Herco powder uses ?

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  • Last Post 15 December 2024
bill carson posted this 14 October 2024

So , I picked up a cardboard can of Hercules herco powder at a show,only to find out I already had one at home,so now I've got two. Any suggestions for loads? 45auto,38 357mag 45lc 45-70 9mm 12ga? I never hear anything about this stuff like it's the red headed stepchild or something..lol

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RicinYakima posted this 14 October 2024

"Herco" was Hercules' magnum shotgun powder developed in the 1930's. While slower than Unique, it is faster than 2400 and was used extensively in the 1950's and '60's. It uses the same chemistry as the DOT powders, but a different geometry of flake. There is a lot of data in the older reloading manuals for cast bullets in 9MM, 38 Special and 45 ACP. Wolf's Propellant Profiles ,5th edition, has three chapters of load data for both shotgun and handguns. FWIW

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Bud Hyett posted this 14 October 2024

Herco was my "go-to" powder for .357 Magnum and.44 Magnum heavy loads four decades ago. Freeland's had a sale on it and we bought it up. It worked well for both accuracy and knockdown velocity for handgun silhouette loadings. 


Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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Eutectic posted this 14 October 2024

Bill,

Herco was my favorite powder for .357 Magnum and.44 Magnum moderate loads.

90% of the 2400/H110 velocity at 75% the charge weight. Reduced loads with H110 do not work and even full loads failed in cold weather. 2400 never burned clean in reduced loads. Herco burned clean even in reduced loads and did not require magnum primers nor heavy crimps (which reduce case life). 

Old manuals are available on line.

Steve

 

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Ed Harris posted this 14 October 2024

Max Unique charges are moderate and useful with Herco if you have trouble finding Herco data. I loaded 6 grains for .38 Special +P or .45 ACP with 230-grain, 10 grains in .44 Magnum with 260-grain.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 15 October 2024

and yes ... great for full 1.25 oz loads in 12 gauge ... my favorite pheasant load ...  #5 shot, BTW ...

 

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MP1886 posted this 15 October 2024

Beaware that there are some instances withere Herco and Unique trade places in loadings just a do some stick powders. Simply put Herco is NOT ALWAYS slower burning then Unique. 

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MarkinEllensburg posted this 16 October 2024

When powder was nearly unobtainable a couple years ago I found an 8 lb. keg of Herco. I was able to match it up with loads for both 12 ga and 16 ga. Have not tried it in any handgun cartridge, yet.

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9.3X62AL posted this 16 October 2024

I use Herco extensively for 12 gauge field loads and for middle of the road Magnum revolver loads (standard-weight SWCs at 900-1100 FPS, e.g. Lymans #358429 and 429421.  

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Silver_Is_Money posted this 26 October 2024

I like Herco in 28  Gauge shotshells.

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Larry Gibson posted this 26 October 2024

Herco is my "go to" powder for 9mm PD loads using either the Hornady 115 gr XTP or the Speer 155 gr GD bullet.  Measured psi of 7 gr Herco under either bullet give 35,000 psi.  They run right at 1300 fps out of my CZ 75 with 4 5/8" barrel.

LMG

Concealment is not cover.........

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Hi-Speed posted this 26 October 2024

Lyman Load Data (38 Spl/357 Mag/44 Mag/45 Colt) has plenty of Herco data, recommend that you purchase it.  I personally used 6.0 grs Herco with 358429 170 gr in 357 Magnum cases.  Accurate with enough thump.

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9.3X62AL posted this 29 October 2024

9.0 x Herco has been my go-to 'Skeeter's Load' duplicator put up in 44 Magnum brass.  These clocked just over 900 FPS from my 4" S&W Mtn. Gun, and close to 1000 FPS from the 7-1/2" Ruger Bisley Hunter.  These are 'All-day' loads if you're so inclined.    

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Eddie Southgate posted this 30 October 2024

It's good for lots of cartridges as has already been mentioned but the one I use it in most is .38 S&W.  I load a heavy charge of Herco with the Speer GD in 110 and 135 grains for carry loads for a m32 Smith & Wesson . 

Grumpy Old Man With A Gun......Do Not Touch .

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davemarkowitz posted this 14 December 2024

From my 4" S&W Model 66-3, 5.9 grains of Herco in mixed .38 Special brass propelled 178 grain Keiths from Matt's Bullets at an average of 1028 FPS, measured with a Garmin chronograph.

I figure the same charge under a 158 grain bullet should push it to 1100+ FPS, approximating the original .38/44 ballistics.

--- Dave Markowitz

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lotech posted this 15 December 2024

For some reason, Herco is not nearly as popular for handgun cartridge loads as it once was, but it remains a very useful powder. Lots of data in older manuals. 

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