HS-5

[Winelover]

Had a partial pound left from when I last shot J-words in my Browning HP. Specifically, the Hornady 115 JHP. Probably, in the late 70's.

Data I used was from a RCBS Reloading book that came with my JR Press.






Never thought to try it with cast. Figured I'd try it and burn the last of it up. Initial results are promising. CZ Scorpion, 60 yards, seating off tripod.




Too bad it's discontinued. Does anyone know what replaced it? I suspect HS-6 did, based on comparing data in the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual third edition to that in their fourth edition. Charge weights and velocities are pretty close. I have no experience with HS-6. Unique has always been my go to powder for 9mm. Since, I purchased the CZ carbine, been trying various brands of powder. Nowadays, I use a lot of AA#7 and N340. Power Pistol didn't pan out. Unique for the 150 grain cast loadings.

 

[Pistolero]

OK you got me on that one. Never saw HS-5. I have used a lot of HS-7/W571 also discontinued.

Likely that powder was another from St. Marks Powder, and frequently Hodgdon and Winchester were
selling the same powder under different names. HS-7/W571, HS-6/W540, H110/W296, H414/W760, etc.
There might have been a Win powder that was the same, but it is likely discontinued, too. As to burning
speed, maybe AA#5 would be similar - or possibly could be the same stuff, or an attempt to match HS-5
by a different maker with the same number "5" as a possible hint. Ramshot True Blue is in that same approximate
speed range, too, still available.

Bill

 

[Winelover]

Haven't been able to find a older burn rate chart, with HS-5 on it. Internet searches only coming up with current ones.

Never come across True Blue in my area. Would pick up a pound, to try, if I ever did. Same goes for AA #5......just not popular.

I added a pound of AA #7 to a Powder Valley order and like it for 9mm. Accurate's big red manual stated that it was specifically developed for 9mm. Years later, I bought an 8 # jug, which I'm about halfway through. That lot didn't perform nearly as well as the first one did.

 

[462]

According to a chart that includes obsolete and military powders, Accurate Solo 1250 is the next fastest powder. The next slowest are Scot Pearl, IMR PB and Hodgdon Universal. Don't know anything about Pearl, but PB has been discontinued.

 

[JonB]

Mentioned on a old thread in 24hourcampfire

HS 5 is far too slow for a trap load, but it works fine for a heavy hunting load (it's the same as WW 473).

theCMP burnrate charts lists it

Smokeless powder burn rates - CMP Forums

A place to ask general reloading questions. Questions should not be directed towards a CMP employee and NOT replace a reloading manual.

forums.thecmp.org

 

[Ian]

Hmm. I have a half-keg of Winchester 473AA and use data for .38 Spl and .45ACP from Speer #11. The powder is fine flake with a greenish hue.

 

[Winelover]

HS-5 is spherical and resembles AA#7, 296 and or H110.

 

[462]

Here is the chart I referred to: http://home.hiwaay.net/~almtnman/powder/powder.htm

 

[Cherokee]

I have found HS-6 to be a fine performer in my 9's. I never used HS-5 way back when.

 

[Pistolero]

HS-7/W571 permitted me to make major caliber in the old system with the .38 Super, and the
normal barrel, not the later ramped barrels which had a much smaller unsupported area of brass.

I could get a reliable 1225 fps with a 147 gr commercial cast narrow nose SWC. I shot a very large
number of those loads. The exceeded the old 180,000 major caliber power factor reliably. Great in
Rem +P, Starline, Midway (probably Starline) and PMC brass. NOT good in ANY Win brass including their
+P+ stuff which had to be relentlessly sorted out since some would inevitably wind up in the brass retrieved
from the range floor after you shot.

I don't believe I ever used any HS-6 and never even had heard of HS-5 prior to this thread.

There is a Win powder that I have noted in the manuals but never ran across, apparently discontinued
long ago, 630P, IIRC. I wonder if it could be the matching Win powder to HS-5? Anybody ever see
or use Win 630P? I don't remember the speed range, just that it was a pistol powder.

Bill

 

[Cherokee]

The powder I used for 38 Super major was Bluedot. I remember 231 & 630 P powers and tried 230 in other cartridges but never did try 630P, then they were gone. later, I started using 231 and 452 for 45 ACP and other rounds. About 10 years ago I came into some old 680 which I used up in 357 Mag.