Unique vs Herco in 357 Magnum

Status
Not open for further replies.
Ironicaintit

Ironicaintit

Member
Joined
May 7, 2015
Messages
2,536
Location
Colorado
Hello everybody,

I'd like to get your collective opinion on some handloads Im thinking about.

I have a load I really like with 9.0 gr of Unique, pushing a Speer 125 grain JHP to the mid/high 1300fps range.
I consider it maybe a 3/4 throttle load. It is my designated 357 SD round, but I plink with it, too. What I really like about it, is the low flash!

But I got to thinking about the Herco I have stagnating in the cabinet, and wondering what to do with it.
From what I can tell, the flash shouldnt be bad, and the velocity could theoretically increase...but itd probably be happier with a heavier projectile. (Or cast)
Would it have any real advantage over the Unique? Ive never used it in any caliber, so...
Im probably over thinking this (i do that:scrutiny:)

In case you may suggest it;
I have an H110 load that I love, for when the recoil bug comes calling, but that muzzle flash, while impressive, is not something I want for SD (odds are, if called upon, itll be after dark, and I dont want to compromise my night vision).

Thanks for reading, let me know whatcha think.

Dan
 
No data in my Lyman 49 for Herco and 125gr, Alliants new data does not list it either.
Alliant 2005 shows
125gr JSP OAL 1.57 9.8gr Herco 1590 FPS.
Alliant just lists max charges so reduce by a least 10% to start.

Since you already have it I would say give it a try.
As I recall BDS had good results with it in .40 SW. (different beast but fairly high pressure round)
 
Herco is a very under-utilized powder in this day and age for .357 Magnum. I use a lot of it for .357 cast loads; accurate, economical, and zippy. Never tried it for jacketed but it should work fine IMO per Dudedog's suggestion above.

Herco produces zero to little flash from my experience, so it has that going for it as well.
 
Not to self....just load 'em up and shoot 'em, ya big dummy!

I looked through some of my old books and in my Speer #10, it listed 11.6-12.6 for herco and a 125!
I dont think I'll be doing that!
All of my others that listed it, were what dudedog said, with 9.8 as max.
So, I did get some loaded up...5 each @ 9.4, 9.6 and 9.8 to run through a Ruger

I'll get these run over a chrony, and then pop some off after dark and let ya know what I come up with.
Thanks for the responses fellas!
 
:eek:
I looked through some of my old books and in my Speer #10, it listed 11.6-12.6 for herco and a 125!
Click to expand...
That's 25% over Alliant :what: and I think their data tends towards the hot side.


Don't have Speer #10 but is that the one where a lot people say the data was way hot?
 
Last edited:
I have wondered about Herco for some time, never finding any, but I understand that it will be discontinued. Might be the reason to look for a similar powder, that may not be discontinued any time soon. Hodgdon's Universal might be something to consider.
 
Off thread but,

Universal is a bit faster, a lot like Unique but cleaner and it meters well.
WSF is close to Herco speed wise but I haven't seen any .38 or .357 data for it.
(not to say there isn't any out there but not in Winchesters published data, always wondered why, it works well in 9mm)

I have heard that Universal is being phased out, but had not heard that Herco was going away.. I have also heard rumors of HP38/Win231 going away as well.

Heck I still miss SR7625 and SR4756 and they haven't been gone that long.

Looks like it is time to say goodbye to more old friends.
 
Wrong, wrong, wrong!

I called Hodgdon, and the tech told me that Universal is not being discontinued!:) In fact, they are shipping it, so it should be available at the LGS, if not now, in the near future.

Drat! I was sure the rumor was true; I read it on the internet! :D Apologies!
 
Dudedog said:
[SNIP] WSF is close to Herco speed wise but I haven't seen any .38 or .357 data for it. [/SNIP]
Click to expand...

Neither have I, but when pistol powder availability was virtually non-existent I worked up some .357 Magnum loads using around 7.5 to 8.0 grains under a Missouri Bullet 140 TCFP. They had a notably louder and somewhat different-sounding (to me) report vs. Herco so I didn't pursue further research on it. However, the WSF loads were accurate and it burned considerably cleaner than Herco FWIW.
 
I had a break in my schedule and got a chance to shoot some 125 gr 357 herco rounds today from a 6" super blackhawk.
Im pretty disappointed in the extreme spread...im chalking it up to using magnum primers with a powder that doesnt need such an exciting spark...
These are a bit flashier than the unique loads, too. Primers looked fine, recoil wasnt too terribly snappy...cases were a bit resistant to being ejected. (But not worse than my unique load)

9.8 grains of herco

-1481
-1552
-1397
-1422
-1461

1462 fps average, 155fps spread ugh

Kinda funny, in my speer #10; the 12.6 they listed came out to 1510 fps in their book.
I wonder how many pistols were ruined by their data?
 
Just curious, did you weigh the charges or just set the measure and use them as thrown? Just thinking with 155fps diff it seems like that one might have been light.
 
Dudedog said:
Off thread but,

Universal is a bit faster, a lot like Unique but cleaner and it meters well.
WSF is close to Herco speed wise but I haven't seen any .38 or .357 data for it.
(not to say there isn't any out there but not in Winchesters published data, always wondered why, it works well in 9mm)

I have heard that Universal is being phased out, but had not heard that Herco was going away.. I have also heard rumors of HP38/Win231 going away as well.

Heck I still miss SR7625 and SR4756 and they haven't been gone that long.

Looks like it is time to say goodbye to more old friends.
Click to expand...
Hmmm. Hope that's not the case.

I was in Cabela's last week and they had a pretty good supply of Universal. My LGS also had a pretty good supply of it earlier today.
 
Dudedog said:
Just curious, did you weigh the charges or just set the measure and use them as thrown? Just thinking with 155fps diff it seems like that one might have been light.
Click to expand...
No, those were all weighed. For all intents and purposes, each round was identical. Powder weight, brass length, etc.
the only real variable I can think of, is that this particular batch is using pulled bullets.
Maybe the light one had been crimped extra hard on its first go'round, and so didnt have as much neck tension this time?
Im not sure. They all shot true to aim, so...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
Herco and 357 Magnum
Replies
14
Views
6K
GaryL
GaryL
Deadeyejedi
  • Locked
Herco powder
Replies
14
Views
4K
Salmoneye
Salmoneye
J
  • Locked
Hows Herco powder?
2
Replies
25
Views
5K
Josh45
J
M
  • Locked
who uses herco
Replies
21
Views
1K
Crashbox
C
A
  • Locked
.38/.357 powder and primers
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
zxcvbob
Z
Back
Top