hs 6 alternative

From the powders you mention, it looks like you are going for approximating "factory" velocities. I've heard good things about Ramshot powders, so when I saw some Silhouette and True Blue in the LGS the other day I picked a pound of each. Haven't had a chance to do any testing yet, but hope to this weekend. For 9mm, I also like Herco and Unique. Kind of old school, but they work pretty well for me. You have lots of possibilities for new stuff to try - one of the things I love about reloading

What bullet? I think Power Pistol will be hard to beat, if you don't like HS-6. The 124 g FMJ 9mm that I use makes a great match with 5.2 gr PP. My .40 S&W 180 g FMJTC goes well with 6.0 gr PP.

Please don't post from your phone. Complete sentences and a little punctuation are most welcome.

Power Pistol or Longshot will work well in both the 9mm and 40 S&W. For top end loads in the 40 S&W AA#7 is also a good choice but with the 9mm I would stick with AA#5.

The "dirt" and flakes disappear when using HS-6 with magnum primers.

In 9mm I really like Silhouette. Good fill of case, pretty low flash. Never used it in 40 though.

I have been a big fan of Longshot for 9mm and .40 for a long time. It is so easy to load with in terms of pressure management in both of those cartridges, and also 38 spcl.. It isn't great at lower end charges though, but from mid point up it does very nicely. But I haven't had much to complain about with HS6 either for that matter. But it has also performed much cleaner and consistently for me when above mid point.

GS

Look at Winchester Super Field (WSF) as an alternative. I've burnt a lot of it in 9mmx19 with 124g or 115g jacketed projectiles, standard velocity. Seen nice load data for it in .40 S&W too.

I use SR 4756 as a substitute for HS-6. No unburned powder, no need for magnum primers. Better load density too.

Power Pistol

You can't beat Power Pistol for top end loads in the 9 & 40 if you don't mind the flash. Blue Dot will also work but you have to watch the pressure. I use PP in tbe 9,40 & 45ACP for all top velocity loads.It is not as touchy as BD. I like the Alliant powders and am looking forward to the long awaited BE 86.

Lj1941 said:

You can't beat Power Pistol for top end loads in the 9 & 40 if you don't mind the flash. Blue Dot will also work but you have to watch the pressure. I use PP in tbe 9,40 & 45ACP for all top velocity loads.It is not as touchy as BD. I like the Alliant powders and am looking forward to the long awaited BE 86.

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Sorry but, with all the reports of Blue Dot spiking pressures in several different cartridges I have no idea why anyone would continue to use it for handgun loads when there are so many other choices available today? From what I know Herco will do everything Blue Dot does but without the pressure spikes. Save the Blue Dot for 12GA 00 Buckshot loads... (IMO of course)

I thought the OP was looking for low flash powder?

JO JO said:

loading 9&40 the hs6 has been a bit dirty ... looking for ... low flash

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How about WSF or AutoComp?

bds - I thought the OP was looking for low flash powder?

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How does one quantify the urban legend that PP is flashy? Does it flash at the low end, high end, in between, certain barrel lengths, etc. ?

Flashy PP

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Flashy PP

As I said in my previous post - I use Power Pistol in high end loads. I find it flashy in my 4.25 in 9MM M&P,in my 4.5 in 45 ACP & in my son's 4.25 inch 40 M&P.I do not load light
loads with Power Pistol.I use W 231,Red Dot,or Titegroup for standard loads.:banghead:

Lj1941 - I do not load starting loads with Power Pistol.I use W 231,Red Dot or Titegroup for standard loads.

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Good to know, but that means we still have room for evaluating PP flash in the loads that most people use. Mention PP, and someone will bring up flash, which I suspect has a rather specific context in reality. I certainly didn't notice any particular drama with PP in my 9mm , 124 g FMJ at 5.2 g PP, 5 inch Kimber Aegis.

So far I really Like Tightgroup for my 9mm and .357 none mag Loads

I also Like w231 but was harder to find... i found more tightgroup and got some... so am set for awhile...

Another vote for Power Pistol. Before that I was using HP38/W231 in 9 and 40SW. Lot of folks use Unique but I do not like metering corn flakes.

Win Auto Comp is good also even for non comped guns. I bought 4 lbs of it when HP38 could not be found,

I do not care about flash, PP is also loud, "report"

So I guess we need a "clean", low flash quiet powder.

stavman11 said:

I also Like w231 but was harder to find...

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W231 available 1 lb for $18.59 - http://www.recobstargetshop.com/browse.cfm/4,12.html

BTW, I use W231/HP-38 for 9mm/40S&W target loads - clean burning with no muzzle flash issues.

Realgun: Perhaps your 5 inch barrel is better and attenuates the flash.I really don't mind the flash when shooting paper.Your 5.2 grain load is 1 grain under what I find flashy in my 9 MM loads.I am waiting patiently for BE 86 & just maybe it will be what I really want.

I forgot about SR-4756, I used that for quite a while for 9mm back in the 80's. I liked it too, but seemed to have forgotten about it after getting hooked on HS6 and Longshot.

GS

Yeah, the IMR SR series powders don't get much press, but they are very nice powders. Cool burning, fluffy and they meter very well.

JO JO said:

well not much of choice at local store today only one in stock was longshot they had 2
left so I grabbed 1lb of it, will try some other recommendations when supplies return.
so for now its longshot for me in 9mm & 40, will start with the 9mm load with 115gr lrn
its what I have left, thinking of trying 5.0/ 5.2/ 5.4 for first test ?

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Since Hodgdon lists a range of 5.0gr to 6.0gr Longshot under a 115gr LRN bullet if it were me I would start a little higher than 5.0gr. (but that's just a personal choice) I usually don't like using Longshot with lead bullets but others tell me they are fine with it. I usually use HS-6 with lead bullets in the 9mm and .38 Special +P.