load data for 9mm 115r FMJ using HS6

[mgalimbe]

Went to my local gun store to purchase some powder for my new reloading kit. They had limited powders so I told him what I had (115r FMJ)and he opened a book and said that HS6 would work. When I got it home I realized that both of my books (Lees modern reloading and lymans latest) had no data for this. Can someone please help me with load data for this. Thinking back I think he looked in a hordany book.

Other than that can I use the data in modern reloading for the 125 grain FMJ listed, that has the HS6 as the first powder. Just don't know about the OAL.

Thanks in advance

 

[LiveLife]

If you can exchange the powder, I would suggest better powders. While HS-6 can work for 9mm, for a new reloader there are more suitable powders.

From the grouping of powders below, I would suggest the following powders for 9mm - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9913544#post9913544

No. 2 - Bullseye - Clays - WST - Red Dot/Promo - 700X - TiteGroup - N320 - No. 5 - W231/HP-38 - Zip - Green Dot - Unique - Universal - BE-86 - Power Pistol - WSF

Faster burning pistol powders:

E3 - Competition - Nitro 100 - N310 - Ba10

No. 2 - Bullseye - Clays - WST - Red Dot/Promo - 700X - TiteGroup - Solo 1000 - Am. Select - International - Trail Boss - PB - N320 - Ba9 1/2

No. 5 - W231/HP-38 - Zip - Green Dot - SR7625 - N32C - A1

Slower burning pistol powders:

Unique - Universal - BE-86 - Power Pistol - WSF - N330 - Ba9

HS6 - AutoComp - CFE Pistol - Long Shot - Herco - 800X - True Blue - N340 - 3N37 - A0

No. 7 - SR4756 - Blue Dot - N350 - Ba7 1/2

No. 9 - Enforcer - W296/H110 - 2400 - Steel - SR4759 - H4227 - Lil'Gun - 3N38 - Ba6 1/2

 

[LiveLife]

If you cannot exchange the powder or find a more suitable powder, Hodgdon has 2 load data for 115 gr 9mm bullet but they are for JHP and Lead RN, not FMJ - http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

You can use the barrel to determine max OAL/COL and feed/chamber dummy round (no powder/no primer) from the magazine to determine the working OAL - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8864541#post8864541

While most barrels will work with 115 gr FMJ loaded to 1.169", I usually load shorter around 1.125"-1.135" for better neck tension and more consistent chamber pressures, especially when I am using mid-to-high range load data.

Once you determine the working OAL, you want to conduct powder work up from start charge. You can use load data for slightly heavier bullet and Hodgdon lists 6.4-6.8 gr as start/max charges for 125 gr FMJ bullet which you can reference for 115 gr FMJ.

125 gr FMJ HS-6 OAL/COL 1.090" Start 6.4 gr (1,131 fps) 25,600 CUP - Max 6.8 gr (1,169 fps) 27,100 CUP

 

[jwrowland77]

It'll work fine.

Here's a link to Hodgdon for data:

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

 

[mgalimbe]

thanks for the helpful information I really appreciate it. And yes I would definitely like to use a different powder but unfortunately its' very limited here. I think it would be easier to just order some 125gr FMJ and use the load data thats published. I'm gonna need more bullets soon anyway. There seems to be a lot more published data for this weight bullet.

 

[vaalpens]

There is no need to start with FMJ's unless that is what you want to shoot. You can start with plated bullets which will be cheaper than jacketed bullets.

The Hodgdon site has load data for the Berry's 124gr HBRN TP bullets. That is a good starting place, but you can also buy the Xtreme or RMR 124gr plated bullets and use the Hodgdon load data for Berry's. You just need to make sure you adjust your COL depending on if you get RN, FP or HP bullets.

 

[Rule3]

You didn't like my reply on the other forum? It's right out of Hornady manual??


There is nothing wrong with HS6 in the 9mm?

 

[gamestalker]

I have a host of data sources for HS6 and 9mm, and I regularly use it and Longshot. Hornady, Sierra, Nosler, Speer, Hodgdon, and Lyman all have published HS6 data with 115 gr. jacketed bullets. I think there is a fear of using powders that produce full pressure loads, at least that's what it appears to be. 9mm is a high pressure cartridge by design, so there's no reason why anyone should fear loading it as designed.

