HS6 and 125gr JHP in 357mag

[NoirFan]

I picked up some 125gr JHP 357cal bullets from American Reloading for a steal. Generally I stick with 158gr in 357, but the price was too good to pass up. It doesn't say on their website, but they seem to be Hornady XTPs:

So I've actually never loaded 125gr bullets in this caliber before. I have HS6 powder and SPM primers. I am looking to build a fairly hot load using these components that mimics a good defense load - not full house but maybe 80% of full house. Hodgdon shows a max load of 10.9gr HS6 for this bullet. Will this generate a complete burn with such a light bullet? Any other recipes for the 125gr JHP and HS6 would be appreciated.

 

[Reeferman]

I use HS6 a lot in 357. One of my best loads for a 6” 28 is 9 grains under a 158 grain bullet. I have found that using magnum primers leaves less powder residue than non magnum primers though. With a 125 grain bullet I would think you will want to go at the mid to higher end of the load data as HS6 works better I’ve found at these loads.
I have not loaded any 125 grain bullets with HS6 but do have some XTP’s that after seeing you post I’m going to try.

 

[gunlaw]

HS6 should work fine. Keep in mind that powder works best the closer to max you get.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hodgdon shows a max load of 10.9gr HS6 for this bullet. Will this generate a complete burn with such a light bullet? Any other recipes for the 125gr JHP and HS6 would be appreciated.

There will be no problems achieving a complete burn especially with a magnum primer. HS-6 burns very well at the top of the pressure range.

 

[Reeferman]

I’ve also had excellent results using HS-6 in 38 special.

 

[Eddietruett]

There will be no problems achieving a complete burn especially with a magnum primer. HS-6 burns very well at the top of the pressure range.

I agree with ArchAngelCD. I've always had much better results with HS-6 using Magnum Primers even if not a max load.