Request for Comments on HS-7

[Jack Flash]

I have an opportunity to buy some HS-7 at an attractive price. Has anyone used this powder who would like to comment? Especially interested in how clean burning it is, as well as versatility, accuracy, etc.

Pistol calibers that I reload for are .38 Special, .357 Magnum, 10mm, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP, and .45 Colt.

 

[Jack Flash]

I have an opportunity to buy some HS-7 at an attractive price. Has anyone used this powder who would like to comment? Especially interested in how clean burning it is, as well as versatility, accuracy, etc.

Pistol calibers that I reload for are .38 Special, .357 Magnum, 10mm, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP, and .45 Colt.

 

[RidgwayCO]

My limited experience with HS-7 is that it takes a bit of pressure to burn completely. I've used it primarily in 9mm Luger rounds and it's performed well (but not the best).

From the list of cartridges you reload for, I would think that HS-7 would be better in the higher power loads for .357 Magnum, 10mm, and .44 Magnum.

Also, I'm pretty sure Hodgdon is discontinuing HS-7, I just don't know exactly when.

 

[Jack Flash]

Thanks for the response, RidgwayCO. The fact that it's being discontinued may be why I found it on sale at a bargain price.

Since there wasn't much interest in this thread, I'll take that as an indication that few folks are enthusiastic about this powder, which says a lot.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

All the Hodgdon HS powders were/are a little hard to ignite and will burn clean only at the top end of the charges. Some of the older manuals recommended the use of Magnum primers. HS-5 and HS-7 have been discontinued but I still use a lot of HS-6. I've found HS-6 to be a good powder for .38 Special +P, 9mm, .45 Colt rounds and a few others too.

HS-7 was the slowest of those 3 powders and it's probably not be appropriate for .38 Special or .45 ACP rounds since it has a burn rate close to Blue Dot. You will probably like it a lot in your .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and 10mm rounds. I'm not sure it would work well in the .45 Colt rounds unless you are shooting a Ruger or other heavy revolver. I find HS-6 a slow enough powder for the .45 Colt.