HS-6 in .40 S&W with 165 lead projectiles

[GMC man]

I hand loaded some .40 with 7.6 grains of HS-6 using 165 lead projectiles. I cant crono pistol rounds but I did notice after shooting 100 rounds I found some lead slivers in the barrel and some interesting wear marks. The guys at the range thought I was shooting a 45 lol I think I may have the rounds a little hot.

 

[scooter123]

According to my Lee manual that's a mid range load for jacketed bullets. However, some loads out of the 40 caliber can have a bit of a "crack" to them.

I carry with a high velocity version of Speer's Gold Dots (they have the HV and a reduced recoil in 165 grain). One day shooting at the range the person in the next lane asked me if I was shooting the 357 Sig. Nope, just a hot 165 grain Gold Dot loaded to 1150 fps IIRC.

 

[GMC man]

Thanks, I havent loaded for pistol before and I did use the Hodgon mid range for it and other then the lead stringers and a few wear spots I havent seen before the cases look good.

 

[MarkDozier]

You are running hot. I use that load for 165 grain FMJ bullets. Frop the amount of your powder charge.

 

[noylj]

.45s don't "crack."
Just my own findings--AA5 is the most accurate and Silhouette is most accurate for nearly full powder loads.
HS6 in my .40s has been disappointing compared to these powders.
Work up from lowest starting load you can find. Don't play games with the .40.

 

[GMC man]

I agree, but there is no starting data for cast 165 grain so I had to start somewhere, it appears I started to hot for this one I think I will drop it to 7.0 grains which should be much better.

 

[noylj]

Bullet Weight Powder Weight Velocity Note P.F. COL
S&SL-SWC 170 HS6 6.0 839 Start 143 1.130
Lead 170 HS6 6.3 945 Start 161 1.100
SWC 170 HS6 6.3 915 156 1.170
SWC 170 HS6 6.5 985 Start 167 1.135
SWC 170 HS6 7.0 1050 Max 179 1.135
S&SL-SWC 170 HS6 7.0 1036 176 1.130
Lead 170 HS6 7.2 1060 Max 180 1.100
SWC 170 HS6 7.2 1030 175 1.170
I would start at 6.0-6.3gn and work up.

 

[GMC man]

Bullet Weight Powder Weight Velocity Note P.F. COL
S&SL-SWC 170 HS6 6.0 839 Start 143 1.130
Lead 170 HS6 6.3 945 Start 161 1.100
SWC 170 HS6 6.3 915 156 1.170
SWC 170 HS6 6.5 985 Start 167 1.135
SWC 170 HS6 7.0 1050 Max 179 1.135
S&SL-SWC 170 HS6 7.0 1036 176 1.130
Lead 170 HS6 7.2 1060 Max 180 1.100
SWC 170 HS6 7.2 1030 175 1.170
I would start at 6.0-6.3gn and work up.

thanks for the data this was what I used from Hodgon
Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure

165 GR. BERB FP Hodgdon HS-6 .400" 1.125" 7.4 1027 26,900 PSI 8.1 1108 31,300 PSI
165 GR. SIE JHP Hodgdon HS-6 .400" 1.125" 7.3 1013 28,700 PSI 8.0 1098 32,700 PSI
your data looks good so I will drop it to 6.3 thats 1.3 grains less then what I used for the starting point.

thanks again