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Alliant Powder data.

119K views 198 replies 69 participants last post by  RedTeam98 
#1 ·
Use this thread to post your Alliant powder data.
 
#177 ·
Yeap! BE-86 is stated as having some flash retardants too.
I have wanted to test with it but I haven't been able to find any locally!
 
#178 ·
Esteemed colleagues,
If this post is misplaced, my apologies. I have no load data to share. Just a question about my Alliant Power Pistol propellant.

In a situation, say, where you are given ~2/3# of Alliant PP that has sat in a covered Dillon 550 powder hopper for about a year, would you feel safe loading it, toss it, or other? Planned use is for either 10mm/.40 from G23,29,20 for practice (the only pistol carts.I hand-load) I used to be fanatical about cleaning hoppers to nary a remaining kernel/flake,etc. then restoring powder to original factory container when I'd change propellants.
A serious car accident disrupted loading season where said system was abandoned in place in a Fla Garage. No time and bigger issues prevailed over emptying/storing unused powder. When added originally, the powder was fresh.
There it still sits...about 200 rnds worth of target/practice loads...but not quite as fresh after going thru the temp, humidity ranges typical in C. FL. 30-35* lows with 50-60 humidity; 100-110* w/ 90-100% humidity from June-Nov. (you get the idea. )
Perhaps someone has experimented in such a situation as well? Or can share wisdom that can provide a 'litmus test' of sorts to qualify the chemical changes and burn characteristics deltas of propellants exposed similarly?
So your thoughts are valued and appreciated.

In short, Power Pistol in garage 550 Hopper 12-18 months - toss or load?
Go? Or No-Go? :dunno:
 
#179 ·
Esteemed colleagues,
If this post is misplaced, my apologies. I have no load data to share. Just a question about my Alliant Power Pistol propellant.

In a situation, say, where you are given ~2/3# of Alliant PP that has sat in a covered Dillon 550 powder hopper for about a year, would you feel safe loading it, toss it, or other? Planned use is for either 10mm/.40 from G23,29,20 for practice (the only pistol carts.I hand-load) I used to be fanatical about cleaning hoppers to nary a remaining kernel/flake,etc. then restoring powder to original factory container when I'd change propellants.
A serious car accident disrupted loading season where said system was abandoned in place in a Fla Garage. No time and bigger issues prevailed over emptying/storing unused powder. When added originally, the powder was fresh.
There it still sits...about 200 rnds worth of target/practice loads...but not quite as fresh after going thru the temp, humidity ranges typical in C. FL. 30-35* lows with 50-60 humidity; 100-110* w/ 90-100% humidity from June-Nov. (you get the idea. )
Perhaps someone has experimented in such a situation as well? Or can share wisdom that can provide a 'litmus test' of sorts to qualify the chemical changes and burn characteristics deltas of propellants exposed similarly?
So your thoughts are valued and appreciated.

In short, Power Pistol in garage 550 Hopper 12-18 months - toss or load?
Go? Or No-Go? :dunno:
Regardless of an accurate scientifically correct answer you can expect from anyone with liability (mfg) to advise the safe route of throwing it all away... and advising that you buy more. I was wondering if you have a chronograph and had
loaded some cartridges before letting the powder sit, perhaps
you could load a a few to the identical specs and see if the
velocity is significantly greater or lesser etc. Assuming the worst case, to me the result would be the burn rate increasing and therefor I would consider loading practice rounds using the minimum recommended charge when the powder was new. Further I would investigate as much as
possible the makeup of the powder and whether single base or double base etc and compare with historical experiences
in general with those kinds of powders. Lastly what does
the mfgr support technicians say ?
 
#180 · (Edited)
So you left powder in your powder hopper, possibly capped closed. Although these conditions are not perfect, the powder performance may in fact surprise you. Well these powders are made to handle some extreme and harsh changes in temps/humidity, having coatings on them. I would say test with it and have some fun doing so. Make up some cast or plated rounds to play with. I have ammo that is over 30 years old I loaded and it test within 10 fps of newly loaded ammo, even being different lots I'd say that is great.

I just help a fellow that had some unknown powder, where he sent me a sample of it to identify it and developed some loads for it so he could make use of the 8lb he has...everyone told him to throw it away. It made some nice test loads in 40S&W and 9mm.

With powder being harder to find these days, I would test its use, it might just surprise you just how well the powder will perform.

Good luck!
 
