W540 data ???

[BigSlick]

Hi guys,

I have been doing a bit of load work with HS-6 and have found that it is the same powder as the old W540. Old news to most of you I'm sure.

I have lots of older reloading manuals with data for 540 in it, but none of the newer manuals do, since it was discontinued. HS-6 data is not exactly prolific.

Looking to first work up a 45 ACP load with 230 Rainiers/Berrys then find the sweet spot on jacketed ball. Then figure out a 230 LRN load.

I have shot a few HS-6 rounds I loaded up recently. Pretty good impression of the powder overall, but just looking to flesh out the rest of the details for my available bullets. All of them aren't always available locally, so from time to time when I buy bullets I will buy whatever's available.

Locally, unless something drastic happens, either Berrys, Rainiers, Montana Gold or Laser Cast should be available at any given time. Just trying to find out what works best for each of these so if I have to buy a different bullet, I will already have the load worked out.

Since HS-6 data is limited, I have found W540 data.

Use it or no ?

Any suggestions for load data from some first hand experience will help...

Thanks

BigSlick

 

[ReloaderFred]

HS-6 is W540

This is a quote from the Hodgdon's website concerning HS-6 powder:

HS-6™ HS-6 is a fine spherical propellant that has wide application in pistol and shotshell. In pistol, 9mm, 38 Super, 40 S&W and 10mm Auto are some of the cartridges where HS-6 provides top performance. In shotshell HS-6 yields excellent heavy field loadings in 10 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga., and even the efficient and effective 28 ga. HS-6 is truly an outstanding spherical propellant. HS-6 is identical to Winchester's discontinued 540. Available in 1 lb. & 8 lb. containers.

You can interchange the data for the two, but like they all warn, start out low and work up your loads carefully.

The data for HS-7 is also interchangable with data for W571, both of which were good powders.

Hope this helps.

Fred