With the shortages, is anyone using Herco for handguns?

[Carrier]

I also use a lot of Herco in handguns especially in 45 Colt.

[Outpost75]

I used lots of Herco years ago and it is an excellent general-purpose pistol, revolver and shotgun powder.

Lacking specific data for Herco, you can use full-charge Unique data as a starting load and not get into any trouble. In a strong, modern gun you can generally increase charge weight with Herco by 5-10% from Unique data, but there is really no need to do so. I don't necessarily recommend you do that without checking against a published source of pressure-tested data and you are loading for a strongly built modern gun, such as a Ruger Blackhawk, Vaquero, etc.

I used 6 grains of Herco with 160-grain SWC in .38 Special for +P and also with 230 FMJ to approximate hardball in .45 ACP.

I used 9 grains in .45 Colt with #454424

I used 10 grains in .44 Magnum with #429421.

All safe, accurate loads.

[Dom]

Now there is HS-6. Was originally caller Winchester 540. Seems to be around & works grate for me in 38 spl/357. 44mag. Even does a good job in my 38-55 with 260gr bullets.

[pmer]

Herco works nice in some buckshot loads.

[r80rt]

I use Herco for .38, .357 , .45 colt, and .45 auto

[RydForLyf]

In my load development testing from a Ransom Rest, Herco has produced the best 20 yard groups in the G17 I’m building loads for. Kind of crunchy in the powder measure, but great accuracy in the 1,050 - 1,100 FPS range.

[RydForLyf]

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[rbuck351]

I used to use it in heavy 12ga loads but as I only have a lb or so and have plenty of other powders, I haven't tried it in handgun loads. It has just the right smell in a freshly emptied 12ga hull.