Talk to me about Herco metering

[Chuck59]

First, a little background. I used to reload back in the day, and fairly recently the interest was rekindled. This was during 13.. and no reloading supplies were available in Indiana. I haunted the gun shows, and finally found a pound of Herco. I reloaded some .357s, and it worked ok with my antique (why are all my tools antiques.. I bought them new??) Lee classic press.
Recently, I bought a new CZ 75B and a very good shooter told me to load 500, bring them to his place, and he'd show me how to shoot it. Can't pass that up..
I thought it would be a good place to use up some of that Herco, but I can't get it to meter accurately in the small charges necessary. I've tried the auto disc and adjustable thingy, forgot what it's called.
Are there some tricks I don't know about?
TIA

 

[1KPerDay]

How small are we talking? Under 4 grains you'll have problems IME.

 

[Chuck59]

My data says 115 gr LRN 5.6 gr. to start. I couldn't keep it within + - .2. Does Lee make something other than the auto disc?

 

[LiveLife]

During the component shortage, Herco was one of many powders I tested.

I referenced 2004 Alliant load data for my load development - http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=182147&d=1364769070

With Pro Auto Disk, Herco metered with up to .2 gr variance but drops were mostly consistent at the range I tested. Below are my range test results outlined in this thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/9mm-and-herco-for-jacketed-lead-plated-bullets.745656/

Initial range test with Glock 22 and KKM/Lone Wolf conversion barrels:

Reference load - 124 gr Lead RN with 4.0 gr Promo @ 1.125" (1.50" shot group)

115 gr Winchester FMJ with Herco (longer OALs were used to not compress powder charge):
5.8 gr @ 1.150" - 1.30" with light recoil (lighter than reference load)
6.1 gr @ 1.160" - 1.30" with mild recoil

115 gr Berry's plated HBRN with Herco:
5.2 gr @ 1.155" - 1.40" with very light recoil (failed to cycle the slide)
5.8 gr @ 1.155" - 1.50" with light recoil
6.1 gr @ 1.155" - 1.04" KKM and 1.20" LW (mild recoil)

124 gr Berry's plated HBRN with Herco:
5.2 gr @ 1.155" - 1.75" very light recoil (barely cycled the slide)
5.8 gr @ 1.155" - 1.43" light recoil
6.1 gr @ 1.155" - 1.75" mild recoil

124 gr Z-Cast lead RN (stepped) with Herco:
5.2 gr @ 1.160" - 1.12" KKM and 1.50" LW (light recoil)
5.8 gr @ 1.160" - 1.50" with mild recoil

After the initial range test, testing was repeated with 115 gr Berry's HBRN and 6.1 gr of Herco to 1.160" which produced 0.85" shot group at 10 yards using the KKM barrel. Using the same load with the Lone Wolf barrel, I was in the process of making one tight shot group when I pulled the last shot

 

[Chuck59]

Well, I have no doubt that Herco will work.. but. Why can't I get it to drop consistently? That's my real question. Maybe I should try a baffle?
Oh, thanks for that, bds..

 

[LiveLife]

I do not use baffle with the Pro Auto Disk. With any bulky powder like Red Dot, Promo, Herco, etc., I tap the powder hopper around 10 times with my finger tips to better settle the powder before dropping charges to verify with the scale.

With Herco, I found most of drops varied with .1 gr variance with occasional variance to .2 gr. If you have the Pro Auto Disk, check the wiper at the bottom of the hopper for wear. If it is worn, you can flip it over before needing to replace it.

If you reload 40S&W, Herco was my favorite powder which burnt very clean (left even inside of cases clean) until BE-86 came out.

 

[Chuck59]

Well, ok. I think you answered my question. I don't have the Pro Auto Disk. Guess I need to research it. Thanks!

Hmmm, I'm confused.. my normal condition I'm getting my acronyms backwards. What I should have said is I don't have the Perfect Powder Measure. I can't get Herco to meter accurately with the Pro Auto disc in small charges. It looks as if the PPM just might be the ticket. My bad..

 

[kerreckt]

I use the Lee PPM for difficult to meter powders. With a baffle it is accurate to one tenth grain with Unique and the IMR "logs". I haven't used Herco in a long time and can't recall the PPM's accuracy with this powder.

 

[cheygriz]

My Dillon and Redding measures will meter it within .2, no problem.

 

[bcurry]

I cut my teeth 30+ years ago with Herco and loaded some 44mag cases this week with it. Like you, Chuck59, I am throwing with my original/antique Auto Disk but with a new Pro upgrade kit and adjustable charge bar rather than my original disks, so fighting static cling in a new hopper. I use the tap method too for settling the 10g of powder, weigh each charge on a Lyman 505, and found it fairly consistent with the occasional .2 over/under. I found Red Dot to be slightly better but won't get to test until week after next. I've used the Perfect Powder Measure and find a baffle helpful for other powders but also sensitive to static if you don't season it. Hang in there!

 

[Chuck59]

I cut my teeth 30+ years ago with Herco and loaded some 44mag cases this week with it. Like you, Chuck59, I am throwing with my original/antique Auto Disk but with a new Pro upgrade kit and adjustable charge bar rather than my original disks, so fighting static cling in a new hopper. I use the tap method too for settling the 10g of powder, weigh each charge on a Lyman 505, and found it fairly consistent with the occasional .2 over/under. I found Red Dot to be slightly better but won't get to test until week after next. I've used the Perfect Powder Measure and find a baffle helpful for other powders but also sensitive to static if you don't season it. Hang in there!

Thanks.. so much to learn, so little time. I haven't checked the wiper BDS told me about. Out in SoCal visiting the grandkids, so it'll be awhile.

 

[bcurry]

Thanks.. so much to learn, so little time. I haven't checked the wiper BDS told me about. Out in SoCal visiting the grandkids, so it'll be awhile.

Tell me about it! The top left can is my original and passes the "sniff" test. My shootin' buddy gave me some more a few years ago that was passed on to him. I now have more than I can shoot in my lifetime at the rate I'm going!