MM at around 1050ish from a 5" barrel.

But I don't try to keep powder inventory to a minimum of different powders. I get it, I do, but I just haven't done it for a very long time now. BE-86 is good stuff, and I will continue to use it, but if I use something besides N320 to load 124/5s at 1050ish from a 5" barrel, it will be Sport Pistol or WST, not BE-86.
Click to expand...

Well said Walkalong.
Thank you for using our American manufactured pistol powders.
Shoot well,
Paul
 
Go with which ever one feels best to you when shooting it.
I general I go against the trend because to me the slower powder seems softer.
BE 86 has the advantage of being able to step up the vel a bit higher than SP if you decide to load heavier.
SP is probably cleaner.

Or you could do it the scientific way
Heads SP Tails BE86:D
 
I think I will load up some more of both and go back to the range with my son he has a vp9 and I will shoot my g17 , and see which one has the edge with both us shooting two different guns
thanks for all the input and I am leaning towards the SP
 
Compared both loads today with my son and 3 different pistols
G19 , vp9 , cz75
Both loads shot well no failures in any of them,
Accuracy sport pistol had edge
 
I have not tried either because I can't get Alliant of Accurate powders locally. I wish I could because I would use mostly Alliant powders although Winchester powders aren't all that bad lol.
 
I tested some 9mm loads this week, my first 9mm handloads in some years. I tried BE-86 because it looked like a good match, and it seems to have been... sorta.

Fired through both a Kahr CW9 (4" barrel) and CM9 (3" barrel)...

5.4grn BE-86 under a 124grn plated bullet gave 1050fps from the CW, 970fps from the CM;
5.7grn BE-86 under the same bullet gave 1060fps and 980fps, respectively.

It's obvious there was a point of diminishing returns in the shorter barrel, and, in fact, the 5.7grn load dusted me with unburnt powder. For me it looks like the 5.4grn load is a winner, although I'll adjust the weight a bit and maybe fool with the OAL to prove the load.
 
I've never tried Sport Pistol, but I loves me some BE-86.
I am at the tail end of an 8 pounder and will buy another when it is gone.
 
Sport Pistol does sound interesting. I found BE-86 a bit sooty when loaded a bit light (5.4grs)

When Powder Valley had their No HazMat sale on Alliant powders I picked up a 4lb jug of Sport Pistol and a 4lb jug E3 to try out in 9mm
 
sport pistol did burn cleaner for me on those target loads I have been experimenting with
 
If you'll read the link in post #4, you'll see I was impressed with Sport Pistol in plinker loads for 9MM.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

JO JO
  • Locked
  • Poll
POLL: 9mm 124gr coated bullet powder
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
JKP
J
JO JO
  • Locked
loading 9mm & 40 question
Replies
24
Views
1K
Walkalong
Walkalong
Big-bore-bob
Need help choosing Be86 .357/.44 magnum load data
Replies
11
Views
385
geo57
geo57
JO JO
  • Locked
9mm 115 gr and sport pistol
Replies
12
Views
2K
JO JO
JO JO
S
  • Locked
40 S&W / 9mm loads with berrys
Replies
7
Views
2K
shadowalker
S
Back
Top