Winchester 540 powder...........

[gun44]

I latched on to a 3lb can of Winchester 540 powder today. According to the Hogdgon web site this powder is the same as HS 6. The can is pretty rough, but the powder is shiny black, and seems to be good. Has anyone had any experience with this powder? Thanks.

 

[rg1]

It's a great 20 gauge shotgun powder. That's all I've used it in. Winchesters Reloading Manual 1997 Version is the last manual that Winchester published data for Win 540. They had data using Win 540 for .38Super, .38 Special,
9MM, 40 SW, 10MM, and 45ACP. They used all Winchester components of course.
While HS6 and Win 540 are supposed to be twins some have reported that data for HS6 doesn't match what 540 does with the same charges. So do treat it as a different powder and work up. From data I've compared it looks like HS6 start load data would be safe for a start load using 540.

 

[gun44]

Thanks rg1

I am going to try it in my .38s.

 

[rg1]

Just for your information and to compare data: from Win Manual 1997
38 Special with Win 540, Win components
148 lead HB WC 4.6-720fps------5.1-800-15300psi
148 lead bevel base WC--4.7-700----------5.2-785-16300psi
158 lead SWC--6.2-805-----6.8-880--15900
These loads in Win's 1997 Manual are listed as PLUS P pressure +P
110 JHP--8.2-1005fps--14900psi-----8.7--1070--17800psi
125 JHP--7.8--945--15800psi-----8.2--1000--17500psi
140 JHP--7.0--785--15200psi-----7.4--875--17300psi
158 JHP--6.1--750 fps--15300psi-----6.6--800 fps--17400 psi
I'd consider the start load with this data as maximum standard loads while the higher charges would be +P. Be careful and work up.

 

[Sevens]

Hey rg1

Does your Win-'91 guide (or anything else you have) give handgun load data for Win 473AA powder? This is also discontinued, but I'm not sure when.

Thanks

 

[Farmland]

I have a 13th edition and it does not show any load info using that powder for handguns. Though it does show load data for 12, 16 and 20 gauge shot guns. I will check to see if I have any older versions.

 

[Sevens]

Yep, definitely a shotgun powder... I used it for 20ga skeet loads back in the late 80's. Win AA and Rem Premier hulls.

 

[snuffy]

WW-540 IS THE SAME AS HS-6! It came from the same powder plant, was packaged differently for Hodgdon and Winchester. WW-571 is also the same as HS-7.

Use the 540 with data for HS-6, as always start at recommended starting loads and work up.

 

[rg1]

Stevens: The older Winchester Load Manuals- Guides like Farmland said used Win 473AA powder for shotgun loads only and did not have any data for handgun loads.
The ONLY manual I have that uses or tests 473AA powder is Speer manual #11 with a 1st printing date of 1987. They list 473AA data for 9MM using light weight bullets from 88 grains to a 100 grain HP but skip to a 125 jacketed soft point and a 125 RN lead bullet. No 9MM loads for 115 or 124 gr.
38 Special Speer data for 473AA tested in several bullet weights. .357 Magnum had 140 and 158 grain loads with 473AA.
.41 Mag tested with Speers 220 gr. Soft Point. 44 Mag test using 240 gr. lead semi-wadcutter and Speers 240 gr jacketed bullets. .45 ACP tests used 200 lead semi-wadcutter, 230 lead RN, 185 TMJ match, 200 HP, 230 FMJ.
Also some tests in 32 mag and 32-20/
No other Speer tests for other pistol calibers in Speer #11.

 

[Sevens]

Thanks. I've still got a couple 2.5 pounds of it...
Maybe I'll crank up the Mec again one day.

 

[gun44]

Thanks rg1.........

for posting the .38 load data, for the WW 540.