Author Topic: 40 S&W Reload  (Read 706 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline glcasazza

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
40 S&W Reload
« on: September 22, 2017, 12:26:20 AM »
Cannot find load data for 180 grain cast bullet using HS-6.  Found 2 loads in Lymans third edition for 175 grain cast #401043: starting load - 7.0 / max load 8.2 using HS-6 powder.  Second load - starting load - 7.0 / 8.4 #401638. Both are #2 alloy.
My question is, would 7.7 grains behind 180 grain cast of HS-6 be ok?  Pistol: CZ75b.  Why HS-6 powder - I have a couple of pounds of it.

Thank you

Offline Rnlinebacker

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 40
Re: 40 S&W Reload
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2017, 01:16:02 AM »
Www.hodgdonreloading.com

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk


Offline IDescribe

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4049
Re: 40 S&W Reload
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2017, 06:38:00 AM »
I'm going to suggest that you're doing this backward.

  • What do I want to do with this gun?
  • What bullet would be most appropriate for that?
  • In what velocity range do I want that bullet moving?
  • What powder would be appropriate to move that bullet into that velocity range?

You seem to be starting on step 4.  You should at a minimum tell us what your intended purpose is.  Hodgdon has 180gr plated FP with HS-6 getting to 1041 feet/sec within SAAMI max standard pressure, and that's at 7.4gr.  Most commercial .40 180gr defense loads don't break 1000 feet/sec.  I'm just not sure what you would want to do where that would be an appropriate powder for .40 180gr bullets.

If you're just trying to burn up HS-6, then load at your lowest starting load for any 180gr data you can find, and if it runs the gun, then plink away. 

Offline IDescribe

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4049
Re: 40 S&W Reload
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2017, 06:46:47 AM »
I would also suggest that if there's not a lot of data for HS-6 with 180gr bullets in .40S&W, then there's probably not a lot of use for it.  ;)

Offline M1A4ME

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7453
  • I've shot the rest, I now own the best - CZ
Re: 40 S&W Reload
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2017, 07:58:30 AM »
That Hodgden website info states that HS6 is identical to a discontinued Winchester powder, 540.

Do you see load data for Win 540 in your reloading manuals?
I just keep wasting time and money on other brands trying to find/make one shoot like my P07 and P09.  What is wrong with me?

Offline SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5694
Re: 40 S&W Reload
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2017, 09:20:22 AM »
Cannot find load data for 180 grain cast bullet using HS-6.  Found 2 loads in Lymans third edition for 175 grain cast #401043: starting load - 7.0 / max load 8.2 using HS-6 powder.  Second load - starting load - 7.0 / 8.4 #401638. Both are #2 alloy.
My question is, would 7.7 grains behind 180 grain cast of HS-6 be ok?  Pistol: CZ75b.  Why HS-6 powder - I have a couple of pounds of it.

Thank you

I'd start at the lowest end and work up from there. Since you're talking CAST bullets you can't push the velocity too high anyway.

Offline noylj

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 453
Re: 40 S&W Reload
« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2017, 04:05:31 PM »
For all intents and purposes, a 180gn cast bullet is a 175gn cast bullet. Start at the start load and work up.
Here is data from my manuals:

Bullet   Weight   Powder   Weight   Velocity   Note   P.F.   COL
RNFP   180   HS6   6.2   877   Start   158   1.122
L-TC   180   HS6   6.2   896   Start   161   1.130
FP   180   HS6   6.2   907      163   1.190
RNFP   180   HS6   6.6   890   Start   160   1.122
L-TC   180   HS6   6.6   908   Start   163   1.130
Berry's P-FP   180   HS6   6.7   969      174   1.135
RNFP   180   HS6   6.9   978   Max   176   1.122
L-TC   180   HS6   6.9   998   Max   180   1.130
FP   180   HS6   7.0   1021      184   1.190
RNFP   180   HS6   7.1   957   Max   172   1.122
L-TC   180   HS6   7.1   973   Max   175   1.130

>Since you're talking CAST bullets you can't push the velocity too high anyway.

What are you talking about? A 13 BHN cast bullet can easily go 1500fps if sized correctly and using good lube. Add a gas check and 2500 fps can be achieved without issue.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2017, 04:09:06 PM by noylj »

Offline SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5694
Re: 40 S&W Reload
« Reply #7 on: September 22, 2017, 07:07:02 PM »
For all intents and purposes, a 180gn cast bullet is a 175gn cast bullet. Start at the start load and work up.
Here is data from my manuals:

Bullet   Weight   Powder   Weight   Velocity   Note   P.F.   COL
RNFP   180   HS6   6.2   877   Start   158   1.122
L-TC   180   HS6   6.2   896   Start   161   1.130
FP   180   HS6   6.2   907      163   1.190
RNFP   180   HS6   6.6   890   Start   160   1.122
L-TC   180   HS6   6.6   908   Start   163   1.130
Berry's P-FP   180   HS6   6.7   969      174   1.135
RNFP   180   HS6   6.9   978   Max   176   1.122
L-TC   180   HS6   6.9   998   Max   180   1.130
FP   180   HS6   7.0   1021      184   1.190
RNFP   180   HS6   7.1   957   Max   172   1.122
L-TC   180   HS6   7.1   973   Max   175   1.130

>Since you're talking CAST bullets you can't push the velocity too high anyway.

What are you talking about? A 13 BHN cast bullet can easily go 1500fps if sized correctly and using good lube. Add a gas check and 2500 fps can be achieved without issue.

We are talking handguns here not rifle so you ARE NOT going to push any round to 2500 fps in a 40 S&W. Gas checks are also unreliable. Who wastes time with that stuff today with all the superior rifle components available?
« Last Edit: September 22, 2017, 07:30:25 PM by SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM »

Offline Wobbly

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12478
  • Loves the smell of VihtaVuori in the morning !
Re: 40 S&W Reload
« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2017, 08:37:49 PM »
I'm going to suggest that you're doing this backward.
  • What do I want to do with this gun?
  • What bullet would be most appropriate for that?
  • In what velocity range do I want that bullet moving?
  • What powder would be appropriate to move that bullet into that velocity range?

Glcasazza -
Welcome aboard !

ID is right if you were actually planning this out, but it sounds like a pile of powder landed in your lap and now you got to use it up. I certainly would !

Noylj is also correct, for all intensive purposes 175gr is 180gr. It would be better if the data was for a 185gr and you were shooting the lighter 180gr, but it will work. Just don't shoot the Max Load.


In 9mm I found HS-6 to be extremely accurate, but a bit on the smudgy/dirty side. Like 'clean the gun after every range trip' type dirty.... and I never do that !  ;D

Hope this helps.   ;)
In God we trust; On 'Starting Load' we rely.