LiveLife
Member
Disclaimer: Following post lists loads that are currently not listed by Alliant so use them at your own risk.
While I have used Bullseye, Red Dot/Promo, Clays, WST, Green Dot, W231/HP-38, Unique, Universal, Power Pistol, HS-6, WSF and Auto Comp for 40S&W, I have been wanting to try Herco that I got for loading 45Colt. Based on the burn rate chart, Herco is listed around Power Pistol/WSF and in times of powder shortage, I figured it should work at least for plinking loads (When I tested Bullseye, Red Dot/Promo, W231/HP-38 and Herco for 45Colt, Herco produced the least accurate shot groups).
After checking 2004 Alliant load data which listed 7.0 gr as max charge for 180 gr JHP bullet at 1.125" OAL, I wanted to work up loads for 180 gr TCFP lead and plated bullets. After weighing the powder drops from various Pro Auto Disk holes, I decided to try the following:
Initial Range Test:
Glock 22/23/27 with factory barrels for plated bullets and Lone Wolf barrels for lead bullets. All the test rounds were loaded to 1.125" OAL with .422"-.423" taper crimp. Shot groups measured center-to-center.
180 gr Missouri lead TCFP:
4.8 - 1.25" at 7 yards and 2.5" at 10 yards
5.2 - 1.0" at 7 yards and 2.5" at 10 yards
5.6 - 1.5 at 7 yards and 2.0" at 10 yards
6.1 - 1.0" at 7 yards and 1.25" at 10 yards
180 gr Berry's plated TCFP:
5.6 - 1.5" at 7 yards and 3.0" at 10 yards
6.1 - 1.25" at 7 yards and 2.5" at 10 yards
6.4 - 1.75" at 7 yards and 2.5" at 10 yards
Shooting Impressions:
Felt recoil was definitely more snappy than my W231/HP-38 target loads using the same bullets. After 100+ rounds, Lone Wolf barrels were clean without any leading. Comparing the range test notes I did with Promo/Red Dot, recoil was comparable to moderate Promo loads - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6509911#post6509911
If Herco was only powder available for 40S&W lead/plated bullets, I would not hesitate to use it. If I had to choose between Herco and Red Dot/Promo for 40S&W, I would go with Red Dot/Promo and use mild/moderate loads like 4.0 gr for the 180 bullets. I have been sick with the flu this week and may do some more range tests after I feel better. I am thinking of comparing 4.0 gr Red Dot/Promo lead/plated loads as well.
Here's Promo/Red Dot range test for comparison.
While I have used Bullseye, Red Dot/Promo, Clays, WST, Green Dot, W231/HP-38, Unique, Universal, Power Pistol, HS-6, WSF and Auto Comp for 40S&W, I have been wanting to try Herco that I got for loading 45Colt. Based on the burn rate chart, Herco is listed around Power Pistol/WSF and in times of powder shortage, I figured it should work at least for plinking loads (When I tested Bullseye, Red Dot/Promo, W231/HP-38 and Herco for 45Colt, Herco produced the least accurate shot groups).
After checking 2004 Alliant load data which listed 7.0 gr as max charge for 180 gr JHP bullet at 1.125" OAL, I wanted to work up loads for 180 gr TCFP lead and plated bullets. After weighing the powder drops from various Pro Auto Disk holes, I decided to try the following:
Herco flake size is smaller than Unique and metered with .1-.2 gr variance from Pro Auto Disk as weighed on Ohaus 10-10.180 gr Missouri lead TCFP - 4.8, 5.2, 5.6, 6.1 gr
180 gr Berry's plated TCFP - 5.6, 6.1, 6.4 gr
Initial Range Test:
Glock 22/23/27 with factory barrels for plated bullets and Lone Wolf barrels for lead bullets. All the test rounds were loaded to 1.125" OAL with .422"-.423" taper crimp. Shot groups measured center-to-center.
180 gr Missouri lead TCFP:
4.8 - 1.25" at 7 yards and 2.5" at 10 yards
5.2 - 1.0" at 7 yards and 2.5" at 10 yards
5.6 - 1.5 at 7 yards and 2.0" at 10 yards
6.1 - 1.0" at 7 yards and 1.25" at 10 yards
180 gr Berry's plated TCFP:
5.6 - 1.5" at 7 yards and 3.0" at 10 yards
6.1 - 1.25" at 7 yards and 2.5" at 10 yards
6.4 - 1.75" at 7 yards and 2.5" at 10 yards
Shooting Impressions:
Felt recoil was definitely more snappy than my W231/HP-38 target loads using the same bullets. After 100+ rounds, Lone Wolf barrels were clean without any leading. Comparing the range test notes I did with Promo/Red Dot, recoil was comparable to moderate Promo loads - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6509911#post6509911
If Herco was only powder available for 40S&W lead/plated bullets, I would not hesitate to use it. If I had to choose between Herco and Red Dot/Promo for 40S&W, I would go with Red Dot/Promo and use mild/moderate loads like 4.0 gr for the 180 bullets. I have been sick with the flu this week and may do some more range tests after I feel better. I am thinking of comparing 4.0 gr Red Dot/Promo lead/plated loads as well.
Here's Promo/Red Dot range test for comparison.
Promo 40S&W average shot groups:
155 MG FMJ/4.8 gr - 10 yard 2" - 15 yard 3" - Firm recoil
155 MG FMJ/5.2 gr - 10 yard 2" - 15 yard 3" - Firm recoil
180 Rainier Plated/4.5 gr - 10 yard 2" - 15 yard 2" - Firm recoil
180 Rainier Plated/4.8 gr - 10 yard 2" - 15 yard 3" - Firm recoil
180 MBC Lead/3.5 gr - Accuracy all over the 8x11 copy paper - Light recoil
180 MBC Lead/3.8 gr - 7 yard 2" - 10 yard 3" - 15 yard 4" - Mild recoil
180 MBC Lead/4.1 gr - 7 yard 1.5" - 10 yard 1" - 15 yard 4" - Moderate recoil
180 MBC Lead/4.4 gr - 7 yard 1" - 10 yard 2" - 15 yard 2.5" - Firm recoil
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