One powder for 38 SP, 9mm, 45ACP ?

[rclark]

Truthfully I hadn't noticed that using AA#5 or AA#2. I do like how they meter, and work very well. That's about as much as I've paid attention to!

As for Unique, I stay above 6.0g applications. Anything below that I would have to weigh every load. For example 4.0g under a 100g bullet in .32 H&R is a decent load... but I just couldn't stand weighing every load. So I moved to the AA powders, True Blue, etc. for excellent metering and good results. For .44 Special, .44Magnum, .45 Colt, Unique works great.

On subject, just stick with W231, or an AA powder, or ... choices . For me, it was kind of fun to chase down what worked (for me) in each cartridge that I shoot.

[Marco Califo]

I am surprised I have not seen Alliant BE-86 mentioned. It is a modernized, low flash "updated" version of Bullseye, with better velocities and has published loads listed for 9mm, 38 Sp, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, (all at what I would call respetable velocities) along with many other like 10mm, 45 Colt, 357 Mag., etc.
I do have a recently purchased canister on my shelf, but have used Alliant Power Pistol more, for even higher velocities. Power Pistol is not flash suppressed, but I never notice when shooting at an outdoor range in daylight. PP will hand the same broad range of calibers.

Other powders providing similar velocities across calibers are Silhouette (flash suppressed) and CFE Pistol. CFE-P in 38 Sp +P will get your 1199 fps with 125 grain H.XTP. 1133 for regular 38 Sp.

[markr6754]

Originally Posted by Marco Califo

I am surprised I have not seen Alliant BE-86 mentioned. It is a modernized, low flash "updated" version of Bullseye, with better velocities and has published loads listed for 9mm, 38 Sp, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, (all at what I would call respetable velocities)

BE-86 is a new powder, and probably not as widely used. I just finished shooting my first ever loads of BE-86 3 hours ago. I never find this locally, but a recent discovery of a non-local gun shop provided the first chance to acquire a bottle.

I followed the lowest recipe published on natoreloading, which itself was already 0.4gr above Hornady’s published Maximum load. I’m happy to report that I survived...and all pistols tested are rated for +p loads. Still, I don’t try to push my loads. These were stout loads, though not actually unpleasant to shoot.

So 2 new first...first loads with BE-86, and first loads showing signs of primer flattening. I’ll be sticking to Hornady’s loads in the future.

Alliant states that BE-86 is a clean burning upgrade to Power Pistol, while also achieving similar velocities with 0.5gr lower charge, yet they have loads for Power Pistol 2 steps higher than BE-86.

[Marco Califo]

Could you post a picture of "primer flattening"?
Primer flattening is rare in handgun loads.
BE-86 data is included in Alliant's 2014 pamphlet so it is at least 6 years old.

[FITASC]

Primer flattening is a great sign of overpressure.

[jdscholer]

HP38/231 and Bullseye are very similar, and I'd hate to do without either of them. Seems like HP38 might be a little cleaner. jd

[Marco Califo]

The Western Powders load guide linked here
http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-con....0-Web-REV.pdf
Has a photo of a flattened primer on page 12. Is this what you have?

[Mike38]

I use Tite Group in all three.

[markr6754]

Originally Posted by Marco Califo

The Western Powders load guide linked here
http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-con....0-Web-REV.pdf
Has a photo of a flattened primer on page 12. Is this what you have?

I decapped all the brass yesterday without taking pictures. The primers looked more like the right photo on page 13. These rounds were higher than Hornady max charge...but well off of Alliant’s 2018 load guide 6.3gr max 115gr JHP. I loaded 5.9gr under 115gr HAP.

Still, they were harsher than I want to shoot...likely approaching 1200fps. Just guessing...the recipe I copied showed 1225 from 4.5” barrel. I was shooting shorter Barrels, from 3.15” to 3.5”.