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Thread: Hercules Herco load data

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

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    Hercules Herco load data

    Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but from what I've read here, I can use the current load data for Alliant Herco powder when loading with old Hercules Herco powder (red, green & orange carboard can). I have a 1/2 lb. to use up.
    I looked at Alliant website, not much data there, they list one load for .45acp, nothing for 9 mm.

  2. #2
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    yes you can

  3. #3
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    ↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑ What he said.
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  4. #4
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    You can find plenty of data for Herco in numerous pistol cartridges in the older alliant manuals found here.
    http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Fre...M/Alliant.html
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    Lloyd & Jake, thanks for the confirmation
    fecmech, that's just what I needed. Thanks

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    For 9mm.. I like 3.6 grs of Herco with a 147 gr epoxy coated RN.. Someone here I think said treat is like a slow batch of Unique.

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    yep slow batch of unique.
    if I don't find data in all my books I use unique data and move from there.
    I'm still working over the second metal squeeze pop top can in the 357.
    another 4-5,000 rounds and i'll be about done with it.

  8. #8
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    I've shot a lot of it pretty close to unique. My go to powder for cast bullets in my handguns. Both 44 and 357.

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    I'm working on my second 8lber ! 12 gauge field loads, 9 mm,38 spcl wc,40 S&W, 357 magnum,45 ACP, it's just a great powder! I'm sure I'll find other uses as I go! Just my .02
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  10. #10
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    The bummer thing about it is that Alliant sort of treats this old powder with disdain, there is a lot less data out there for Herco as opposed to some newer powders.. Herco shined in a lot of those data slots.

  11. #11
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    Just yesterday shot a bunch of 357 with Herco out of a Rossi carbine that I had just installed a Marbles tang sight on (replaced the Lyman due to NO windage adjustment).

    I like Herco ALOT.

    New sight worked 'muy bueno', too!
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  12. #12
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    If you can find old Alliant and even Hercules Data manuals, they have more loads listed for Herco.

  13. #13
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    I have a few pages from an older Sierra manual. There was a time when Herco was considered THE powder for 9mm.

    I used to load 6.8 grains Herco with the Sierra 115 jhc bullet.

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    me too. If offered both id take a keg of it before id take a keg of unique
    Quote Originally Posted by sundog View Post
    Just yesterday shot a bunch of 357 with Herco out of a Rossi carbine that I had just installed a Marbles tang sight on (replaced the Lyman due to NO windage adjustment).

    I like Herco ALOT.

    New sight worked 'muy bueno', too!

  15. #15
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    I use it in 380, 9mm, 38 sp, 357 mag, 357 Max, 45 acp, 308 subsonic, 20 gauge, 12 gauge.
    I just bought an extra 8 pounder last week. That should give me enough to load 30,000 rounds.
    Now I just need more lead and primers.
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  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lloyd Smale View Post
    me too. If offered both id take a keg of it before id take a keg of unique
    Funny, but I happened to stop by KyGunCo right when the big post Sandy Hook powder scare was in full swing. The only big jugs of powder they had left were a couple of 8lb Promo and a whole bunch of 4lb jugs of Herco. There may have been a dozen of them. That's the only time I've ever seen a 4lb jug of Herco in a gun shop.

    I took home one of each, but I haven't gotten around to opening the Herco yet. I don't use all that much Unique any more either--as I do most of my handgun loading on a progressive these days I have sort of migrated away from the old big flake powders and toward either ball or smaller grained stuff that meters well.

    Is Herco cleaner than Unique? I remember Dean Grinnell saying he liked it as a 9mm powder.
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  17. #17
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    It seems to meter just fine for me in my Dillon 650. I like it for heavier bullet loads in 9mm (for revolver). I know at least one other person using Herco for his Pistol Cal Carbine as it does not pressure spike like some of the faster loads. I loaded some jacketed bullet loads in 40 cal for night shoots and it gives a dull orange flame as opposed to the higher nitro flashy fast burners of today.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by fecmech View Post
    You can find plenty of data for Herco in numerous pistol cartridges in the older alliant manuals found here.
    http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Fre...M/Alliant.html
    Nice resource right there.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master Rodfac's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by fecmechYou can find plenty of data for Herco in numerous pistol cartridges in the older alliant manuals found here.

    http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Fre...M/Alliant.html
    Pay very close attention to the Min OAL lengths in each year listing. They vary considerably and the safe charge weights vary by as much as a full (1.0) grain or more. I checked Herco for 1987 vs. 2000 in 9mm using 115 gr FMJ's. Be careful!!! Rod

  20. #20
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    I use LOTS of Herco powder. 12 and 28 gauge shotshells, magnum revolver loads at 950-1100 FPS with plain-based castings, and scattered autopistol taskings make up the bulk of Herco's work for me. I could load every handgun caliber I own very capably using WW-231, Herco, and 2400--and most cast bullet rifle loads as well.
    I don't paint bullets. I like Black Rifle Coffee. Sacred cows are always fair game. California is to the United States what Syria is to Russia and North Korea is to China/South Korea/Japan--a Hermit Kingdom detached from the real world and led by delusional maniacs, an economic and social basket case sustained by "foreign" aid so as to not lose military bases.

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