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Old June 15, 2011, 10:05 AM   #1
jason russ
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Alliant Bullseye

So I've been looking for a new powder to reload .40 S&W. I have heard nothing but good things about Alliant's Unique but since everyone wants to have it, the stores never do and even online it's hard to find a site where I can order everything else I need from the same store. I was thinking about loading with Alliant's Bullseye powder and figured I'd ask to see if anyone had any thoughts on the powder. Pros, Cons. Maybe even load data for .40 S&W if you've reloaded with it. Thanks in advance for all responses.
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Old June 15, 2011, 10:36 AM   #2
zippy13
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Bullseye is a good economical powder for the use it's intended: target loads. If you're looking for maximum velocity loads, you'll be happier with Unique or another slower powder since Bullseye's fast and the pressure rises accordingly. For target and plinking loads, Bullseye's a good choice.
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Old June 15, 2011, 11:29 AM   #3
Marco Califo
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While I agree with the response above, the differences between Bullseye, Unique, and Power Pistol are often less than 10% of velocity for the same bullet. Yes, Bullseye is a target powder, but for .40 and 9mm, the max velocity difference is very small, and I personally don't hesitate to use Bullseye for max loads published by Alliant.

"Pistols and Revolvers
40 S&W 165 gr Speer GDHP
Minimum OAL (inches) Bbl Length Primer
Powder Charge Weight (grains) Velocity(fps)

1.12 4 CCI 500 Bullseye 5.8 1,022 View this recipe
1.12 4 CCI 500 Unique 7.2 1,064 View this recipe
1.12 4 CCI 500 Pow Pistol 7.8 1,081 View this recipe"

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...29&bulletid=41

Bullseye meters better than Unique. Power Pistol looks and meters just like Bullseye.
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Old June 15, 2011, 12:27 PM   #4
sidewindr
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If your looking for a new powder don't overlook N320 or N340, most loads I've tried with them have been excellent and the cleanest burning of most,I haven't tried Bullseye so I can't compare to it.
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Old June 15, 2011, 12:54 PM   #5
scsov509
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Quote:
I personally don't hesitate to use Bullseye for max loads published by Alliant.
I do hesitate to use Bullseye for max loadings, particularly in the .40 where pressure can spike quite rapidly with small changes in COL or charge weight. If you're contemplating max loadings, then there's really no reason not to reach for a different powder rather than trying to push he envelope with something less than optimally suited for your end goal.

Power Pistol is pretty good in the .40. It fills the case, meters well, and it provides top velocities across a variety of bullet weights. If you can't find Unique then another great power is Universal. It has a burn rate near identical to Unique, but meters a lot better and also burns cleaner. Those three in that order are my preference in the .40: Power Pistol, Universal, and then Unique. YMMV
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Old June 15, 2011, 01:04 PM   #6
Marco Califo
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Quote:
trying to push he envelope with something less than optimally suited
Using the powder manufacturers published load is NOT pushing ANY envelope. Bullseye burns completely and cleanly within SAAMI specs. Bullseye also has higher energy per grain making it more economical.
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Old June 15, 2011, 01:06 PM   #7
NWPilgrim
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You may want to also look at Alliant Power Pistol or Hodgdon Universal Clays. Unique is a large flake powder that may not meter as well, but is a wonderful powder. I have been using Unique for loading .40S&W for many years, but am looking to try Power Pistol for better metering (it is smaller grains similar to Bullseye).

