Hodgdon HS-6 .44 M Snubby Load ??

[mejetski2000]

Considering getting some for my ported .44m Alaskan to make mid-range 180/200(preferred weight) and possibly 240gr XTP's. I've used Unique, #2400, L'iL Gun but found them to be dirty at reduced loadings. I'm curently using HP-38 but would like "some" higher velocity. I understand there's a multitude of magnum powders out there but I'd really like to stay focused on HS-6 please.

TIA Pete

 

[Collo Rosso]

Favorite powder of mine for mid range 357 and 44 mag. Works well in 9mm and 45acp too. I haven't seen any supply of it for a while now and have been using CFE-P instead. CFE-P has worked so well I bought a 8lb. jug of it.

 

[mejetski2000]

Collo,is it pretty clean burning and is it "flashy" ? From reading it seems that it needs magnum primers, did you find that as well ?

Pete

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think HS-6 is a very good choice for your application. I use a lot if HS-6 especially in the 45 Colt, .38 Special +P and in full power .357 Magnum loads using cast bullets.

I think HS-6 will deliver good velocity in midrange .44 Magnum loads. If you want to produce clean burning ammo I highly recommend you use a magnum primer with HS-6.

 

[rockquarry]

I realize magnum primers are often recommended for use with HS-6 and they may work best for your situation. I use only cast bullets in handgun loads. The limited comparisons using standard CCI versus magnum CCI that I've done with HS-6 in .44 Special loads has shown no difference. That could change with .44 magnum and heavier loads.

However, if you have standard and magnum primers, try both. I've used HS-6 for a good while. Much like Power Pistol, it seems to be a good powder in specialized applications. It's not a particularly versatile propellant, but it probably wasn't designed for that purpose.

 

[Mark in GA]

in 44 Mag, I used 12.0 grs of HS-6 under a 240 SWC and a CCI 350 for a few years. Seemed to work well.

Mark in GA

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I realize magnum primers are often recommended for use with HS-6 and they may work best for your situation. I use only cast bullets in handgun loads. The limited comparisons using standard CCI versus magnum CCI that I've done with HS-6 in .44 Special loads has shown no difference. That could change with .44 magnum and heavier loads.

However, if you have standard and magnum primers, try both. I've used HS-6 for a good while. Much like Power Pistol, it seems to be a good powder in specialized applications. It's not a particularly versatile propellant, but it probably wasn't designed for that purpose.

Unless you have a chronograph you can't say using a magnum primer makes no difference. With standard primers the ES and SD numbers are high and most times shrink to single digits with magnum primers. It is more noticeable with lighter loads since HS-6 performers better at the top end of the pressure range.

This is why when we want to produce a midrange load we go to a faster powder instead of lightening up the slow powder load. We can achieve our goal but keep the pressures up insuring a cleaner burn. Most powders will perform better at the top end of the pressure range.

 

[mejetski2000]

Great stuff guys !! Mark, thanks for letting me know that even lighter than start book loads worked well for you, I need to know stuff like this ! I just scanned Speer #13 and they used a magnum primer in their workups. I guess it cooks slow enough to warrant their usage in the magnum loads. Glad to hear it likes lead bullets also since I'm using a 200gr Laser Cast to duplicate my carry ammo (Speer 200gr GDHP).

 

[rockquarry]

Arch-
I use an Oehler 35P chronograph. My interest is in accuracy. I've found ES and SD (unless the numbers are really wild with significant variation) mean little except for long-range use. Few of us shoot handguns at long range. However, for those who do, the numbers then come into play.

 

[mejetski2000]

Well, my drive over to Cabela's was in vain. No HS-6. I'll have to look over my locker and see what I have that might do the job. Thanks for all the input folks, I'll wait and see if they restock it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Arch-
I use an Oehler 35P chronograph. My interest is in accuracy. I've found ES and SD (unless the numbers are really wild with significant variation) mean little except for long-range use. Few of us shoot handguns at long range. However, for those who do, the numbers then come into play.

