.357 & 'Lil gun powder?

[DJWright]

Heh guys, have been using 2400 in handguns for years with good results; however tried some 'Lil gun in my .45 Colts with better results. I'm using a 180 gr. LBT bullet in my 6" Ruger GP100 and 2 -1/4" SP101 both .357s, and looking for feed back with 'Lil gun powder. I don't find much data for it.

[454PB]

You can get data here: http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

They list a 180 gr. Nosler partition starting load of 13 gr. Lil'Gun and maximum of 15 gr. That 15 gr. load has a M.V. of 1422 fps.. You can substitute a cast boolit if you stay within their C.O.L.

[DJWright]

Thanks much, will give it a try.:drinks:

[Mack Heath]

I am not sure how much confidence I wold place in those velocities, especially with LG. And I would make certain that I had access to a chrono; you might be surprised.

I worked up a load with LG and a 180 XTP from Hornady. The LOA was 1.580 and the primer was a Winchester WSPM. The gun used was a 6"GP. With 13.0 grains of LilGun I got 980 fps. With 14.5, I got 1040 fps, and with 15.0 I only got 1055 fps. It is a far cry from 1400 fps.

For the record, I bought a second container of LG thinking that the first one wasn't performing properly, but haven't tried it out yet.

If you do try out LilGun, how about reporting back with your results. I would like to see what others are actually getting over a chrono.

[bobthenailer]

ive used lil gun since it came out ,i use it in 22 hornet, 357 mag , 38 super , and 454 casull with cast and jacketed bullets and i have at least 2 pistols chambered in each caliber, and 1 rifle accuracy is excellent and the velocities are higher with lower pressure than other compairable powders according to hodgens manual in those calibers, all loads were chrno for velocities, bought a 8 pounder last year after useing several 1 pounders

[GP100man]

my exp with LG is it`s a upper end powder , it does`nt shine untill rite at max loading.
i found it hard to lite even with mag primers at the starting loads in 357mag.


GP100man :cbpour:

[oso]

I'm more than happy with Lil'Gun for .357 Mag 160-180 gr gas checked boolits in my Marlin 1894. Best chronographed velocities compared to 2400 and WC820 and IMR4227. Have to admit the wife and I prefer lighter loads with faster powders in our revolvers.

[arclight]

Here are some loads I tested last year:

357 Mag, 158gr Sierra JHP
16.0gr Lil Gun , Federal Mag SP primer

16" BBL Winchester Carbine
1831,1854,1875 fps

Arclight

[JSH]

Here is a decent read on the 357 and lil gun

http://www.lasc.us/RangingShotFreedomArms357CastBulletPT2.htm

[Treeman]

Mack your numbers are very low. One factor that many people are not aware of is the need for high bullet pull with powders such as lil Gun in a revolver. A VERY tight fit of the bullet in the case and a heavy crimp will yield higher velocities and tighter velocity spreads than "normal" fit.

[DJWright]

Well, did some experimenting, and settled on 16 gr. 'Lil gun behind my 180 gr. LBT WFN GC hard cast bullet, sparked with Federal magnum primers. Is an absolute tack driver out to 200 yards in my marlin '94 and my 6" Ruger GP100. Hits like a sledge hammer and no pressure signs. The powder seems to shoot better when loaded at the upper end and with heavier bullets.
My 4" Colt King Cobra does not seem to care for that load however, and seems to shoot best 'so far', with Skeeters old load of 13.5 gr. 2400 with a 158 gr. cast bullet from .38 spl. cases.

[Clark]

The Hodgdon max load for the 158 gr. XTP JHP is 18 gr. LIL'GUN for 1577
fps, 10" barrel, 25.8kcup

There is no lead bullet data for LIL'GUN, but I have been shooting 158
gr. LSWCs with LIL'GUN 1.590", WSPM:

I reamed out a Colt Police Positive 38 special revolvers to 357 mag.
I cut 1" off the frame on the butt with a hack saw, so Colt Agent sized gripper grips would fit.
Colt Police Positive 38 Special 4" barrel:

158 gr LSWC:
13 gr. good 357 mag load
17.5 gr. the primer flattens.
21 gr. the primer top hats
26 gr. case is full, no pressure problems, kicks and makes noise like 44 mag

1) ShotgunNews mail order 38 special reloads mixed brand brass 158 gr. JHP, 830 fps
2) 18 gr. LIL'GUN 158 gr. XTP 1.59", WSPM, 1173 fps
3) 23.5 gr. LIL'GUN 158 gr. XTP 1.59", WSPM, 1155 fps

What does it all mean?
1) LIL'GUN is good for cast bullets, despite what Hodgdon will tell you in email.
2) More Lil'Gun makes it louder and kick harder, but the velocity goes down.

[rbstern]

As always, Clark, you're nuts, and I mean that in the kindest way. :)

My Lil'gun load for 357 is 16 grains under any 158 to 162 grain cast or jacketed. Out of a 20" Rossi 92, it yields about 1975 fps. Out of a a 4" S&W 66, it does about 1275 fps. Low deviation and good accuracy. It's a versatile load for defensive carry or hunting.

[sd5782]

My results with 'Lil Gun haven't been great, although I love it in my 25-20 Marlin 1894CL. In my 5" GP100 I used 12.8gr and got 1140 fps with a NEI175 gr swcgc, and 1072 fps from the RCBS 180RN. I think I should have used mag primers instead of the standard WW. There seemed to be powder spitting around, especially with heavier charges, and jacketed bullets.
I have come to like AA9 best. Velocity is good, velocities consistent, and I like the shooting qualities. Seems like more of a smooth solid boom without the drama. With H110, and 'Lil Gun there is the POW-Flash, and concussion, which I don't care for so much.

[Mack Heath]

Mack your numbers are very low. One factor that many people are not aware of is the need for high bullet pull with powders such as lil Gun in a revolver. A VERY tight fit of the bullet in the case and a heavy crimp will yield higher velocities and tighter velocity spreads than "normal" fit.


My revolver loads are always prepared using a Redding Profile Crimp Die, so the crimp is solid. Also, I use as small an expander as is feasible. I have gotten very good performance with both the H-110/WW-296 and AAC-#9 powders. It is just Lilgun that seems to behave badly for me.

I did one series with the .41 Mag and 210 XTPs using LG and 296. The LG velocities weren't terrible, like they were with the .357, but they were nothing to write home about, either. In fact, the 296 velocities were superior by a small, but insignificant, margin.

[leadeye]

I like Lil Gun in my Marlin behind a 265 RD. 21 grains provides good accuracy and power at 100 yards which is about the limit range where I hunt.