HS6

[JO JO]

I scored 2 lbs HS6 will use it for 40 sw 155 gr plated
shooting from a G22, I have the manuals and online resources for data but wondering if anyone has used
this combo on the mild side for paper punching

 

[Mad Chemist]

I think Gamestalker uses this powder quite a bit. I have zero experience with it aside from seeing some on the shelf at Bimart last week. I picked up some Tite Group instead.

 

[gunlaw]

HS-6 does better at higher pressures. I have tried mild loads with it in 40 s&w and 45 acp. Always had a lot of unburned powder. The closer you get to max loads the better this powder performs. For mild 40 loads try 231.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think Gamestalker uses this powder quite a bit. I have zero experience with it aside from seeing some on the shelf at Bimart last week. I picked up some Tite Group instead.

I agree HS-6 isn't a good choice for the 45 Auto because it's a low pressure cartridge but in the 40 S&W it should be just fine. The starting load pressures for the 40 S&W are higher than the Max charge loads for the 45 Auto.

I don't load for or shoot a 40 S&W so I won't try to tell you what load to use but if you give the starting charge weight on the Hodgdon site a try and work up to the middle of the charge range you should be just fine.

 

[Toprudder]

Disclaimer: My loads, my gun, my chrono. Your results may vary. Start low and work up.

.40 Xtreme 155 RNFP, HS-6, 1.150 COL, Win small primer.
Shot from a Witness PS, 4.5" barrel

7.5gn, 917.0fps, 54.3sd, 137 spread
7.9gn, 972.6fps, 57.8sd, 149spread
8.1gn, 1008.4fps, 69.7sd, 171spread
8.3gn, 1036.0fps, 29.7sd, 76spread
8.5gn, 1048.4fps, 36.5sd, 86spread

The spread and SD were getting better as the charge went up.

I went back and looked at my notes for the 45 loads I worked up with HS-6. "Dirty". It seemed, however, that the accuracy, spread and SD improved with the heavier bullets (I tried 185, 200, and 230 plated). Perhaps in 40 the heavier 180gn might work better - I don't know, didn't try it.

In my searching around the internet, it seems the general consensus is that HS-6 works better in magnum loads. I'll try it in 357mag some day. I suspect it would work well in 10mm as well.

 

[41 Mag]

I use it mainly for mid to heavy cast loads in my revolvers. Like mentioned it seems to work better with the heavier weights across the board and when you get up past the middle of the load spread.

 

[ImjinScout85]

I use it exclusively for .40SW and I find it a great powder for that caliber. For me though I only load 180gr bullets and I use a charge weight of 6.3grs.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Disclaimer: My loads, my gun, my chrono. Your results may vary. Start low and work up.

.40 Xtreme 155 RNFP, HS-6, 1.150 COL, Win small primer.
Shot from a Witness PS, 4.5" barrel

7.5gn, 917.0fps, 54.3sd, 137 spread
7.9gn, 972.6fps, 57.8sd, 149spread
8.1gn, 1008.4fps, 69.7sd, 171spread
8.3gn, 1036.0fps, 29.7sd, 76spread
8.5gn, 1048.4fps, 36.5sd, 86spread

The spread and SD were getting better as the charge went up.

I went back and looked at my notes for the 45 loads I worked up with HS-6. "Dirty". It seemed, however, that the accuracy, spread and SD improved with the heavier bullets (I tried 185, 200, and 230 plated). Perhaps in 40 the heavier 180gn might work better - I don't know, didn't try it.

In my searching around the internet, it seems the general consensus is that HS-6 works better in magnum loads. I'll try it in 357mag some day. I suspect it would work well in 10mm as well.

Your SD numbers could possible drop to single digits if you switch to a magnum primer. HS-6 really shines when set off by a magnum primer.

Like I said, HS-6 is a poor choice for the 45 auto because it's a low pressure cartridge and HS-6 performs much better at higher pressures.

 

[Jason Neighbors]

I have recently tried HS-6 (however in 9mm). I agree with one of the previous posters that it works much better at the top end of the scale. I won't post my charge weigh, as I have been scolded about that. I will say that at the Max charge I tested (under a 125gr 9mm) the ES and SD were some of the lowest I have ever seen.

 

[JO JO]

Would I be better off at the lower end stating data with mag
primers instead of the standard primers ?
Primers are so much easier to switch than powder these days

 

[anothernewb]

I have come to love HS-6 in 9mm. especially with the 147 grain lead bullets. I've also used it with 124 lead as well, but I prefer 147.

it works awesome for me. I have used a mag primer as I read somewhere that its a tough powder to ignite. but I've seen little difference in cases or on the target when I tried std primers as well. Although according to the chrono, the mag primers did yield lower variations on velocity. I'm running 4.6 grains under hi-tek coated bullets now. and it's a very nice combination.

