Alliant has brought HERCO back!

[Bullwolf]

Back in the day, I'd cut the top off empty Winchester cans with a can opener, and keep the top part to use as a powder funnel.



I always managed to find something to put inside the empty metal powder cans, no matter the size on either my loading bench or shelf in the garage.

My old loading bench was positioned in front of a sunny bay window. I always kept the plastic powder hopper covered while not in use. I used an empty 1lb Winchester can with the top removed back before I had a press cover.



Early on, I figured out the cardboard canisters Hercules powder came in were readily adaptable to other purposes once they were empty.

Before I had a primer flipper, I'd cut the bottom off Hercules cardboard containers and use the bottom of the can as a primer holder. Others I'd cut higher up, to use as a boolit container. (Life before Arko bins)



As Run pointed out earlier the old large metal and cardboard kegs make a great waste basket for the loading room.

Heck, I even reuse the modern plastic bottles. Peel the label off an empty IMR plastic 1lb bottle, and I have a handy blank 1lb container with a resealable lid to dispense powder from a larger keg. Mark the new container using a label maker, or a permanent marker and some masking tape.



I'd bet that along with myself, many others re-use the small old square pop top powder cans for the same purpose.



Cast Boolits member OS OK even posted a picture of a Winchester 4lb powder can turned into a lamp! I think I know what my next art project is going to be
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...=1#post3829205



How cool would one of those be in your reloading cave?

I rarely throw away anything that might be useful, or convenient later. I'm sad that the powder companies no longer use the metal or cardboard containers, especially after finding so many other uses for them.

I still drink coffee that comes from a metal can, and I hoard those metal cans as well.

Never thought that folks would sell empty powder containers as "vintage" on the internet many years later either. I've probably unknowingly thrown away a small fortune.



- Bullwolf

[flint45]

Herco is my favorite .44 mag powder 11.0 grs.shoots realgood in all my 44's just got 8lb keg.

[Shiloh]

Anyone use it for cast rifle loads??

SHiloh

[roverboy]

I've only loaded .38 Spl. and .357 Mag. with it. But, I've loaded a lot. Works good for me.

[farmerjim]

Anyone use it for cast rifle loads??

SHiloh

I use Herco in subsonic 308 loads. It also works good for a regular cast load.

[rintinglen]

Anyone use it for cast rifle loads??

SHiloh

I have use it quite a bit in 30-30 light boolit loads. 8.0 grains under a 311-419 makes for a dandy sort range varmint killer/plinker. Very accurate and light recoiling.

[Overalls87]

I've got a stupid question. Can herco be used for target 38 special reloads?

[Kosh75287]

It CAN be, but it'll be smoky. Herco is slower-burning than Unique, so it is at its best in +P or magnum level loads. It's not a stupid question.

[Hardcast416taylor]

Back around `03 I finally used the last of a 12 lb. steel drum of Herco that I got back in the mid 1960`s along with a same sized drum of Red Dot. The RD ran out in the early `90`s. I used both powders in shotguns and all pistol loadings. Since then I am content with plastic jugs of them both.Robert

[Eddie Southgate]

I bought 8 lbs of Herco from Graf in 2010 . When did they discontinue it ? I'm behind on the news on this , I knew about IMR's SR powders but never heard anything on the Herco.

Eddie

[sandman228]

I bought 8 lbs of Herco from Graf in 2010 . When did they discontinue it ? I'm behind on the news on this , I knew about IMR's SR powders but never heard anything on the Herco.

Eddie

I don't think it was actually discontinued , it was just unseen on shelves for a few years during the shortage .

[sandman228]

Anyone use it for cast rifle loads??

SHiloh

I use it in 35 rem loads

[Soundguy]

I use it in 35 rem loads

Under cast or jacketed?

[sandman228]

Under cast or jacketed?

Cast loads with a lee 200 gr mold . Ive used other weights of cast bulllets as well

[CGT80]

Anyone use it for cast rifle loads??

SHiloh

Saeco #315 in an NOE plain base 5 cavity mold which is a 175 grain flat point 30 cal. I use 9.6 grains of herco in the 30-06 and the 30-30. In the 30-30 it runs 1300 fps and I use it for Silhouette shooting to 120 yards. It has mild recoil and report compared to the full power loads, yet it still has some knock down power.

[brassrat]

I opened and loaded my first bottle today on 50 .380s. This thread made me buy some a few weeks back. I been walking by Herco for a long time. You sure its not Unique?

[mfraser264]

My LGS has Unique, Herco, 2400, Blue Dot and several of the IMR's on the shelf. Herco was one powder normally found in the past couple years in this part of Michigan.

[ranger1962]

I’m looking for info on using Herco in 12 ga slug loads.
And 12 gauge 00 buck
Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Kosh75287]

If you don't find any recent data that you trust, try using data for Alliant Unique, and work up.

[Hannibal]

Yay!!!!
Now tell me please, what do I need to load with Herco...


-Butchman

Just about anything you'd load with Unique. Minor tweaks is all.