Confusion over Hodgdon Int'l for Pistol Use

[rglassma]

Hello All,

As most of you know, at this point, the smokeless powder availability right now is like scarce to nil. I have a friend that has offered me some Hodgdon International and/or Herco in a new container if I want it.

I have researched the subject on the net for 2 days and have found the following information, but still don't feel comfortable using it for my pistols due to some inconsistencies in the information:

Equivalent stated by ADI (Australia):

Int'l clays = AS50N (and AP50N - except for flake size by third parties)
AP50N/AS50N = HP38, E3, PB, W231, GD, 700X, WST, AA2, AA5, N320

But, when I look for load data both on ADI's guide, hodgdon, and Manufacturers guides, they are all totally different. On top of that, load data on gun forums differ as well. This of course doesn't give me a warm fuzzy about using either of the powders.

Since I manually weight each load with a RCBS 1500, and double check it on another scale, I am not necessarily concerned about flake size.

I want to load this stuff for 45ACP (1911), 38 SPC (Mod. 60) and 9MM (P226, 39-2). I want it to be safe of course.

Anyone have any additional information that will shed light on this issue, or should I just pass and continue to use up what I have..

Thanks in advance for some direction by you far more experienced reloaders.

Bob Glassman
Littleton, CO

 

[jwrowland77]

I replied on the other forum but on the International, it's not really intended for pistol use.

The Herco, I found data for it for the 45 ACP. If it was me, I'd snatch up the Herco and leave the International alone unless you load for shotshell.

 

[sexybeast]

About International Clays, I had a conversation with an "old timer" at the range about this powder. I told him that I could find no data on it for metalic cartridges. He said that there is data out there on the internet and in some manuals for .45auto. We did not talk about any other cartridges.
I don't think its popular with reloaders, I had some and traded it for another [Red Dot] with a shotgun shooter.
Now with everything so scarce I'm tempted on grinding up some old matches!
If there is lots of info on Herco [I've never used it] then get it!

 

[Jlr2267]

Herco can be used in pistol/revolver loads...I use it in 357/44/45Colt. Have tried it in 38sp but did not get good results.

Herco is a little slower than Unique, and in my experience, works best when used for heavy lead bullets.

 

[Salmoneye]

Equivalent stated by ADI (Australia):

Int'l clays = AS50N (and AP50N - except for flake size by third parties)
AP50N/AS50N = HP38, E3, PB, W231, GD, 700X, WST, AA2, AA5, N320

Can you give us a link to that info?

As for your choice, I'd go with Herco if we are talking pistol cartridges...

Data starts on page 42:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=182147&d=1364769070

 

[KansasSasquatch]

If you look under ADI's powder equivalents chart you'll see the following notice:

NOTE: These tables are only approximate, showing equivalent values within about 5%.
Actual burning rates can vary depending on the calibre, weapon, loading components and practices, as well as from powder lot to powder lot. As a consequence it must be understood that Australian Munitions cannot accept any responsibility for the use of this information in any way.

So they might say that AS50N and AP50N are both equivalent to some powders that are available here, they probably aren't exactly the same as what we have here. I'd bet that AP50N is exactly the same powder that's in a jug of W231/HP38, even if ADI's data varies slightly from Hodgdon's. But with AS50N, just because it says it's equivalent to Int'l and WST doesn't mean that Int'l and WST are the same powder here, let alone the same as a powder that's sold on a different continent. Int'l could be 4% faster burning that AS50N and WST could be 4% slower than AS50N. Any data that you find on the internet is up to YOU to determine if it's safe or not. If Int'l were the same as WST I'm sure Hodgdon would publish some data for it.