Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Win 540 powder

  1. #1
    Private klausg's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    South-Central Alaska
    Posts
    73

    Question Win 540 powder

    Greetings-
    A friend of mine has around 1.5 lbs of Win 540, left over from when he reloaded shotshells, that he gave me to use up, (I reload all of his .38 SPL for him). I seem to remember reading somewhere that Win 540 and HS-6 were one in the same. Is this true? I am unable to find any 540 data in my manual, but there are tons of data for HS-6. I am looking for .44 MAG/SPL and .357 Mag/.38 SPL in particular. The powder is about 15 years old or so, but hasn't detiorated that I can tell; still it's time to use it up. I just need some data! Thanks much in advance.

    -SSG Klaus

  2. #2
    Gunload Grunt kg42's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    BC
    Posts
    510

    Default

    Hi Klaus,

    I have some Freedom Arms data for the 454 which show the Win540 to be a frog hair from the HS-6 in all bullet weights....
    Also got a print-out of Winchester's 7 years old web manual with data for 38sp/38Super/9/40/10/45auto ... logically the file is on one of my misplaced back-up CDs ; I think I could make it available for download ...

    38Sp gives (4in bbl):
    148grHBWC: 4.6-5.1gr/720-800fps/12,100-15,300psi
    148grBBWC: 4.7-5.2gr/700-785fps/13,100-15,300psi
    158grLSWC: 6.2-6.8gr/805-880fps/13,200-15,900psi

    158grJHP+P: 6.1-6.6gr/750/800fps/15,300-17400psi
    158grLSWC+P: 7.1gr/915fps/17,300psi
    They are other JHP's weights in 38+P if you need.

    kg
    Last edited by kg42; 04-19-2006 at 02:02 AM.

  3. #3
    Private klausg's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    South-Central Alaska
    Posts
    73

    Default

    KG- thanks much for the quick response. I'll be loading low pressure plinkers w/cast bullets in the .44 so I think if I go with the starting loads for HS-6 and move carefully I'll be okay. I've got duty tonight so I won't be able to load any of your .38 data until tomorrow night but I'll be sure to give it a try. Again thanks for the reply; take care.

    -SSG Klaus

  4. #4

    Default

    I have a one pound can of #540, and it is vertually the same reloading specs as HS-6 powder...which I favor very much.

    When you put a pinch of both side by side for comparison it seems like the #540 is finer mix in some parts of body of grains.

    To be on the safe side you can load it 10 % lower than the HS-6, but I intend to go whole hog on it...same measurements across the board.

    Jim

  5. #5
    Private klausg's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    South-Central Alaska
    Posts
    73

    Default

    kg- I loaded a mess of .38 SPL w/ 4.5 gr; 148gr DEWC, shot great, no problems

    Bigbore- If I have any left after all the .38's I'll probably load some for the .44. I've drawn the unenviable task of teaching my buddy's wife how to shoot a handgun. She's not bad, just needs lots of practice.

    Thanks for the input.

    -SSG Klaus

  6. #6
    Dogs Like Him versifier's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    1,854

    Default

    Better you than him. Experienced instructors will tell you that "significant others" generally take weapons instruction much better from someone outside their home. Some, not all, spouses have a way of "filtering" input and/or ignoring much that they hear from their loved ones in the interests of domestic tranquility. This can have its drawbacks where shooting is concerned. I refused to teach my (now ex) wife to shoot because she simply would not hear most of what I tried to tell her, and neither would my friends as she doesn't listen to anything anyone else says to her, either. All the kids listened well and learned the basics safely and without problems, so I guess they got the good genes.
    "Stand your ground.
    Do not fire unless fired upon.
    But if they mean to have a war let it begin here."
    - Capt. Parker, Lexington Militia, April 19, 1775

  7. #7
    Gunload Grunt kg42's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    BC
    Posts
    510

    Default

    That's good news Klaus. Hopefully you'll be able to put enough of it in these 44 cases and get the lady's attention

  8. #8
    Private klausg's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    South-Central Alaska
    Posts
    73

    Default

    All- my buddy truly owes me one, not only am I teaching his wife to shoot; but she REALLY likes my S&W 586 as opposed to his J-frame. How many times does your wife WANT you to buy another gun?

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check        

Gunloads.com Sponsored Links