HS-6 - 124gr JHP +P Sample Load Data

[n2omike]

Hodgdons own manual #25 on page 388 shows 124-125gr jacketed max 6.8gr HS-6.
1169 fps in a 4" barrel.

No +P data listed; this must be standard pressure.
Pressure listed in CUP @ 27,100.

You still have some room yet.

I am also a big fan of HS-6 in full power 9mm.

Yup... Was looking in the reloading room, and it even has that data right on the bottle!

 

[Hugger-4641]

Yep, another big fan of Hs-6 for the top end in 9mm.
I'm easily getting 1200fps with 124xtp, coal of 1.09, chronographed in my Stoeger STR9. My load is closer to 6gr than it is to 7gr.

 

[Nick C.]

Yep, another big fan of Hs-6 for the top end in 9mm.
I'm easily getting 1200fps with 124xtp, coal of 1.09, chronographed in my Stoeger STR9. My load is closer to 6gr than it is to 7gr.

I have to say, this is becoming my favorite powder for 9mm, especially when you factor in availability and how clean it's shooting. I don't shoot 115s, just 124 \ 147. I am only going to use 231 for my brass jacketed target loads from now on.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I have to say, this is becoming my favorite powder for 9mm, especially when you factor in availability and how clean it's shooting. I don't shoot 115s, just 124 \ 147. I am only going to use 231 for my brass jacketed target loads from now on.

HS-6 likes the top end of its data. Higher pressure = clean burn.

It also works very well in not-quite top velocity loads for 357 Mag and 44 Mag, for heavier bullets. I have been using it for years in this capacity.

I'm surprised about the lack of popularity for this powder. Maybe because it's old school, not a fancy new powder.

It works very well for certain applications, and it is usually not hard to find.

 

[Kaldor]

Hodgdon thinks compressed loads can be a good thing. Here's what they says about compressed loads:

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/compressed-loads

Normally a pistol or rifle shellcase is considered full, or 100% loading density, when the powder charge sits at the base of the bullet when the bullet is fully seated. It is possible with some powders and cartridges to increase the powder charge slightly above this point, such that when the bullet is seated it actually compresses the powder charge slightly. This condition is known as a compressed load.

Hodgdon notes in its reloading data if the subject charge is a compressed load. A full case, or lightly compressed charge is an ideal condition for creating loads with the most uniform velocities and pressures, and oftentimes, producing top accuracy.

I actually dont disagree with that statement in a rifle cartridge. Noslers data proves that as well, as generally the loads with 95% case fill so the best accuracy potential. I always measure approximate fill to the bottom of the shoulder in a case, and in alot of cases that will get you 95% capacity, and get you pretty close to the best load depending on the powder.

But you start looking at pistol powders? Its pretty hard to get to even 75% case fill with some powders. I use alot of TiteGroup and CFE-Pistol. I wouldnt even attempt to hit 50% casefill with TG otherwise things will go boom. CFE-P, I think my highest casefill is a 185gr in my 45, and its a handful at about 75% case fill, and I wouldnt go any hotter because Im already pushing +P on it. Same thing with the 9mm 124 load I run with CFE-P.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I actually dont disagree with that statement in a rifle cartridge. Noslers data proves that as well, as generally the loads with 95% case fill so the best accuracy potential. I always measure approximate fill to the bottom of the shoulder in a case, and in alot of cases that will get you 95% capacity, and get you pretty close to the best load depending on the powder.

But you start looking at pistol powders? Its pretty hard to get to even 75% case fill with some powders. I use alot of TiteGroup and CFE-Pistol. I wouldnt even attempt to hit 50% casefill with TG otherwise things will go boom. CFE-P, I think my highest casefill is a 185gr in my 45, and its a handful at about 75% case fill, and I wouldnt go any hotter because Im already pushing +P on it. Same thing with the 9mm 124 load I run with CFE-P.

The idea of the compressed load is this:
If you are not at 95%+ case fill, you are using a powder too fast for the application.

Go to the fastest powder that will give you 100% case fill at a given pressure - that's the powder to use.

Harder to do with cartridges such as 38 Spl, which was designed in the Black Powder era, but it can be useful for more modern cartridges.

