[748]

I have a few pounds of Winchester 540 left over. I use to load it in 3 inch low weight high velocity 12ga shells. But I don't load them any more.
Does any one have any load data for this stuff or has 540 assumed a new name? Like 231 and HP-38.
I have heard that 540 burns like WAP but I don't believe they are the same.

[JimKirk]

I have asked in another thread the same question. Some where I read that Win 540 and HS 6 is the same powder. Not yet confirmed.
Jimmy K

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/archive/index.php/t-21204.html
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=40042
http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulletin/reloading/70130-need-information-hodgdon.html

[rg1]

Winchester Load Guide 12th Edition lists loads using 540 and 571 with 9mm,40SW, 10MM ,45ACP. Hornady 4th Edition lists loads for .40SW with 571.
Both are excellent 20 ga. shotgun powders and I hated to see them discontinued. I have seen in print and I think at Hodgdon that HS6 is equal to Win540 and HS7 is equal to Win 571.
I didn't include all bullets using 540. The Win 12th guide did include some lead bullets and others and if you need any other bullet data reply. Use this data to compare 540 to HS6.
________________________
WIN 540 data ALL Winchester components
9mm Luger
115fmj 6.4--1075-26600psi
6.7--1125-29400
max 7.1-1185-33300
115jhp 6.3-1060fps-27300psi
max 7.0-1170-33100psi
124fmj 6.3-1035-27700
6.61085-30200
max 6.9-1130-32700
147fmj 5.1-890-27400
max 5.6-970-33000
147 jhp 5.1-900-29900
max 5.4-950-33300
___________________
40 SW 150jhp 8.5-1090- 25100psi
max 9.4-1210- 33200
155jhp 7.5-990-22500
max 8.8-1160-33200
180jhp 6.3- 840-23300
7.1-950-30300
max 7.5-1000- 33200
_______________________
.45acp 185jhp 9.4-940-17400
max 10.4-1030-19400
200jhp 8.3-860-16100psi
max 9.0-945-19600
230fmj 7.9-795-15800
max 8.9-895-20000psi
230jhp 7.6-785-18100
max 8.1-840-20100psi

[ArchAngelCD]

If W540 is thew same as HS-6 (and I think it is) then it's good for a lot of different calibers. HS-6 is one of my favorite powders. I've used HS-6 for the 9mm, .38 Special +P, .357 Magnum and the 45 Colt. HS-6 is good for a lot more than I've used it for too.

[41 Mag]

748,

Same issue as you. Used 540 for shotshell loads for years, and still have a lot. I was looking up some different loads two weeks back and called Hodgdon about it. They supply the Win powders and data now. I was told by them that "YES" HS-6 was the replacement for 540 and loads were interchangable.

Of course as with any powders you would want to work your loads up.

Good Luck.

[Brillo]

I always understood that HS-6 and Win 540 were the same powder. I use HS-6 for S&W 40, 44 Rem Mag, and 45 ACP. I like it because it's been very consistant in performance and it meters wonderfully.

[Landric]

I have an eight pound jug of 540 I have yet to open, having just used the last of my one pound cans of 540.

I've been using HS6 data (as it is also my understanding that 540 and HS6 are the same) for several years with excellent results.

[philbo]

Per Hodgdon, and anyone can confirm, but the following are the same powders except for the general lot to lot variations that exist for any powder:

HS6 & W540 are the same.
HP38 & W231 are the same.
H110 & W296 are the same.
HS7 & W571 were the same, but both have been discontinued.

[ArchAngelCD]

Per Hodgdon, and anyone can confirm, but the following are the same powders except for the general lot to lot variations that exist for any powder:

HS6 & W540 are the same.
HP38 & W231 are the same.
H110 & W296 are the same.
HS7 & W571 were the same, but both have been discontinued.
Don't forget...
H414 & W760 are also the same powders.

[748]

Cool that is good to know.
Because HS-6 and 540 look nothing alike. HS-6 is like a mix of granular and flakey powder and 540 is charcoal color round flakes.

I think I will put my 540 out to pasture by loading it up in some 45ACP or 44mags.