Hercules 2400 ?
- Thread starter Brianma65
- Start date
If it's marked Hercules that suggests that it's pretty old stuff. How long has it been since they changed the name to Alliant?
I've got a Lyman 49th Edition loading manual that has oodles of cartridges listed that use 2400. So I'm surprised that you're having problems finding a use for it. Of the cartridges you list it can be used in .357Mag and maybe in the .45Colt if you're looking for a "Ruger Only" load (As in a Ruger Super Blackhawk or early large frame Vaquero, DO NOT use it in any of the New Vaquero models as they use a lighter frame). But it's not listed for use in any of your other cartridges.
I've got a Lyman 49th Edition loading manual that has oodles of cartridges listed that use 2400. So I'm surprised that you're having problems finding a use for it. Of the cartridges you list it can be used in .357Mag and maybe in the .45Colt if you're looking for a "Ruger Only" load (As in a Ruger Super Blackhawk or early large frame Vaquero, DO NOT use it in any of the New Vaquero models as they use a lighter frame). But it's not listed for use in any of your other cartridges.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
View attachment 32436I think they changed the name in 2000. As I'm kinda new to reloading , I don't like breaking new groundto me anyway. I have a Uberti .45.
Here's a scan of a page from my old tattered copy of the 1st edition of the Lyman Handbook Of Cast Bullets.and
containing some load data for your 45LC,
from the 'Master'.18.5 g huh... That should fill her upHere's a scan of a page from my old tattered copy of the 1st edition of the Lyman Handbook Of Cast Bullets.and
containing some load data for your 45LC,
My Lyman's 49th Edition only shows 2400 as a possible powder for a couple of jacketed bullets. And even the strongest load is only 16.5gns. Elmer liked his big bad BOOMS! but I would not be quick to put such loads into a Uberti.
On the other hand the large frame old original Vaquero would tolerate such a load. But that's a special case.
For the classic 250gn bullet the amount starts at 14.8 which gives you a 755fps bullet. It maxes out for that weight at 16.5 where it's pushing along at 904fps.
It sure seems a waste to meter it out for cowboy action style guns which while they won't blow up will tend to shoot themselves loose sooner with high power ammo. On the other hand the max loads of the stuff in Magnum casings pushing medium weight bullets produce the MOST FANTASTIC FIREBALLS! ! ! ! !
So I tend to save what I've got for that sort of thing and prefer dimly lit indoor ranges or shooting on dull dark days or around dusk where I get more of a great show.
On the other hand the large frame old original Vaquero would tolerate such a load. But that's a special case.
For the classic 250gn bullet the amount starts at 14.8 which gives you a 755fps bullet. It maxes out for that weight at 16.5 where it's pushing along at 904fps.
It sure seems a waste to meter it out for cowboy action style guns which while they won't blow up will tend to shoot themselves loose sooner with high power ammo. On the other hand the max loads of the stuff in Magnum casings pushing medium weight bullets produce the MOST FANTASTIC FIREBALLS! ! ! ! !
So I tend to save what I've got for that sort of thing and prefer dimly lit indoor ranges or shooting on dull dark days or around dusk where I get more of a great show.I have 1 bottle of trail boss left , I think I'll use that up and if I can't find anymore then maybe I'll give the Hercules a shotMy Lyman's 49th Edition only shows 2400 as a possible powder for a couple of jacketed bullets. And even the strongest load is only 16.5gns. Elmer liked his big bad BOOMS! but I would not be quick to put such loads into a Uberti.
On the other hand the large frame old original Vaquero would tolerate such a load. But that's a special case.
For the classic 250gn bullet the amount starts at 14.8 which gives you a 755fps bullet. It maxes out for that weight at 16.5 where it's pushing along at 904fps.
It sure seems a waste to meter it out for cowboy action style guns which while they won't blow up will tend to shoot themselves loose sooner with high power ammo. On the other hand the max loads of the stuff in Magnum casings pushing medium weight bullets produce the MOST FANTASTIC FIREBALLS! ! ! ! !
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
My Lyman's 49th Edition only shows 2400 as a possible powder for a couple of jacketed bullets. And even the strongest load is only 16.5gns. Elmer liked his big bad BOOMS! but I would not be quick to put such loads into a Uberti.
On the other hand the large frame old original Vaquero would tolerate such a load. But that's a special case.
For the classic 250gn bullet the amount starts at 14.8 which gives you a 755fps bullet. It maxes out for that weight at 16.5 where it's pushing along at 904fps.
It sure seems a waste to meter it out for cowboy action style guns which while they won't blow up will tend to shoot themselves loose sooner with high power ammo. On the other hand the max loads of the stuff in Magnum casings pushing medium weight bullets produce the MOST FANTASTIC FIREBALLS! ! ! ! !
Yes, Elmer did like his top end loads and to a degree, was responsible for the development of a good many of them. He led the way on a lot of firearm and hunting fronts in his day. Don't know about what a Uberti is able to handle but you made mention of large frame Rugers. In a few reloading manuals such as Hornady, they have virtually an additional section of hotter loads for the likes of some of the Rugers. I have an older Vaquero and a SS Blackhawk convertable that seem to digest those heavier loads without problem. For the lighter indoor type loads, I go with the lower velocities and using TB or, light Bullseye or Unique loads.
Oh, for fireballs, top end loads of lighter bullets using H110 in the 500 S&W
put on quite a light show.
Johnn, the Uberti in this case would be a pretty well faithful rendition of the old Colt 1873 but with the transfer bar and frame mounted firing pin instead of a hammer mounted firing pin.
The metals used today are somewhat better but Uberti "only" proofs the guns to the standards for SAMMI spec .45Colt. And that means a low peak pressure limit.
I feel that it's fair to say that the vast majority of the Uberti 1873 clones are used with mid to lighter loads by those doing cowboy action and just simply plinking for fun with a "cowboy" gun.
And when you get down to it a full power .45Colt is nothing to sneeze at. The time I tried one from an 1873 clone it felt not far off a .44Magnum for recoil. I suspect that only a small percentage of Uberti owners shoot a steady diet of full power loads through their guns.
The metals used today are somewhat better but Uberti "only" proofs the guns to the standards for SAMMI spec .45Colt. And that means a low peak pressure limit.
I feel that it's fair to say that the vast majority of the Uberti 1873 clones are used with mid to lighter loads by those doing cowboy action and just simply plinking for fun with a "cowboy" gun.
And when you get down to it a full power .45Colt is nothing to sneeze at. The time I tried one from an 1873 clone it felt not far off a .44Magnum for recoil. I suspect that only a small percentage of Uberti owners shoot a steady diet of full power loads through their guns.
