How good of a powder is this. I will be using it in .38 special and .45acp. All I've used in these cartridges before was either 231 or unique. With reloading supplies getting harder to find I thought I would give HS-6 a try. Any opinions you can share on this powder would be appreciated.

How good of a powder is this. I will be using it in .38 special and .45acp. All I've used in these cartridges before was either 231 or unique. With reloading supplies getting harder to find I thought I would give HS-6 a try. Any opinions you can share on this powder would be appreciated.

I have not specifically used HS-6 but I've used a lot of two other Hodgdon ball powders(Longshot for shotgun loads and H110 for magnum revolver loads).I have nothing but good things to say about both.

I have no loading data in front of me at the moment but if the data you have shows it to be suitable in the 38 special and 45 auto,I wouldn't hesitate.Especially if you're having problems getting components in your area.

HS6 is a very slow powder that can be used in .38 and .45 ACP, but is not particularly well suited for either.

Its main use is with near-max loads, trying to get that last bit of velocity. It requires realtively heavy charges of powder. Not a good choice for light plinking loads.

It is commonly used in loading "9mm Major" in USPSA Open to excessive pressures and about 1350fps.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

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Science plus Art

I have used it in the cartridges that you have mentioned. Archangel has used it extensively and may be by in a while to set us all straight!

I didn't particularly care for it. It does meter exceptionally well though. I can see why folks use it.

What I found was this: with today's data it leaves a BUNCH of kernels, either burnt or unburnt, in the barrel. If the pressure is raised to near +P levels I understand this goes away.

Since most of what I shoot is for punching paper and novice shooters, I don't need much of a powder that has that as it's only incentive to use.

I like Hodgdon's products, no doubt about that, they are some of the best. I have other favorites for +P type of loads in these calibers so..........

FWIW

HS-6 is the powder I use to duplicate my 9mm carry loads. 6.7grains pushing 124 grain FMJ or JHP gets me 1145 FPS in a Glock 19. Very efficient load.

Used it for 40 S&W when I loaded for it. Worked well for that too. I'd consider it for 357, but have other powders for that.

I like Clays and Unique for 45 ACP and 38 Spl.

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It's around here somewhere!

Speaking with Hogdon one day I was told that it's a REAL GOOD .45colt powder.

That said, I'll stick with Unique for that cartridge.

W231 is the powder of choice for me with the calibers you mentioned.

I have had very good luck with 6.5 grains of HS-6 and a Federal 100 primer under a cast 158 gr. SWC, and especially under the Lyman 358429 cast SCW. The ones I have weigh right at 177 grains, and this combo is extremely accurate in several different guns I own.

Thanks a lot for the info guys. I really appreciate it.

I've used a lot (about half way thru my 2nd 8 Lb jug)of HS6 in a 475 Linebaugh for loads in the 1,100 to 1,200 fps range. In that application it is superb -- consistent, accurate, clean burning and relatively economical.

I tried it in normal pressure .45 Colt loads and it didn't work all that well for me. Truth be told, I really didn't give it much of a chance -- more powder than I really wanted to burn for the high volume plinking loads I was going to use it in.

Personally, I'd stick with WW231 or HP38 or something in that burn rate for standard 38 special and 45 ACP loads. With HS6, you'll use 1.5 to 2 times as much powder to get basically the same results. I might reconsider for specialty loads (like gun 4 fun mentioned above).

Now with that said, if HS6 is available and the others aren't, I would would gladly use it.

FWIW,

Paul

The best use I've found for HS6 has been with 147gr bullets in the 9mm. I've tried it with high velocity 125gr .38 spl loads and is is OK but never did perform at the velocity Hodgdon claims. It does leave a very dark carbon ring on the cylinder face of a stainless or nickle revolver.

I didn't mention using HS-6 in my .475 Linebaugh because the OP was specifially talking about the .38 and .45 ACP.

That said, I wholeheartedly agree with Paul105 on it's use in the .475 for reduced and midrange loads. It is the choice for that purpose. Everything that Paul said is right on!

I have had very good results using HS6 in mid-range loads for the .357 and .44 magnum cartridges under lead or JHP bullets. While I have yet to try it I would imagine that .44 Special and .45 Colt would also be worth some experiments. These loads are espcially good for my older Colts and Smiths that will loosen up with full power loads. I soon plan to try HS6 with the plated bullets, where they tell you to keep the velocity below typical magnum ranges.

The more I use HS-6 the more I like it. I bought a lot of HS-6 before components started to dry up. It's a slower powder than W231 so you really can't compare the 2. HS-6 is in the burn class of AA#5 and 800-X and a little faster than Longshot.

Since it's a fairly slow powder I use it for .38 Special +P rounds, not standard pressure .38 Specials. It works well for the .45 Auto and 9mm too. I like it because it's an accurate powder for lead bullets as well as Jacketed bullets. I highly recommend HS-6 but try to keep the charges up near the top end to keep it clean. I even use Magnum primers at times. It can also be used in mid-range .357 Magnum rounds.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

See, I told you he would be by and give us some insight!

Hey, Tony, where you been?

Skip,
I've been around but not as much as usual. (as you noticed) I've been having some recurring health issues. Nothing new and nothing to worry about. Thanks for asking and noticing I've been absent...

I gues I have been taking up HS-6 a lot, haven't I... lol

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SWCA #3437

I've been using HS-6 in reloading my 9mm for about 18 years now.

Depending on what manual you look at the top load is 6.5 - 7.0gr for a 115gr FMj bullet.

Has anyone out there tried HS6 in the 500 S&W Magnum. I'm loading a 425 gr Lead gas check bullet.I don't find any data for that caliber except heavy loads. In my 4" barrel a velocity around 1000 fps with that bullet is enough for my use. HS6 is great for the 357 Sig also. I do not recommend it for light loading in any caliber.

HS-6 is in the class with Unique for energy and loading ability.

It is cleaner than Unique but you will also need a little more powder to get the same fps type loads in 38 and 9mm.

I have found that it really shines when paired with the heavier bullets in a caliber. One example is the heavy 147 gr bullet in the small, 9mm case.
You can get more of HS-6 in the case vs the bulky Unique. The Alliant powder will fill the case, while there is no problem with the ball type HS-6 powder, with room to spare.

In the 9mm, starting loads run pretty clean, for me with a 115gr plated RN, in the 1,000 fps zone. 6+ grains might be a little more powder than the fast stuff but when you get good accuracy from a load, who cares.

A 500 S&W magnum with a non-ported 5" barrel using 15.0 grains of HS-6 behind a 440 grain GC Cast bullet will do right at 928 fps. Accuracy was just a tad under 2" for 5-shots at 50 yards rested.