38 Spl Rim Rock Keith SWC

[38SPL HV]

Cast bullets are the way to go with HS-6. Using Rim Rock 170 gr “Keith” SWC over 6.0 grs HS-6 and CCI500 primers, I developed a very nice shooting load:
(10 shots)
Firearm: S&W HD 5 inch:
Hi 951 fps
Lo 906 fps
Avg 927 fps
ES 45
SD 13

Although I’ve been having less success using HS-6 with Hornady and Speer swaged bullets, the powder is fairing well under cast bullets of 11-15 bhn. The load above is within Lyman’s manual using their 170 gr 358429 SWC - note the Rim Rock Keith version OAL is shorter, 1.515 vs Lyman’s 1.537.

The data above is being provided for informational purposes and for use in my guns only. Please refer to current published reloading manuals before loading any cartridge.

 

[rockquarry]

I've found HS-6 to be a bit of a strange powder. I'm finishing off an 8 lb. keg. I 've developed some good accurate loads with it in .38 Special, but I've developed far more mediocre and poor loads. I've used only cast bullet designs, mostly H&G #51, Lyman's #358156, #358429,#358439, and #358311, maybe a couple of others.

I've tried standard and magnum primers with no appreciable difference between the two from an accuracy and velocity standpoint. While my results have shown it works best in a narrow spectrum as many claim, that narrow spectrum for me has not necesssarily been with top loads if accuracy is considered.

I have no Power Pistol on hand, but I think it's a somewhat better and more versatile powder for cast bullet .38 Special loads.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I agree on HS-6 powder being on and off in the accuracy department in my
38, 357 & 9mm loads.

With a 158 lead my M49 J frame will only handle 6.7 grs of powder before the group starts to fly apart.

However a 158 lead in my 686 6" with 7.0 grs ay 989fps shoots 1" groups.

The 158 lead in my 357 with a light load at only 9.5 grs at 1108fps
is a tac driver, but a little smoky. ( bullet ? )

I tried all sorts of bullets and fps in all my 9mm pistols but finally
gave up on it, except for light target loads, were the accuracy was fair.

Glad that you found a load that makes you happy, with that powder.

 

[crows]

That is all I used to use in my.357 reloads, 7.0grs with either a lead SWC or truncated cone 158gr. I wish it wasn't so hard to find now.

 

[38SPL HV]

I've found HS-6 to be a bit of strange powder. I'm finishing off an 8 lb. keg. I 've developed some good accurate loads with it in .38 Special, but I've developed far more mediocre and poor loads. I've used only cast bullet designs, mostly H&G #51, Lyman's #358156, #358429,#358439, and #358311, maybe a couple of others.

I've tried standard and magnum primers with no appreciable difference between the two from an accuracy and velocity standpoint. While my results have shown it works best in a narrow spectrum as many claim, that narrow spectrum for me has not necesssarily been with top loads if accuracy is considered.

I have no Power Pistol on hand, but I think it's a somewhat better and more versatile powder for cast bullet .38 Special loads.

I like Power Pistol’s performance in 38 Spl +P and 38-44, but it’s downside is its bark/blast and recoil impulse. I still have sometime to go with HS-6 and will report back with hopefully good results with cast bullets…swaged bullets are “off the table” at this point with this powder.

 

[rockquarry]

That is all I used to use in my.357 reloads, 7.0grs with either a lead SWC or truncated cone 158gr. I wish it wasn't so hard to find now.

Powder Valley has it in stock now.

 

[22shtur]

I use HS-6 in my 44 mag with my home cast RCBS 240 gr bullets. I get great velocity, low pressure, accuracy, and no leading. What's not to like.

 

[rockquarry]

As mentioned above, "what's not to like" is HS-6's lack of versatility in comparsion with other powders of a similar burning rate. I think most here are in agreement it can be used to make some pretty accurate loads, but often in a narrow spectrum with less than maximum loads.