Load Testing: Alliant Bullseye powder

[Dan_69GTX]

Last week while driving through TN I stopped at a few gun stores.  Finally found some Bullseye to try without spending more on the hazmat and shipping than the powder itself.

Now to see if my guns like it as much as other's guns seem to like it...

I'll be using it behind some Berry's 115 RN and HBRN and same for 124

Also scored a decent price on 5K primers.  Wasn't looking for that or needed it, but the price told me to buy it.

[ReloaderFred]

There's a reason Bullseye powder has been around for over 100 years, it just works.  It's my go to powder for .38 Special, and I'm getting a little concerned, since I've only got two more 8 pound kegs on my shelf after this one is emptied.........

Hope this helps.

Fred

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

I really like Bullseye for .38 spl, mild .357 mag and it's my go to for .45 acp.

[nicky]

I haven't used it with a 9mm yet but like it with a 45 200gn. LSWC.

[steerclr]

I use it in most all my range loads  9mm-115gr, 38 spl-158 gr, 32acp-71 gr, 380 acp-100gr, 32 S&W long-85gr (caliber-grain bullet) but typically use slower powders for magnum loads.  Meters well through Lee Auto-Disc and seems to be pretty consistent.

[Wobbly]

I like it with 38 Spcl too.

[tekarra]

I changed to Bullseye a couple of years ago for 9mm and use quite a bit of it now.

[IDescribe]

Bullseye is to powder what .30-06 is to caliber -- sometimes you get something so right that it's still right a century later.

[Dan_69GTX]

Well, I tried 2 ladders yesterday.  Just the Berry's 9mm 115 and 124 RN.    For my gun (SP-01 Target 2) the accuracy wasn't there on the 124, but was great for the 115 - so now I've got another known good load.  I loaded up another 100 of 4.6 grains last night and will do some plinking later to see what it is like for when I'm not bench resting the gun.

Brass was mostly Geco.  S&B primers.  Using a LNL to load them.

When I say benching, I am not using a fancy rest.  I rest the front of the gun on a towel on the saw horse.  From 35' the 115 bullets were around 1" x 1.25 grouping.  The 124s were about 1.5" x 2".

For the 115 bullet the 4.2 grain was the best for accuracy, but the 4.4 and 4.6 were not that far off.  There was some burn residue on the outside of the 4.2 cases.

For the 115gr I did the following - 10 rounds each with Berry 115gr RN plated
4.2 grains
1.130 OAL
Ave speed: 1061.6
SD 18

4.4 grains
1.130 OAL
Ave speed: 1084.4
SD 15.9

4.6 grains
1.130 OAL
Ave speed: 1112
SD 17.3

Now to do more ladders with different bullets to see what happens.....

[painter]

What bullets did you use?

[Dan_69GTX]

Berry's 9mm/.356 115 Grain RN Bullets and Berry's 9mm/.356 124 Grain RN Bullets,

The 115 is what I gave the info for.

I just loaded a ladder for the Berry's 9mm/.356 115 Grain HBRN-TP - will try these when it isn't raining or windy.

[Wobbly]

Scored a bunch of Bullseye recently and wanted to continue this thread.

Equipment List
Caliber:     9x19 Luger
Bullets:     Precision Delta 124gr JHP
Brass:       Mixed
Powder:    Alliant Bullseye
Max Velocity:  1073 fps
Primer:     Federal Small Pistol
OAL:        1.110"
Pistol:      SP-01 Tac
Qty:        10 rounds each, slow fired
Weather:  60F and clear
Chrono:    ProChrono DLX
Load data from Lyman #49, 3.9-4.5gr @ 1.075"

Load      Avg Vel           SD
3.9gr        1038              16
4.0           1061              17
4.1           1084               6
4.2           1097              14
4.3           1123               9 Above Max Load
4.4           1129               9 Above Max Load
4.5           1146              16 Above Max Load
4.6           1175               8 Above Max Load

NOTES
• By the numbers those last 4 are above Max Load, but they did not feel or perform like it. Obviously, more testing is needed.
• This powder meters very well and has good case fill characteristics
• All these loads seemed to shoot fairly clean and had zero trash in the receiver
• All loads overate the slide on my SP-01
• I could easily become a Bullseye fan. It does a lot of things very nicely. I might have to eat some of my words.



More photos to follow.

[gunzip]

I appreciate your reviving of this thread.

It just happens that I am looking for just a little more accuracy from my hand loads.  And a few folks I know  mention that Bullseye powder is what I need to try.  Nice to see others with the same opinion.

[Wobbly]

Testing on Nov 29 (finally !)....



Equipment List
Caliber:     38 Spcl
Bullets:     ACME 148gr DEWC with HiTek coating
Brass:       Mixed
Powder:    Alliant Bullseye
Max Velocity:  925 fps
Primer:     Federal Small Pistol
OAL:        Set by bullet
Pistol:      Ruger GP-100-6"
Qty:        10 rounds each, slow fired
Weather:  60F and clear
Chrono:    ProChrono DLX
Load data from Lyman #49

Load      Avg Vel           SD
2.8gr        782              14
3.0           825              16
3.2           848              19
3.4           879              25

NOTES
• Shoots cleanly at any load
• Case fill was good with DEWC
• 3.0gr is supposed to be the standard NRA accuracy load

[Ron Ia]

how do you like the 148 coated bullets' im thinking about trying some in my 686 with 38 sp. loads
Ron