Hs-6

Found a pound of Winchester 540 left from when I loaded shotshells. I have a Speer #8 book and have tried 7 grains with a 150 grain 358477 bullet with some success. Remember I don't own a 38 special but shoot everything in a 686 S&W. I do have a whole bunch more 38 special cases than 357 though. For those of you that use HS-6 in the same circumstances, what do you like for a load?
Thanks a million,
Rex

I can't believe no one has used HS-6 in a 38 special. It and Winchester 540 are the same powder in different packageing.

The reason is standard pressure 38 special velocity can be reached with faster burning speed powders that require a smaller & more econimcal powder charge.

loaded in 38 special brass at std pressure. with HS6 powder

158gr lead swc 5.7gr @928 fps to 6.3gr @1,010 fps

38 special +P
7.0gr @ 1,140 fps

357 mag case
7.0gr @1,100 fps to 8.0gr @ 1,200 fps @ 21,400 cup

with a 158gr jacked bullet in 357 mag brass
8.0gr @1,182 @28,000cup to 9.5gr @1,375 fps @41,900 cup

I came across a couple old, sealed one lb containers of HS-6 (cheap) at a gunshow a couple years ago. I've used it with 44 Mag, 250gr. castboolit from a saeco 441 mold.
I don't recall the charge weight, but it was below the listed Max.
It made for a great "standard" load.
Jon

I've loaded the 7 grain load and it's been too cold to set up the chronograph but from the feel I bet it is less than 1000 fps out of my 4" barrel. I'm just using what I have to nurse a meager supply of Unique until this component foolishness is over.
May have to put up the guns and get out the fishing pole unless they start hoarding worms to.

One of my favorite and most accurate 38spl loads was with HS-6. The load was a Lyman 358311 boolit over 5.6gr HS-6. I had planned on using it for competition but the first time I took it to a match the unburned powder flecks got under the ejector and locked up my cylinder when I closed the cylinder after a speed reload.
Oh well, still an accurate load noe the less.

Rex

It's not 38 special but I load 6 grains in the 357 mag for a light load in the Marlin. Accurate and the kids shoot it like it is 22 long rifle.

Jim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JonB_in_Glencoe

I came across a couple old, sealed one lb containers of HS-6 (cheap) at a gunshow a couple years ago. I've used it with 44 Mag, 250gr. castboolit from a saeco 441 mold.
I don't recall the charge weight, but it was below the listed Max.
It made for a great "standard" load.
Jon

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Wish I had your luck! I really like that powder, for standard target and paper punching it's about perfect in my .40 and 9mm/.380.

Thanks for the replys guys.
Tall Grass, I grew up in the Hill City, Kansas area.
Rex