HS 6

[tws3b2]

I was just planing on loading 38spl and 9mm. and hoping to find one powder for both. I looked around and found that w231 and HP 38 was recommended by several. At the reloading store I got a pound of w231, 38spl, 158gr Hornady xtp and 9mm, 147gr Hornady xtp. Loaded up some 38spl and now going on to 9mm. But, In my book I can find no data using w231 and 9mm 147gr xtp or any other 147gr bullet. Not in my book or any website that I've found Except Hodgdon data site.. They do list 147gr xtp starting 3.0 - 3.4 max w231. In my book Hodgdon does list w231 up to 130gr bullets but nothing over. So, should I use Hodgdon 9mm 147gr w231 data? Or move on and find another?
I've looked around and have seen that HS 6 powder works with most all 38spl and 9mm loads. And, in my small town the only reloading store has HS 6 in stock. It's a 70 mile trip that I don't want to make to the next reloading store.
HS 6 a good powder??

 

[Roverguy]

I shall be interested in the answers to this question. I use HS6 in 38 Spl, 38 Super, 45 Colt and 45 ACP. I have to say that with exception of 38 Super, I have done little in the way of load development with HS6; instead just picking a load a bit below max for a given bullet and running with that.

I have no complaints with it and the only other pistol powders that I use are Tightgroup for cast 38 spl loads, IMR 4227 for hot 45 Colt loads, and H110 for 454 Casull. So, I find HS6 a very versatile powder and one I can get hold of most of the time. But I never see its virtues extolled or its vices decried.

 

[fxvr5]

So, should I use Hodgdon 9mm 147gr w231 data?

Of course.

 

[AJC1]

So some powders work good across calibers but nothing will work well at the extremes. A 158 is a standard bullet in 38 and works well with very fast to medium pistol powders. 9mm is a high pressure cartridge and your trying to drive a very heavy for caliber bullet. If you went the other way and went 115 it would be easy. Unique, herco, universal, and a few others would do both.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Yes, use the Hodgdon data. Their powder, exact bullet. Work up.
3.4 grains W231 is my standard for 147 grain jacketed bullets.
HS-6 is also a very good choice in 9mm, especially with heavy bullets.
I did not like HS-6 in revolver cartridges.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

HS6 (the old W540) is a good useful powder but driving heavy for caliber bullets is something everyone has trouble with. Either their chamber is short for seating long or their brass is tapered internally and bulges at the middle when the bullet is seated on the high side, or they get pressure spikes with hot powder, it’s always a pain to get dialed in just right. My suggestion is to save the 147’s until you have the 9mm down pat and can do some troubleshooting with reasonable confidence and go buy some plain 115gr or 124gr FMJ’s for practice.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

HS6 is a ball powder; more dense than W231 powder. More weight can fit in a given volume.

HS6 does very well in higher-pressure situations, as in loading at the upper end of the data, or loading with a heavier bullet.

HS6 works very well in full power 9mm, and full power (and +P) 38 Spl.

I would think that HS6 data for 147gr bullets would be easy to find, as would data for 38 Spl.

If you are looking for full-house loads in both 9mm and 38 Spl, HS6 would be an excellent choice. If you want to download for a lower velocity, or use lighter than usual for cartridge bullets, then HP-38/W231 would be a better choice.

 

[anothernewb]

5 grains HS6 and a 147 berrys loaded as long as the chamber/mag will handle has worked for many a round for me. most of my guns will go right to 1.17 shoots very nice. even though it's at the top of the book. certainly doesn't shoot like it.

 

[tws3b2]

HS6 is a ball powder; more dense than W231 powder. More weight can fit in a given volume.

HS6 does very well in higher-pressure situations, as in loading at the upper end of the data, or loading with a heavier bullet.

HS6 works very well in full power 9mm, and full power (and +P) 38 Spl.

I would think that HS6 data for 147gr bullets would be easy to find, as would data for 38 Spl.

If you are looking for full-house loads in both 9mm and 38 Spl, HS6 would be an excellent choice. If you want to download for a lower velocity, or use lighter than usual for cartridge bullets, then HP-38/W231 would be a better choice.

I would love to stick with w231 in both 38spl and 9mm. if I could. I'm not looking to load anything full power or +P. Mild loads are fine with me. I'm thinking after I finish with the bullets I have on hand now I will go down to 124 or 115gr for 9mm. I guess buying the 9mm 147gr. xtp was a mistake. But, at the time that was all they had on the shelf and I didn't think I was ready to buy in bulk online.
So, I see some above say go with the Hodgdon data. That would be great.
Thanks All

 

[Yankee1986]

I would love to stick with w231 in both 38spl and 9mm. if I could. I'm not looking to load anything full power or +P. Mild loads are fine with me. I'm thinking after I finish with the bullets I have on hand now I will go down to 124 or 115gr for 9mm. I guess buying the 9mm 147gr. xtp was a mistake. But, at the time that was all they had on the shelf and I didn't think I was ready to buy in bulk online.
So, I see some above say go with the Hodgdon data. That would be great.
Thanks All

You could try trading the 147gr for some 124/115gr.

 

[Walkalong]

The W-231 will work just fine with the 147s.

 

[243winxb]

HS-6 in 38 spec, leaves this behind at book maximum with 158 gr lswc. Magnum Primer.

