HS 6

[gifbohane]

I had a 1/3 bottle of HS 6 that I put away about 5 years ago when I started using a powder that I like better.

Last week I decided to use it up, in case it went bad, and Chronoed it with my Labradar.

Surprisingly, the FPS was almost repeated on each round. Never had that happen before, usually 20 of 40 FPS difference.

 

[N555]

I bought a bunch of ancient HS6 from a yard sale in metal canisters, which means it at least came from the 1990s or earlier. Still runs like HS6.

 

[Cheesemaker]

I have an unopened lb of HS6 - bought it a few years ago - I dont recall what for

What are you folks loading with it?

 

[Y-T71]

I've never used it but a coworker loves it in his 9mm.

 

[Reeferman]

I have HS6 from the 90’s and some from a couple years ago. I’ve seen no difference between the two in any loads that I have shot passed the LabRadar.

 

[Random 8]

HS-6 is a good powder. I've used it in 9mm. .38+P, .357 medium and 12Ga field loads for literally decades. Those $12.95 metal cans killed a lot of pheasants and grouse for me back in the day! I still have a couple holding shot up in my reloading room. Once my present supply is expended I will be switching to Hodg Longshot though.

Preliminary load development is promising, and in all applications it produces higher velocities corresponding with lower pressures.

 

[Blue68f100]

HS6 is the old W540 that was Win shotgun powder for 20 ga. I use to buy it by the 8# cans. Back then Win published what the factory loads were in their free hand loading guide. I still use it today for my 20ga and also use it in 9mm. I've noticed over the years when a powder loose it's solvent smell the SD numbers go way down. I did a 5 shot string one time with IMR4350 that gave be a 1 SD over 5 shots, was actually less average since only 2 of the rounds did not match, off by 1. That was the end of that lot. The new lot gave me 12-15 SD's.

 

[243winxb]

the FPS was almost repeated on each round

Cartridge & load data. Group size @ yardage.

I find HS-6 and W540 useful. Have both. Target doesnt know the difference.

 

[N555]

I load hot 9x19 sub gun ammo with HS6 and old W540.

 

[kalielkslayer]

HS-6 is a good powder. I've used it in 9mm. .38+P, .357 medium and 12Ga field loads for literally decades. Those $12.95 metal cans killed a lot of pheasants and grouse for me back in the day! I still have a couple holding shot up in my reloading room. Once my present supply is expended I will be switching to Hodg Longshot though.

Preliminary load development is promising, and in all applications it produces higher velocities corresponding with lower pressures.

I grew up in the 70s loading W540 under 1 1/2 oz #4s, using the #34 bushing. Probably not a book load, in fact it would break a 1100 in less than 5 shots.

And have used HS6 in 9mm.

Moved on to Silhouette for 9.

Just went to Longshot for 1 1/4 oz 12 gauge loads. They pattern great on paper. Haven’t chrono’d them, I’ll believe the book at 1440 fps. But they replaced my HS6 loads, less pressure, more velocity.

that said, I’m holding onto the last 5 lbs of HS6.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I use HS-6 in 9mm, and all the magnum revolver-type loads: 357, 41, 44. Also heavy and +P 38 Spl.

It is best at or near the top of it's pressure range. Loads in the top half of the data burn clean, and give very good consistency.

This powder prefers heavy for cartridge projectiles: 124 -150 ish grain in 9mm, 158-180 grain in 38 Spl, 160 - 200 in 357, that sort of thing.

I use HS-6 alot. It's one of my favorite powders.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have an unopened lb of HS6 - bought it a few years ago - I dont recall what for

What are you folks loading with it?

I use it for loading them .38 Special +P, some loads in 9mm, middle to middle hot .357 Magnum loads using a cast bullet and in the 45 Colt.

I was pleasantly surprised at how accurate the HS-6 loads are in the 45 Colt.

I have been told since I'm such a fan of HS-6 my name should be changed from ArchAngel CD to ArchAngel HS-6.

 

[KY DAN]

HS-6 and magnum primers just go together.

I have loaded STOUT 9mm 150 SWC loads to fire out of a ruger p89 and Smith and wesson 6906. The Smith is aluminum frame and I discontinued the practice in 2 mags as I had an aluminum shavings fall out if pistol....oops

My ruger p89 loves them and I wouldn't hesitate to harvest a white tail deer if a situation required it.

My second love for HS-6 is the 38 special fbi load. I recently load 1000 rounds with speer 158 grain hollow points. This ammo is enjoyable in a k frame while snappy in my steel frame model 36 smith's. I have never shot these loads in an aluminum revolver so I imagine the are even snappier to the point I may not enjoy them. From my model 36 revolvers with full size grips to fit my hands at 15 yards 5 shots will land in a 1.5 inch group.

the new data for hs6 is weak and worthless, find old Speer manuals and look up Winchester 540.
Those loads are safe and will not harm a pistol of quality construction.

 

[DMW1116]

I use it for heavy 9mm 147 grain loads. I tried it in 357 Magnum too but it just hasn’t come together. It shoots 125 grain XTPs very well but seems like pressure is higher than I’d like. I’m working up with it in a 125 grain cast load in 357 Mag now but I’m still in the middle charge range. I hope it pulls together as I reach the top. That’s what happened with every other load I’ve tried with it.

