9mm 115 JHP full power, HS-6, N340 or WSF?

[PO2Hammer]

I don't load a lot of full power 9mm, but I want to work up a full power 115 JHP load for my 6" Glock.
Would also use it for 124 and 147 plated full power practice loads.

I'll be using 115 Silvertips, Win JHP and XTP's.

Don't have a lot of experience with WSF, but read good things. Have under a pound.
I used to use a lot of HS-6 in 38 Super and some in 9mm. Have plenty.
I have just under a pound of N340, but I would spend it here.

Looking to get good (rated) velocity, will be working up using Lyman #49 or Hodgdon online data.

Any preferences among those 3 powders?

 

[Mike L.]

As an alternative to your 3 powders, I would suggest Alliant Power Pistol. Works well for me in 9mm w/ 115 grainers.
It does produce some muzzle flash, however, if you shoot in low-light conditions.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Sticking to what I have on hand.

 

[Mike L.]

Sticking to what I have on hand.

Yeah, I understand...prices and availability are....not good right now.

 

[Random 8]

I've used HS-6 in your application with 124 gr full power and have gotten fine accuracy with 124 XTP, 124 Berry, and 124 WCC/olin FMJ. Never chrono'd any, but load data lists velocity as near the top end achievable. No personal experience with WSF, but I believe it is very similar to HS-6 in all charachteristics. No experience with your Viht powder.

 

[Virginia Jim]

Another vote for HS6.

 

[rfwobbly]

I've used all 3, and each will get you to SD velocity loads...
HS6 gave amazing accuracy results, but in lower loads can be very dirty.
WSF is very clean in 9mm at all load levels, but can be hard to find a lot of information about. It meters exceptionally well.
N340 meters well and is the cleanest across the full range. It is single-base and therefore runs cooler. It also is "low flash", which may be helpful in your final loads.

In a different time, my "go to" powders for this job would be N340 or BE-86.

Hope this helps.

 

[murf]

hs-6 for top speed loads.

luck,

murf

 

[IMtheNRA]

I've been using N340 in full power 115-gr loads for almost 20 years. Cleanest powder I've ever used, and I go about 700-1000 rounds between cleaning, I just add oil. I got my data from the free Vihtavouri PDFs on the net.

 

[Dudedog]

I have never used HS-6 or N340 but I do like WSF.
WSF shoots well for me across it's load range.

RMR 115 RN @1.125 (seated fairly deep)
S+B SP, mixed range brass, charges as thrown after setting measure
Sig P226 Dark Elite


WSF 5.5
String: 5
Date: 3/20/2021
Time: 12:16:19 PM
Grains: 115
Hi Vel: 1265
Low Vel: 1241
Ave Vel: 1255
Ext Spread: 24
Std Dev: 10.4

Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
1265 145.475 408.583
1241 142.715 393.227
1247 143.405 397.038
1261 145.015 406.003
1261 145.015 406.003

Primers on all looked fine no flattening
Hodgdon lists this for WSF
115 GR. JHP Winchester WSF .355" 1.169" 5.2 1095 28,700 PSI 5.7 1165 32,100 PSI

So with a different bullet and a longer OAL they show a MAX of 5.7 @1165 fps (my OAL was shorter but .2gr under MAX)
This would lead me to believe the 5.5gr load was into +P pressures (maybe over)

I don't know how many bullets/primers you have but if you have enough I would be tempted just to try all three and see what you like best.
All guns and people are different so what one gun likes best another may not.
Mine do agree on occasion, and what works well in one tends to work well in the others but they all have their favorites.

HS-6 is a little slower than N340 or WSF so one would think you should be able to get a little more vel with it on the top end.
Given that you have more of it, it might be the first one to try, then if it does not work out flip a coin to pick one of the remaining two.

 

[Walkalong]

All of those will work well, I bought a four pounder of N-340 the last time I needed some more.

 

[milsurpguy]

Yes use HS-6 it's great for full power, +p and stupid hot 9x19.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Another vote for HS-6. It’s great for 9mm generally but really shines in longer barrels.

 

[joneb]

IMHO regarding 9X19 powders, Accurate #5, Be-86, VV n340, WSF and HS-6 are all very good depending on pressure you are running at.

 

[dcloco]

Use HS6 in every pistola caliber - 9, 38, 357, 40, 44, & 45 - at/near top have found is the accuracy AND velocity node.

 

[lordpaxman]

I worked up full power loads for N340 and WSF. Both did very well in grouping and velocity. Both meter well even though N340 is a stick and both burn clean with not too much smoke at the higher end. Either or both should serve you well. I’ve not tried HS6 yet as most of my loads are in the moderate ranges and I have other powders for those. I always have problems recommending just one powder... Since components are scarce you may consider an abbreviated ladder if you’re an experienced reloader. Good luck.

 

[kcofohio]

In my limited experience with HS-6, it really shines at 125 gr. and below. It seems getting into the 147 gr. and it doesn't get the velocities as well.

 

[Howland937]

Because of info @Dudedog shared previously, I use WSF for pretty much all of my 9mm loads from mid range to upper range from 100gr to 124gr.
I have HS-6, Power Pistol, W231, CFE Pistol, AA7, VV N105 at my disposal as well, but the WSF has been my favorite