I'm looking for a load for the 44 Magnum in my recently acquired M29-3 and have read somewhere(I think) that 12 gr of HS-6 is a good one. Should I start a bit low since I don't know if this a max charge or if it's just a middle of the road load using HS-6?

Sorta, kinda, might need the bullet you are planning on using.?

ArchangelCD is our resident expert on HS6, he just got me to try some.Hopefully he will chime in.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I guess that would help wouldn't it? Mostly the Lyman 429421(245 gr SWC depending on alloy). The full WC on the right is the same weight.

I find Titegroup more consistent than HS-6.

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NRA Life Member and Instructor

Well there is a dilemma. Neither Lyman cast bullet manual (which lists your bullet) nor Hodgdons has HS6 listed??

The closest the Lyman Cast has is their 210 hard cast Linotype using HS6 from 15 to 16.7. So based on that your estimate of 12 grs might be a good "guess"

Hodgdons uses mag primers with their magnum loads or if you have Win LPP then you are good.

Try a PM to Archangelcd. he has it for breakfast,

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Still Running Against the Wind

Loaddata.com lists 12 grains of HS-6 for a midrange load with the 429421. The published velocity is 1122 fps. Hope this helps you out.

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Have .44, will travel

That I don't doubt. He likes HS-6 about as much as I do. It's been great with the 357 and 45 ACP so, I thought I'd try it in 44 caliber. Unique is good but indoors it's pretty smokey. I don't care for Tite Group in this caliber or some of the other faster powders but to each his own. Universal should work good as well. I found the same problem finding data with this powder and checked the Speer #8, #9 and #14 along with Lymans, Hodgdon and Hornady...not much luck.However, neither did most show Power Pistol either.

Boomer-I saw some of that data but didn't know where it came from so that's why I asked if that particular 12 gr load was a max or starting load. The problem with Loaddata is you have to pay a $30 to get the info!

Cast Bullet Load Data

I think HS-6 is great for "Magnum" type loads especially when loading lead bullets. I don't personally load for the .44 Magnum although I have several friends who do. I can give you general information on HS-6 and the 44 Magnum but not specific data since I won't give out data I can't personally vouch for.

I can however give you the data listed in the Lyman Cast Handbook 3th Edition. (1980) Like mentioned above by OCD1, the new Lyman manual only lists HS-6 with a 210gr bullet. The older 1980 manual lists up to a 232gr bullet, Lyman #429360 with HS-6. For the two heavier 245gr bullets they list HS-7 instead. That tells me Lyman feels HS-6 is too fast a powder to be used with the heavier bullets and they decided HS-7 is a better choice because it's a slower powder.

Back to the 232gr SWC bullet data, the 1980 manual lists a charge range of 12.5gr and 16.2gr HS-6. Your guess on 12.0gr should be just about right for a starting load and I would guess you could probably go as high as 15gr but that will have to be your call. I will tell you that if Lyman doesn't list a powder with the heavier bullets and does with the lighter bullets it's probably a good idea to try something else. (as much as that hurts to say when it comes to HS-6) Herco just might be a better choice to replace HS-6 in this case or you can go right to 2400.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Thanks for that info. I suppose a particular powder, regardless of how well it does with other calibers/bullet weights is not necessarily grounds to believe it'll be great for another caliber. I'll try 11 gr and then 12 and if any problems arise I'll just switch to using Unique and Universal for mid range loads and 2400 when I want that extra touch.

The Speer #14 manual does list HS-6 for a 240 swagged Speer bullet but I'm sure the min/max load is for a much softer lead bullet than I'm using. I'd say they're using a BHN 8-9 and most of what I've cast is BHN11-14. Those will take a bit more velocity than the softer variety Speer makes.

<begin extreme sarcasm>
No, pour it in to the rim and then pound out some room for a bullet with a hammer!!
<end extreme sarcasm>

Honestly, is it too much to ask to perhaps look up some load data? Did you look at the Hodgon site?

Personally, HS6 is mediocre to poor powder for the 44mag.

If I had found what I was looking for I wouldn't have posted a question here now would I? If you can't contribute to this thread why don't you just go play in the traffic for a while?

ColColt hello.I do not shoot the 44mag but I do shoot the 41mag.I agree with ArchAngelCD and would start with 2400 or Unique.I use both in the 41 with different bullet weight's.The decision of which to load up hinges on bullet use.I understand your asking others their opinion for isn't that the purpose of this forum?I also agree that for some of us $30.00 is alot of money.If you are interesed in light loads look at IMR Trailboss.

Okay, I know I'm resurrecting a dead thread, however, I shot 100 429421's over 13 grains of HS-6 with Federal 155 primers in 44 mag cases last Sunday, and among other feats, I put three consecutive shots (hands rested on bench while getting sighted in with a new gun) into a 1" wide swinger strap at 50m. HS-6 is GREAT for 44 mag!

Well that seems to go along with what I said above. Thanks for verifying what we were discussing back then...

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Even 3 years later ARCH loves his HS6!!

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Still Running Against the Wind

Yes, and it was because of Archangel that I hopped on the HS-6 wagon. BTW, it meters like nothing else. 5 consecutive runs of 5 drops of 13 grains varied less than 0.2 grains. That's 0.2 grains out of 65 grains, or 0.3% (3 parts in 1000).

The bullets were some handmades by a good friend (A long range rifle shooter - plinks at 600 yards - Sometimes shoots a blackpowder cartridge rifle that launched a 60 lb steel target at 100 yards!) who is very exacting. Sticky yellow lube that smells of beeswax.

13 grains is with a 5.5" barrel. A longer barrel may want 12 grains to stay subsonic. YMMV.

Since the thread has already been somewhat resurrected, and because I happen to have 8 lbs of HS-6 on hand, I looked up 44 Rem Mag loads in Speer #11. There, it lists one HS6 load for 4 different JACKETED 240 gr bullets--none for lead.

That load is 15.0 gr min to 16.0 gr max, with a velocity range of 1,255 to 1,335 fps.

The HS-6 I have might be far more valuable for use in 10mm for me, but the problem I have is a new 44 mag wheelgun and only HS6 and 800X to load in it. Trickle-loading 800X case-by-case isn't meeting demand, as I can't get enough of my first 44 mag revolver. HS6 will be pressed into service as my option for getting some throughput with the press. I need ammo, not excuses!

From the Update a Dead Thread department...

I just got back from the range after firing ~150 rds of 44 Mag with 240 gr lead bullets over 14.2 gr HS-6 and it was wonderful. This load has some real potential. I think I tired out before I could really make a solid assessment, but there were some very tight groups in there (offhand at 15 yds) that suggested a real accuracy potential.

I also fired about 40 rds or so at 14.8-14.9gr and while they were seriously fun loads that had a wonderful feel to them, I didn't see anything to suggest they were going to do better than the lighter loads.

At 25 yds offhand I was only able to keep 24 rds inside a 5" target with 2 fliers, but I don't think that reflects poorly on the load--I have much to learn about shooting slow and at any distance at all offhand; it's just something I've never practiced seriously. I seem to do quite a bit worse from a rest, though, so apparently I have even more to learn there, as well.

12 grains of HS6 with a H&G 503 gives me consistent 2" groups at 50 yards from my PC 629 with a scope. It is my go to load for almost all of my 44 shooting.