I would think it would work great in 40 as it's another high pressure round. HS-6 also seems to work really great with plated and lead and coated bullets. (for me, so take it FWIW)

6 grains under 158 SWC in .357 with a mag primer has been another very nice load for me too.

 

[Jason Neighbors]

FWIW I didn't use magnum primers. It worked fine for me with standard Fed SPP. YMMV.

 

[Toprudder]

Your SD numbers could possible drop to single digits if you switch to a magnum primer. HS-6 really shines when set off by a magnum primer.

Good idea. I've had one powder (PB) that worked much better at lower charges with magnum primers. I might revisit this when I get a chance.

 

[Artofgolf]

I have come to love HS-6 in 9mm. especially with the 147 grain lead bullets.

I can see why Could not find any for awhile; it suddenly appeared at my LGS.
I've not had the chance to use it before, but I was pleasantly surprised by the performance and feel ~ very nice for 147g XTP's from my G-19 @ 7 yds.

(click on image to expand)

 

[anothernewb]

I can see why Could not find any for awhile; it suddenly appeared at my LGS.
I've not had the chance to use it before, but I was pleasantly surprised by the performance and feel ~ very nice for 147g XTP's from my G-19 @ 7 yds.

View attachment 207154 (click on image to expand)

I use the same load for the 147 plated, although I load mine a lot longer than that. 1.16

 

[Artofgolf]

I use the same load for the 147 plated, although I load mine a lot longer than that. 1.16

My Glock 19 works well from 1.05" to 1.15" COAL for the majority of my recipes; YMMV.
It doesn't hurt to experiment with your pistol to find the ideal length that works the best for you and adjust the charge accordingly

 

[Potatohead]

I use the same load for the 147 plated, although I load mine a lot longer than that. 1.16

How much longer than 1.16 can you go? I thought that was about the maximum.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

How much longer than 1.16 can you go? I thought that was about the maximum.

The SAAMI maximum cartridge length for the 9mm is 1.169" so you are very close with a 1.16" max cartridge length. You might be able to go a little longer but you have to worry about the ammo fitting in the magazine and also worry about having enough bullet in the case to insure proper neck tension. I load a lot of my 9mm ammo to 1.125" especially with lead bullets.

 

[gamestalker]

Yep, I've burned a lot of HS6, but nothing on the light side, and always jacketed. I like HS6 a lot, but I prefer Longshot a bit more.

GS

 

[anothernewb]

How much longer than 1.16 can you go? I thought that was about the maximum.

I believe I have a very generous chamber and magazines with my hi-power. I tend to load them as long as they will go and still chamber.

For me, the berrys 147 will still load at 1.17 and even a tad longer, but it starts to get to the point where there's not much bullet left in the case either. So, unless I run into feeding issues - I tend to run mine on the long side - all other factors being equal. Although I've shortened up a few low powder sooty loads to help it burn better.

 

[anothernewb]

Yep, I've burned a lot of HS6, but nothing on the light side, and always jacketed. I like HS6 a lot, but I prefer Longshot a bit more.

GS

I tried loudshot once. seemed pretty similar really. HS-6 ended up being more common in my area though, that and titegroup. IF they ever take the out of stock tag down, I might try a pound of that just for fun.

I've had pretty good luck with HS-6 even loaded fairly low. I've run some loads in the near 4 grain area with 147 bullets, but I did need to use mag primers and a shorter OAL to bring the pressure up for a good consistent burn. In the end though, just bumping up a few tenths was an easier solution and the difference in number of rounds per pound, nor the difference in recoil wasn't justifiable for me. 4.6 grains under those coated 147 bullets just shoots soo smooth that I don't see myself changing things up unless I run out of powder.

 

[joebiker]

HS-6 comments

I started using HS-6 in my Glock 22 @ the suggestion of my bullet caster..
Having read about the Ka-booms from shooting cast bullets in Glock factory barrels, I bought a Lone Wolf barrel, for peace of mind..I prefer the profile of Penn Bullets cast bullets over most others.. many of the molds they use have a conical taper, rather than RN or a sharp edged SWC design.

I believe I used 165 gr cast bullets & liked the accuracy from HS-6, it became
my 40 S&W choice.. then I ran out.. Haven't seen any for sale the past 2 years!
I have ammo I'd loaded, so haven't tried another powder..

My Sig 226S (X-5 Competition) is scary accurate with this powder..

 

[Potatohead]

I just got 3 lb online a few weeks back. And have seen it pop up a few times since then. It's around.

 

[Crashbox]

HS-6 has been showing up quite a bit lately here in the Pacific Northwest.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Whoops

I had that all wrong
Archangel is the HS6 shooter. Gamestalker is the Loudshot fan.

Sorry bout that. I'm glad the right guy chimed in though.