W 540

[pantannojack]

I've picked up a steel can, 1 pound of W 540 at original grease pencil price of 6.95$ I believe it to be unopened. With it came a unopened pound of HS-7 at twice the price. The 540 when opened does not smell, does not show reddish dust nor does my finger find any rust within the can. I plan to just save it until needed for medium power 158g 357 lead loads in 19-2 or 586 entertainment. One online forum source claimed that 540 and HS-6 are the same. Any opinions on the 540? Mag or std primers?

 

[rockquarry]

540 and HS-6 are the same. Most data recommends magnum primers. I've compared standard pressure and magnum primers in .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, and maybe others. I've chronographed and fired groups from a benchrest at 25 yards. I could see no difference in accuracy or velocity by switching primers, but don't take my word for it, use the primer suggested in whatever load manual you use.

All loads I've developed used my own cast bullets so I can't comment on jacketed bullet performance. Many say it performs best at high or near max pressure levels, but they may be repeating what they have heard or read rather than doing their own testing. I've found accurate loads with this powder, but at varying levels of pressure.

Other powders are easier to work with in developing good loads and I say this as I near the bottom of an 8 lb. keg of HS-6. As I mentioned, however, I have developed some good accurate loads, just not very many.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

CCI says their MAG primer has a spark that lasts almost 50% longer than the Standard primer. This is good for cold weather on temperature sensitive powders and for difficult to ignite powders like 296.

Ivan

 

[rockquarry]

CCI says their MAG primer has a spark that lasts almost 50% longer than the Standard primer. This is good for cold weather on temperature sensitive powders and for difficult to ignite powders like 296.

Ivan

CCI 500s and 550s are the primers I used in my testing. Couldn't see the 50% longer spark with the 550s, but it may be there.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

W540 is the exact same powder as HS-6 and HS-7 is W571.

Both powders are slow ball powders which will benefit from a magnum class primer.

I really like like HS-6/7 for cast bullet .357 magnum ammo.
As a side, HS-7 is a great choice for loading 10mm ammo too.

 

[pantannojack]

I asked Hodgdon tech on the phone about recommended charge wt for HS-7 with 158g cast in 357 mag. He said they cut off at 10g, I think he added if it says "Magnum" on the case head they use magnum primer. Other load books go heaver but no asterisk next to the number, meaning std primer. It is an issue. I would prefer that their be no spinning in my head about which primer to use.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I’ve gone through quite a few 8 pound cans of 540 for 38 super major loads for USPSA and use HS-6 interchangeably. I always used standard primers and never had an issue. Just my personal experience, not recommending it.

I have had very good results with medium loads in 45LC and 357 as well. I find it meters well, burns clean and has good accuracy.

 

[alwslate]

I use magnum primers for all loads, light or heavy, in the tall for diameter .357 case. Alliant, meaning actual Hercules and later Alliant, has always used magnum primers in all .357 loads with all powders. Lyman does also. What's the drawback? Same price, better ignition.

 

[Nevada Ed]

You might try it with 148 or 158 lead bullets in a 38 special or 357, if you have one
for target loads.

Along time ago I used the slower W571 powder with the 148 BBwc
and got a very nice group,
that faster 540 powder, should do a even, better job with target loads?

Good luck in your future loads.

 

[243winxb]

Have shot both 540 & HS-6 , with mag primers. Hold gun muzzle up when extracting fired brass.

[