HS-6 and the 357 Again

[ColColt]

I'm quite pleased with the performance of HS-6 with CCI 550 primers in the 357. Here's a couple targets from today. This will be one of my top three powders. No pressure signs, no flattened primers or hard extraction and great groups(for me).

That's a grease spot over the 8 in the second target.

 

[Skip Sackett]

No, those are great groups for ANYONE! Good for you! Thanks for the report!

I wonder where Arch Angel is? If he hears HS-6 spoken too loud, he will be right there!

 

[USSR]

Bullet used?

Don

 

[ColColt]

No, those are great groups for ANYONE! Good for you! Thanks for the report!

I wonder where Arch Angel is? If he hears HS-6 spoken too loud, he will be right there!

Maybe he's lying back grinning after seeing this.

The bullet was a 158 gr LSWC from Missouri Bullet Company. The blue lube smokes a bit indoors but they're not hurting in the accuracy department.

 

[jepp2]

The bullet was a 158 gr LSWC from Missouri Bullet Company.

The Brinell 18 version?

 

[ColColt]

No, 12 BHN. I have some 18's but the 12 is what I used with these loads...and, might I add-no leading.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

For a short while I was using 2400 for lead bullets in the .357 Magnum and downloaded loads. Since it's the only caliber I was using 2400 in I decided to use HS-6 instead. I get just as good results with HS-6 as I do with 2400 but HS-6 is cleaner.

Now if we could find an old source for W571/HS-7 I would be even happier.

 

[ColColt]

Now if we could find an old source for W571/HS-7 I would be even happier.

What happened with HS-7? That's a new one on me. I remember AL-5, 7 and 8 but not those.

 

[btruman]

I'm another believer in HS 6 and also the discontinued HS 7 powder. I've used both with good results in .357 mag,.44 mag and heavy .45 Colt loads. I still have a full one lb can of HS 7 to shoot up when the weather warms up here.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

What happened with HS-7? That's a new one on me. I remember AL-5, 7 and 8 but not those.

There were 3 HS powder line and HS-7 was around up until 3 years ago. HS-5 was the fastest. I really never used it because it was already on it's way out before I discovered it. HS-6 is the middle powder and is identical to the discontinued W540. HS-7 is the slowest of the three and is identical to W571, both are now discontinued. HS-7 was the slowest of the three HS powders and similar to Longshot. Longshot has taken it's place as a very good 40 S&W and 10mm powder. All the HS powders were originally developed as shotgun powders.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I never made the connection about HS-6 and WW540 being comparable. That's good information. A few years ago I stopped at an out of the way sporting goods store clearing out some discontinued stuff and bought a couple cans of it, as well as 4 cans of old favorite WSL, my preferred 1 oz. 12ga dove buster load powder, for $4 a can. Couldn't beat that!

 

[olskool]

back in the 70s-80s i used 2400 because it was what i had, it did good. but then i discovered bluedot, i have just about tried every powder and i have found non better than it for the 357.

 

[Erich]

Good stuff, Col! I'm on the way to the range myself!

 

[ColColt]

Good stuff, Col! I'm on the way to the range myself!

Have fun!!

I had never used any of the HS powders until I bought a 45 Auto and it did so well with the 230 gr bullet I stuck with it. I'm glad I now have a great load for the 357 in this great powder. HS-5 must have been comparable to the current AA#5 which is a good powder in itself. Hopefully during the gun show in a couple weeks they'll have some and I'll pick up 4 pounds of it. I've only paid a hazmat fee once and that was enough. I'll stock up on primers and powder at the show this time.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Have fun!!

I had never used any of the HS powders until I bought a 45 Auto and it did so well with the 230 gr bullet I stuck with it. I'm glad I now have a great load for the 357 in this great powder. HS-5 must have been comparable to the current AA#5 which is a good powder in itself. Hopefully during the gun show in a couple weeks they'll have some and I'll pick up 4 pounds of it. I've only paid a hazmat fee once and that was enough. I'll stock up on primers and powder at the show this time.

Actually, HS-6 is more in the range of AA#5 than HS-5 would have been. If I can remember I think HS-5 was more between W231 and Uinque for burn rate. It was a lot like IMR PB in burn rate.

 

[Dave T]

AACD,

If you don't mind my asking, what load are you using for HS-6 in the 357 Mag? And what bullet on top of it?

Dave

PS: While I'm asking, what velocity do you get and from what barrel length? (smile)

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I can't answer to the velocity because I haven't sent any of the HS-6 loads over the Chrono yet. I only have velocity data for 2400, W296/H110 and Lil'Gun. As soon as the weather gets a little warmer I'll run a whole bunch of HS-6 ammo for the .357 Magnum over the Chrono.

WARNING This load data is over the current data listed by Hodgdon but IMO is in no way dangerous. You will see why when I post the data. The data provided by the new Lyman book is much hotter.
Right now I'm using HS-6 with a 158gr LSWC bullet and the charge is either 8.0gr or 9.2gr depending upon what I want to build. The 8.0gr is more like a hot .38 Special +P and the 9.2gr load is a real magnum load although not the top velocity that can be achieved.

Right now Hodgdon lists a top charge for a 158gr LSWC at 7.0gr with pressures of only 15,500 CUP. I'm guessing that's to keep the leading down because they are reporting velocities of 1106 fps from a 10" test barrel. The Lyman data is quite different. They list a starting charge of 9.2gr HS-6 and a Max charge of 10.2gr. That data was tested in a 4" Universal Receiver, not a 10" barrel. They are reporting velocities of 1150 fps and 1253 fps with pressures of 35,700 CUP and 42,700 CUP respectively. Warning, do not try to use a 12 BHN bullet with the 9.2gr load but they are fine with the 8.0gr load. Use at least a 15 BHN bullet or better yet a 18 BHN bullet with the Lyman data.

 

[kdiver58]

My HS-6 load

I just got back from a Metallic Silhouette match. I am using 6.3 Grains of HS-6 over a 158 grain Cast LSW bullet and shooting out to 100 yards. The load is fantastic accurate.

8.3 to 9 while not dangerous is really stomping on a lead bullet. You are pushing 1200 FPS. my fear is that is would be driving the bullet fast enough to shear lead with the rifling. I'd like to see bullets recovered that are being driven that fast.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Even though this is a 4 year old thread......

on 2/12/2015 I loaded some 158gr Lswc for the 686 6" with HS-6 and at 1120 fps they shot at POA and at 15 yards 5 @ .51" off a rest.

May the wind be at your back...........

 

[jimbo728]

Great news that HS 6 compares to AA 5. The latter is hard to find lately. I will keep my eyes open. Its intended use will be .357/ 125gr XTP`s.
Jim