Reloading data needed

S

Skeet 028

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 26, 2010
Messages
6,937
Reaction score
7,996
Location
Wyoming
Have had this powder for quite a while and have no loading data for it..or very little. I have 5 or 6 lbs of Hodgdon HS-5. I was told this was pretty much the same as Winchester 473. Like HS-6 is WIN 540 and HS-7 is WIN 571(got them too). Anybody have any handgun loading data for HS-5?? I also have 5 lbs of the old H4676 and other older surplus powders. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Skeet 028 said:
Have had this powder for quite a while and have no loading data for it..or very little. I have 5 or 6 lbs of Hodgdon HS-5. I was told this was pretty much the same as Winchester 473. Like HS-6 is WIN 540 and HS-7 is WIN 571(got them too). Anybody have any handgun loading data for HS-5?? I also have 5 lbs of the old H4676 and other older surplus powders. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
A google search for "hodgon hs-5 load data" returns a lot of hits. I'm sure if you start sifting through it you'll find the info you want - may take some digging though ;)

You're looking for info on using something OLD. I have the opposite problem. I'm looking for more info on loading with plated bullets, which (I think) are a fairly recent development - at least compared to cast and FMJ. I'm not finding much data.

Maybe the resident reloading experts can help us both out...
 
Last edited:
'Have had this powder for quite a while........'

is an under statement!

the speer #8 has some HS-5 data...............
it is close to Herco but a little faster.

Good luck in finding some data.
 
As you suggested to the OP, a Google search for "reloading with plated bullets" return a lot of hits to sift through :)

Here's something from Berry's.

Berry's Frequently Asked Questions â?? FAQ's

BC38 said:
A google search for "hodgon hs-5 load data" returns a lot of hits. I'm sure if you start sifting through it you'll find the info you want - may take some digging though ;)

You're looking for info on using something OLD. I have the opposite problem. I'm looking for more info on loading with plated bullets, which (I think) are a fairly recent development - at least compared to cast and FMJ. I'm not finding much data.

Maybe the resident reloading experts can help us both out...
Click to expand...
 
Skeet,
A quick browse through my Hodgdon Manuals shows they quit listing it in #24 (1983). Post what you're loading for and I'll see what #23 says.

Good shooting.
 
Wow..1983 was when they quit listing data. I have a lot of old data manuals but very few that list HS-5..and none from Hodgdon. I am looking for loads in 44 Special and maybe 45 auto and Colt. I load a lot of 45 auto. Load the Colt for momma. She likes her Blackhawks Oh and I load mstly cast bullets. Don't need to waste expensive bullets for plinkin or target. I will have to check for old manuals at gun shows etc. I sent an email to Hodgdon asking about this but received no reply.
 
Call Hodgdon. Don't e mail as they are to busyto reply. They are open early in the AM

Speer #8 has some data for HS 5

As mention a search will yield lots of data, use at your own risk;)
 
smokindog said:
As you suggested to the OP, a Google search for "reloading with plated bullets" return a lot of hits to sift through :)

Here's something from Berry's.

Berry's Frequently Asked Questions â?? FAQ's
Click to expand...
LOL! Yeah I already did that search - and sifted through a dozen page or more worth of "hits". I've read the Berry's FAQ.

I'm new to reloading, and everybody (including the Lee's 2nd edition of Modern Reloading that came with my press) cautions us newbies to "follow the recipes in the manuals explicitly". Trouble is I'm not finding any manuals that include load data for plated bullets.

Not finding anything more helpful than the following two somewhat vague (and semi-contradictory) statements...
1) Follow the load recommendations for cast bullets
and
2) Use mid-range FMJ loading data
...both of which are pretty much what is in the Berry's FAQ,

I'm looking for a manual with data up-to-date enough to include plated bullets. I was hoping someone here could recommend one. Does such a thing even exist at the present time?
 
