Herco powder for .44 magnum

[TRG3]

A few years ago, I purchased 8# of Herco for loading 12 gauge deer slugs and turkey loads. I've still got at least 7# and was looking to possibly use it for loading the .44 magnum. I've got a booklet entitled "The Complete Reloading Manual for the .44 Magnum", published in 1990 by Loadbooks USA, which shows on page 30 Herco loads for 180, 200, 225, 240, 265, and 310 grain jacketed and lead bullets, most reaching muzzle velocities of 1,500 fps (13.6 grains of Herco) for the lightest to 1,000 fps (8.0 grains of Herco) for the heaviest. I realize that there are probably better powders for the .44 magnum, but I was just wondering if anyone had used Herco and how compatible you found it for the .44 magnum. Thanks.

[Martin Luber]

Good stuff, for a lead 240, the max l saw listed was 12 gr.

I used 11 and said Ooof!

[farmbif]

yes I've used herco in 44 works great in both handguns and rifles

[Jeff Michel]

Just loaded some 245 grain Arsenal WFN on top of a max load of Herco. Good versatile load.

[TRG3]

Good stuff, for a lead 240, the max l saw listed was 12 gr.

I used 11 and said Ooof!

My booklet lists a maximum of 12.5 grains for a 240 grain lead with a gas check. I'm planning to use my .44 magnum rifle for deer hunting with shots possibly reaching 125 yards across a grassy field. My 240 grain lead bullets do not have gas checks. Will your load to 11 grains of Herco be suitable for my needs without leading the barrel? Thanks for the reply.

[HWooldridge]

I tried Herco in my .44 magnums some forty odd years ago but didn’t find that it was markedly better than Unique or 2400. It wasn’t bad - just not anything to write home about.

[Jeff Michel]

I think if you size your bullet to fit your barrel and have sufficient lube, I wouldn't think leading would be much of a problem. And at the ranges your pondering, Herco will work just fine. With plain based bullets, I use 50/50 and a light overcoat of alox thinned with mineral spirits. Post your results when you have a chance.

[TRG3]

I think if you size your bullet to fit your barrel and have sufficient lube, I wouldn't think leading would be much of a problem. And at the ranges your pondering, Herco will work just fine. With plain based bullets, I use 50/50 and a light overcoat of alox thinned with mineral spirits. Post your results when you have a chance.

While I've loaded .44 magnum jacketed bullets, I'm a novice when it comes to cast bullets. The cast bullets that I already have are made by a company called " A Zone" and are probably 30 years old. I have about 500 each of 215 and 240 grains. They are semi-wadcutters with a slightly larger band at the base of the wadcutter portion of the bullet. There is a slight taper at the bullet's base. There is a hard dark blue lube in the only groove near the center of the lower 1/3 of the bullet. Can I assume that these bullets have been sized and lubed? Are these ready to be loaded or do I need to do something else beforehand? Thanks.

[Jeff Michel]

Sounds like they are ready to be loaded, but I'd check out a couple things before I dived in. Your cast bullet should be about .001 larger than your groove diameter. You never stated what you would be shooting, rifle or revolver. You might measure the diameter of your bullets to find out what your dealing with size wise. The majority of my bullets are sized to .431 to .433 depending on the rifle. Some of the problems I've seen with some, certainly not all commercial cast bullets are they are small, in your case they would be a nominal .429 in diameter and too hard an alloy with a lubricant made from an old crayon. I'm joking of course, but they do seem to have a one size fits all mentality. Remember, different firearm have different requirements. Slug you bore of your gun, measure your bullets. If the sizes jive, coat them with liquid alox to compensate for a short coming of whatever they were lubed with originally and see if you can get a load worked up. These things I've described, bullet size and lubrication are probably the leading cause of leading in cast bullets. Powder selection and alloy does have a role as well but they can be addressed if the first two don't pan out. Just my opinions, others will likely differ.

[versa-06]

Good advice!

[farmerjim]

When I had a 44mag, I used mostly Herco powder. I use Herco in 9 mm, 38, and 357mag. I have also used it in several cast rifle loads.

[missionary5155]

Several vendors have PB Gas Checks for sale. They do work.