HS-6 & 357 Magnum - Chronograph tests

[38SPL HV]

Been testing HS-6 powder in 357 Magnum. I developed three nice loads.

Firearm: Ruger 4 5/8 inch Blackhawk
Cases: Starline 357 Magnum
Primers: CCI550
Ten shot strings

Load #1: 8.6 grs HS-6
Bullet: NOE 155 gr SWC (GT Bullets)
Hi 1243 fps
Lo 1192 fps
Avg 1220 fps
ES 51
SD 12
Notes: I will not go higher due to the velocity obtained compared to Lyman cast data; even though it’s a bit lower than Lyman start data. It is an accurate load

Load #2: 6.7 grs HS-6
Bullet: Keith NOE 175 gr SWC (GT Bullets)
Hi 1015 fps
Lo 976 fps
Avg 993 fps
ES 39
SD 11
Notes: Very accurate and controllable mid range load. Bullet is crimped “short” on first driver band to accommodate OAL requirements with revolvers with shorter cylinders.

Load #3: 6.7 grs HS-6
Bullet: Lyman 358477 155 gr SWC (Matt’s Bullets)
OAL: 1.510” OAL per Lyman
Hi 1039 fps
Lo 1007 fps
Avg 1026 fps
ES 32
SD 10
Notes: most accurate load of the three. I like this load better than my typical 357 Mag mid range load using 6.0 grs Unique and same bullet. HS-6 is burning cleanly at this level and getting better ES/SD results compared to Unique.

Conclusion: HS-6 is a very solid and versatile powder for 357 Magnum mid range to upper mid range loads.

This data is being provided for informational purposes only. Please use published reloading data before loading any cartridge. The loads above are for use in my guns only.

Season’s Greetings to all,

Eric

 

[ddixie884]

Cool!.............

 

[stansdds]

Well done. I've not tried HS-6 as I have lots of Unique on hand. If I ever run out of Unique, I would think that AA#5, BE-86, and HS-6 would be acceptable replacements. I readily admit that Unique can be more troublesome when it comes to metering through a powder measure, spherical powders usually meter smoothly and consistently.