Hs-6

branrot · May 14, 2002, 10:23 AM

I've been using Bullseye and more recently HP-38 for my 9mm's. I'm in the process of converting my Dillon 650 to load .38 and .357, and bought some Winchester 231 since I heard good things about it, but my Hodgdon reloading manual didn't support it, so I traded it on some HS-6 (store was real nice). Anyone have experience with HS-6? Any suggestions for .38 (I'll be using West Coast Bullets 135 gr. Bill Moyer bullets)?

Chemistry · May 14, 2002, 01:01 PM

Hodgdon HS6 is a medium slow burning powder, somewhat similar to AA #7, Alliant Power Pistol, VV N350, etc.

It is an excellent powder for the higher pressure cartridges, such as the 9 mm, 10 mm, .40, .357 magnum, and 357 Sig. You can get good velocities without hitting high pressures.

Also, it burns pretty cleanly in these higher pressure cartridges.

I have never used it for lower pressure cartridges (such as the .38 Special or .45 ACP), so I cannot give you a comparison on this matter.

bowhnter · May 14, 2002, 03:37 PM

I just stopped using HS-6 for my 9mil. If you charge the case then seat the bullet, if there is enough volume of powder, the case may bulge. I did have this problem which in turn caused FTF's & FTRTB. Both in a compact 9, which may add to the problem as there is less weight to aid to slide movement.

WESHOOT2 · May 15, 2002, 06:04 AM

Excellent in 'medium' loads; testing required.

I've used it in: 38 Special, 357 Mag, 9x19, 9x21, 38 Super, 40 S&W, 10mm, 41AE, 41 Mag, 44 Mag, 45 ACP, and 45 Colt.

Oh, and 400 Cor-Bon (still haven't found those cases:-)

kbsrn · May 15, 2002, 06:50 AM

The Winchester site has a good reloading manual free for their powders on the site to download.

seadog · May 15, 2002, 02:37 PM

HS6 is superb for 9MM and 45ACP but I would use 231 or Unique for 38 target type loads.

cukrus · May 15, 2002, 07:22 PM

My powder of choice for 158gr SWCHP in .38 Special - use Hodgon data. Also fine for .357 Mag though I have a preferrednce for HS7 there. Nothing wrong with WW231 which is close enough to HP38, IMHO, to interchange data. Either 231 or HP38 would be my choice for lighter loads.

Coolray · May 18, 2002, 12:17 PM

My uncle is a commerical reloader and he buys powder in 100# drums and has gotten several drums marked both 231 and HS6 both powders look the same, you decide.

EchoFiveMike · May 18, 2002, 12:36 PM

And Titegroup looks like Longshot too, but it would be a REAL bad idea to interchange reloading data based only on looks. Do you mean that the drums were marked Winchester 231 and HS-6 on the same drum? S/F...Ken M

WESHOOT2 · May 19, 2002, 05:47 AM

W231 and HS-6 are NOT same (think W540).................

cheygriz · May 19, 2002, 06:07 PM

I use HS-6 exclusively in 9MM, .40, .45 ACP, .45 LC, and .38Spec.

In the .38 and .45s, I load only +P type loads, so HS-6 works fine. It is not particularly suitable for low pressure target loads. I am currently working up loads in the 10MM with HS-6, and I will be using it exclusively in the 10MM soon.

IMHO, HS-6 is the most versatile powder made for full power loads in most pistol calibers.

It also meters well through powder measures, and is very consistent.

If I could have only one powder for my handgun needs, that powder would be HS-6.

May 14, 2002, 10:23 AM	#1
branrot Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1999 Location: Miami Beach, FL, USA Posts: 1,367	Hs-6 I've been using Bullseye and more recently HP-38 for my 9mm's. I'm in the process of converting my Dillon 650 to load .38 and .357, and bought some Winchester 231 since I heard good things about it, but my Hodgdon reloading manual didn't support it, so I traded it on some HS-6 (store was real nice). Anyone have experience with HS-6? Any suggestions for .38 (I'll be using West Coast Bullets 135 gr. Bill Moyer bullets)?

May 14, 2002, 03:37 PM	#3
bowhnter Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2002 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 173	I just stopped using HS-6 for my 9mil. If you charge the case then seat the bullet, if there is enough volume of powder, the case may bulge. I did have this problem which in turn caused FTF's & FTRTB. Both in a compact 9, which may add to the problem as there is less weight to aid to slide movement. __________________ bowhnter =========== "None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army. To keep ours armed and disciplined is therefore at all times important, but especially so at a moment when rights the most essential to our welfare have been violated." --Thomas Jefferson -----, 1803. ME 10:365

May 15, 2002, 06:04 AM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	HS6 (W540?) Excellent in 'medium' loads; testing required. I've used it in: 38 Special, 357 Mag, 9x19, 9x21, 38 Super, 40 S&W, 10mm, 41AE, 41 Mag, 44 Mag, 45 ACP, and 45 Colt. Oh, and 400 Cor-Bon (still haven't found those cases:-) __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

May 15, 2002, 06:50 AM	#5
kbsrn Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2002 Posts: 128	Info The Winchester site has a good reloading manual free for their powders on the site to download.

May 18, 2002, 12:17 PM	#8
Coolray Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2000 Location: Spokane ,wa Posts: 290	My uncle is a commerical reloader and he buys powder in 100# drums and has gotten several drums marked both 231 and HS6 both powders look the same, you decide. __________________ Hello My name is Coolray.............And I'm an Addict

May 14, 2002, 01:01 PM	#2
Chemistry Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2001 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 158	Hodgdon HS6 is a medium slow burning powder, somewhat similar to AA #7, Alliant Power Pistol, VV N350, etc. It is an excellent powder for the higher pressure cartridges, such as the 9 mm, 10 mm, .40, .357 magnum, and 357 Sig. You can get good velocities without hitting high pressures. Also, it burns pretty cleanly in these higher pressure cartridges. I have never used it for lower pressure cartridges (such as the .38 Special or .45 ACP), so I cannot give you a comparison on this matter.

May 15, 2002, 02:37 PM	#6
seadog Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 287	HS6 is superb for 9MM and 45ACP but I would use 231 or Unique for 38 target type loads.

May 15, 2002, 07:22 PM	#7
cukrus Member Join Date: December 4, 2001 Posts: 33	HS6 My powder of choice for 158gr SWCHP in .38 Special - use Hodgon data. Also fine for .357 Mag though I have a preferrednce for HS7 there. Nothing wrong with WW231 which is close enough to HP38, IMHO, to interchange data. Either 231 or HP38 would be my choice for lighter loads.

May 18, 2002, 12:36 PM	#9
EchoFiveMike Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2000 Posts: 416	And Titegroup looks like Longshot too, but it would be a REAL bad idea to interchange reloading data based only on looks. Do you mean that the drums were marked Winchester 231 and HS-6 on the same drum? S/F...Ken M

May 19, 2002, 05:47 AM	#10
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! W231 and HS-6 are NOT same (think W540)................. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

May 19, 2002, 06:07 PM	#11
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	I use HS-6 exclusively in 9MM, .40, .45 ACP, .45 LC, and .38Spec. In the .38 and .45s, I load only +P type loads, so HS-6 works fine. It is not particularly suitable for low pressure target loads. I am currently working up loads in the 10MM with HS-6, and I will be using it exclusively in the 10MM soon. IMHO, HS-6 is the most versatile powder made for full power loads in most pistol calibers. It also meters well through powder measures, and is very consistent. If I could have only one powder for my handgun needs, that powder would be HS-6. __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs.