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Thread: Can Lil'Gun work with 240gr cast loads?

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    Can Lil'Gun work with 44 mag 240gr cast loads?

    I'm not finding much data, and what data I do find is telling me to use it for heavier bullets. I ended up with 4lbs thinking I was going to reload for 350 legend, and that project is on hold. I don't mind investing in another powder like 2400, but just wondering if others have had good success with Lil'Gun.

    Sorry, good questions about my post. I was going to load 350 legend, but am not for the time being. I want to try and use Lil"Gun with 44 mag 240gr cast if possible.
    Last edited by chutestrate; 02-03-2024 at 06:00 PM.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master 1006's Avatar
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    Which cartridge/caliber?

  3. #3
    Boolit Master elmacgyver0's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 1006 View Post
    Which cartridge/caliber?
    I read he wants to load a 240gn cast bullet into a 350 Legend case.
    Sometimes it is easy to read something and miss a whole lot.
    I do it all the time.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master 1006's Avatar
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    I was not sure, sounded to me like he put that on hold.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master 1006's Avatar
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    I have only used LilGun in rifles: 300BLK and 30-30.

    It works well enough in both for me to keep using it. It excels in the 300BLK with 150 grain bullets. It is a good short range, small game load in the 30-30 with 150 grain bullets.

    I won’t use it in my revolvers due to the controversy over weather or not it burns too hot as it meets oxygen between the revolver’s forcing cone and cylinder.

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master

    gwpercle's Avatar
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    Hodgdon's Load Data Center had LilGun Handgun loads in 44 magnum , with 240 gr. but they only showed me JHP loads no Cast Boolits Loads ...

    Maybe someone knows how to get more loads out of Hodgdons stupid Load Data Center ... it might be new , but it ain't improved for me ... there must be more loads in there I just can't get to them .

    God made Books & Printed Reloading Manuals for people like me ...
    Gary
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
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    I'm looking at similar with .50 Beowolf in an AR platform. Going from 350 grain J-words to 330 gr. PC. Used LilGun on the J-words (they worked fine) and extrapolating that the same load will work as a starting load for the PCs. Comparing other loading data for J-words vs. cast in same bullet weight it appears that generally a cast boolit can use a bit more powder than used for jacketed. We'll see...

  8. #8
    Boolit Master 243winxb's Avatar
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    Lil'Gun powder with cast bullets.

    https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...up-in-the-past

    Hodgdon has jacketed or Gas Check load data for 44 mag. Lil'Gun is in the H110 powder family. Its a double based ball powder. On the burn rate chart Lil-Gun is right next to H110. Just a bit faster. A little extra Nitroglycerin, will make powder burn hotter & faster.

    Hodgdon has the pressure higher for LilGun then H110, to get close to the same velocity.

    I have loaded 240/250 gr plain based lswc with H110/W296 in 44 mag, without issues.

    22.0 grs of Lil-Gun would be my guess for a maximum load for 240 gr lswc.
    Last edited by 243winxb; 02-03-2024 at 08:50 PM.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master mehavey's Avatar
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    Lil-Gun is different (and significantly more squirrelly) cat than H110/W296.
    You do NOT want to be even approaching less than 90% fill under the bullet--whatever than turns out to be.
    Pressure Spikes`R Us

  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy
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    Well thank you. I think I'll just keep it around for j words, and use some AA9 for my lead loads. If it doesn't have a good track history I don't want to use it. I do like it for my 357 mag loads. Makes a nice crack when using my Henry.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
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    Lil Gun and Cast Preformance 180 gr hard cast in a 357 mag. will re-create the Buffalo Bore loading.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check