W540 Powder for 44 Mag

[MMH]

Buddy of mine gave me 3 lbs. of W540. I am having trouble getting load data for it. Seen some information suggesting that it is similar to HS-6 but would like to confirm. The only load that I want to develop for it is for my 44 magnum. I have a 7-1/2" barreled SuperBlackhawk that I shoot 240 gr. SWC out of. My std. load for this is 10.0 gr. of Unique which gets me about 1200 fps. Good deer load. Hodgdon indicates that a starting load for HS-6 would be 12.0 gr. which should get me 1144 fps out of a 8.275" barrel.

A little nervous about using 12.0 gr. of 540 as a starting load w/o a little more confirmation. Worried that it might be faster than HS-6 and don't want a gun blowing up in my hand.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

A quick search with only w540 resulted in many hits, 2nd hit copied:
HS-6 is truly an outstanding spherical propellant. HS-6 is identical to Winchester's discontinued 540.Dec 30, 2013

Frank

 

[243winxb]

"HS-6 is truly an outstanding spherical propellant and identical to Winchester's discontinued 540."
From Hodgdon page

I loaded and shot some old *540 along side *HS-6 , no difference.
These powders will leave more dirt then Unique. increasing the powder charge from 12 grs will clean it up.

Like any powder, there may be as much as 10% difference in burn rate, from lot to lot.

*Ball powder needs a magnum primer or use WLP. *

 

[DHD]

Was going to say it was HS-6 but was beat to the punch.

I use a lot of HS-6 in 45 Colt and 44 mag. I tend to use a heavier bullet for caliber and don't always want to deal with H110 loads so I use a lot of HS-6. One good load for 44 mag for me is a 265 grain LNFP (Mihec mold), 12.5 grains of HS-6, a LPM primer, and Starline brass. A good medium load for my Freedom Arms 83 or Ruger SBH's that is also very accurate. None of that muzzle pointing at the sky and muzzle blast you can see in daylight.