BC38 said:
...Not finding anything more helpful than the following two somewhat vague (and semi-contradictory) statements...
1) Follow the load recommendations for cast bullets
and
2) Use mid-range FMJ loading data
...both of which are pretty much what is in the Berry's FAQ,

I'm looking for a manual with data up-to-date enough to include plated bullets. I was hoping someone here could recommend one. Does such a thing even exist at the present time?
Click to expand...

I'm not exactly sure how the two points above are vague and/or semi-contradictory.

Look at the range of suggested loadings for lead and jacketed bullets for your particular caliber and weight.

Whatever that range is, start on the low middle part of the range. Build a few, come up a tenth of a grain or two, build a few, come up again, build a few etc. Stay away from the fastest/highest pressure loads. That will keep you pretty much within both suggestions above. The loadings for lead vs jacketed always overlap. And unless you're trickling for precision rifle cartridges, most scales are going to be accurate to about half of a tenth of a grain. Then a powder drop gizmo will introduce a little bit more error factor. That means your finished cartridge will have "about" x.3 grains, give or take maybe a tenth to maybe x.2 or x.4 gr.

Load 'em up. Test 'em. Narrow down your loadings to what YOU and YOUR GUN agree is the most accurate or whatever shooting factor you're loading for (recoil, noise, economy, bullet speed etc).

If you want to see some WIDE variance in load data, pick a caliber and bullet weight and search on loadings for some old standby powder like Unique. I've got listings on that powder for 158 gr .38 special that range anywhere from 3.0 gr to 5.2 gr. Yesterday I shot several hundred rounds of that same bullet and caliber with Bullseye loaded from 3.0 to 4.2 gr.

Staying SAFE is the only real concern. Too light might result in poor accuracy at distance, or worst case a squib. But unless you double fire a squib, there's no danger in either of those. Too high, of course, runs the risk of high pressure problems but even that might be a long term vs immediate problem.


Sgt Lumpy
 
Skeet ,

The following HS-5 loading data from Hodgdon's Manual #23:

44 Special, 250 gr. cast G.C.: start 7.0 gr., max 8.0 gr. 883 fps.

45 ACP, 200 gr. lead, 6.8 gr. only load shown-max. 894 fps.

45 ACP, 220 gr. lead, 6.8 gr. only load shown-max. 809 fps

.45 Colt, 250 gr. lead, 8.5 gr. only load shown-max. 836 fps

Hopes this helps.
 
Thanks Homie. I went the search way and came up with basically nothing really good. Sifting through that stuff is next to impossible. The number 5 shows up..but not about powder. The loads listed above are a big help. And i think I may just call Hodgdon..I need data for H-108(basically WC820 I think for the 30 carbine and other pistol rounds.) H-4676(an old surplus) that i have in sealed cans.and of course the HS-5 I must have at least 50 lbs of older powders and just can't use 'em for feeding the lawn.LOL Heck I've got Dupont Bulk Smokeless and even some powder made before WWII Can is dated 1937 It is Hi Vel #2 and is still good. I have actually loaded some in a couple of calibers. I also had some powder marked Hi Vel #6 I think but since i had no data and less than a lb I fed it to my wifes flowers.
 
Well just got off the phone with Hodgdon. Fellow there was a little overworked but ha is going to send me data for the HS-5 H4676 and the H-108. They have always been an awesome company to deal with. Reason he seemed a bit overworked is because half of everybody is at the Shot Show. Have worked that show many times..did a day or so last year. Oh Boy what a job. He also told me they are bringing out another CFE powder in February but this one is for handguns. I have a bit of the CFE223 and it is a really good powder...if hard to get. But all powder is hard to get
 
You could contact Hodgdon and ask them. They certainly have all their old loading data.
HS5 was very similar to 473AA (I would almost be willing to bet they are the same) and current WSL (is WSL still current?). A bit faster than Unique.
Do you have particular cartridges you are interested in loading?
 
