Question about HS-6 and 9mm

[CoalTrain49]

Do not shoot them right yet!!!

Follow 243winxb's advice and wait until you have started low and fired those and worked up while testing. If you determine that 6.6 will be ok, based on your workup, then you can safely use them.

I know one thing for sure. I will never start a workup with a charge that is near the top of the range given in the data. Not when permanent physical injury is on the line.

I've found that even mid range can be too much with some powders. Some of my very best loads are actually starting loads or near starting. Never found the best load at the max.

No reason to get carried away in an aid vehicle.

I would just pull them and start over given my experience with max loads. With some chambers this could be a dangerous load pressure wise.

 

[rodregier]

When I was using W540 and HS-6 in 9mmx19 I found there was indeed a certain amount of unburnt powder.

It was annoying but not a significant issue for me.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would just pull them and start over given my experience with max loads. With some chambers this could be a dangerous load pressure wise.

I disagree. The OP used a published load so it's probably not unsafe. What was questionable was going right to the top end without testing the lower charges first. The suggestions of trying the starting loads first and working up to the higher end charges is a good one. The OP has already agree as much.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I disagree. The OP used a published load so it's probably not unsafe. What was questionable was going right to the top end without testing the lower charges first. The suggestions of trying the starting loads first and working up to the higher end charges is a good one. The OP has already agree as much.

I tear down ammo if it isn't what I want. My general rule of thumb is if there's a question, tear it down. Everyone has their own safety net. That's mine. I think he's going to end up tearing it down anyway. He didn't say how much he had. I can tear down 100 rounds in about 20 minutes.

 

[Toprudder]

I don't normally worry about "clean powder" but HS6 was the only powder I ever used that would coke up the chamber to the point of malfunction in an IDPA match or practice. I think it needs something close to maximum pressure to burn well.

I had a similar experience with HS-6 in both 45acp and 9mm. In both instances, shooting 3-4 mags would cause the gun to start failing to go into battery. In the case of the 45acp, there appeared to be unburned kernels of powder lumped together, almost gummy in appearance. As I was not looking for full-throttle loads in either caliber, I used up the remaining powder in some 357mag loads, where I did not notice any problems.

 

[GooseGestapo]

From my 30+ yrs of using HS6/win540, I say his loads will be just fine.
They might recoil a tad more than some might want for plinking loads, but pressures will be ok.
HS6 does make a fireball and leave a bit of residue, but usually gives good accuracy.