My Shield also prefers HS-6 to Silhouette pushing 115 grain Berrys in 9mm. My other 9s shoot them both about the same.

As soon as I get my order from RMR I plan to try it in some 147 grain loads for 9mm rifle.

It seems to be a good powder. It seems to shine in the higher load range, which I only like to use when necessary.

 

[Virginia Jim]

Count me in as a proponent of HS6/W540. Very versatile.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

HS-6 and magnum primers just go together.
........
.........
The new data for hs6 is weak and worthless, find old Speer manuals and look up Winchester 540.
Those loads are safe and will not harm a pistol of quality construction.

I apologize for not mentioning both very good points made by KY DAN.
This is totally correct, HS-6 does benefit from the use of a magnum primer. I have found it cleans up better and the SD & ES numbers drop compared to a standard primer. You will get posts saying they load HS-6 with a standard primer and it's just fine and while it will work a magnum primer works much better.

Again correct, HS-6 is exactly the same powder as W540, I usually say that.
While many reloaders call Bullseye, Unique and 2400 the holy trinity of loading powders my trinity is different.
Mine is W231/HP-38, W540/HS-6 and W296/H110. I can load any handgun cartridge with those 3 powders and load them well... (yes, all 3 pairs are exactly the same and some others too)

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I apologize for not mentioning both very good points made by KY DAN.
This is totally correct, HS-6 does benefit from the use of a magnum primer. I have found it cleans up better and the SD & ES numbers drop compared to a standard primer. You will get posts saying they load HS-6 with a standard primer and it's just fine and while it will work a magnum primer works much better.

Again correct, HS-6 is exactly the same powder as W540, I usually say that.
While many reloaders call Bullseye, Unique and 2400 the holy trinity of loading powders my trinity is different.
Mine is W231/HP-38, W540/HS-6 and W296/H110. I can load any handgun cartridge with those 3 powders and load them well... (yes, all 3 pairs are exactly the same and some others too)

Swap IMR 700X for W540/HS-6 and you have my father in-law’s loading bench. I don’t think he considers powders in the space between 231 and 296 worthwhile. Everyone has their magic mojo and sauce with chips that just does it for them. I’m not gonna argue with what works.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Swap IMR 700X for W540/HS-6 and you have my father in-law’s loading bench. I don’t think he considers powders in the space between 231 and 296 worthwhile. Everyone has their magic mojo and sauce with chips that just does it for them. I’m not gonna argue with what works.

Hey, isn't that what hand loading is all about? We all search for what works best for us. That's why most times I say, "Works well in my guns or revolvers."

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Hey, isn't that what hand loading is all about? We all search for what works best for us. That's why most times I say, "Works well in my guns or revolvers."

FiL is an engineer and tends to think there's two way to do things, blah, blah, etc... He was shocked - shocked, I tell you! - to find that my Bullseye, Unique, and 2400 magic mojo actually "worked." His reasoning is it's because I'm using cheap guns - Ruger Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, various Colts which are not Pythons, and a surplus Remington-Rand Government Model - so "the cheap stuff" is probably okay in my guns.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

FiL is an engineer and tends to think there's two way to do things, blah, blah, etc... He was shocked - shocked, I tell you! - to find that my Bullseye, Unique, and 2400 magic mojo actually "worked." His reasoning is it's because I'm using cheap guns - Ruger Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, various Colts which are not Pythons, and a surplus Remington-Rand Government Model - so "the cheap stuff" is probably okay in my guns.

Back in the day there were very few smokeless powders available. Bullseye and then Unique were among the first, then. ... . . , . , , . , , , followed by 2400. There is a good reason why they are still around, they just plain work! I prefer the Winchester powder like I said above in Post #16. Those powders work well for me and are usually more available than the original powder trinity!

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

FiL is an engineer and tends to think there's two way to do things, blah, blah, etc... He was shocked - shocked, I tell you! - to find that my Bullseye, Unique, and 2400 magic mojo actually "worked." His reasoning is it's because I'm using cheap guns - Ruger Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, various Colts which are not Pythons, and a surplus Remington-Rand Government Model - so "the cheap stuff" is probably okay in my guns.

My FIL is retired military.

E-8, 28 years active, Korea combat, Vietnam combat x3, etc. I respect the man very much.

He achieved a rank in which he said Jump! and jumping happened. He would make officers under the rank of O-5 quail in his presence.

He was that way when I met him. He lived (lives) his life that way. His way is The Way, because he said so.

I cannot tell you how often I bit my tongue during conversations with the man.

Still, I do like him.
When one marries, one gets the whole Fam Damily.

 

[DMW1116]

My RMR order of 147 grain Match Winners came in Saturday of last week. I can confirm HS-6 likes heavy for caliber bullets.

 

[41 Mag]

Like mentioned, I too have been using W540/HS6 since back in the mid 70s. Started out loading it WW hulls for heavy field loads, and as time wore on worked it into revolver loads.

Today it maintains my 45 Colt loads very well.

 

[JimKirk]

HS6/W540 does well in the 357 SIG also ...not top velocity say like Longshot ...but really clean and consistent

 

[DMW1116]

I hear a handful of people say how they like that cartridge. If it were more common I’d probably try it.