HS-6 or 231? 9MM \ .40 S&W

[Nick C.]

So, did you find out what caused the smoke with the hs6 load back in October? I have used quite a bit of it and have never seen that happen.

I'm not 100% sure. I actually made a typo in my earlier post, I went back over my notebook and it was W231 I worked up for the 124 grain, I ended with 4.3 grains at an OAL of 1.138. So I'm not sure if it's something that happens with the brass plated lead bullets I used, or if my OAL was excessive. Going over the Hodgdon data from my 147gr load,
it called for an OAL of 1.10". I'm definately going to work another set up with a shorter OAL and less powder and see if it happens again.

 

[kalielkslayer]

I'm not 100% sure. I actually made a typo in my earlier post, I went back over my notebook and it was W231 I worked up for the 124 grain, I ended with 4.3 grains at an OAL of 1.138. So I'm not sure if it's something that happens with the brass plated lead bullets I used, or if my OAL was excessive. Going over the Hodgdon data from my 147gr load,
it called for an OAL of 1.10". I'm definately going to work another set up with a shorter OAL and less powder and see if it happens again.

Powder is available if you have the time to search for it. The “where reloading components are available” thread is a wealth of information.

Or just surfing the various reloading suppliers.

Or hitting the big box stores when they open in the morning.

I even saw 1,500 Fiocchi SPPs at American Reloading today, but for $164 I passed since I’m good.

PS: I like HS6 for 9mm with 124 grain bullets.

 

[Nick C.]

Powder is available if you have the time to search for it. The “where reloading components are available” thread is a wealth of information.

Or just surfing the various reloading suppliers.

Or hitting the big box stores when they open in the morning.

I even saw 1,500 Fiocchi SPPs at American Reloading today, but for $164 I passed since I’m good.

PS: I like HS6 for 9mm with 124 grain bullets.

What are your OAL for the 124gr that worked well for you when using HS-6?
I keep up with the Discord for components and have notifications, though many times I can't react fast enough. Powders like Longshot came up the least
and were usually gone by the time I got to it. Locally it's like a desert here, out of everything all the time. So today I got a notification from Midway and pulled the trigger on 4 pounds of longshot, plus 4 pounds of HS-6 from Powder Valley. Got a couple hundred 120 Grain Barnes Tac-TX projectiles while I was at it.

 

[gunlaw]

If you can find some AA#5 works great in 40.

 

[kalielkslayer]

What are your OAL for the 124gr that worked well for you when using HS-6?
I keep up with the Discord for components and have notifications, though many times I can't react fast enough. Powders like Longshot came up the least
and were usually gone by the time I got to it. Locally it's like a desert here, out of everything all the time. So today I got a notification from Midway and pulled the trigger on 4 pounds of longshot, plus 4 pounds of HS-6 from Powder Valley. Got a couple hundred 120 Grain Barnes Tac-TX projectiles while I was at it.

My OAL is 1.150. I can get you the powder weight if you want. All I remember is it was about .3 grains more than it took to lock back the bolt when the magazine was empty. In one of my books it was .1 grain less than max. In another it was .5 grains less.

It functioned well in 3 Glocks and a Springfield.

My memory says 5.7 grains but don’t trust my memory, I don’t!

 

[Nick C.]

My OAL is 1.150. I can get you the powder weight if you want. All I remember is it was about .3 grains more than it took to lock back the bolt when the magazine was empty. In one of my books it was .1 grain less than max. In another it was .5 grains less.

It functioned well in 3 Glocks and a Springfield.

My memory says 5.7 grains but don’t trust my memory, I don’t!

That's ok. I had to go back to my damn notebook to realize I was using an entirely different powder than what I had said.
5 years ago I would have remembered the entire contents of my 5.56x45, .300 Blackout, 9mm, .40 and .45 loads without checking. You are welcome to send me your work up for reference!

 

[n2omike]

Neither powder will get you moving very fast in 9MM. Below is Hornady’s 10th for their 147’s and 231 didn’t even make the list.

View attachment 1028501

This chart shows a very light load for a 124 grain bullet and HS6. I've loaded 124 grain bullets a LOT hotter than that. Look at some different sources, and you will see close to 7 grains max... not the 5.9 listed on that chart. Other loading data STARTS at 5.9 grains for 124 grain bullets in 9mm. I believe my 'Hot' 9mm loads ended up at 6.9 grains over a 124 grain XTP. Through a chrono, I believe the velocity was around 1300 fps out of a 5.1" barreled Canik. (Just MY results, use at your own risk, and work up while looking for signs of pressure) HS6 burns nice and clean when you load it to adequate pressure. It's not good for lower powered loads. Good Luck

 

[n2omike]

From Hodgdon load data - https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

• 9mm 147 gr Hornady XTP Winchester 231 COL 1.100" Start 3.0 gr (755 fps) - Max 3.4 gr (845 fps)

I don't know what's up some of these loads from Hodgdon, but they are WAY light. All the other/older references have a max load of W231/HP38 as 4.0 or 4.1 grains behind a 147 grain bullet in a 9mm.

I've been loading some 9mm 147 grain subsonic and have been using this powder. I use the loads interchangeably in my Canik pistol and 9mm AR style carbine. At 3.5 grains it would not reliably work the pistol's slide. 3.8 grains was the sweet spot of reliable functioning, while still being subsonic in the 10.5" barrel AR. My COL is 1.140" instead of 1.110".

 

[Nick C.]

I don't know what's up some of these loads from Hodgdon, but they are WAY light. All the other/older references have a max load of W231/HP38 as 4.0 or 4.1 grains behind a 147 grain bullet in a 9mm.

I've been loading some 9mm 147 grain subsonic and have been using this powder. I use the loads interchangeably in my Canik pistol and 9mm AR style carbine. At 3.5 grains it would not reliably work the pistol's slide. 3.8 grains was the sweet spot of reliable functioning, while still being subsonic in the 10.5" barrel AR. My COL is 1.140" instead of 1.110".

That's why as much I start with the charts and manuals, I found myself branching out to other reloaders for reference and their real world experiences.
This has been especially helpful when I began loading 300 blackout. Learned a neat little ogive trick from one of the very experienced guys.
It's nice to get a reference of what has worked consistently (or hasn't) for others. All of this has been very helpful insight, and I thank you all.