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BE86 38spl, 38spl +P and 357 mag Range report.

Posted: Fri May 05, 2023 5:58 pm
by DsGrouse
I'd spent a couple of days loading up a bit of 38/357 mag using BE86. With about 500 rounds of various bullets loaded, I had some chrono work to do.

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Today's weapon of choice:
Dan Wesson 715. The target is at 25ft, and all shots were off-hand.
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Here is the revolver after its session.
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Re: BE86 38spl, 38spl +P and 357 mag Range report.

Posted: Fri May 05, 2023 6:37 pm
by daytime dave
Some really nice groups in there and an awesome Dan Wesson. Wow.

Re: BE86 38spl, 38spl +P and 357 mag Range report.

Posted: Fri May 05, 2023 6:54 pm
by GFK
Wow! Somebody had a party! Nice shooting!!

Re: BE86 38spl, 38spl +P and 357 mag Range report.

Posted: Fri May 05, 2023 7:08 pm
by DsGrouse
That i did. I have to say, BE86, despite its lack of load data, does very well across a wide range of bullets. It worked well in 357 mag and in mild 38 spl.

I ended up with 3 five shot groups for every bullet type; Each group went up by .2 grains. A couple of the gas checked 357 mag loads were spiffy, and need to be backed off a bit. The rest I think, are pretty good to go. I'll load some more and try them with the henry using BE86.

Matt's 130grn round flat point Gas Checked.
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Matt's 125grn Spire point gas checked.
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Re: BE86 38spl, 38spl +P and 357 mag Range report.

Posted: Fri May 05, 2023 7:30 pm
by fortyshooter
Wow very good range test and write up! Love that Dan Wesson and who did all the engraving?
I have couple pounds of BE 86 and have tried it with 45 Colt and 44 Mag and it is similar to Unique. Haven't done any testing with 357 Mag yet but looks like it does a great job. Plan was to use BE 86 to save my Unique.

Re: BE86 38spl, 38spl +P and 357 mag Range report.

Posted: Fri May 05, 2023 8:53 pm
by DsGrouse
fortyshooter wrote:
Fri May 05, 2023 7:30 pm
Wow very good range test and write up! Love that Dan Wesson and who did all the engraving?
I have couple pounds of BE 86 and have tried it with 45 Colt and 44 Mag and it is similar to Unique. Haven't done any testing with 357 Mag yet but looks like it does a great job. Plan was to use BE 86 to save my Unique.
J whitmire engraving out of Michigan.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id ... tid=ZbWKwL

I have matching 2 and 4 inch barrels for it.

I originally picked up the BE86 on your recommendation because I could not find unique.

My results with 45 acp and 45 colt were equally as good.

I need to order some more. I will say that I do like 4227 better for full power 45 colt loads. But anything not crazy speed, I am quite happy with BE86. The biggest complaint is lack of load data.

I had to cross reference a lot of stuff to come up with equivalents. Those I cross referenced with a minus 15% from alliances website.

Even so, you can see the 125 and 130 grain case checked bullets were smoking. I don't need them moving that fast.

Re: BE86 38spl, 38spl +P and 357 mag Range report.

Posted: Sat May 06, 2023 10:55 am
by Hatchdog
Nice work and great results. Also that’s a pretty nice projectile emitting device you have there.

Re: BE86 38spl, 38spl +P and 357 mag Range report.

Posted: Sat May 06, 2023 11:48 am
by BigAl52
Nice shooting and you gotta love a Dan Wesson Revolver. Ive owned a couple.

Re: BE86 38spl, 38spl +P and 357 mag Range report.

Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 11:37 pm
by 5shot
That's a beautiful revolver DsGrouse and good shooting! My Dan Wessons are 1911's but I've always wanted a 715.

Re: BE86 38spl, 38spl +P and 357 mag Range report.

Posted: Mon May 08, 2023 12:57 am
by BrokenolMarine
Nice Groups! :) I have done most all of my 38 loading with W231, and was lucky enough to buy about 20 pounds when we were shooting PPC heavily. When the new younger officers started shooting that were ALL about the scores, and didn't care about the fraternity or the sportsmanship, I bowed out and left them to it and had plenty of supplies left. I was mostly loading Georgia Arms bullets over 231 with Winchester primers in 38, 9mm, and 45.

Glad you could find things that worked well... your testing speaks volumes. Our groups had to prove themselves out to 50 yards, and my loads were MORE accurate than I was capable of... so I was happy. 8-)