Hercules to Alliant Bullseye

I just put the last of my Hercules Bullseye in the powder measure. I will now have to switch to Alliant Bullseye. Will I have to do load development again or is the switch a seamless one?
Scott

Error to the side of caution.
With light BE loads may not be a bad thing, but like I said...
Clarence

I'm interested in the same question. I just finished off my last batch of Hercules Bullseye...I run 4.2 grains Hercules BE under 185JHP's and 3.9-4.0 under 185 LSWC.

I think you may see more variation lot to lot with Alliant. I don't recall much change in that regard w/ Hercules. I have run the same basic load for a long time BUT a few yrs ago I ran into a 4 lber that required a .35 increase for reliable functioning. The load is 4.15 under a 160 and using a slide mount. I have a set of 3 bushings used over the years. A 4.0, 4.15, & 4.25. These are what the bushings USUALLY drop over the various lots. Again there can be some slight variation.
When I called Alliant about the light loads mentioned above I was informed the 4.2 BE load was too light to expect reliability.
I expect these variations and try to use 8 lb kegs. If I get a 4 I will try to get another soon and blend them.
Just partt of the fun!!
Ron

I have had Hercules powder given to me several times (thank you to all the people that say it does not burn clean enough!)
And it is the same as the Aliant Bullseye powder. Treat it like any other new can of powder.

Dave C.

Wow that is some old powder! How long ago did Hercules become Alliant? As a long time shooter, I started reloading my first rounds using Hercules Bullseye powder. When the company switched hands, I started using Alliant Bullseye. I never noticed any difference in performance.

I've been loading Bullseye for 29 years.

Dave C.

IM on my last can of bullseye.What is alliant did they change the name??

COMPANY NEWS; ALLIANT TO BUY HERCULES INC.'S AEROSPACE OPERATIONS


Published: November 01, 1994

Alliant Techsystems Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Hercules
Inc.'s aerospace operations for $412 million in cash and stock, about 12
percent less than the price first announced in July. On Friday, the
company said its definitive agreement would be less than the $465
million value announced before. The agreement calls for Alliant to pay
less cash and more stock for the unit and buy back 57 percent fewer
shares. Under the agreement, Hercules will get $300 million in cash and
3.86 million new shares of Alliant stock valued at $29 a share. With the
acquisition, Alliant will be a $1.4 billion company employing about
10,200 workers.

Bullseye used to be made by Hercules. Bullseye powder has been around for like 100 years...most of those years it was made by Hercules. Hercules sold all of its divisions in 2008, but the powder division sold to Alliant before that in 1994. Some of us are just now consuming the last of the Hercules stuff. If you didn't know there was any other kind of Bullseye powder, then you don't have anything to worry about.

Ive loaded and shot both early 90s and current and cant tell any difference, a friend has a old keg from the 60-70s and it is more powerful, his 3.6 gr loads are comparable to my 3.9 loads

My old can of BE next to my new can.

Dave C. wrote:I've been loading Bullseye for 29 years.

Dave C.

I started using Bullseye powder in either late 1970 or early 1971. I started out reloading using the Lee reloader... yes, the one that comes in a little box and one uses a mallet to perform the operations. Going that slowly with the Lee kit, I was motivated to go to something faster and easier. It didn't take me too long to save up for a Lyman Spartan single-stage press kit. Luckily a buddy ran a part-time (hobby) gun business in his garage (those were the good ole days) and gave me a great deal on the Lyman equipment.

BE Mike,
We both started about the same time.
Remember the cube shaped cans the powder came in?
JLK

I still have quite a bit of the old original...

wow Jerry thats impressive, the keg on right is what my friend had, good stuff!

I too recently ran out of my "old" BE. I have not seen much difference in the new BE. Back in my rifle day, starting in the late 50s, my dad and I used mostly H4831, 4350, and BLC in several rifles. We had the 4831 in 100# kegs. I think we had 3 of them through the years. 4831 goes fast in .378Wby magnums.

I know the feeling. I just used up the last of my Hercules Unique!

Jerry Keefer wrote:I still have quite a bit of the old original...

Show off! BTW, could I borrow a cup of Bullseye?

Awesome Bullseye stashes!

Jerry,
What time frame was the red metal canister from?
JLK

anybody know where i can buy some bulls-eye powder??

I just shot my first batch of Alliant Bullseye, and I would say it's exactly the same power as my previous batch of Hercules Bullseye.

JLK wrote:Jerry,
What time frame was the red metal canister from?
JLK

I did some searching, but I can't find anything on the red metal can as far as dates. .. I have several of the same in Unique, also. No dates on the cans.
I did find that a company named Laflin & Rand were the originators of Bullseye powder in 1898. It is the oldest smokeless powder still being manufactured.
I have had good luck with it on short line.. But I can't say I've shot great RR or barrel tester groups with it at 50.
Jerry

I bought a red "keg" of BE in '70 or '71.
3 lbs for something like $10 or $12.
Ron