45 acp and hs6

[Crazy Horse]

So, my goto load for 45acp is WST, but I have a buddy that just started reloading and purchased HS6 (what was available at the time) for loading 9mm and 45acp.

I looked at the hodgdon site and they show 7.0gr starting load for 230gr LRN bullets and a max charge of 8.00gr.

I started with 7.00gr and loaded up several. bullets My M&P 45acp got several jams (my most accurate and reliable firearm. I narrowed it down to the powder causing it to cycling too fast. It did the same thing after several rounds in my XDM45.

Does anyone have a recipe that is less than 7.0 grains of HS6 that works well with 45acp ammo.

I know I could start by reducing the loads and testing, but I figured someone has probably already done the testing and has settled on a load. This is to be prepared if/when my buddy starts having the same issues with his 45acp using HS6.

I ran into the same issue with Bullseye and my Shielf45. I reduced based on a recommendation from this forum, the load and it eliminated jamming.

TIA

CH

 

[Virginia Jim]

I have loaded 200gr. lswc’s and Rainier 200 gr. plated bullets using 8.3 gr. of HS6. My notes say “Good target load, low felt recoil”.
I believe your 7.0 gr. charge is to low for your gun to cycle properly. My only experience is with 1911 style.45’s, however.
I use HS 6 for .45 ACP, 10mm, and .40 S&W and would use it for 9mm if I loaded for it. It’s a very versatile powder and one of my favorites.

 

[Walkalong]

IMHO, HS-6 is nearly too slow for .45 ACP and there are much better choices.

But increase the charge to 7.5 and try again.

 

[Crazy Horse]

IMHO, HS-6 is nearly too slow for .45 ACP and there are much better choices.

But increase the charge to 7.5 and try again.

So, the issue is the opposite of what I was thinking. Instead of lowering the charge, raise it? I was thinking that it was too much of a charge and cycling to quick. The spring is stock.

I do agree, I've used Bullseye, CFE Pistol, W231, and Tightgroup before setting on WST. In my opinion, they feel much better and work without issue on my 45's.

Maybe I should give my buddy some WST instead of working with HS6 based on your experience Walkalong. It definitely wasn't my first choice. He wanted Sport Pistol, but it wasn't available. I recommended W231, but at the time it wasn't available. So he went with HS6. It worked well with 9mm (felt light though).

Having more experience with powders now, I want to say it's probably the powder that I have liked the least. Oh well. I did find some sport pistol, so I ordered some and will provide him a cannister. Maybe that'll steer him away from HS6. Or at the least allow him a better powder for 45acp.

THX

CH

 

[Virginia Jim]

Crazy Horse, we’re the spent cases sooty ?
Nice bike, by the way.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Crazy Horse, we’re the spent cases sooty ?
Nice bike, by the way.

They were more sooty than when I use WST. But less sooty than when I used Bullseye. Thx for the comment on the bike. It's cooling down enough that riding will be nice this time of the year.

 

[Paul Toms]

My notes reflect 7.5 grains of HS6, a coal of 1.23 and 807 FPS average out of my P220.

I have grown quite fond of WST lately for target loads in 40 & 45

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO HS-6 is a good powder for the 9mm but not the 45 ACP. The 45 Auto is a low pressure cartridge and HS-6 operates best at the upper end of the pressure range. I use W231 or W244 most in the 45.

 

[DocRock]

HS-6 is my steady diet powder for 45acp. Mainly , 230 grs Berrys Plated. 8 grs. Get 800 fps out of my RIA compact and 850 - 870 in my full size governments.Accurate for me.

 

[derek45]

I agree with others, that HS6 is too slow for 45ACP
45ACP seems to work best with fast burning powders
CLAYS
WST
Titegroup
win231/HP38

 

[frankmako]

as said hs6 is just to slow for good 45 acp loads. yes it can be done,,,but there is better powders for the 45 acp. bullseye, titegroup, 231, and hp38 works better.

 

[jmorris]

I looked at the hodgdon site and they show 7.0gr starting load for 230gr LRN bullets and a max charge of 8.00gr.

Other way to look at that is minimum/maximum load. You pistol seems to need more than the minimum to cycle.