?'s on Herco

ironworker363 · May 28, 2015

Pistol powders have been hard to come by where I'm at and I saw a pound of Herco at the LGS and picked it up. I don't have any experience with this powder and was wondering what y'all's thought were on it when loaded for 38 special, 357, and 44 mag. Does it require mag primers for a cleaner burn like HS-6? Will this powder make alright mild loads of 38 special or does it like to be loaded on the hotter end at close to max pressures. Any input would be most appreciated.

rockquarry · May 28, 2015

I've used it in .45 ACP and .45 Colt. Can't recall if I've tried it in the cartridges you mention. Without looking at a loading book, my guess is that it wouldn't be ideal with light loads. However, it would be best to consult some manuals. I've used magnum primers in handgun cartridges, but don't anymore. Just haven't seen a need.

2152hq · May 28, 2015

Check the Alliant Powder reloading charts/info
Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide
but I don't think you'll find much currently listed other than a couple loads for the 45Colt and the 45acp.

Older loading manuals may have more loads listed for the powder. Many advise not to use info from out of date published data.
That being said,,,

I used to load Herco in 45acp, 38sp and in 12 and 16ga shotshells back in the 60's and 70's.

All from published data from reloading manuals.
Do some searching and you can probably come up with the data,,gr/load,,bullet wgt,,bullet type,,ect.

The pistol rounds weren't anything earthshattering as far as the loads were concerned. A 158gr LSWC or LRN at about 850/900fps. Nice easy load, but more than a target/mid-range round.
I won't hazzard a guess at the powder/gr wgt load.

venomballistics · May 28, 2015

Ive played with it a good bit.
It can find a home in a good many roles, like Unique, but slower burning, with a sorta watered down feel to it.
You should be able to make acceptable use of it in your magnums.

ironworker363 · May 28, 2015

Thanks. The only data I've really found has been in my 2nd edition Lee book, and not much is to be had on alliants site but I will check again. My dad has a few older books I'll look into as well.

pinto · May 28, 2015

I like to think of it as being Unique's big brother.
Works especially well for mid power loads in the 44 Magnum.

bwxmas · May 28, 2015

Alliant Manuals

BLUEDOT37 · May 29, 2015

/\ +1 /\ The older manuals will have what you want.

Speer #9 has a lot of Herco data too.

.

Boogsawaste · May 29, 2015

I pick it up whenever I see some. First bought it like you when I couldn't find anything else. With 38's it likes to be loaded warmer. Was pretty dirty with mild loads, but they went bang. I really enjoy it for mild-medium 357 loads.

I only use standard pistol primers with it.

As stated above look at the older alliant online stuff.

DWalt · May 29, 2015

Not as versatile as Bullseye or Unique, but good for heavier bullet loads in a variety of calibers, especially magnums. I once worked up some excellent loads in .38 Super for 124 grain bullets using Herco. Also works fairly well for some reduced rifle loads. As noted, there is a lot of handloading data around.

bwxmas · May 29, 2015

DWalt said:
Not as versatile as Bullseye or Unique, but good for heavier bullet loads in a variety of calibers, especially magnums. I once worked up some excellent loads in .38 Super for 124 grain bullets using Herco. Also works fairly well for some reduced rifle loads. As noted, there is a lot of handloading data around.

Might want to doublecheck how many more loads of Unique, or Bullseye, there are, than Herco?
http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Freebies/RM/Alliant/Hercules_1987.pdf

noylj · May 30, 2015

Great powder for 9x19. It falls between Unique and 2400.
Works well for light to max loads.
Call Alliant for load data if you can't find any.

Rogeronimo · May 30, 2015

9mm para, Rem 147gn hp, 4.8 gns Herco, wsp primer, 1.140 oal

I've loaded a lot of 44 mag & spl, 45 acp with Herco as well.

Herco pressures up nicely, manly recoil with heavy bullets.

mtgianni · May 30, 2015

If you search alliant by caliber it won't show up if you search for this powder in this cartridge you get the "shotgun" powders in handgun cartridges. In the 00's Alliant decided Herco wasn't a pistol powder but a shotgun powder along with the dots.

Nevada Ed · Jun 7, 2015

If you did not find any data, send me a message........

ironworker118.

retired_diver · Jun 7, 2015

I went back to my Speer #6 and no Herco listed. But in Speer #10 there are quite a lot of loads listed with many bullet weights. 45acp, 44mag, 44spl, 357mag, 38special but none listed for 9mm.

swamprabbit · Jun 8, 2015

This may help. I ran across it last night. Can't remember what forum. I believe it is from 2000.

noylj · Jun 8, 2015

9x19 loads:
From manuals--
115gn jacketd: start 5.7gn, Max 6.3-7.2gn
124gn lead (use for 115gn lead for starting point): start 4.0gn, Max 6.2-8.2gn
124gn jacketed: start 4.2gn, Max 4.8-7.0gn
147gn lead (only one source): start 4.0gn, Max 4.9gn
147gn jacketed: start 4.1gn, Max 4.8-4.9gn
Loads I have used--
95gn FMJ-FN: 6.4-7.2gn
Speer 100gn JHP: 7.8gn
100gn JRN: 6.2-7.4gn
Lee 358-105-SWC as-cast: 5.6-7.8gn
Hdy 115gn JHP: 7.2-7.6gn (7.2-7.4gn were very accurate)
MasterBlaster 115gn 38 Super L-SWC: 5.3-5.4gn
Win 115gn JRN: 6.4-7.2gn (6.7-7.2gn was very accurate)
Win 125gn JRN: 4.5-6.0gn (4.5-5.5gn was accurate)
Lee cast 158n L-SWC: 4.8gn
Start low and work up.

?'s on Herco

ironworker363

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rockquarry

2152hq

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venomballistics

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ironworker363

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pinto

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bwxmas

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BLUEDOT37

Boogsawaste

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DWalt

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bwxmas

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noylj

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Rogeronimo

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mtgianni

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Nevada Ed

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retired_diver

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swamprabbit

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noylj

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