Shot through a work up of BE-86 today.
Load:
• Berry 124gr plated round nose
• Used Alliant load data for 125 gr lead round nose. It's 1 gr less than the 124 fmj data. The masters can correct me if I'm wrong for doing so.
• Following Alliant's instructions I dropped 10% and rounded so my starting load was 5.1 gr.
Reloading Thoughts:
It meters very very accurately. Had no problems with it binding up my powder drop. When my shell plate rotates sometimes HP-38 and long shot sort of jump out of the cases, it is only a few little pieces but it gets obnoxious. 700x doesn't seem to do this as much, like the flakes are their own shock absorbing system. BE-86 has had the very least of this happen. Basically on my Hornady AP press it's a dream to reload with.
Side Note:
Having just finished a grad program I am still in an apartment and load on a black and deck portable work bench. It has worked for a good while, but I feel like it isn't the rock solid bench most here use. The powder jumping out of cases may be partially/entirely related to my bench.
Shooting Thoughts:
I didn't have a chrono. I was shooting to practice seeing my sights and call my shots... so I paid attention to the cases, feeling recoil, watching ejection patterns, etc.
1- Good thing they put stuff in this to reduce muzzle flash, otherwise it'd be a fireworks show. I noticed it the most at 5.1gr, so it may have been related to not getting an optimal burn.
2- Case expansion wasn't fully happening on a consistent basis until I reached the 5.3 gr loads.
3- Cleanliness wasn't something I checked yet since lower charges aren't always as clean (because they don't get the best burn efficiency). I'll take some pictures after each of the next outings when I shoot just one load for 100 rounds straight.
4- Recoil was what would be expected from a powder with this burn rate. If you focus on it and worry about it you'll feel it. If you have a steady grip and focus on the sights and targets the it'll be pretty normal.
6- Accuracy... I am not Joe L. Today I was really trying to call my shots by seeing my sights at a range of 25 yards. I wish I could afford having a Steve Anderson class where he teaches shooting groups because this is a weakness of mine at this slower pace (hard for me to keep a clear mind). Anyways, excuses aside. I was getting groups around 6 inches at 25 yards with 1 shot per second. This isn't a fault of the powder, I knew when I jerked the trigger and pulled the shot.
Conclusion:
I like the powder for the intended purpose I got it for. I always look forward to the feedback, questions, suggestions, etc from the members here. I'm always getting taken to school for a good teaching.
