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.

207921

[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/reloaders/Powder.aspx?powderid=6

You can also go thru this list compiled by castboolits.gunloads member, Grmps here:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?337910-CB-load-data-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 :drinks:

[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.

[Kawriverrat]

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

Thanks for giving gun & barrell length with that load. That load will be one I'll try. The load density is good like with HS-6.

[Grmps]

Downloadable Complete reloading manual for the .357 mag

https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AElJK0B10qTCJGA&cid=BCEBAFA0D477B7A9&id=BCEBAFA0D477B7A9%21243&parId=BCEBAFA0D477B7A9%21238&o=OneUp

[texassako]

I really like the Vectan line of powders these days, Ba9 or A0 for this use. A0 is my favorite for consistency and accuracy even though it doesn't meter as smooth as Ba9. Cheap at Grafs too.

[Hick]

4 grains of Titegroup is what I use for all the cast bullets in my .357 magnum. 125 grain FN, 150 grain RN, 156 grain FN (Ideal 358156)-- they all come out around 950-980 fps from my Ruger blackhawk (6" barrel).

[runfiverun]

BE-86 flips back and forth between unique and herco in burn rate, and it's flash suppressed.
power pistol lies right on top of be-86.
if I ever empty that red metal can of Herco the jug of 86 sitting there will be going in the 357 cases.

[wcp4570]

Ed
Here is a web page with a lot of Skeeter articles. The article you refer to is on the page. http://www.darkcanyon.net/skeeter_skelton.htm

wcp4570


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.

[gwpercle]

Probably nothing " better" than Unique...all of them are out there trying to make a powder to get some of Unique's share of the market with similar sounding names...Unequeal , Universal etc.
But due to the recent shortage , I picked up some Accurate Arms #5 and had some really nice tight groups with gas checked cast boolits in 357 magnum at that velocity. I'm glad the dealer had it and going to work with it some more as it shows promise.
Gary

[Grmps]

.357 downloadable load manual
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AElJK0B10qTCJGA&cid=BCEBAFA0D477B7A9&id=BCEBAFA0D477B7A9%21243&parId=BCEBAFA0D477B7A9%21238&o=OneUp

[Greg S]

Alliant Blue Dot as mentioned above. Cane get alittle spikey at max loads.

[smkummer]

I am going for 1100-1150 FPS for my Lee TL 158 SWC bullet. Unique does that well and below max pressure so I can swap primers and cases. I see that 700x gets close to that with of course less powder but the pressure is higher. But for now, I am not going to fix something that isn't broken so I'll stay with unique. Hoppes 9 cleans the barrel and powder residue just fine.

[Ed_Shot]

Thanks!

[rintinglen]

For low end 357s down to 38 +p, you can hunt far to find a better choice than Power Pistol.

[Texas by God]

To answer your question- no.
There's no better powder than Unique for what you want and so much more. I've been using it since the 1970's for .38 Special +P, .357-P, and .41 magnum Police load. I've never had a problem with the dirty aspect. It's also very handy for shotgun & rifle cast loads.

[Kawriverrat]

Probably nothing " better" than Unique...
Gary

I agree. However I've not used every powder available with close to the same burn rate.

Always good too hear from those who've used different powders than myself

[Rainier]

FWIW - 6 to 7 grains of W231 makes a nice .357 load for 160gr boolits

[Budzilla 19]

If I ever use up the second 8 pounder of Herco I bought, then I'll go back to Unique! Had no Unique but had Herco, so pulled out the old reloading manuals and went to loading! No problems so far. Just my .02. Be safe.

[OS OK]

Stopped in the gun shop yesterday to see what he had that would give better load density in the .45ACP. I've been using 700X @ 4.8g.'s under 200g. PC'd casts...that's not much fill for that stubby little case.
Anyway he suggested Power Pistol, said it burns clean too...we opened a canister and looked at it, looks like it'll meter well, it's pretty small.
It's on the slow side of Unique and the fast side of Herco....almost right in the middle.
Well see, I bought 2 lbs. that oughta be enough to give it a fair try.

[derek45]

CFE-p, 231/hp38, power pistol, universal

I still love UNIQUE . . . aka combustible dirt

[Kosh75287]

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. Same, here. I'm also a major fan of Unique & Herco. If data for Herco is scarce, use data for Unique and expect a slightly longer work-up.

[ikarus1]

Use WSF for herco-like velocities in .357

[Buckeye357]

Accurate No. 5 is a good choice. I like 8 grains with 158 gr. lead , also like 4.5 grains 700x with 158 gr. lead .

[Treeman]

800x. It is an extremely versatile powder. If it metered with greater ease and precision it would probably be much more popular. 800X will take magnum pistols almost to the same velocities as 2400 and H110 (with lighter charges).....but it will also work at 38 special pressures and velocities.

[curioushooter]

It sort of depends on what your goal is.

Unique will deliver reduced velocities at nearly max operational pressures. I've found modern unique to be about as clean as typical and cleaner burning than some. I really like unique a great deal. It is an excellent powder for so many things, wonderfully efficient, and to me it has proven very predictable, stable, and forgiving. I particularly like it in 357 with lighter bullets like 125s, 130s, etc.
If your goal is to deliver lower velocities with lower operational pressures I personally like blue dot in that weight range a little more because in some instances the lower pressure is nice. My major power factor comp load is a 358429 with enough blue dot to get 1050 fps, which is around 8.5-9 grains in my 4" S&W 19-3. This can be done with unique; however, extraction will be stickier, the alloy will likely need to be harder, the brass will get worked slightly harder. The forcing cone, etc...all are stressed slighly more for the same external performance.

[ddixie884]

Yeah cool..............