38 SPL +P and HS-6

[Nevada Ed]

Did you see the date on post #18 ?

 

[rockquarry]

Before you try some of the loads shown here, you might compare the data with loads from a reputable handloading manual.

 

[reddog81]

I'm guessing the stuff loaded 4 years ago has been shot by now

 

[bamacisa]

Before you try some of the loads shown here, you might compare the data with loads from a reputable handloading manual.

If that load damages your gun, will the member that recommended it buy you a new gun?

 

[H Richard]

Keep in mind the ES can be skewed (and resultant pressure) by the length of the brass, which affects the crimp. If all is not consistent the ES will vary sometimes a lot. I also recommend you obtain a current reloading manual, and keep within the guidelines.

 

[cowboy4evr]

My post is for anyone shooting +P in an " air weight " 38 spl . After about 1000 rounds of +P , mine required a trip back to S&W as it was just too loose to continue shooting . I recommend using the +P sparingly and shoot std 38spl most of the time . YMMV Regards, Paul

 

[dr. mordo]

My post is for anyone shooting +P in an " air weight " 38 spl . After about 1000 rounds of +P , mine required a trip back to S&W as it was just too loose to continue shooting . I recommend using the +P sparingly and shoot std 38spl most of the time . YMMV Regards, Paul

Was that a recent manufacture gun? I may have to baby my 637 a bit more.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If that load damages your gun, will the member that recommended it buy you a new gun?

You brought back a 4 year old thread to talk down to others here? No one forces anyone to shoot data posted on a forum. I personally shoot the 7.0gr HS-6 load and I do have published data to 7.2gr. No need to buy anyone a gun, just don't shoot what you don't like but don't talk at others either.

 

[cowboy4evr]

It happened to my S&W 642 that I bought about 10 yrs ago . I called the factory , told them it wasn't a problem with manufacturing or assembly , that I simply shot it an enormous amount and it needed servicing . I had got it through " Davidson's " ( gallery of guns ) so it was covered for repair . Regards, Paul

 

[USSR]

You brought back a 4 year old thread to talk down to others here? No one forces anyone to shoot data posted on a forum. I personally shoot the 7.0gr HS-6 load and I do have published data to 7.2gr. No need to buy anyone a gun, just don't shoot what you don't like but don't talk at others either.

+1. I also shoot the 7.0gr HS-6 load. It's the ultimate +P load.

Don

 

[sniper]

HS-6 is an older and slower ball powder and IMO you should always use a magnum primer when loading with it. A magnum primer will insure a more complete burn of the powder and a more even burn. Any time you can make things more uniform it has to help with accuracy.

Winchester's LPP are rated for both standard and magnum use but nowhere in the industry is there a warning to reduce the powder charge when using a WLPP.

Wow! 4 years old or not, there is lots of great advice here!
I notice that Winchester Small Pistol primers come in two flavors...WSP and WSPM. Sooo...saying I use Unique, AA#5, Universal, or HS-6. for mid-range/FBI equivalent loads @~ 900-1000 fps, is it permissible to use Magnum primers with all of them, to reduce inventory/chance of a visit from Mr. Murphy?

Would backing the load off .2-.3 gr. for the magnum primers be advisable, or, because these are not full snort loads, just use the original load, and interchange magnum/standard primers, according to availability?
Thanx

 

[HorizontalMike]

I have been using CCI #550 magnum primers in my .38 loads and find they work very well with HS6 with both 125XTPS and 158XTPs. Have not quite worked up to +P loads with them yet, but they seem quite manageable. I also have 5k of #500 small pistol primers, so I am sure that I will load up a hundred or so and see just how much, if any, difference the two primers show...

Don't really expect much difference from what I have read, but who knows...

 

[dr. mordo]

This thread is going to drive me to buy HS-6.

What HS-6 loads do y'all use for 44 Mag?

Anybody use it in .32 Long?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Wow! 4 years old or not, there is lots of great advice here!
I notice that Winchester Small Pistol primers come in two flavors...WSP and WSPM. Sooo...saying I use Unique, AA#5, Universal, or HS-6. for mid-range/FBI equivalent loads @~ 900-1000 fps, is it permissible to use Magnum primers with all of them, to reduce inventory/chance of a visit from Mr. Murphy?

Would backing the load off .2-.3 gr. for the magnum primers be advisable, or, because these are not full snort loads, just use the original load, and interchange magnum/standard primers, according to availability?
Thanx

While magnum primers can be used some powders actually perform better with a standard primer. Unique and 2400 are good examples. If possible use magnum primers for slow ball powders like HS-6, HS-7, W296/H110 and the like.

Side note, over the years I have loaded many hundreds, maybe a thousand of the HS-6 FBI load and I think I will never change.

 

[scottyp99]

I have a theory, (well, actually, I guess it would be more accurate to call it a hypothesis) that using a magnum primer might help with position sensitivity. Anybody have any thoughts on that?

Scotty

 

[cowboy4evr]

HS-6 in 44 mag , 240 gr bullet: 13.0 grs
41 mag , 210 gr bullet : 11.0 grs
357 mag , 158 gr bullet : 9.0 grs
38 spl , 158 gr bullet : 7.0 grs
I use a full magnum primer . I get my best accuracy with these loads and I consider them close to max .

 

[Joe4d]

While as you have found HS6 works, its not a very good choice for your 1 7/8 barrel. I bet you could easily dupicate that velocity with a faster powder like 231, tightgroup, Bullseye, and get aound double the loadings per lb. Probably generate even less recoil and muzzle blast.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

While as you have found HS6 works, its not a very good choice for your 1 7/8 barrel. I bet you could easily dupicate that velocity with a faster powder like 231, tightgroup, Bullseye, and get aound double the loadings per lb. Probably generate even less recoil and muzzle blast.

I have to disagree. Unlike rifle barrels powder speed has very little effect in handgun cartridges. The powder that delivers the highest velocity in a 4" barrel will also do so in a 2" barrel.

Additional, the faster powders will reach pressure limits well before you generate the desired velocity. The slower powders will get you there within limits. Of course you don't want to use the slowest powders but the medium slow powders like HS-6, AA#5 and others will do a good job.

 

[Joe4d]

Hes not trying to build the fastest speed, He's trying for a lower speed, lower recoil.
Using the fastest powder that can generate the desired velocity while staying within pressure limits, will result in less powder used, less recoil, a cleaner gun and usually lower SD.
ANd you are dead wrong about burn rate having no effect. thousands of USPSA shooters would disagree.
I can load 124 grain 9mm's at the same velocity as WWB 115's and my loads generate noticeable less and a flatter recoil. Simply because I use one of the faster powders that can get the job done, While I am sure Winchester, uses a "medium" powder that can work in many rounds due to economy and the fact lots of uninformed people equate recoil with power.