HS-6 in .44 mag?

Ron H. · Oct 20, 2009

Greetings, all:

Anyone here use HS-6 with a cast 240 or 250 in .44 magnum?

For some reason, Hodgdon doesn't list such a load on their Web site, but they do list HS-6 loads with jacketed bullets in .44 mag, as well as cast bullet data in .45 Colt (which seems promising in my limited experiments so far).

Is this just an oversight on Hodgdon's part, or am I missing something critical?

I ask because I'm looking for about a 3/4-power .44 mag load with cast 240s or 250s--say 1,100 to 1,200 fps. I've been using Unique (10.0 grains) for this, but it doesn't meter well. HS-6 seems like it should fit the bill, but the fact that Hodgdon lists no such data makes me a little leery.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

Snapping Twig · Oct 20, 2009

I don't have any books handy, but IIRC HS6 is quite similar to Unique.

It would make sense that it could be used in medium to 3/4 loadings in the 44.

I hope someone chimes in with some info.

Photog · Oct 20, 2009

I tried HS-6 many years ago in .45 Colt. I personally found it very dirty, much more so than Unique. This may or may not be typical, just letting you know how it was for me. The loads were about equal to factory 255 gr. lead rounds.

kennyb · Oct 20, 2009

ron...speer #14 book shows a 240gr lswc using hs6....8.5 gr for 822fps and...... 9.5gr for 947fps
hope this helps

Gun 4 Fun · Oct 20, 2009

Ron-
In Handloader # 228,April/May 2004, there is a column by Brian Pearcebout mid-range loads for the bigger bore handguns, and it lists a load of-

12.0 grains of HS-6 with the 250 grain Lyman bullet 429421

Velocity is listed as 1,090 FPS from a 4 3/4" barrel. I hope that will help you out. I have used most all the loads that Pearce lists in his articles with great success. They are always pressure tested and have been as advertised in his articles. He is my main reloading source these days it seems.

sonny · Oct 20, 2009

In a 3" .44 mag, 29-4. (250-gr cast, PM44-250K, 0.431" Leadheads bullets). 1.72" OAL, five rounds, easy extraction. Powder measured with digital and mechanical scale backup.
PACT chronograph

I used 9.8 gr of HS-6 for 780 fps, 0.8% mean absolute deviation. With a longer barrel, you should expect 850 fps or more. I liked that load a lot.

Used five different powders to look at medium-power/defensive loads. HS-6 was a close-running #2 choice.

Remember, load what you want. Don't trust my data or anything you read from private individuals except at your own risk. This load may NOT be safe in your gun.
SORRY I HAVE TO KEEP SAYING THAT CRAP. Maybe we need to sign a disclaimer before we can access the reloading section.

Black_Talon · Oct 20, 2009

sonny said:
Used five different powders to look at medium-power/defensive loads. HS-6 was a close-running #2 choice.

And what was the #1 choice?

H Richard · Oct 23, 2009

When I was shooting Metallic Silhouette some years ago, I used HS6 (12.0 gr.) behind a 225 gr. cast gas checked bullet. It ran just about 1200 fps and had good accuracy out of a 10" TC, and would not hesitate to take the 200 meter rams down.

HS-6 in .44 mag?

Ron H.

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Snapping Twig

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Photog

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kennyb

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Gun 4 Fun

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sonny

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Black_Talon

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H Richard

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