HS-6 357 Magnum loads

[38SPL HV]

I'm currently planning loading 357 Magnum with 158 gr cast bullets using HS-6 powder…I have current Lyman cast bullet data. I would like to know your experiences using HS-6 in 357 Magnum with 158 gr cast (or other cast bullets up to 170 gr Keith's).

My goal is to obtain 1150 fps - 1175 fps using 158 gr cast in a 4 5/8 inch Ruger Blackhawk.

 

[Alk8944]

The only comment I have is that you will get much better velocity and consistency using HS-6 by the use of either a SPM or SR primer than with standard SP primers.
Other than this if you want a specific velocity from your re-loads then you will have to buy a chronograph to check your ammunition.

Even if someone gives you a load that they got a velocity in the range you are looking for, and with the components you are wanting to use, your results, your loads in your gun, could easily vary from their results by as much as +/-150 FPS. Without a chronograph you will never know. And, the velocity range you are wanting is far too narrow! Standard Deviation and Extreme Spread for even a good, consistent load will usually vary by more that that amount.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I use HS6 quite a lot . To get +P in 38 special w/ 158 gr bullet I use 7.0 grs . In 357 magnum , same bullet I use 9.0 . 41 magnum 210-220 gr bullet I use 11.0 . In 44 magnum , 240-260 gr cast bullet I use 13,0 . I ALWAYS use a full magnum primer . Hope this helps , regards Paul

 

[rockquarry]

I've developed a few good loads with HS-6 in the .357 with cast bullets in the 158-170 grain range, but I think you'll find #2400 is a better and more versatile powder if your primary interests are accuracy and velocity.

Numerous times using HS-6, I've compared CCI-500 standard vs. CCI-550 magnum primers with inconclusive results for both accuarcy and velocity with cast bullets. Take your pick.

 

[jcelect]

Bore leading

You might experience bore leading problems at that speed! Hot powder and high velocity melt the back of the lead bullet splattering on the bore! Gas checks is the answer or using my rule of thumb is stay below 1000fps! This all depends on the alloy of your bullet!
jcelect

 

[cowboy4evr]

I personally shoot a lot of high velocity 357 magnum loads using plain based bullets in my revolvers . I do not experience any more leading with those hot loads using 2400 or H110 powder than when I'm shooting avg 38 special loads . Your experience might be different than mine . Regards Paul

 

[rockquarry]

I personally shoot a lot of high velocity 357 magnum loads using plain based bullets in my revolvers . I do not experience any more leading with those hot loads using 2400 or H110 powder than when I'm shooting avg 38 special loads . Your experience might be different than mine . Regards Paul

Agreed; I've found plain base bullets in the 12-14 BHN range work well for .357 Magnum loads. If there's any leading at all, it's minimal and not enough to hurt anything. The Lyman #356156 gas check design makes a good accurate bullet but a gas check design really isn't necessary for the .357. Most of my work for years has been with a Hensley & Gibbs design, the #51 plain base 160 gr. SWC. I can't see any difference in accuracy between H110/ 296 and # 2400, but i can't handle the 296 blast and fireball, so I stick with #2400.

 

[Nevada Ed]

In my 686 6" with a standard 158 Lswc bullet design, OAL at 1.58", light crimp;

7.0 grs cci550 hit 989fps

9.5 grs with a wspm primer did 1108fps on my chrony and put 5 @ .51" at 15 feet off a sand bag, in my fps testing, on 2/12/2015
back when I had good eyes and steady hands.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You might experience bore leading problems at that speed! Hot powder and high velocity melt the back of the lead bullet splattering on the bore! Gas checks is the answer or using my rule of thumb is stay below 1000fps! This all depends on the alloy of your bullet!
jcelect

Velocity has little to no effect on leading. Poor barrel fit and pressure is your enemy for leading. IMO gas checks are unnecessary if the bullet seals the barrel. It's not the base of the bullet melting that causes leading, it's the hot gasses running up the side of the bullet and melting it that leaves the lead behind.

