Powder has been a bit hard to come by around here and found some HS-6 and 800-X at a LGS. I wondered which would be better for loading .45 230gr and 9mm 124gr, both plated RN. Just for range plinking.
HS-6 or 800-x ?
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m657
Member
I prefer HS6 of that pair choice. It meters well enough in my Dillon & isn't too obnoxious smelling. It does seem to have a rather flat odd sound to the muzzle retort.
The 9mms I loaded recently in all recipes from mfg site, worked well enough and were pleasant recoil even at the upper end.
The only reason I loaded HS6 was nothing I was familiar with was on the shelves.
Even my 45 acps were acceptable.
And since 700x didn't work well in my 650 I figured 800x wouldn't either. Plus IIRC their data chart has less range of recipes than HS6...although I don't recall for sure now.
The 9mms I loaded recently in all recipes from mfg site, worked well enough and were pleasant recoil even at the upper end.
The only reason I loaded HS6 was nothing I was familiar with was on the shelves.
Even my 45 acps were acceptable.
And since 700x didn't work well in my 650 I figured 800x wouldn't either. Plus IIRC their data chart has less range of recipes than HS6...although I don't recall for sure now.
OP
Thanks m657. I think I'll run over tomorrow and grab a lb. of HS6.
old&slow
Member
I use & like HS6 in my 45 acp & 9mm. Sorry, I have never used 800x.
Seems to prefer heavy bullets and 'warmer' powder charges. There are better powders for light loads.
Seems to prefer heavy bullets and 'warmer' powder charges. There are better powders for light loads.
HS-6
Or Winchester 540. Same thing. I was surprised and felt very lucky to find 5 1 pound cans of older Win 540 at a gun show recently..bought 'em all for 40 bucks. 540(HS-6) is a good mid to upper range powder in many calibers. You can get close to mag results in the larger caibers and good mid to upper velocities in the pistol cals. Great powder
Or Winchester 540. Same thing. I was surprised and felt very lucky to find 5 1 pound cans of older Win 540 at a gun show recently..bought 'em all for 40 bucks. 540(HS-6) is a good mid to upper range powder in many calibers. You can get close to mag results in the larger caibers and good mid to upper velocities in the pistol cals. Great powder
indie_rocker
US Veteran
800x meters like shellac flakes, I would go with HS-6 for 9mm any day, it's better suited for its weights anyways.
I do like 800x for 10mm, but I have to weigh every... single... drop... because the variations are all over the place. But it produces some outstanding velocities, shoots clean and is usually not hard to find.
I do like 800x for 10mm, but I have to weigh every... single... drop... because the variations are all over the place. But it produces some outstanding velocities, shoots clean and is usually not hard to find.
arkdweller22
Member
Hs-6 is definitely the easier powder with which to work.
800X is excellent for top velocities especially in 40S&W and 10mm but meters like corn flakes.
If I could only have one of those two, it would be HS-6.
800X is excellent for top velocities especially in 40S&W and 10mm but meters like corn flakes.
If I could only have one of those two, it would be HS-6.
Back in the 1970's I loaded 9mm with 800-x and it did not
produce maximum speeds in my old Radom.
It did a much better job with the 38 and 357 Magnum, however.
I did not load HS6 back then but have used it the last few years
since it was available. It has worked in the 9 to the 357 but
with mag primers only in the 38 and 357 cases.
The high pressure 9mm case is probably better off with just the
small pistol primers.
Good luck.
produce maximum speeds in my old Radom.
It did a much better job with the 38 and 357 Magnum, however.
I did not load HS6 back then but have used it the last few years
since it was available. It has worked in the 9 to the 357 but
with mag primers only in the 38 and 357 cases.
The high pressure 9mm case is probably better off with just the
small pistol primers.
Good luck.
OP
Thanks Gents! Sounds like HS6 is the way to go for what I am loading. Didn't get to the store today but hopefully tomorrow after work, if it's still there.
I expected that most would say HS-6. I am inclined toward the 800X. NO it does not meter as precisely as HS-6, however 800x burns cleaner over a wider range of pressures, is more versatile regarding plinking loads, doesn't leave tiny unburned powder balls to get under the ejecter star of a revolver and does not come with a "use magnum primers" notation.
OP
I suppose I better get one of each
Huskerguy
Member
I tried HS-6, was very disappointed. I dont load hot and that turns out to be the weakness of 6. I have nearly all of a lb. and gave up on it. I use W231 and titegroup exclusively. Tend to like TG better.
GJH77
Member
I just bought my first 800x intending to load 45 and 9mm. I couldn't find any data on the 357 or the 38. What would your loads be and where did you all find them? Thanks
I have not checked the Hogdon site(They own IMR now and have data online.) But I have my old Dupont Handloaders Guide which has data for 800x for almost every pistol caliber. Let me know chambering and bullet weight and I'll look it up for you.
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If you can find a old IMR manual dated 5/2001..........
125gr jacket 6.9grs 980 fps 15,500 cup
158gr LRN at 5.7grs 875 fps 16,000 cup.
These will work in any J frame.............that is a 38 special.
125gr jacket 6.9grs 980 fps 15,500 cup
158gr LRN at 5.7grs 875 fps 16,000 cup.
These will work in any J frame.............that is a 38 special.
m657
Member
Appreciate the information from those favoring 800x....
re: "Yes, it meters poorly, but it's inexpensive, both to buy, and to use, and I've found the accuracy to be commendable."
in the case of 'meters poorly' just what procedures are useful to overcome that phrase?
While I'm not in the 'compulsive exactitudinarian' camp, I've found generally my pistol loads seem more predictable when I can manage to keep the charges within a couple tenths....
but when they start jumping around in .5 g from charge to charge I get nervous.....
Just what IS the 'acceptable variation' in powder charge weight can we comfortably accept?
re: "Yes, it meters poorly, but it's inexpensive, both to buy, and to use, and I've found the accuracy to be commendable."
in the case of 'meters poorly' just what procedures are useful to overcome that phrase?
While I'm not in the 'compulsive exactitudinarian' camp, I've found generally my pistol loads seem more predictable when I can manage to keep the charges within a couple tenths....
but when they start jumping around in .5 g from charge to charge I get nervous.....
Just what IS the 'acceptable variation' in powder charge weight can we comfortably accept?
