Works great in my Rossi 92 .357 mag and Ruger Blackhawks .357 mag.
Definitely a warm and fast powder.
Works great in my Puma 454 with a case full of lilgun and the Lee 300gr and doesn't over heat. I don't shoot it like a 10/22. 300grs (actually 317) at 1980fps from the light weight Puma is not what I want to shoot at ten rounds in 20 seconds. Guess I'm just a wimp.
I’ve used it in a Winchester M94, and Ruger 77/.357.
I used 17.8gr with Federal SPM primers, with a Remington 158gr JSP.
Winchester M94 w20”bbl ran 2,040fps @15’
Ruger 77/357 w18.5” bbl ran 1,960.
Hodgdons max is 18.0gr. Going higher actually decreases velocity and dramatically increases heat and erosion. Reducing charge also reduced velocity.
Lil’Gun isn’t always a good fit for possible uses, but definitely has its place.
158-200gr bullets in .357mag in rifles is one of them.
For my revolvers, I use #2400...
i use little-gun in my two rem aac model 7,s and i run a 125 gr nosler BT at 2400 fps and a 150 serria 30-30 bullet at 2200 fps with no trouble at all.
Trade offs are not worth it to me. I’ve used it in the past but stopped. Can get the performance I want w/ H110/W296 and not have to worry. The few deer I’ve taken w/ an 1894C didn’t know the difference between Lil’Gun and H110
I've used it before in 45 Colt out of a Bisquero and wasn't then aware of the internet drama (or not drama at all). The loads weren't particularly accurate but I wasn't really an anal revolver loader yet. Undersized throats, couldn't see the front sight too well, etc. Might not be the powders fault at all as far as the accuracy was concerned.
Anyway, what I did know is that while I was burning that ammo up, I knew that the Bisquero got HOT. Then I started getting into Freedom Arms revolvers and reading as much as possible about them. Lots of information about Freedom Arms recommending to not use it in their (my) revolvers.
As dragon813gt said quite well, H110 and 4227 does what I need in that burning range and they don't make my precious toys hot as Hades!
I gave my leftover container to my shooting partner for his 300 BO Remington 600.
I guess I will have to refrain from going full auto in my Contenders from now on!
.22 K Hornet 14” and a .25-20 Win 21”, shooting very nice groups
Three44s
Quote Originally Posted by Bret4207
“There is more to this than dumping lead in a hole.”
I'm not a fan of Lil Gun. The way it heats up the barrels of both my Rossi 92 carbines is really unusual, and most certainly not "hogwash" as stated earlier.
There are better powders for .357 rifle use. Most of my experience is with h110/296 and IMR 4227, but 300mp is really showing serious promise. I also think Accurate 11fs should be excellent.
My favorite for the 22-K Hornet. Tack driving accuracy with 45 gr. HP-Bee Hornady at 3,000 fps. and the fragile brass does not seem to mind the pressure. In my Colt New Service .45 Colt I use it for my heavy hunting only load using the RCBS 45 SAA 270 which actually weighs about 280 grains with my alloy. I get 925 fps in the 5 1/2" barrel with no heavy recoil compared to similar speeds with 296/H110. Seems to be less finicky than the other ball powders as well, but does prefer a magnum primer.
73 de n0ubx, Rick
NRA Benefactor Life Member/VFW Life Member
I have read that Lil Gun is very hard on 410 shotgun hulls. In the .410 skeet shotgun reloading game I use H110/296 due to it's a lot easier on those expensive and hard to find once fired WW 2 1/2" hulls. 296/H110 is reported to be the easiest powder on hulls so that is what I standardized on. I am now working with MP-300 for skeet loads, so maybe that would be a good powder to look at for your revolvers/rifles and the fact that it is less expensive than H110/296 doesn't hurt my feelings either.
Mtgrs737
Still Learning!
NRA Life Member
Life long OZ resident
Personality type: Compulsive/Excessive - I don't know what that means, all I know is, if I like something, I want a lot of it!
Pray to put "One nation, Under God" back in our country! We will never be a Great Nation without HIM!
SOCIALISM is a PHILOSOPHY of FAILURE, the CREED of IGNORANCE and the GOSPEL of ENVY, It's inherent value is the EQUAL SHARING of MISERY. -Winston Churchill
I am not doubting that Lil Gun is hard on 410 hulls but how is it hard on them.
What does it do to them?...dale
I have used it in over 500 rounds in my S&W Model 500. 37 grains Lil Gun with 350 gr. J word XTP hollow point with excellent accuracy. No signs of erosion or major flame cutting. Have used it in .357 model 27 but the accuracy was not there. I will be loading some .44 mag for a 20" Model 1892 conversion and give it a shot.
There is lots of information out there on the web about how its such a damaging powder. I would think after 500 rounds in a high intensity cartridge like the 500 S&W it would show up. Seems like Hogwash and Malarkey to me.
I love Lil'gun in my 357 magnum and 44 magnum loads. Firearms are Rossi M92 in each caliber, 20" barrel. My go to for deer hunting. I have found it to be the most accurate load for my carbines. I use the same 357 mag load in my Ruger GP100. Again, very accurate out of the revolver. The push from the revolver with Lil'gun feels so good.
The reports of forcing cone erosion are concerning. I meant to call Hodgdon this morning and ask them about it, but work got in the way.
He who knows best knows how little he knows.
- Thomas Jefferson
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 |