357Mag with Herco powder

02bigdogs17 · March 2, 2014, 12:40 PM

I am wanting to load some 158gr Cast SWC's in 357mag cases with Herco powder. Not a whole lot of data out there that I have found. Just want to see if anyone has any info on this. Thanks.

SHR970 · March 2, 2014, 01:10 PM

From Hercules 1992 Guide:

Primer: Fed 200 Min. OAL: 1.58 Max Charge: 7.9 gr.

FWIW, IME, Herco works good with cast.

rodfac · March 3, 2014, 12:37 AM

Geez, I've been loading with Herco for the past six months in .357, looking for an acceptable substitute for Unique, Win 231, or HP38; my usual powders for light to medium loads, 750-1050 fps.

For Herco, in Starline or R-P .357 brass, Win Sm Pistol primers and Lyman's 358156 gc (160 gr from my mold), I use 6.8 gr for a chrono'd 950 fps from my 3" S&W M60. This is a fairly mild load but good for sub-2" gps at 25 yds in the little Smith, and also in a 5" bbl'd Smith as well as a Ruger BH 4-5/8" bbl. With or without GC, it does not lead. I use the same charge of Herco with commercial cast LSWC of 160 gr. The load data came from Lyman's old #45 loading manual. It listed 7.0 to 11.6 gr of Herco with that 358156 GC 158 gr LSWC bullet.

Hope this helps, but as always, this load is safe in my guns, but you should work up to it in yours after consulting a good manual and considering the pressure implications. Had to say it!!

Best Regards, Rod

Salmoneye · March 3, 2014, 06:40 AM

Handgun starts on page 42 I believe:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...7&d=1364769070

March 2, 2014, 12:40 PM	#1
02bigdogs17 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 138	357Mag with Herco powder I am wanting to load some 158gr Cast SWC's in 357mag cases with Herco powder. Not a whole lot of data out there that I have found. Just want to see if anyone has any info on this. Thanks.

March 3, 2014, 12:37 AM	#3
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	Geez, I've been loading with Herco for the past six months in .357, looking for an acceptable substitute for Unique, Win 231, or HP38; my usual powders for light to medium loads, 750-1050 fps. For Herco, in Starline or R-P .357 brass, Win Sm Pistol primers and Lyman's 358156 gc (160 gr from my mold), I use 6.8 gr for a chrono'd 950 fps from my 3" S&W M60. This is a fairly mild load but good for sub-2" gps at 25 yds in the little Smith, and also in a 5" bbl'd Smith as well as a Ruger BH 4-5/8" bbl. With or without GC, it does not lead. I use the same charge of Herco with commercial cast LSWC of 160 gr. The load data came from Lyman's old #45 loading manual. It listed 7.0 to 11.6 gr of Herco with that 358156 GC 158 gr LSWC bullet. Hope this helps, but as always, this load is safe in my guns, but you should work up to it in yours after consulting a good manual and considering the pressure implications. Had to say it!! Best Regards, Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73. Last edited by rodfac; March 3, 2014 at 12:43 AM.

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March 2, 2014, 01:10 PM	#2
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 1,427	From Hercules 1992 Guide: Primer: Fed 200 Min. OAL: 1.58 Max Charge: 7.9 gr. FWIW, IME, Herco works good with cast.

March 3, 2014, 06:40 AM	#4
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	Handgun starts on page 42 I believe: http://www.thehighroad.org/attachmen...7&d=1364769070