As for the HS-6 load I like for the .357 Magnum, I charge 9.2gr under a 158gr cast LSWC bullet with a CCI-550 primer. I'm not sure of the velocity because unfortunately I can't find my notes on several of my 357 loads.

 

[38SPL HV]

Great inputs, thank you very much. To start, I'm loading up 7.5 grs and 8.5 grs HS-6 (using RCBS Little Dandy) with a Missouri 158 gr cast SWC (12 bhn) with CCI550 primers. I'm planning to send them over my chronograph this coming week. I think that the 7.5 grs load will pretty much equal my 6.0 grs Unique load with same bullet. The 8.5 grs should pretty much duplicate the 158 gr 38-44 factory load velocity.

…let's see if I'm right.

 

[BillBro]

Why is Hodgdons data so conservative? They list 6 to 7 grains with a 158 cast bullet, which I followed last night.

Timely thread.

 

[rockquarry]

Why is Hodgdons data so conservative? They list 6 to 7 grains with a 158 cast bullet, which I followed last night.

Timely thread.

Check many sources and you'll find more discrepancy with HS-6 than is usual with other powders. I've seen the same with my own testing using this powder with cast bullets.

 

[gwpercle]

Working with HS6 and a plain base cast 158 gr. SWC , Lyman 358453 cast soft for expansion (bhn 8 = 1 to 40 tin lead)
sized .358" , tested :Ruger Blackhawk 6 1/2" bbl .
Load Data : RCBS Cast Bullet Manual number 1

Start Load : 7.5 grs. HS6 @ 1010 fps (standard primer)

Max. Load : 8.0 grs. HS6 @ 1062 fps (standard primer)

The sweet spot for my Ruger was at :
7.8 grs. HS6 @ 1035 fps with good accuracy and no leading with the Lithi-Bee lube I use . Cast with a hollow point , the soft bullet is devestating , cast as a solid point it will mushroom at these velocities .

Start at 7.0 or 7.5 grs. HS6 and work up slowly .
Gary

 

[BillBro]

Glad I didnt load many, just a cylinder of 3 different charges.

 

[Nevada Ed]

A lot of my manuals have low charges of HS-6 powder in their listings, with lead bullets.
I have no reason why this is.

When looking up data for Jacketed bullets the amount of powder
is much higher
but I noticed it is generally in the "Standard Load" area of fps.

Very few list a +P amount of powder or come up to the amount of powder
that I use, with the help of my chrony, to get "Real" +P loads.

However, this powder works very well in 9mm "Major".

It is very weird.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Working with HS6 and a plain base cast 158 gr. SWC , Lyman 358453 cast soft for expansion (bhn 8 = 1 to 40 tin lead)
sized .358" , tested :Ruger Blackhawk 6 1/2" bbl .
Load Data : RCBS Cast Bullet Manual number 1

Start Load : 7.5 grs. HS6 @ 1010 fps (standard primer)

Max. Load : 8.0 grs. HS6 @ 1062 fps (standard primer)

The sweet spot for my Ruger was at :
7.8 grs. HS6 @ 1035 fps with good accuracy and no leading with the Lithi-Bee lube I use . Cast with a hollow point , the soft bullet is devestating , cast as a solid point it will mushroom at these velocities .

Start at 7.0 or 7.5 grs. HS6 and work up slowly .
Gary

Did you record your ES and SD numbers? If you did please load up10 rounds with a magnum primer and see if your ES and SD numbers drop. I'm just curious to see what you get.

 

[BillBro]

Ill interject my recent results from Sunday with hs-6 and a 158gr swc, no gc but cast hard, 21bhn. I used a cci mag primer and gave them a light crimp.
Load 1 was 6.7gr which produced 891fps ,es-37, sd-11
Load 2 was 7gr which produced 950fps, es-28, sd-11
Accuracy from both loads at 25yds, standing was more than satisfactory to me.
My best loads though again came from TrueBlue.