HS-6 in 38 Special?

[Risasi]

@rwsmith; I use a forster that uses different collets and pilots. I trim to the std minimum, at least in the manuals I have, which is 1.145". I also don't trim every time. Mostly just once-fired brass I pick up on the range.
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@Nevada Ed; I assume you mean the Speer #8 manual. Yeah, ArchAngelCD is convinced you can get +P pressures without redlining, and it seems that old manuals indicate 8.0gr is max load for a 158gr LSWC bullet. Right now 6.3 is max in most manuals and I have a feeling 7.0 is probably all the higher I would ever want to go, mainly just for reduced wear and tear on the firearm.

- There is no way I'd shoot +6.3 loads in a .38
- I'm a little hesitant to shoot that high in my SP101 either, just because of the waaay over pressure signs I experienced with the one load.
- I still think this is a very good powder that can be worked up to get some stout .38 loads that should offer really good performance for heavier bullets. After I sort out the 158gr load I have some 170 Keith bullets from Rimrock which are next on the agenda.

Hopefully ArchAngel will pop in here and see my two follow up questions.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I know Unique is not like HS-6 but I shot 5.4 grs of it in a J frame snub nose one time..................
then tried 5.2 grs.........................for 851 fps
5.0 grs was only 20 fps slower and sure felt a lot better
on a naked hand with out the use of a shooting glove.

I would think if you could get HS-6 to around 850 fps out
of a J frame snub nose you have just about all one would like in a SD load. I guess 890 is possible to get but after getting
this load it would sit in a box for those one or two shots if
ever needed, when loaded for SD use.

One reason my secondary SD load has a 135gr bullet.

 

[Risasi]

I'm not too worried about recoil. I'm shooting 3" SP101 or larger. My SP101 currently has a Badger boot grip and it's quite manageable even with 158gr Winchester Super-X.
Really, I'm trying for a "target +" load. But yes, 850fps is probably more than enough for most situations. Accuracy first, then I'll worry about speed. However my goal in the speed dept. is 850-950 fps.

 

[Risasi]

This is a follow up. I just got back from a three day weekend fishing trout and had some time to work on this load. I took the chrony along. Case trim length, bullet seating, primer type, etc as mentioned above still apply. I'm working up specifically for my 3" SP101, and target was at 20 yards. All shots for all loads were within 6" shoot'n'see stickers. And all loads were mild, with no pressure signs.

5.8gr HS, very hit and miss on velocity. I saw a variance of 150fps. Unburned powder too. Highest velocity was low 800's

6.0 - more consistent, low 700's to low 800's. still unburned flakes

6.2 - high 700's to low 800's. Accuracy tightened up, although I was not shooting for accuracy. I'm trying to hit velocity first.

6.4 - this has a lot of potential. Most shots were between 830fps and 850's. Accuracy might have tapered off though.

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Due to the spotty velocity real low, I think that I will adjust the seating depth, go just a smidge deeper, then start at 6.3gr and work up in .1 grain increments until I achieve the optimum accuracy. If I can consistently get 850fps or above I will probably stop there

 

[gaijin]

My experience with HS-6 (which is considerable) mirror what Erich and AA have described.
In .38 Special it is a lousy choice for standard velocity loads, but with magnum primers is tops in a "+P" loading.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm starting from scratch here. I'm starting at 5.8gr and will probably work up in .1 gr increments. My goal is 900fps out of my 3" SP101.

I have a feeling I'm not seating them deep enough. The attached pic is seated at 1.584", trim length is 1.145".

ArchAngelCD,

Do you have a specific seating depth you like to use? And what do you think of the crimp, go a little heavier?

You are supposed to seat lead bullets to the manufacturer's supplied crimp groove. I can't remember the last time I measured the OAL of a lead .38 Special round. (sorry)

Yeah, ArchAngelCD is convinced you can get +P pressures without redlining, and it seems that old manuals indicate 8.0gr is max load for a 158gr LSWC bullet.
Hopefully ArchAngel will pop in here and see my two follow up questions.

I HAVE NOT CONVINCED ANYONE OF ANYTHING! I only answer questions asked of me and I never tell anyone to use any load especially if they think it might be dangerous. It would be good if you were a little more selective on the words you use. I am not responsible for anyone's choices.

I'm done here and I would appreciate it if you would not use my name in your threads again.

 

[Risasi]

ArchAngel,

PM being sent. No offense was intended.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I got your PM. I'm not angry with anyone, I'm just done in this thread.