#181 ·
So you left powder in your powder hopper, possibly capped closed. Although these conditions are not perfect, the powder performance may in fact surprise you. Well these powders are made to handle some extreme and harsh changes in temps/humidity, having coatings on them. I would say test with it and have some fun doing so. Make up some cast or plated rounds to play with. I have ammo that is over 30 years old I loaded and it test within 10 fps of newly loaded ammo, even being different lots I'd say that is great.

I just help a fellow that had some unknown powder, where he sent me a sample of it to identify it and developed some loads for it so he could make use of the 8lb he has...everyone told him to throw it away. It made some nice test loads in 40S&W and 9mm.

With powder being harder to find these days, I would test its use, it might just surprise you just how well the powder will perform.

Good luck!
The last paragraph sums up my hoped-for answer, Shadow. I have some Ranier 135 FP plateds I can load in .40 for my G23 and work up from low to mid charges. Hopefully I'll get a combo that shoots well. I just want to make sure that there isn't any unforeseen reaction probability that is dangerous. I'm not experienced enough to make a decision about this matter or even old powders' on-shelf micro-reactions since I've only been handloading for a couple years.
I appreciate the support on this...Preventec too. Perhaps exact loads (chg wt, oal, 135's, brass, session ,etc.) but 1 batch w/ old and the 2nd with new (same PP lot but sealed in orig container) will provide some insight into the changes from hopper- life vs. container life. Hmmm ... I like experiments!! :supergrin:
Thx guys!
 
#182 ·
You can load Power Pistol based on this data and even load slightly lower with the plated bullets. This data is from Alliant 2006

 
#183 ·
[quote[/I][/I]=_The_Shadow;21997637]You can load Power Pistol based on this data and even load slightly lower with the plated bullets. This data is from Alliant 2006

[/quote]

very good info.... Shadow.
Just to be clear, my hopper is covered with both the provided cap and also by way of the blue nylon cover for the entire press. So it has not had much sun light exposure directly. It's the temperature and humidity xposure that I am most concerned about.
Thanks again for the responses and suggestions that I am planning the next steps for now. (Before it gets 100*F/99% Humidity). :faint:
 
#184 ·
You're powder will be fine! Load and test some against what is in the jug. If you have a CHRONY I'd bet they will be too close to tell any differences.

You could actually blend it back together and that way it would all be uniform.
 
#185 ·
I am a first time poster, but I have read a from many of you. I have been reloading for 30+ years. I have always gone by the book, published loads from Powder manufacturers web sites and from the Lee Reloading Book. I live on an Island in Alaska from May to October every year. There are no Grizzlies on the Island just lots of Black Bears, It is odd no to see one at least every other day. I have been toting around my Dan Wesson Model 744 for years and the 6+ pounds is killing me. So this year I bought a G20 in hopes it would be a better (lighter and faster from the holster) option. I have been trying to work up a load. I would love feedback and experience. Here is where I am at with my trial. I purchased some Polymer Coated Hard Cast in 200 gr. .0405 diameter. I used Unique as I use it for everything else too and I have a bunch but I also have some 800X. I started at 6.6 gr and have been going up .2 from there. I am at 7.4 gr and all still seems good but with no data, I am a little scared. Using WLP primers and OAL of 1.255. They group nicely and it "feels" strong. Does anyone have any data that can help me?
 
#186 ·
RDCurtis, i'm doing something similar.

Starline brass
Win LPP
200 gr cast HP from Mihec mold, runs 197-200 gr.
Lee tumble lube.
Unique- i have worked up to a charge of 7.4-7.6 which is off book a bit. The data i have is from speer and lyman, with max charges of 6.8 and 5.8 grains, respectiveley ( admittedly, this is from memory and its early AM, so take this with a grain of salt). Speer is from the 200 Gr TMJ. lead bullets give less pressure as they are more slick, and the bullet in use is shorter and has less bearing surface. YMMV.

OAL 1.255, I err on the long side. this load is 1175-1225 FPS when i crony it, which was last fall.

Its a litle hot, but my case head expansion is in spec- most cases slide right back in to a case gauge. I'm using a LW barrel and a 24# recoil spring.

Hope it helps, use caution, and keep use posted with what you come up with. A true 10mm full power load with Unique that is reasonable , and thus able to be shot in volume without undue wear is a good thing.
 
#187 ·
Hello
Just recently that brown box truck dropped off some BE-86 on my porch.
So I loaded up some 10mm Starline brass with 8.5 grs of BE-86 and seated some Hornady 180gr HAP bullets and took them up to the range.
Alliant says this load generates 1265 fps in 10mm.