If one is searching for accuracy at max velocity. If that isn't the stated goal, then the entire premise is out the window.

 

[GooseGestapo]

It's often all about barrel length. I have a 9mm AR with a 10.5" barrel. I tested it with some old factory Winchester 147 grain FMJ White Box. Every shot was supersonic. I tested some reloads yesterday consisting of 3.8 grains of HP38 (max is 4.1 grains) under a 147 gr. RMR FMJ. They averaged right at 1,100 fps... and that's not even a hot powder, and well under max. Only need around another 50 fps to go supersonic.

Most load data I come across is for a 4" barrel. Longer barrels, even an inch or two increase the velocity substantially. My 5" barrel Canik regularly shoots faster than what the book lists for 4" barrels... Often 100 fps more.

Good Luck

Speed of sound at 68degF is 1,125fps.
@32degF it’s 1,086fps
So, you’re already trans sonic, which means you’ll already be hearing some sonic “crack”.
Most Subsonic ammo is loaded below the 1,080fps level to avoid transonic issues. (Can cause bullet stability/accuracy issues).
So congratulations! You’re already supersonic!

 

[n2omike]

Speed of sound at 68degF is 1,125fps.
@32degF it’s 1,086fps
So, you’re already trans sonic, which means you’ll already be hearing some sonic “crack”.
Most Subsonic ammo is loaded below the 1,080fps level to avoid transonic issues. (Can cause bullet stability/accuracy issues).
So congratulations! You’re already supersonic!

The gun has a muffler, so I can tell when it is supersonic or not. Temperature isn't the only variable, and I'm aware it's right on the edge right now. I tested another load that was indeed supersonic... and it was easy to hear. These loads would likely be supersonic in cold weather.
HP38 is a fairly fast pistol powder. This is for a 10.5" barrel... which is about 100 fps faster than the 5" Canik, which is significantly faster than a 4". So, adjust the loads accordingly for barrel length and weather. The couple hundred rounds or so I have loaded right now will not last until winter.

 

[Kaldor]

The idea of the compressed load is this:
If you are not at 95%+ case fill, you are using a powder too fast for the application.

Go to the fastest powder that will give you 100% case fill at a given pressure - that's the powder to use.

Harder to do with cartridges such as 38 Spl, which was designed in the Black Powder era, but it can be useful for more modern cartridges.

If one is searching for accuracy at max velocity. If that isn't the stated goal, then the entire premise is out the window.

I agree with you 100%, but in alot of cases, especially pistol, we arent using the powders that can give us high case numbers in most cases. Look at powders like TiteGroup. Such a small amount of powder can yield the velocity you are looking for and alot of times may only see 20% case fill.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I agree with you 100%, but in alot of cases, especially pistol, we arent using the powders that can give us high case numbers in most cases. Look at powders like TiteGroup. Such a small amount of powder can yield the velocity you are looking for and alot of times may only see 20% case fill.

Absolutely! I use a pinch of Promo in 32 Long cases.

The velocity with fast powders comes at the expense of a quick pressure peak. No problem in short barreled handguns, but much different in longer barreled rifles.

It all depends on what one is trying to accomplish with the load.

Paper don't take much to kill, nor do rabbits and such.

 

[kalielkslayer]

This thread was interesting to me. I used a couple lbs of HS6 building 124 gr 9mm rounds last year. I was around 6 grains (have to look to be exact).

Anyways, it didn’t burn as clean as I liked. I switched over to Silhouette and haven’t looked back.

But I’ll put this in the memory banks in case I ever use HS6 again.

 

[Nick C.]

This thread was interesting to me. I used a couple lbs of HS6 building 124 gr 9mm rounds last year. I was around 6 grains (have to look to be exact).

Anyways, it didn’t burn as clean as I liked. I switched over to Silhouette and haven’t looked back.

But I’ll put this in the memory banks in case I ever use HS6 again.

I had some HS-6 run dirty with my brass jacketed 124 grain target loads. This time around, loading defensive cartridges and thus as hot as I could safely run them, clean as a whistle and very accurate. I think case fill\powder burn has something to do with it. The light 231 loads I made also ran pretty dirty (and very smokey).

 

[Walkalong]

All powders burn cleaner at higher pressures, some need it, HS-6 is one of those that needs it.