How about HS6 for 45 ACP?

[rkammer]

I've got some Hodgdon HS6 left from when I was reloading 40 S&W a few years ago. I only reload 45 ACP now and would like to use it up but, am having trouble finding loads for this powder. I'm currently using 230 gr FMJ bullets from Precision Delta. Can anyone recommend some HS6 loads?

 

[rcmodel]

Hodgdon website has all kinds of HS-6 data for .45 ACP.

http://www.hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html

rc

 

[rkammer]

Hodgdon website has all kinds of HS-6 data for .45 ACP.

http://www.hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html

rc

Thanks, RC. I went there and their site only gives me one load for a 230gr FMJ.

230 GR. FMJ FP HS-6 .451" 1.200" 8.0 790 14,400 CUP 8.2 825 15,400 CUP

They only go from 8.0 to 8.2 min to max and that's a rather narrow range. I'd like to hear some other loadings that people have used to give me some more ideas of where to start.

 

[rcmodel]

Well, the reason the load range is so narrow is, HS-6 is bordering on too slow for the .45 ACP with 230 grain bullets.
Just not room for enough of it & the bullet in the case at the same time.

The MAX load with the case stuffed full only gives 825 @ 15,400 CUP.
MAX pressure limit on the .45 ACP is 21,000 PSI & P+ 23,000.

HS-6 works pretty well with lighter 185 grain bullets, as they don't take up as much case capacity as the 230 grain RN.

rc

 

[rkammer]

Thanks again. Why don't they allow a lighter load? Is it not safe to download HS6 in the 45 case? Like maybe a loading for something in the low 700 FPS range?

 

[rcmodel]

Keep in mind the .45 ACP start load has to be safe in revolvers too.

With jacketed bullets you might start getting into stuck bullet territory in revolvers with barrel / cylinder gap gas loss.

The other thing is, HS-6 just won't burn worth a darn at very low pressure.
And 14,400 is getting pretty low pressure already.

If you want 700 FPS?
You probably should use lead bullets with less bore friction, and faster powder designed for light target loads.

rc

 

[MtnCreek]

HS6 is not the easiest powder to set off. Pressures can get too low for a good burn. IMHO, HS6 likes to be hot.

 

[rkammer]

Well, I just want to shoot it up since I don't load 40 S&W any more. I'll either use the recommended loads for my FMJ bullets or, load it with some of my 200 gr LSWCs. Do you think anyone might want to swap for some faster powder?

 

[rkammer]

My usual powder of choice for 45 target shooting is either Red Dot or Tite Group.

 

[JDGray]

Ingredients for charcoal? HS6, primer, 230gr bullet Power pistol works much better, but that aint what you were asking.....

 

[918v]

Save it for when you gonna load 40 or 9 or use it as fertilizer.

 

[rcmodel]

Or buy some 185 grain XTP JHP and load 9.5 grains MAX for nearly 1,000 FPS.

rc

 

[Galil5.56]

230 GR. FMJ FP HS-6 .451" 1.200" 8.0 790 14,400 CUP 8.2 825 15,400 CUP

They only go from 8.0 to 8.2 min to max and that's a rather narrow range. I'd like to hear some other loadings that people have used to give me some more ideas of where to start.

HS-6 is great for full power .45 ACP loads, and is extremely dense, taking up very, VERY little space... You could easily double charge a case. Shown below is the charge of HS-6 I use (8.8 grains) in an unsized WCC Match case, and it is barely 1/3 the way full. It would be just a touch fuller with a sized case. This charge achieves 842 fps avg from my 4.4" barreled SIG P220 using 230 grain Speer Gold Dots.

I am partial to Midway's LoadMAP data, where they show a very wide range of bullets that were available at the time of printing (late 90's), and they show many different charges for a given bullet, and their corresponding velocity and pressure, all the way until the SAAMI max avg allowable 21,000 psi pressure is achieved. Using this data requires you to not deviate from listed OAL, and this is a hindrance for some bullets used (TC and HP styles) because at such OAL's, they may/probably won't chamber fully in many pistols... But this is not the case for nearly every std "GI" ogived 230 grain FMJ RN bullet. These type of bullets from WW, Rem, and even the plated Speer TMJ-RN bullets using a workable, max SAAMI OAL of 1.275", get a max charge listed between 9.7 and 9.9 grains of HS-6, with velocities listed of 940-965fps.

Again, if wanting to go for a worked up max using LoadMAP data, you must use the listed OAL, or maybe just a few thous under and NO MORE. Good luck to you, and I'd give the HS-6 it fair shot.

 

[rkammer]

HS-6 is great for full power .45 ACP loads, and is extremely dense, taking up very, VERY little space... You could easily double charge a case. Shown below is the charge of HS-6 I use (8.8 grains) in an unsized WCC Match case, and it is barely 1/3 the way full. It would be just a touch fuller with a sized case. This charge achieves 842 fps avg from my 4.4" barreled SIG P220 using 230 grain Speer Gold Dots.