Shooting a bone stock G20 SF 25 yards
1.26" COAL
Data on targets from top down;
Velocity
Extreme Spread
Standard Deviation
Temp F°

Primers indicated on targets.

Circle Wood


Well, didn't quite get to 1265 but not bad..
Miking the cases it was clear this wasn't a max load for 10mm. So went back with rounds loaded with 8.7 and 8.9grs.

Blue Turquoise Text Circle Turquoise


Miking these cases indicated pressure was getting up there but maybe room for another increment. I liked the low standard deviation numbers.
Here is a spreadsheet with BE-86 data;
I shot some V-V N350 and some True Blue during these trails and N350 printed some nice groups better than these.
Resutls posted on Ramshot and V-V threads.
Text Font Line Paper Document


Here is a rough draft of a graph I started showing where all the loads I've played with compare with each other.

Text Line Handwriting Parallel Pattern


Winter is setting in so I probably wont do any more handgun until spring. I'd rather do this kind of thing in warmer weather.
So that's the first taste of BE-86
 
#188 ·
RDub01, I managed to get to the range and tested 8.5 grains of BE-86 under the 180 grain Rainer HEX HP, CCI350, Federal (pass through reconditioned) brass, COAL 1.254"
These were tested from the Glock 20SF factory 4.6" BBL with the non captive Wolff recoil rod using the 22lb spring.

Velocities were 1219 / 1197 / 1173 from the three tested.

Alliant shows 8.5 grs in their loading data and they list a velocity of 1265 fps

My data matches up with RDub01 test - Hornady 180 HAP with 8.5 grains BE-86 Federal 150 primer @ 1187 fps (18-Sd / 8 ES 47 degrees)

I suppose my CHRONY is working OK since I shot it and put it back together...


I want to test the Sig Load 180 FMJ 8.8 @ 1250 fps next time out
 
#191 ·
RDub, I’m just getting started loading for 10mm and have chosen to get to know BE-86 — so your 2015 research is great to see. (Also, I’ve never seen the graph format you use to correlate loads, powders and velocities..brilliant!)

Before seeing this thread for my first loads I dropped Alliant’s current recommended load for 180 (Rocky Mountain Reloading) FMJs by 10%, then rounded it up to 7.8 grains. Measured with my LabRadar they averaged 1118 fps through my new Glock 20 Gen 4.

So I loaded up another batch with 8.0 grains for shooting this week..then I found this thread where you went quite a bit over my starting point..

Have you continued to load with BE-86 and if so have you settled on a load or modified the data you posted back in 2015?

Much appreciated,

Commo
 
#192 ·
Hello and thank you.
I haven't done anymore with BE86 because my gun just doesn't care for it as much as other powders.. at least in the stock barrel. With an aftermarket KKM barrel BE86 does better with cast or plated bullets. My gun likes Power Pistol, AA#5, AA #7, for mid-range loads in the stock barrel. Good luck with BE86. Keep an eye on case expansion. Cases shouldn't measure over .4340" and that's on the ragged edge.
 
#193 ·
Here is a load I tested in my Glock 20 with 6” Lonewolf Barrel and 24# recoil spring today. The brass says the load is very mild as the primers are nice and rounded and the there are no ejecter marks at all. I will test it in a 5” RIA 1911 tmrw and update.

27F, 99%H, 29.75inhg
Once fired Starline
Fed GM150M
Blue Dot @ 10.0grs
180 Nosler HP @ 1.255” OAL and 0.419” crimp
1307fps avg @ 15’ and SD of 8

I’ve been trying to find a load these bullets liked and it ended up being BD that was the game changer. Nice tight groups and low sd numbers now. Before my go to was either 180 or 200 XTP’s and longshot. Now to play with this powder and Mcnetts 200 cast lead as I think they can really move using this powder.
 
#194 ·
Here is a load I tested in my Glock 20 with 6” Lonewolf Barrel and 24# recoil spring today. The brass says the load is very mild as the primers are nice and rounded and the there are no ejecter marks at all. I will test it in a 5” RIA 1911 tmrw and update.

27F, 99%H, 29.75inhg
Once fired Starline
Fed GM150M
Blue Dot @ 10.0grs
180 Nosler HP @ 1.255” OAL and 0.419” crimp
1307fps avg @ 15’ and SD of 8

I’ve been trying to find a load these bullets liked and it ended up being BD that was the game changer. Nice tight groups and low sd numbers now. Before my go to was either 180 or 200 XTP’s and longshot. Now to play with this powder and Mcnetts 200 cast lead as I think they can really move using this powder.
Very nice. I too favor BD over LS. Good stuff!

