Hodgdon HS-6 .44 M Snubby Load ??

[Mark in GA]

If a 200 gr XTP at 1200 is what you want, then Accurate No. 5 will get you there easily. Power Pistol will as well. I will post some charge ideas when I get home tonight and can look at my test data.

Mark in GA

 

[mejetski2000]

Hey Mark, I'm lower on #5 than I thought and will save it for 10mm loading (works great with a Nosler 135gr). HOWEVER a shop near where I work has 16lbs of HS-6 in stock so I'll grab some monday night on the ride home !! Thanks for all the assistance sir !

 

[BLUEDOT37]

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).

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.

So the problem is you're wanting to get 1200fps from your 2-1/2" bbl. Alaskan. That's going to take more than a mid-range load.

As you see, in Speer #14, the 200gr GDHP-SB at 1122fps using 11.0gr/Unique from a 4" M29, is the second fastest listed. They list 12.4gr as max with their 200gr JHP.

Even looking at Lyman's 44 Mag data, with their 4" bbl., it's going to take a near max load (+33K CUP), with magnum powder, to reach that from a 2-1/2" bbl.

.

 

[mejetski2000]

Hmm. Maybe I need to look over data for Alliant 2400 and L'il Gun then since I have them as well. One of them should get me there. The GDHP-SB works well at 1,000 FPS which HS-6 and Power Pistol and AA#5 can all deliver.. For my "woods load" 200gr XTP (and possibly the 240gr XTP) I know I need to use a slower burning powder such as 2400 and L'iL Gun, both of which will get it done. Two different loads with 2 different purposes, apples and oranges. My last workup with #2400 was 18.5/19.5gr with a CP 255gr LBT, which shot very well from this gun. I'll likely use it first for the 200gr and 240gr XTP. Hornady #8 lists lots of data for the 200gr XTP incidentally.

 

[mejetski2000]

Hit Cabela's last night to buy some HS-6 but left with some Alliant BE-86 instead. I think for me the (hopefully) reduced flash will offset what I may not get for previously stated velocity goals. I also load 10mm and have been reading about how versatile BE is in a wide range of calibers. Can't wait to load a few for testing, had almost given up finding some locally.

 

[Nevada Ed]

No 44 but HS6 worked well in my 686 6" .357 Magnum with Jacket bullets.
Accurate with lead also but I did notice a lot of smoke from the lube on the bullets.

In all my testing, 38, 9mm, 357 magnum, I have had no problems
using cci500 or f100 with my new bought BE-86 powder.
I really don't think a hotter primer is needed for this powder.

It could be your second choice if HS-6 is not found.
Have fun.

 

[mejetski2000]

Ed, thanks for the response ! I'm very excited to give BE a try, glad I found it locally finally. Did it burn clean in .357 for you with jacketed bullets ?

 

[cowboy4evr]

I use BE-86 in my reloads for 357 sig . It works very very well in that application . Sig P320 C , it was a 9mm subcompact . I did the xchange kit with sig and converted it to a 357 sig Compact . Real sweet , comes right to your door (NO FFL req'd) .

 

[mejetski2000]

CB, that was another caliber I read that responded well to BE, along with .38 Super and 9mm Major loads. I came close about 8-10 years ago to going with .357 SIG but went 10mm instead for ease of reloading. I go with either a 135gr Nosler or 150gr usually.