HS6 performs even better with heavier bullets, and the tables have better spreads, but it's still a good powder with 115's, you just need to be cautious about making sure your charge is fairly accurate, and don't reduce the initial oal you worked up at, without reworking the charge. But in this respect, I almost always run an oal that's at least that of what the data was tested at, I've never run across a chamber that won't accommodate the published oal. It's when someone decreases the oal by .010" or more from that of the tested data, and starts at a max charge that they might experience a high pressure spike.

GS

 

[Mad Chemist]

HS 6 will work great for full power loads with all common bullet weights for 9x19cal. It does not reduce very well so I would not recommend using it for light loads. Don't return it. It's a great powder to have in your powder magazine.

Get a faster burning powder expand your options for lower pressure calibers and loads and reserve the HS6 for high pressure full power loads.

 

[LiveLife]

I am not knocking HS-6. It's one of the powders I started out reloading 9mm along with WSF/W231/Universal/Titegroup/Clays/Bullseye.

But as others posted, it is a slower powder that needs to be loaded at high to near max load data for cleaner burn and optimal accuracy.

I offered OP some powder options just in case the store had other powders that could be traded for as most new reloaders often don't load at near max/max load data. For mid-to-high range loads, IMHO relatively faster burning powders than HS-6 are better suited.

 

[mgalimbe]

i posted the same message in a couple of forums at the same time. I apologize if I broke any forum etiquette, I didn't know which forum would be most beneficial. it turns out both forums have great people willing to share information. And yes I liked your response. It gave me the information I need to start loading today! so thank you very much

 

[jwrowland77]

i posted the same message in a couple of forums at the same time. I apologize if I broke any forum etiquette, I didn't know which forum would be most beneficial. it turns out both forums have great people willing to share information. And yes I liked your response. It gave me the information I need to start loading today! so thank you very much

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Some are just more sensitive than others.

Why not use all possible resources? There's a lot of folks on both THR and The Firing Line. I do it all the time. You'll just get more answers from different folks, and answers from same people. Carry-on, sounds like you're set in the right direction.

 

[Walkalong]

Get a faster burning powder expand your options for lower pressure calibers and loads and reserve the HS6 for high pressure full power loads.

This. You'll find HS-6 useful, and not just in 9MM, just not as versatile as some.

 

[Toprudder]

I worked up loads using HS-6 with 115gn plated Xtremes.

Like others mentioned, it did not work well at the lower charges. It only got decent (not great) standard deviations and spreads once it got up to full charge. In my case, that was 7.0gn, and 1159fps. (***Normal caveat: My results from my equipment, start low and work up***) I also had scribbled a line in my notes: "Dirty". I believe that was from the lower charges, though.

I've tried it in 9mm, 40 and 45acp. My impressions are that it likes higher pressures and heavier bullets. I have some test loads worked up in 357mag but have not gotten to the range with them yet.

If it is all you have, yes, you can use it, but it is not on my list to use again with 9mm as I have other powders that work better. JMHO.

 

[Rule3]

I am not knocking HS-6. It's one of the powders I started out reloading 9mm along with WSF/W231/Universal/Titegroup/Clays/Bullseye.

But as others posted, it is a slower powder that needs to be loaded at high to near max load data for cleaner burn and optimal accuracy.

I offered OP some powder options just in case the store had other powders that could be traded for as most new reloaders often don't load at near max/max load data. For mid-to-high range loads, IMHO relatively faster burning powders than HS-6 are better suited.

9mm is a relatively 'High Pressure round" I use Long Shot a lot as I "inherited" a 8 gal jug if it Yes, HS 6 is pretty slow, not much different than Auto Comp or CFE Pistol but the data given was direct from the Hornady Manual. Actually IMHO Bullseye is way to fast a powder for the 9mm

I agree the midrange owders are more suitable.

Ever know a store to take back powder?

I know you do not need this but for the OP, usage

https://www.hodgdon.com/shotpist.html


mgalimbe,

i posted the same message in a couple of forums at the same time. I apologize if I broke any forum etiquette, I didn't know which forum would be most beneficial. it turns out both forums have great people willing to share information. And yes I liked your response. It gave me the information I need to start loading today! so thank you very much

My apologizes

You did not break any etiquette, I did. Sorry about my comment I am old and crusty and it's raining Always good to get as much info as you can. Again , my bad on both forums

PM sent

 

[LiveLife]

both of my books (Lees modern reloading and lymans latest) had no data for this.

For your future powder purchase, it may help to check the load data first to narrow powder choices.

