Powders Better Than Unique for Medium 357 Loads

[Kawriverrat]

I know, to even ask this in the presence of some is unpardOnable.... However I've just updated my loading manuals. With the latest ones I had starting 25 + years ago. Some of the powders Ive not used such as Herco, AA7 & such look pretty good when compared to this old favorite.

So my question, are there better powders for driving a 158 - 165 grain boolit to 1000 - 1100 fps than Unique ?

[chutesnreloads]

I've had some nice results with HS-6 lately with 158 grain

[Kawriverrat]

Any idea on velocity ?
Oh forgot to mention this is for a 4" gun.

[saleen322]

I have replaced Unique with Power Pistol. Cleaner burning and better accuracy.

[17nut]

Vv N350 will do 1200+ easy.

[LAGS]

Years ago I had good luck and similar results using Herco instead of Unique.
But I stopped using Herco, because there isn't any data in current loading manuals.
I have a bunch of Herco from back when I loaded lots of shotgun shells, and would love to start using it again in some of my pistols.
The burn rate is close to Unique and just a little bit slower burning, but Data was similar.
But Unique was listed for more calibers than Herco ever was.
So when Powder was in short supply, I bought what was a more universal use powder.

[str8wal]

I've had some nice results with HS-6 lately with 158 grain

That was my suggestion as well.

[9.3X62AL]

I use lots of Herco at my house--12, 20, and 28 gauge shotguns, and 900-1100 FPS loads in all of the magnum revolver rounds--30 Carbine, 32 H&R, 327 Fed, 357 Mag, 41 Mag, 44 Mag, 45 ColtForRuger. "Unique data +5% to 7%" for Herco in these metallic applications. With SR-4756 now gone, Herco is THE powder for 28 gauge 3/4 oz. field loads. Heavy (1-1/4 oz.) 12 gauge and 1 oz. 20 gauge loads use it too. Once my remaining 4756 is used up, Herco will get the call for 32/20 WCF revolver work as well.

[JBinMN]

For those who were looking for Herco & 357Mag loads, Herco is listed for .357Mag in the 49th Lyman Reloading Handbook pages 358 & 359 for boolits 150,155,160 & 170gr.. Just happened to have a 49th sitting next to me. The other manuals are down in my reloading area, so I can't check them right now. I bought a pound of it with the intention of using it for shotgun & trying it out.

Here is Alliants Herco powder page with some load data for shotgun & pistol rounds:
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...spx?powderid=6

You can also go thru this list compiled by castboolits.gunloads member, Grmps here:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...online-sources

to see if ya can find more loads if ya want.

Just trying to help out.


G'Luck!

[Kawriverrat]

9.3X62AL, After asking a bit & looking at the load data Herco is more along the lines of what Im after with the ability to get a few more loads out of it vs HS-6. I'm still going to get some HS-6.
Your mentioning this as a good shotgun powder makes me wonder about another powder for shotguns being 20/28 the burn rate compared to Unique is pretty close plus it measures better.

I'd be painting outside the lines with this powder as there is no available handgun data on it. With most powders back in good supply I dont really see the need to go there right now

[Kawriverrat]

Just trying to help out.

Well that be all I'm asking for. Thank You, Sir

[tazman]

Give CFE Pistol a try. Data available on the Hodgdon for the boolit weights you are interested in. It will do low velocity up to 1300fps easily.
I have been using it in 38 special high velocity loads(850-950fps) with great success.

[Ed_Shot]

I can't find a a copy of Skeeter Skelton's "My Friend, The .357" to post but Red Dot 5.0 gr under a 158 gr. boolit in a .357 case is right at 1K fps and very accurate. For me, Red Dot/Promo 5.0 gr under any 120~160 gr boolit in a .357 case has proved to be a winning combination.

[arlon]

Like the results of unique but I simply can't deal with the mess on my revolvers. Lot of good fast burning powders that will do essentially the same thing without the mess. I'm liking red dot more and more these days.

[FergusonTO35]

IMR SR-4756 is outstanding for mid-range .357's. My Marlin 1894 loves it with the Lee 358-125-RF, very clean and excellent accuracy. Sadly that one walked the plank a few years ago. You may want to try Hodgdon's knockoff, IMR Unequalled. I think Hodgdon was trying to create the same performance of stalwart Alliant powders with improvements. Their version of Bullseye (Target) is very similar to the original but cleaner burning. It does seem a little slower, which might be ideal for some loads.

[Kawriverrat]

FergusonTO35, Dont believe Unequal is available yet. But yes I can only imagine others are wating with the same anticipatian as myself to give it a try.
Keep it coming fellas a lot of powders I know of but not what I would call really familiar with them because of little to no use with them.

[vzerone]

9.3X62AL, After asking a bit & looking at the load data Herco is more along the lines of what Im after with the ability to get a few more loads out of it vs HS-6. I'm still going to get some HS-6.
Your mentioning this as a good shotgun powder makes me wonder about another powder for shotguns being 20/28 the burn rate compared to Unique is pretty close plus it measures better.

I'd be painting outside the lines with this powder as there is no available handgun data on it. With most powders back in good supply I dont really see the need to go there right now

Herco is a great over looked powder. Remember Alliant cleaned their powder line up and the are not as dirt as they once were. It's interesting to note that in some instances there is data where you load more of Unique then the Herco. That strikes me strange as Herco is noticeably slower then Unique. Give that Herco a try.

[Kawriverrat]

I can't find a a copy of Skeeter Skelton's "My Friend, The .357"

No problem. I'm very familiar with it read it & used it as a reffrence a gazzillion times. He was my favorite

[454PB]

Bluedot. 9 grains behind a 160 gr. cast SWC gives me 1200 fps. from my 6" Rugers (Security Six and GP100)

[farmerjim]

Herco. There is plenty of load data out there for it.