While you are correct there are other advantages. Low SD numbers also suggest consistency in loading and proper burn of the powder. I usually hear from those who for some reason don't want to use a magnum primer telling everyone they use a standard primer and it's just fine. While I don't doubt the results are alright I maintain the results are better with a magnum primer.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Well, my drive over to Cabela's was in vain. No HS-6. I'll have to look over my locker and see what I have that might do the job. Thanks for all the input folks, I'll wait and see if they restock it.

If HS-6 is not available you might give AA#5 a try. If that doesn't give you what you are looking for maybe AA#7 will work but it might be too slow for your needs. Power Pistol and Herco would also be powders to look at, maybe Herco before Power Pistol.

 

[mejetski2000]

I have some AA#5, Viht 3N37 and Power Pistol. I couldn't find data for #5 (only #7 & #9). PP concerns me for this since it's kinda noisy/flashy. I've got data for 3N37 in .44m for both 180 and 200gr JHP and the burn rate table indicates it's close to HS-6 in terms of burn rate. Pricey as hell though, paid $100 for 2lbs with fee for it.

UPDATE: Found data for AA#5 in my 2004 Accurate Load Guide, Very cool.

 

[Mark in GA]

With No. 5 you need to try 11.0 grs with the 240 gr. SWC and a standard CCI 300 primer. That is a great accurate load.

Trust me it works in many different 44's and is easy on the guns and shooter.

Mark in GA

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Considering... to make mid-range 180/200(preferred weight) and possibly 240gr XTP's. I've used Unique, #2400... but found them to be dirty at reduced loadings.

I'm confused on exactly what type of mid-range loads you want (velocity wise) that Unique or 2400 can't get for you and HP-38 is not fast enough? I'd think if reduced 2400 loads are too dirty at the speed (?) you want then Unique would be just perfect?
.

PP concerns me for this since it's kinda noisy/flashy.

Yes, it's flashy. Isn't it supposed to be noisy? (You're shooting a short barrel 44.)

Collo,is it pretty clean burning and is it "flashy" ? From reading it seems that it needs magnum primers, did you find that as well ?

CFE-P is NOT flashy, but it's noisy too.

.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Much like Power Pistol, it seems to be a good powder in specialized applications.

Power Pistol specialized? Where did you get that?

I use Power Pistol in everything from my 9mm to 500 Magnum loads. That doesn't seem specialized to me.

.

 

[rockquarry]

Bluedot37- It seems to work best at higher pressures. While there is cast bullet data available for Power Pistol, there is not an abundance of it and cast bullets are about all I use in handguns. My notes indicate some relatively accurate Power Pistol loads, but it appears I always found a powder that worked a little bit better. I haven't bought any Power Pistol in quite a while.

Maybe its best use is with jacketed bullets, but I don't have the experience to comment on that. Regardless, I'd still call it a specialized powder.

 

[mejetski2000]

I've used PP in every caliber from .380 to 10mm and .357. It's the only bulk powder I own in fact. I've also used AA#5 in 9mm and 10mm, and it's worked very well for 135gr and 150gr in 10mm for my Glock 29. BD37 I have a very small amount of Unique left unfortunately, which is why I swapped to HP-38 (I have Speer's data for the 200gr GDHP-SB bullets). HP may in fact get me in their recommended velocity for the bullet, need to do more testing. As far as the XTP bullet is concerned I'd like to be able to push a 200gr out at around 1,200 or so and I don't think HP or Unique will get me there.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have used BE-86 and it performed well . Slightly slower burn rate than unique , not as flashy as PP . Alliant lists load data for a 180 gr JHP using it . It works well with std . primers . You might take a look at BE-86 if you can't find any HS-6 .

 

[mejetski2000]

I'd try some in a heartbeat if I could find locally. On paper it looks very good indeed.