Also, often members will post "For X caliber and X bullet type/weight, which powders are recommended?" and members will suggest powders that poster could look for when shopping for powders. While certain powder/bullet combination could work, starting with known good loads tested by many members will save time and effort on your part - and isn't that one of the many reasons why online forums like this exist?

While during the recent shortage many reloaders had no choice but to use very limited available powders, thankfully powder supply is improving.

 

[Sunray]

"...not FMJ..." And FMJ is a jacketed bullet. So is a Gold Dot. You load for the bullet weight and jacketed or cast nothing else.
HS6 uses a lot of powder for similar velocities given with the other powders. Higher end pressures too. That doesn't mean it's in the least bit unsafe. May not be pleasant to shoot though.

 

[Walkalong]

The Gold Dots are plated bullets, heavily plated, but plated.

 

[LiveLife]

When you reference load data for load development, bullet type does matter and powder charge often differ.

For one, same weight FMJ and JHP will be seated at different depths and often JHP bullet will require less powder charge.

 

[gamestalker]

Rule3 is right, LGS's don't exchange or refund on powdersa, primer, loaded ammunition, or firearms.

Back when I started shooting / reloading a guy could return powder, primers, ammunition, and even firearms, thankfully those days are long gone. I wouldn't want to purchase any of those that had already been in someone else's hands.

GS

 

[Rule3]

When you reference load data for load development, bullet type does matter and powder charge often differ.

For one, same weight FMJ and JHP will be seated at different depths and often JHP bullet will require less powder charge.

Absolutely true and the OP was advised of this. Hodgdon has data for a 115 bullet but is is a Speer HP and the COL is different than that of a FMJ RN as Hornady has, so the COL is indeed different.

 

[mgalimbe]

Wow! thanks for all of the responses! I feel like I just took a free reloading 101 class. I wasn't expecting so much great info from 1 post. I did end up purchasing the Hornady reloading guide too. There was more information in there, as posted, that is going to help me. It seems that every different book (I own 3 and haven't even reloaded my first round) published different information so I second the threads and posts in this forum that you really need to get as many publications as possible to get a good handle on what's out there.

If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't have purchased bullets, and powder until I got my hands on a manual to look at what was in there for load data. buying bullets and powder because they were on sale and what was available should be reserved for those that have been loading for a while.

But again, thanks to all of you, I will be able to reload with what I have, although maybe not ideal.

Rule3, No hard feelings. It's all good

 

[mgalimbe]

If you cannot exchange the powder or find a more suitable powder, Hodgdon has 2 load data for 115 gr 9mm bullet but they are for JHP and Lead RN, not FMJ - http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

You can use the barrel to determine max OAL/COL and feed/chamber dummy round (no powder/no primer) from the magazine to determine the working OAL - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8864541#post8864541

While most barrels will work with 115 gr FMJ loaded to 1.169", I usually load shorter around 1.125"-1.135" for better neck tension and more consistent chamber pressures, especially when I am using mid-to-high range load data.

Once you determine the working OAL, you want to conduct powder work up from start charge. You can use load data for slightly heavier bullet and Hodgdon lists 6.4-6.8 gr as start/max charges for 125 gr FMJ bullet which you can reference for 115 gr FMJ.

hi bds,

I used your information to determine my oal length using a 115gr fmj in my shield 9. I determined that my max oal is 1.216 so I went and set 4 rounds to 1.166(+-.0005) and at that length the rounds fit in the magazine nicely and cycle through the gun just fine. I used dummy rounds so I don't know if that will change once I fire them, but with what you said should I be using this (1.166)for all of my load workups or should I back it down a bit. I see that your seating a bit deeper. How much would that affect accuracy from my length to yours. From what I've been reading my PSI will be lower than the published but I still plan on starting at the min and working my way up but ignoring their oal.

oh and my seat depth with this bullet is .186

 

[ku4hx]

A couple of loads here you might can work with: http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

One LRN one Gold Dot HP

 

[LiveLife]

I see that your seating a bit deeper ... plan on starting at the min and working my way up but ignoring their oal.

With 115 gr FMJ, SAAMI max of 1.169" will work but at lower powder charges, you may not develop enough chamber pressure to sufficiently cycle the slide.

I prefer to load 115 gr FMJ (with shorter base) shorter around 1.135" to produce more consistent initial chamber pressures.

Ultimately, I let the holes on target be the final judge. If 1.135" worked well to produce accuracy and reliably cycle the slide/eject the spent cases, I would try longer lengths to see if accuracy improves at higher powder charges.