If you are looking to load a 200 gr WFN, I'd pass on the Double Tap component bullet. They were undersized, and casting/lubing quality was substandard. Beartooth was far better quality. Back in the day, I believe Beartooth was a supplier to DT. I'm convinced that the tumbling experienced in the infamous Hickock45 video was the result of the undersized DT bullet. Fit is king with cast bullets!

Better yet, order of the several types of WFN bullets from Montana Bullet Works. You can order them in Hi-Tek coating -- a step up from traditional lube. I cast and coat the identical LBT that MBW offers and it is terrific.

Here are some WFNsn left to right. My LBT (same as MBW) , my gas checked LBT, Beartooth WFNGC, DT WFNGC (far right.

 
#197 ·
Data dump from this week...

10mm Reload Measurements
Date: 12/7/2023 Temp: 47º F Elevation: 1,115ft
Bullet Weight Case Primer Powder Charge > max? OAL
Load: FMJ 180 mixed cases CCI Large Pistol Power Pistol 9.3gr 1.260"
Measured Velocity:
1,282 1,295 1,288 1,274 1,263 1,289 1,279 1,296 1,291 1,306
Max: 1,306 Min: 1,263 Range: 43 Ave: 1,286 Std Dev: 12.28
Max Energy: 682 Avg Energy: 661
Notes: Power Pistol Powder
Glock model 40


Date: 12/7/2023 Temp: 47º F Elevation: 1,115ft
Load: Black coated 200gr mixed cases CCI Large Pistol Power Pistol 8.2gr 1.260"
Measured Velocity:
1,183 1,183 1,195 1,176 1,190 1,189 1,193 1,198 1,187 1,210
Max: 1,210 Min: 1,176 Range: 34 Ave: 1,190 Std Dev: 9.43
Max Energy: 650 Avg Energy: 629
Notes: Power Pistol Powder
Glock model 40


Date: 12/7/2023 Temp: 47º F Elevation: 1,115ft
Load: XTP 180gr mixed cases CCI Large Pistol Blue Dot 10.5gr 1.260"
Measured Velocity:
1,322 1,282 1,281 1,344 1,313 1,334 1,320 1,286 1,310 1,273
Max: 1,344 Min: 1,273 Range: 71 Ave: 1,307 Std Dev: 24.57
Max Energy: 722 Avg Energy: 682
Notes:
Glock model 40

10mm Reload Measurements
Date: 12/7/2023 Temp: 47º F Elevation: 1,115ft
Load: XTP 180gr mixed cases CCI Large Pistol Blue Dot 11.0gr 1.260"
Measured Velocity:
1,356 1,343 1,345 1,352 1,346 1,356 1,398 1,317 1,347 1,342
Max: 1,398 Min: 1,317 Range: 81 Ave: 1,350 Std Dev: 20.09
Max Energy: 781 Avg Energy: 728
Notes: best group
Glock model 40


Date: 12/7/2023 Temp: 47º F Elevation: 1,115ft
Load: Black coated 200gr CCI Large Pistol Blue Dot 10.5gr 1.260"
Measured Velocity:
1,322 1,350 1,283 1,270 1,351 1,360 1,369 1,323 1,384
Max: 1,384 Min: 1,270 Range: 114 Ave: 1,335 Std Dev: 38.57
Max Energy: 850 Avg Energy: 791
Notes:
Glock model 40


Date: 12/7/2023 Temp: 47º F Elevation: 1,115ft
Load: FMJ 180 mixed cases CCI Large Pistol BE-86 8.5gr 1.260"
Measured Velocity:
1,224 1,236 1,216 1,251 1,248 1,230 1,199 1,227 1,228
Max: 1,251 Min: 1,199 Range: 52 Ave: 1,229 Std Dev: 15.79
Max Energy: 625 Avg Energy: 603
Notes:
Glock model 40

(these were purchased in or around 2009, the bullets look like Montana Gold Hollow Points)
Date: 12/7/2023 Temp: 47º F Elevation: 1,115ft
Load: Double Tap 180gr
Measured Velocity:
1,240 1,259 1,280 1,242 1,247 1,249 1,290 1,266 1,267
Max: 1,290 Min: 1,240 Range: 50 Ave: 1,260 Std Dev: 17.32
Max Energy: 665 Avg Energy: 634
Notes: Double Tap factory - advertised as 1350fps on the box
Glock model 40


Orange Triangle Rectangle Font Poster


*Typed too fast putting the text on my picture, those are XTP bullets, not XPT o_O
 
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