Good deal on powder?

[rking]

I bought 2 lbs of Universal for half price today $10 a pound. They also had 2lbs of Herco for the same price. would Herco be a good choice for use in a .44magnum? Also when a reloading manual refers to Universal does that mean Universal Clays?

 

[SASS#23149]

Yes,they are referring to Universal Clays.They've gotten to just callingit Universal to try to avoid confusion...and you know how that usually turns out. :banghead:
Sorry,can't help on the Herco question.

 

[Grump]

Herco's worth a look for Magnums

I liked Herco in my .357 Magnum. Just check the books and see how it compares with Unique and 2400 and 296.

Winchester's velocities on 296, BTW, are about 300-400 fps optimistic IME. I could never, for example, get better than about 1450 fps with 125-gr bullets, using 3.5 grains MORE than Winchester said to load. Speer #10 or #11, IIRC, said it was okay, but #13 has that load backed off a full grain now...

Alliant's published velocities are only 100 fps off, IME. Same direction.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Herco is close to VV340 in burn rate (I believe) and performs similarly for midrange to moderately heavy loads in the 44 mag. I used it about 30 yrs ago in mine and my dad used it in his 357 with similar result, not the highest velocity but 1200fps or so with heavy bullets. H110 (same powder as W296), 2400, or H4227 will do better if velocity is what you want.

 

[caz223]

herco was alright in .41 mag for the lighter bullets, but 2400/H110 is much better for heavy bullets.
Never used it with .44 or .357 mag.

 

[griz]

Universal for $10 a pound? Do they have any left and where is it?

 

[rking]

Thanks for the replys. No the only powder they have left is 2lbs of herco and 1 lb of greendot.