 

[n2omike]

HS-6 works well when loaded hot. It doesn't like light loads. HP38/W231 is better for most 38 Special loads, unless you're pushing into +P territory.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I was just planing on loading 38spl and 9mm. and hoping to find one powder for both. I looked around and found that w231 and HP 38 was recommended by several. At the reloading store I got a pound of w231, 38spl, 158gr Hornady xtp and 9mm, 147gr Hornady xtp. Loaded up some 38spl and now going on to 9mm. But, In my book I can find no data using w231 and 9mm 147gr xtp or any other 147gr bullet. Not in my book or any website that I've found Except Hodgdon data site.. They do list 147gr xtp starting 3.0 - 3.4 max w231. In my book Hodgdon does list w231 up to 130gr bullets but nothing over. So, should I use Hodgdon 9mm 147gr w231 data? Or move on and find another?
I've looked around and have seen that HS 6 powder works with most all 38spl and 9mm loads. And, in my small town the only reloading store has HS 6 in stock. It's a 70 mile trip that I don't want to make to the next reloading store.
HS 6 a good powder??

I find it very forgiving, meaning its not as sensitive to seating depth and charge weight as Titegroup and some others in 9mm. I also have used it in .40, 10mm, and 45c. I haven't actually loaded it in .38special yet, only because I have plenty of 4227 and Red Dot I need to use up. I would expect it to do fine in .38 also.

 

[Linus101A]

When I participated in the IPSC game with my Glock 22 (40 S+W), I used Win 540 (HS6) to give me a nice, middle-of-the-road load....mid+ minor....and it shot wonderfully. Haven't tried it in other cartridges, though. Lower end .357 and .45ACP will be my next foray into research.

 

[tws3b2]

I think I'm going to do a few test rounds at 3.1 w231 and see what happens.
Thanks Guys.

 

[Akula69]

I push 147 grain G2 with HS-6 @ 3.20 grains with no problems. I also use the HS-6 in 1oz 12 Gauge slug (40.0 grains - 11,000 psi) ..so there is that. For 125 grain .38 I use True Blue (5.30 grains) or 231 (4.50 grains)

 

[KY DAN]

HS6 is winchester 540

The load data for hs6 is WEAK

I use a 158 grain swaged speer lead hollow point and 7.2 grains hs6 in 38 special.

This is a snappy load, it is supported by win 540 data.

Use magnum primers to get complete burn and uniform velocity.

 

[chevrofreak]

I used to use HS-6 in 9mm Major, but it is pretty dirty. The lower you go in pressure the worse it is.

 

[Charlie98]

I'm thinking after I finish with the bullets I have on hand now I will go down to 124 or 115gr for 9mm.

If you want to stick with a single powder for both .38SPC and 9mm... that would be my suggestion.

I used to be a big 147grn 9mm guy... but I was using a slower powder (Unique.) While the faster powders likely work, I don't think that is their niche for 147grn loads towards the upper end... HS-6 would be a better choice.

 

[DMW1116]

I use a near max charge of HS6 for 357 Magnum and 125 grain XTP bullets. I use a mid-range load of HS6 for 147 grain Heavy Match Winners in 9mm for target loads, though I'll probably replace it with TiteGroup. It's cheaper and shoots about 98% as good. The HS6 shoots really well though. The charge is 5.7 grains of HS6, but only 3.4 grains of TiteGroup, with equal accuracy so far. I tried HS6 with 158 grain cast bullets in 357 too, but 2400 shot considerably better. No surprise there.

I use W231 for about everything. I'd put it on my cereal if it wouldn't chip my teeth. I get good accuracy from my Shield with a minimal W231 charge and a 147 grain Berry's plated bullet or a 135 grain Gallant cast and coated bullet.

 

[derek45]

The W-231 will work just fine with the 147s.

this

 

[n2omike]

The W-231 will work just fine with the 147s.

I've shared this before, but 3.8 grains of HP38/W231 works great with the RMR 147 grain FMJ. It works well in a pistol, and is still subsonic in a 10.5" 9mm AR.

Below is a test between the Berrys 147 plated bullet (top right) and the other two groups are the RMR 147 grain FMJ with the above load at 50 yards. This is with the relatively inexpensive Palmetto State Armory 9mm AR with the 10.5" barrel and a low power scope. Load has lots of potential with a decent bullet. The Berrys plated bullet would be okay at short range pistol offhand, but the RMR is a far superior projectile. With them being basically the same price, RMR all the way! RMR also has free shipping.

9mm (.355") | RMR Bullets

www.rmrbullets.com

 

[Charlie98]

Berrys 147 plated bullet

I shot some of those last night, in my new SA-35. Not all powders are created equal, however... the loads with SportPistol gave horrendous accuracy, the loads with BE-86 actually did very well. They were loaded to the same approximate velocity.

 

[n2omike]

I shot some of those last night, in my new SA-35. Not all powders are created equal, however... the loads with SportPistol gave horrendous accuracy, the loads with BE-86 actually did very well. They were loaded to the same approximate velocity.

Glad you've found a load for the Berrys you're happy with. It's often best to treat plated bullets similar to cast. My goal here was to not only go for accuracy, but to also come close to the supersonic velocity threshold without going over in the 10.5" AR. In this applications, the RMR FMJ was very superior every time. It's also a more robust bullet, so it will generally tolerate higher velocities better. It's also easier to load. No bell mouthing required. Just deburr, expand the neck short of the bell mouth, and seat the bullet. Same price as the Berrys. RMR has both round and flat nose in 147 grain 9mm FMJ. I've yet to try the flat nose.

This being said, I've had better luck with the Berrys 220 grain plated in 300BO. 10.5 grains of 4227 was the magic combo (come close to the velocity threshold in a 10.5" AR) I tried. Tested at least a half dozen powders. Works well, and less hassle than cast/coated bullets.