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waltherboy4040
10-14-2016, 03:34 PM
Would hs6 or 231 be better for cast bullets in 9mm, and 40sw? Bullets that I will use are lee 125 356 2r, lee 120 tc, and lee 145 tc. Goal is close to max range plinking loads, thanks for any help.

marlin39a
10-14-2016, 03:38 PM
My choice is HP-38/win 231.

gwpercle
10-14-2016, 05:06 PM
Not sure what " max range plinking" means but , both powders can be used. 231 is a faster powder and HS6 is a slower powder. According to The Lyman Guide #4:
9mm luger - 124 gr. TC , cast boolit, min starting load -
231 - 3.9 gr. = 1094 fps
HS6 - 5.5 gr. = 1041 fps

Maximum load:
231 - 4.3 gr. = 1198 fps
HS6 - 6.1 gr. = 1139 fps

As I see it, with this weight boolit, nothing is to be gained by using HS6...more powder gives you less velocity. Here 231 gets the nod.
But this may not be true with heavier boolits ! With 147 gr. boolits it looks like HS6 is better.

Somewhat similar results are indicated for the 40 S&W are shown , but slightly higher velocities can be obtained with HS6 ,
145 gr. SWC : max. load , 231 - 5.6 gr. = 1079 fps
HS6 - 8.3 gr. = 1166 fps
And when you get into heavier bullets with the 40 S&W , HS6 starts to out perform in the maximum loadings.

A rough rule of thumb, faster powder for lighter boolited , target loads (231) , slower powder for heavier boolited , full power heavy loads (HS6 )

All of that said , 231 is a very useful and versatile powder in handgun loads with cast boolits .
I have been told 231 is the same as HP38 now and hope this true , I just bought 2 lbs of HP38 and know 231 is useful with plenty of load data...if HP38 is 231 I just made a good powder purchase.
I downloaded HP38 load data from makers site and will cross reference it with 231 data.

If you can , just buy some of each...with powder shortages buy whatever you can find. Next election may leave us with NO powders to buy. You will find a use for both of them. I do mostly target shooting so look for the faster powders.

Gary

Cherokee
10-14-2016, 05:48 PM
My most used (by the thousands) load for 9mm is HS6 and Lee 120 TC cast bullet. I tried 231, a fav for many other loads, but HS6 got the accuracy nod in my guns. You will not go wrong with either. Oh, HP38 and 231 are the same per Hodgdon, just different containers.