I am partial to Midway's LoadMAP data, where they show a very wide range of bullets that were available at the time of printing (late 90's), and they show many different charges for a given bullet, and their corresponding velocity and pressure, all the way until the SAAMI max avg allowable 21,000 psi pressure is achieved. Using this data requires you to not deviate from listed OAL, and this is a hindrance for some bullets used (TC and HP styles) because at such OAL's, they may/probably won't chamber fully in many pistols... But this is not the case for nearly every std "GI" ogived 230 grain FMJ RN bullet. These type of bullets from WW, Rem, and even the plated Speer TMJ-RN bullets using a workable, max SAAMI OAL of 1.275", get a max charge listed between 9.7 and 9.9 grains of HS-6, with velocities listed of 940-965fps.

Again, if wanting to go for a worked up max using LoadMAP data, you must use the listed OAL, or maybe just a few thous under and NO MORE. Good luck to you, and I'd give the HS-6 it fair shot.

Thanks for this great info! I sure wish I hadn't sold my Midway LoadMAP a few years ago. It was a great reference. So, was the OAL for HS6 with the 230 FMJ shown as 1.275 in your LoadMAP? I think I may work up this load and chrono it in my Colt Combat Commander. It will function with OALs of near max length.

 

[Galil5.56]

Welcome rkammer. Yes, LoadMAP specs 1.275" for all 230 grain RN .45 ACP loads... Look forward to your results.

 

[5thSFGroup]

I use HS 6 in my .40. I have spoken with Hogdon folks about HS 6 and they are in agreement with RC and I concur. I like Clays for a .45 or WST. It is a better powder for that round. The HS 6 is a more progressive burn. Clays and WST KICK the round out of the weapon....HS 6 pushes it out. The mid range load works well in my .40 but I cannot imagine it in a .45 unless, you maxed out the load. I would consider a mag primer as well.

 

[Walkalong]

IMHO, N340 is much better in full power .45 ACP, assuming you stay within 850 or less with 230 Gr jacketed bullets. It will be very accurate, burn squeaky clean, and use less powder.

But, since the OP wants to use his leftover HS-6, and some respected folks here say it works, go for it. Let us know how it works out.

 

[rkammer]

Tried it yesterday.......

I went to the outdoor range with my Chrony yesterday and tried the HS6 with 230 gr FMJ Precision Delta bullets at an OAL of 1.270. I used my Colt Commander with 4 1/4" barrel. Feeding and ejecting was fine with all loads.

7.0 gr = 695 FPS, very mild but extreme spread was big, 100 FPS
8.0 gr = 818 FPS, good load and very accurate
9.0 gr = 896 FPS, stout but no signs of too much pressure. Lots of flame out of the barrel & shoots high but accurate. Empties were ejected way out there (10 ft+)

Based on the above I'm tempted to work up some strong defense loads using some hollow points like the XTPs or Golden Sabres.

 

[Walkalong]

That last one is going to be rough on your Commander.

 

[rkammer]

I wouldn't shoot this load very often. I did put a shok-buff in before that last loading. I might also want to use a stiffer recoil spring when shooting this load.

 

[Galil5.56]

I went to the outdoor range with my Chrony yesterday and tried the HS6 with 230 gr FMJ Precision Delta bullets at an OAL of 1.270. I used my Colt Commander with 4 1/4" barrel. Feeding and ejecting was fine with all loads.

7.0 gr = 695 FPS, very mild but extreme spread was big, 100 FPS
8.0 gr = 818 FPS, good load and very accurate
9.0 gr = 896 FPS, stout but no signs of too much pressure. Lots of flame out of the barrel & shoots high but accurate. Empties were ejected way out there (10 ft+)

Based on the above I'm tempted to work up some strong defense loads using some hollow points like the XTPs or Golden Sabres.

Fantastic results, with room to go with complete safety; give into the temptation! The 8.8 grain load I mentioned above, is my P220 SD load, and I also have loaded AA#5 with similar results for SD. I chose Gold Dots because they were a bonded bullet nearly 20 years ago when I first used them, they continue to be, and continue to expand well with nearly a zero chance of a blown core. Here is one with an impact velocity of about 820 fps striking water jugs, and soaked phone book results are very similar:

Accuracy has been good for me, and feed reliability perfect.

 

[rkammer]

Fantastic results, with room to go with complete safety; give into the temptation! The 8.8 grain load I mentioned above, is my P220 SD load, and I also have loaded AA#5 with similar results for SD. I chose Gold Dots because they were a bonded bullet nearly 20 years ago when I first used them, they continue to be, and continue to expand well with nearly a zero chance of a blown core. Here is one with an impact velocity of about 820 fps striking water jugs, and soaked phone book results are very similar:

Accuracy has been good for me, and feed reliability perfect.

Can't see your link of picture.

 

[Galil5.56]

Hmm, Let's see if this works:

 

[EddieNFL]

I tried it with 200 SWCs after 452AA was discontinued. Worked, but better choices are available, IMO.