Who likes HS-6, and what are your favorite loads?

[Centaur 1]

I have no idea why I gravitate to Alliant powders, other than I started with green dot in shotshells over 35 years ago. I use Bullseye, Unique, Reloader 7 and the one oddball is Trail Boss. I load my own cast bullets in .380acp, 38 special, 357 magnum, 9mm, 30-30 and 30-06. I was wanting to try a powder that's slower burning than Unique and I was about to buy a pound of Power Pistol, but I read a lot of people complaining about muzzle flash and report. So I decided to think outside the box and I bought a bottle of HS-6 instead. Looking at a bunch of load data it seems that I'll be able to make some top end loads in the 9mm and 357 mag. The Hodgdon web site claims that I should be able to get over 1700 fps in the .357 with my 105 grain swc's, but I doubt that I'll be able to go that fast without a gas check. It should be fun seeing how fast I can go before I get barrel leading. How about in the .380, has anyone ever used it in one? I can only find data on one website, but I like to see data in a couple of different places to verify that it's safe.

 

[Gryffydd]

Hodgdon's 357 data is from a 10.5" closed breach barrel, so don't expect the numbers they claim from a revolver.

The reason you are not finding much HS-6 data for .380 may be that it's not optimal for working under 21,500psi.

 

[gamestalker]

I load 38 spcl, 9mm, and .40 S&W with both HS6 and Longshot with excellent results. But I don't nor have I ever loaded non jacketed bullets so my data and results will not really correspond with what your doing.

I've been with Longshot for a long time, probably 25 yrs. or more, but HS6 I just started using maybe 7 or 8 yrs. ago. I find HS6 is a better performer with bullets at, or below, mid weight, where as Longshot is a much better performer with the mid to heavy bullets. But every firearm is different, every reloader has a different goal as to what they are trying to achieve. For me it's finding the highest velocity load that still performs accurately enough to use for SD.

 

[ny32182]

I actually use it in the opposite fashion from what is normally considered optimal for this powder: I use it for minor powerfactor 147gr 9mm loads mostly. My Dillon measure drops right at 4.8gr every time, and I get good consistent velocity; the only problem I have observed is that it is fairly dirty at the lower pressure level. I am the only person I have ever met who uses it for this. I started using it because it was what I had on hand at the time I needed to develop that load, as long as I'm willing to clean the gun I can't find a big downside, though I have and will continue to evaluate other options.

I've used it for average pressure level .40s&w loads as well with fine results.

 

[Centaur 1]

I never expect to match factory speed, with loaded ammo or reloads. It seems like HS-6 is a ball powder and if I understand correctly ball powders are harder to ignite so they don't work as well in a reduced load.

gamestalker, I'm glad to hear that it works better with lighter bullets. Since I do all my own casting I prefer lighter bullets because they conserve lead, especially when I'm just punching paper. My son has a 9mm AR-15 and I want to work up a load that takes advantage of the longer barrel. I've been using the Ranch Dog 100 grain flat nose bullet that was designed for the .380. Anyone have an idea of how fast I'll be able to push that little bullet from a 16" barrel?

ny32182, I can't imagine it being any dirtier than the Unique that I've been using. I don't mind cleaning my guns, a gun is just a tool and I clean my tools before I put them away.

 

[45-70 Ranger]

HS6 is fun for me as I get great performance in the .38Spl and the .45-70! I shoot a reduced load with a 300 gr RNFP in the .45-70 and HS6 with a LRP to spark it off. I'm at at work so I don't have my loading data handy, but HS6, when taken up the ladder from starting to near max, shows very consistant results in small calibers. Now in the big boy, once it starts go climb a bit, accuracy fall off. It works well in smaller cases as it has less air in the case. Bigger cases give it a bit too much, if you go near the top loads safe to use. Mild loads can be very accruate and easy on the shoulder in big bore rifles. No need to use a wad or such. I've had great luck with a mild load in the .45-70 and that makes it a winner for me!

In a 45ACP it was the only powder I used to shoot police matches with and it NEVER failed to perform less than perfect. In the .44 Spl, and .44mag, it does real well in the mid, to upper-mid range loads too. Also had, and have, great luck with W231 in the 38 and the 45-70..Between HS6 and W231, I hardly have to buy anything else for pistol loads and light rifle stuff.

Wade

 

[chrome_austex]

I've had good luck with HS-6 for 9mm. Loading Hornady and Precision Delta JHP in 124 grains for my Walther P99

 

[thorn-]

HS6 is one of my main powders for 124gr 9mm.

thorn

 

[orionengnr]

So far, I have only used HS6 in 10mm lead target loads (~1050 fps). Works quite well. I have seen loads for .357 Mag and .41 Mag, and look forward to trying those one day soon.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I like HS-6 a lot. I use it in my .38 Spacial +P, .357 Magnum, some 9mm and some .45 Colt loads.

 

[Mike 27]

I am going to finish the pound I bought 3 years ago one day if that tells you how much I use it. I had some problems in .38spl with lower pressure loads getting the powder to ignite fully. I have used it in 9mm, 45acp and 44 SPL with no issues. As stated ealier it can be a bit on the dirty side.

 

[Ralph G. Briscoe]

I've used HS6 in .38 special. 6 grains in a nice load with a 158 gr speer LSWCHP. Loaded lighter it's really dirty. You might look into Lil Gun.

 

[J_McLeod]

I am the only person I have ever met who uses it for this. I started using it because it was what I had on hand at the time I needed to develop that load, as long as I'm willing to clean the gun I can't find a big downside, though I have and will continue to evaluate other options.

Now you know another. One my favorite 9mm loads is 4.8gr of HS-6 with a MBC 147gr bullet at 1.078. Shoots great through all my 9mms, and my Lee Auto is good with it. I tried it because someone here said Win231 was too fast for the 147s and I've been glad I did.

I also use HS-6 in .40 with good results. Back in Nov I went all the way up to 8.0gr with a 180gr before starting to get pressure signs. That's close to max in some data and well above in others and it still just felt like stout 9mm.

 

[ny32182]

The heaviest I've gone with it in .40 is 7.0gr with a 180gr Precision Delta FMJ, and I believe that is still under most factory loads (chronoed 888fps from a G23), with room to run for sure... my data says 7.6gr max.

 

[41 Mag]

I'm starting to have some fun with it in my 45 Colt. So far it has hit the velocity I wanted to hit, and is shooting awesome groups.

 

[Centaur 1]

Well it sounds like I'm going to like this powder. I tend to be on the cautious side when I reload and I'll be able to work up some nice loads without worrying as much about high pressure. I'm pretty happy using Unique and Trail Boss in my lighter plinking loads, but every once in a while it's nice when the gun belches and the guy in the next lanes has to turn and look.