Herco in 38 Special

[blackthorn]

I have a plethora of Herco. I want to use it in 38 special under 150gr, round-nose commercial cast bullets, using Winchester small pistol primers. These will be fired in a Colt Python 357 magnum revolver. I did find some loading data in an old manual that suggests around 5 (max) grains would be a good load. Any comments/guidance will be appreciated.

[Hick]

Alliant Powder reloading manual 2005 gives the following loads for HERCO

38 Special

148 gr LWC 3.5 gr
158 gr LSWC 4.5 gr

38 Special + p

158 LSWC 4.7 gr

357 Magnum

148 LWC 6.7 gr
158 LSWC 7.9 gr

you can fid pdf copies of three Alliant reloading manuals here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...W1FR001OGcwTEk

[flyer1]

Is it Herco by Hurcules powder company or Alliant powder company?

[Larry Gibson]

Alliant bought out Hercules some years back.

[dsh1106]

PM me I have Alliant reloading data from
1995, 1996
2000-2005
2008-2010
2013, 2014

I also have Hercules reloading data from
1987, 1992

Scott

[farmerjim]

Herco is my most used pistol powder. It is fluffy ( less dense ) and takes up most of the case in pistol loads. It is hard to impossible to double charge in most pistol loads.

[blackthorn]

If it makes a difference, my Herco is made by Hercules, so it is old powder. Thanks to all who have replied so far.

[ddixie884]

Cool...........

[Beerd]

I try not to second guess the printed manual.
..

[Cherokee]

I loaded 5.0 gr of the old Herco with 150-158 gr SWC for lots of years before switching to 231. They were primarily shot in my Python but also my Diamondback.

[hornady308]

I also use 5.0 grains of Herco with a Speer 158 gr swaged bullet for 770 fps from a 5" barrel and very good accuracy.

[farmbif]

my old Speer manual says 4.6-5.1 gr for 158 gr bullets, groups them all together semi wadcutter, round nose and SWC HP

[Up North]

This is interesting. Picked up 4 pounder of herco a while back. Quite pleased with accuracy in 357 mag and 158 swc. Been wondering about 38 special