herc 2400 and alliant 2400?

[tiberius10721]

I just reloaded a couple hundred rounds of 357 using alliant 2400 powder.I used an older lee manual that had it listed as herc 2400 so I loaded off that data so the question I am asking is herc 2400 and alliant 2400 the same powder?I know i should have checked into this before I made the rounds

[B.L.E.]

Alliant bought out Hercules and as far as I know, they didn't change the powders. They even kept the trademark picture of Hercules on the cans.

[tiberius10721]

thanks for the reply thats what I figured.14 grains of 2400 behind a 158 grain jacketed bullet is one hell of a load for my 2 inch taurus!accurate as hell but freakin hell on my hands

[BillCA]

I figured.14 grains of 2400 behind a 158 grain jacketed bullet is one hell of a load for my 2 inch taurus!accurate as hell but freakin hell on my hands.

That's because it's a .357 Magnum load you're shooting. If your Taurus isn't a .357, then you're way over the limit.

In a 2" barrel, you're probably also seeing some good muzzle flash and unburned powder inside the barrel after each shot. The downside is that the unburned powder can get under the star extractor during a reload and prevent you from closing the cylinder.

The 2400 powder is a slower burning powder that is good for longer barrels. You might want to try a faster burning powder such as Alliant's Herco for .357 Magnum loads. Herco will also work for .38 Special loads.

[darkgael]

14 grains of 2400 behind a 158 grain jacketed bullet

That's my rifle load.

Pete

[tiberius10721]

well my taurus is the 617 titanium model in 357 magnum with a 2 inch barrel.The load im using 14 grains of alliant 2400 is the starting load out of a 1997 edition lee manual.the max for this load I believe is 15.5grains which Ill never try.

[BillCA]

You might want to try the Speer 135gr .357 Magnum Gold Dot "short barrel" load. This round is designed specifically for snubbies and uses a medium-weight bullet to help reduce recoil. The Gold Dot bullet expands reliably at lower velocities.

[dahermit]

Hercules 2400 is an old powder. Alliant bought out Hercules quite awhile ago. Alliant 2400 may or may not be exactly the same as Hercules 2400...there have been some changes in powders in the past several years.

I remember Hercules 2400 in the .44 magnum with much unburned powder after each shot. It used to be a common topic of discussion in the gun magazines (before internet). I have not heard that complaint with Alliant 2400. Also, Blue Dot used to actually have blue specks, Red Dot used to have red specks in it, Reloader 7 used to have yellow and red specks in it. Current Unique is much cleaner burning (more complete cumbustion of the flakes) than Hercules Unique.

Thus, they are similar, not exactly the same.

[Jim Watson]

Alliant will tell you that the "burning rate" of their powders has not changed due to their relocation or the process changes to make them cleaner.

Several gunzine writers will tell you that current production 2400 is about one grain faster than the old in a .357.

[Sevens]

Also, Blue Dot used to actually have blue specks, Red Dot used to have red specks in it, Reloader 7 used to have yellow and red specks in it.

Still do. I haven't used Red Dot, but I have plenty of Blue Dot and the specks are quite evident. Green Dot has the green flakes. I haven't seen Reloder 7, so I can't confirm. But the "dot" powders are still showing off their colored flakes.