HS 6 and heavy 45 colt loads

[jeffer]

I noticed the Hodgdon 26 manual lists HS 6 at 16 gr for max over 250 bullet in ruger only loads. Anyone have experience with these heavier loads in 45 colt? Seems a bit high but if a good load I may want to try. My concern is that this powder is fast and has a high pressure spike. Any thoughts ? Thanks!

[paul105]

John Linebaugh published some HS6 pressure tested data. Scroll down the article until you get to the load data tables.

www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm

With that said, I have no personal experience, but later today, I'm going to load some 250gr Nosler JHPs over 14.8gr of HS6 (RUGER ONLY LOAD) -- for testing in my FA83 and FA97.

Have used a bunch of HS6 in the .475 Linebaugh, with excellent results.

FWIW,

Paul

[oregon45]

May 23, 2015 11:18:10 GMT -5 paul105 said:

John Linebaugh published some HS6 pressure tested data. Scroll down the article until you get to the load data tables.

www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm

With that said, I have no personal experience, but later today, I'm going to load some 250gr Nosler JHPs over 14.8gr of HS6 (RUGER ONLY LOAD) -- for testing in my FA83 and FA97.

Have used a bunch of HS6 in the .475 Linebaugh, with excellent results.

FWIW,

Paul

Let us know your experience with the Nosler's. I picked up a few boxes to experiment with but haven't gotten around to loading them yet.

[paul105]

oregon45,


THESE ARE RUGER ONLY LOADS, NOT STANDARD PRESSURE .45 COLT

Target – 25 yds
Rested, 2 hands over carpet squares.


FA83 6” w/.45 Colt Cyl
250gr JHP, 26.0gr H110, WLP, 2x Starline = 1 ¼” – 5 shots
250gr JHP, 14.8gr HS6, WLP, 2x Starline = 1 3/4” – 5 shots (4 shots 1 ¼”)

FA97 4 ¼” w/.45 Colt Cyl
250gr JHP, 26.0gr H110, WLP, 2x Starline = 2 1/4” – 5 shots (the M97 didn’t seem to like this load)
250gr JHP, 14.8gr HS6, WLP, 2x Starline = 1 3/4” – 5 shots with one called flier (4 shots 1 ¼”, 3 shots touching)

Bought 2,000 250gr Nosler JHP Seconds a couple of years ago. Still have all but 2 boxes left, and thought it was time to use them up.

One of my Dillion 550 powder measures is set up for 14.8gr of HS6 for midrange use in .475 LB and 500 JRH. This fell within John Linebaugh’s load range for the Ruger Only 250/260gr .45 Colt loads, so I started there – turns out to be a pretty good load.

Paul

[oregon45]

Nice! Thanks for the data. I'll try those loads in my Bowen Nimrod and report back.

[dougader]

Hi Paul, Did you chronograph any of those loads by chance?

[jeffer]

Thanks Paul! Great info

[paul105]

Chronoed the above loads today:

Temp: 52 Deg F
Chrono: 5 Long paces from muzzle

M97 4 1/4"
14.8gr HS6/250 JHP = 1,103 avg fps (5 shots)
26.0gr H110/250 JHP = 1,182 avg fps (5 shots - high ES)

M83 6"
14.8gr HS6/250 JHP = 1,226 avg fps (10 shots high ES)
26.0gr H110/250 JHP = 1,296 avg fps (9 shots - high ES)

Paul

[dougader]

Thanks, Paul!

[Paden]

May 23, 2015 10:44:44 GMT -5 jeffer said:

I noticed the Hodgdon 26 manual lists HS 6 at 16 gr for max over 250 bullet in ruger only loads. Anyone have experience with these heavier loads in 45 colt? Seems a bit high but if a good load I may want to try. My concern is that this powder is fast and has a high pressure spike. Any thoughts ? Thanks!

Check out Brian Pierce's data in Handloader 246 and Handloader 275.

[bradshaw]

Suggest when velocity is stated with a load and the Extreme Spread is known, that ES be stated in fps. High ES often has more to do with a particular bullet than the powder itself. Which is to say the powder may disagree with a particular bullet in a particular boiler room. The small velocity difference between H110 and HS-6 with the Nosler 250 JHP, with little difference in 25 yard accuracy, suggests H110 should be given more specific duties. However, you cannot double charge H110. Whereas HS-6 may be double charged with room to spare; guaranteed to destroy revolver.

High ES does not translate directly to inaccuracy. Usually what folk call inaccuracy from high ES refers to variations in BARREL TIME with heavy bullets, with vertical dispersion resulting from slower bullets lifting the muzzle prior to bullet exit.

While I have my disagreements with Unique, it fits within the accuracy scheme of good medium powders, where sweet spots are to be found. The .45 Colt sugars off as more load-sensitive than .357 and .44 Mag, to name two cartridges which mix powders and bullets more readily.
David Bradshaw

[jefats]

Might be a little off subject but yesterday I tried a 310 Keith Style cast bullet over 13.0 grains of HS-6 /WLP and Starline brass in my Bowen 5 shot Nimrod. Velocity was 1119 f/s average of 10 shots with an ES of 59 f/s. Accuracy was very nice at 25/50 yards. Keeper.

I agree with the risk of double charging loads like this so I weigh each one and seat the bullet before charging another. Might be slow but worth it for peace of mind.

[Fowler]

Yes 25.0gr of HS-6 and a 335gr bullet in a 45 colt will detonate the gun, dont ask me how I know this but it is easy to do...

[bradshaw]

Jeffer.... "seems a bit high but if a good load I may want to try it."

Return to that thought for a moment. Statement contradicts the basic handloading rule to WORK UP NOT DOWN. Explosives are measured in Velocity of Detonation. VOD is not always constant and doesn't fully reveal the nature of an explosive. In fact, velocity of decomposition of smokeless powder may intensify as the pressure wave sharpens. Which is to say, too much of a powder for a given environment defeats the progression of the burn, and the bullet doesn't move fast enough to prevent harm to the gun. The bullet is the pressure release valve. Smokeless powder is not an explosive and it should not be encouraged to pretend.

Once again, the TARGET and intended job of cartridge inform the load.
David Bradshaw

[jeffer]

Mr. Bradshaw
I simply thought working up to a load was a given. Thanks for keeping us on our toes.