Here is the load data I have collected (of course, be sure to double check original sources in case I mis-typed):

Cartridge : .40 S&W (SAAMI)
Bullet : .400, 180, LTC
Useable Case Capacity : 9.289 grain H2O = 0.603 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6 : 1.135 inch = 28.83 mm
Barrel Length : 4.0 inch = 101.6 mm


POWER PISTOL
6.0 gr – 6.7 gr l 933 – 1,034 fps QuickLOAD COL = 1.135"
6.3 gr – 6.9 gr 963 – 1,050 Lee 2nd Edition COL = 1.125
5.7 gr – 7.3 gr 900 – 1,050 Hornady 7th COL = 1.125
5.9 gr – 6.6 gr 908 - 998 Lyman 49th COL=1.125
n/a - 7.2 gr 1,013 Alliant website COL = 1.120

BULLSEYE
4.0 gr – 4.4 gr 934 – 999 fps QuickLOAD COL = 1.135"
5.0 gr – 5.5 gr 932 - 1,015 Lee 2nd Edition COL = 1.125
4.4 gr – 5.3 gr 850 - 950 Hornady 7th COL = 1.125
n/a – 5.5 gr 929 Alliant website COL = 1.120
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Last edited by NWPilgrim; June 15, 2011 at 05:06 PM.
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Old June 15, 2011, 01:56 PM   #8
tom234
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I also agree with Zippy that Unique is a better overall choice. Since Alliant no longer publishes ANY lead bullet data for .40 S&W or 10mm I'm shifting over to Accurate 5, 7, & 9. If you do go with any Alliant powder buy a 4 or 8# keg to reap the bulk savings.
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Old June 15, 2011, 07:42 PM   #9
BDS-THR
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tom234
Since Alliant no longer publishes ANY lead bullet data for .40 S&W or 10mm
Tom, I use Alliant's 2004 load data to reference my lead loads for 40S&W and other calibers/bullet weights not in the Alliant's 2011 load data.
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Old June 15, 2011, 08:09 PM   #10
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Alliant's 2011 load data is for soft squishy Speer swaged bullets. That's why there's no .40 data.

Bullseye's burn rate in the powder charts is skewed towards the top by it's very high energy; it's not really as different from Unique as most people think. It is a great powder for 9mm -- and not just target loads. (I use it in 9mm +P's) BE should be equally good in .40, but I don't load .40 so I can't say for certain.
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Old June 15, 2011, 08:22 PM   #11
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Powder Valley has Unique in stock. 1lb, 4 lb, and 8lb jugs.
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Old June 15, 2011, 10:55 PM   #12
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Paw Paw has a great reccomendation for suppliers. Powder Valley has some of the best pricing. Also they go to a lot of gun shows. You can call them and see if they are coming to one near you and if they are place an order with them so they can bring it . You will save the hazmat and regular shipping.
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Old June 16, 2011, 12:27 AM   #13
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I've been working up .40 loads lately for my SA XD40 and EAA witness Elite Match pistols. I'm working with Bullseye, Ramshot Zip, Unique, Power Pistol and Accurate #5. I'm experimenting with Nosler 150 gr, Berry's 180 gr flat nose, Montana Gold 165 JHP and 180 gr, Xtreme 165 gr RNFP and 155 gr Hornady XTP.

All the powders work OK, some better than others depending on the load. I've only used Bullseye with the Berry's plated bullets in .40 so far. I've used Bullseye more in 9mm and .45. Groups are OK with the Berry's but could probably be better.

I tend to avoid Bullseye when I'm doing a run on the progressive press. I'm paranoid that I wouldn't reliably detect a double charge since the charge volumes are so small with Bullseye.
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Old June 16, 2011, 02:20 AM   #14
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I think Bullseye is a very versatile powder, it burns clean and predictably over a wide range of pressures. Bullseye may not give you the highest velocity, but for good reliable target loads it does well.

I would try W-231 and AA#5 for 40 S&W before Bullseye, but because I have them already I'd try'em all
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Old June 16, 2011, 03:48 PM   #15
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In addition to the very good Missouri Bullets, there is also Natchez, which has Bullseye in stock and almost anything else you can think of, at good prices.

http://www.natchezss.com/category.cf...=HP&catLevel=1
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Old June 17, 2011, 08:03 AM   #16
jason russ
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Thanks again to everyone who posted. I appreciate the answers.
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