As far as the two being the same. Don't really think so. I compared the 2 next to each other and they are totally different at least in color and the granulation is a little different. I want any loading data for handguns and even shotshells. Esp 20 ga. I really no longer load 12 ga cept maybe a few hunting loads.
 
SgtLumpy said:
I'm not exactly sure how the two points above are vague and/or semi-contradictory.

Look at the range of suggested loadings for lead and jacketed bullets for your particular caliber and weight.

Whatever that range is, start on the low middle part of the range. Build a few, come up a tenth of a grain or two, build a few, come up again, build a few etc. Stay away from the fastest/highest pressure loads. That will keep you pretty much within both suggestions above. The loadings for lead vs jacketed always overlap. And unless you're trickling for precision rifle cartridges, most scales are going to be accurate to about half of a tenth of a grain. Then a powder drop gizmo will introduce a little bit more error factor. That means your finished cartridge will have "about" x.3 grains, give or take maybe a tenth to maybe x.2 or x.4 gr.

Load 'em up. Test 'em. Narrow down your loadings to what YOU and YOUR GUN agree is the most accurate or whatever shooting factor you're loading for (recoil, noise, economy, bullet speed etc).

If you want to see some WIDE variance in load data, pick a caliber and bullet weight and search on loadings for some old standby powder like Unique. I've got listings on that powder for 158 gr .38 special that range anywhere from 3.0 gr to 5.2 gr. Yesterday I shot several hundred rounds of that same bullet and caliber with Bullseye loaded from 3.0 to 4.2 gr.

Staying SAFE is the only real concern. Too light might result in poor accuracy at distance, or worst case a squib. But unless you double fire a squib, there's no danger in either of those. Too high, of course, runs the risk of high pressure problems but even that might be a long term vs immediate problem.


Sgt Lumpy
Click to expand...
Thanks sarge. That's pretty much what I thought, just wanted more confirmation of what I thought I (sorta) understood. Your explanation is very helpful.

Is the Lyman manual everyone talks about the one with the MOST load data tables? The Lee manual I have has some data for just about every caliber, but not a lot for any one caliber.

BTW, would Bullseye be one of those "old standby" powders to refer to?
 
Last edited:
BC38 said:
...would Bullseye be one of those "old standby" powders to refer to?
Click to expand...

I would say it is. Anything that's been around for a long time, been loaded a lot, and is still available will have a lot of suggested load variants.

I fing Bullseye only very slightly less load consistant than HP-38/W231, likely due to it's very tiny flake shape vs the ball shape of the other. Like maybe Bullseye varies .1 gr vs HP-38 varying by half of .1 gr.

BUT - Bullseye doesn't tend to "seep through the joints" of loading equipment (powder dumps, measure devices etc) like that tiny ball HP-38 does. I find less powder on the press after a session with BE than with the other. That too is likely due to it's shape.

So every powder has it's tradeoffs, it's strong and weak points. It's fun discovering the differences, I think...:D


Sgt Lumpy
 
You can find plenty of HS-5 data in :
Speer #8, #10, #11
Lyman #46
Lyman Cast Bullet book 3rd ed.
Hornady 3rd Ed.
all of them older books from the 70's & 80's

I found some HS-5 at a gun show recently and had good results in a 38/44 with 5.7gr behind a 160gr LSWC at 880 fps and a 686-6" 357 Mag with 6.0gr same bullet at 925 fps.

ETA, you can find the old manuals on Amazon for about $10-15 - I got a Hodgdon #25 for $2 a month ago and Speer #7 for $5+shipping
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the info. I have a nice first year 4 inch Highway Patrolman I can use that load for. Fun gun to shoot. Actually have 2 a 4 inch and a 6 inch..14 yrs apart in buying..one in Md and one in Wy and 12 digits difference.
 
I'm a huge HS-5, HS-6 and HS-7 fan (mostly in their Winchester forms) and I use a magnum primer with the last two.

I used a lot of HS-5 in the .38 Special and 45 Auto but I'm going to have to look up my old data because that was way before I started using a computer to store load data.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top