4kdave
Blackhawk
Have you guys heard of this powder & who handles it?
Thanks
Dave
Thanks
Dave
Li'l Gun Powder
- Thread starter 4kdave
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I've used it for heavy loads in my 41 magnum (265 grain LWFNGC at 1400 fps). I chose it because Hodgdon's website showed that it gave high velocities at lower pressure levels than other powders. However, there are reports that it causes erosion of the top strap due to flame cutting; I've not seen it in my gun but don't shoot the heavy loads that much. Anyone who handles Hodgdon powders should stock it. Now whether they have any in current stock due to the ammo/supply environment is another question.
What caliber are you reloading? If you are loading heavy magnums, you might also consider H110 / W296.
What caliber are you reloading? If you are loading heavy magnums, you might also consider H110 / W296.
Bucks Owin
Hunter
I tried a pound of it when it came out, mainly from the fantastic velocity/pressure claims in .357 mag. I found it no better velocity wise than W-296 but more SD/ES. Kinda "erratic" too even with hot primer. Dittos in .44 mag...
Personally I was unimpressed and have bought no more of it...
Personally I was unimpressed and have bought no more of it...
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
I think it is 'the powder' for .410 and 22 Hornet. In handgun calibers it is claimed to give more velocity with less pressure. A lot of silhouette shooters used it and many have gone away from it because of forcing cone erosion. IS SUPPOSE TO BURN HOT ALSO. :shock: :shock:
I love Lil'gun! I use it in 357, 357 Bain & Davis, 41 mag, 44 Mag, 454 Casull, 480 Ruger, and 50 Beowulf. It works great. I use Winchester WLP and WSP primers. There is a caveat, if you're doing a high volume of shooting, just make sure not to get the barrel too hot (IE: the barrel becomes uncomfortable to grip for 5 seconds), as that will make the forcing cone wear quicker than you'd expect.
Brian Pearce from Handloader magazine claims that it's an excellent .357 carbine power when used with jacketed bullets. I still have most of a pound I bought years ago, too slow for me and my revolvers, never tried it in a carbine. I'm holding on to it in case I ever start loading for my .410 Handi.
Some claim that the revolver wear is from the abrasive action of the powder, not from flame cutting. I dunno.
Some claim that the revolver wear is from the abrasive action of the powder, not from flame cutting. I dunno.
Bucks Owin
Hunter
In my S&W. M19 I encountered the odd sticky case with LG just trying to EQUAL the same velocity I can get with W296 where cases nearly fall out of their own weight... :?
I guess mileage truly does vary! :wink:
I guess mileage truly does vary! :wink:
My experience was that published velocities weren't necessarily good for comparing it to the other big hitters like H110, 2400, etc., (Nice way of saying they were a bit of a stretch as far as I'm concerned..not sure if they used an extra long single shot pressure barrel or what...? can't remember).
It's been over a year since I chronied any of the lilgun loads...so I don't remember the specifics other than I was disappointed that I bought 3 pounds to start rather than one.
Also, I've read more than once that F/A quit honoring warranty's on guns where lilgun is used. Apparently it was doing a bit of top-strap cutting and throat eroding to their guns and it took them a while to figure out that it was the lilgun powder folks were using. But once they figured it out they put out the word.
At that point I didn't load any more with it and sold off what I had to someone who used it for 218 bee or something like that.
It's been over a year since I chronied any of the lilgun loads...so I don't remember the specifics other than I was disappointed that I bought 3 pounds to start rather than one.
Also, I've read more than once that F/A quit honoring warranty's on guns where lilgun is used. Apparently it was doing a bit of top-strap cutting and throat eroding to their guns and it took them a while to figure out that it was the lilgun powder folks were using. But once they figured it out they put out the word.
At that point I didn't load any more with it and sold off what I had to someone who used it for 218 bee or something like that.
Bucks Owin
Hunter
, (Nice way of saying they were a bit of a stretch as far as I'm concerned..not sure if they used an extra long single shot pressure barrel or what...? can't remember).
It's been over a year since I chronied any of the lilgun loads...so I don't remember the specifics other than I was disappointed .[/quote]
Yep, a 10" pressure barrel in regards to the 357 "wonderballistics" :wink:
It's been over a year since I chronied any of the lilgun loads...so I don't remember the specifics other than I was disappointed .[/quote]
Yep, a 10" pressure barrel in regards to the 357 "wonderballistics" :wink:
454PB
Bearcat
I'm a fan of Lil'Gun, using it in .357 magnum, .44 magnum, and .454 Casull.
Yes, it will erode the top strap and forcing cones eventually, but so does every other powder when used at maximum SAAMI pressure levels.
My first .44 magnum was a Ruger SBH I bought in 1971. Over the years I owned it, I fired over 20K maximum loads utilizing mostly H-110, but with a little 2400 and IMR 4227 thrown in. It began cutting the top strap at around 3000 rounds and eventually that cut became about .020" deep.....and then stopped getting any worse. The same thing happened to my S&W model 28.
It's the nature of the beast with the magnums if you use heavy loads.
I've found Lil'Gun DOES produce higher velocities at lower (apparent) pressures than other slow burning ball powders like H-110/WW296/AA#9/WC820. As to barrel heat, the only time I've really noticed it was when using it in a recent range chronographing session of some Lyman 358156 160 gr. cast boolits. This load produced 1550 fps. average, and during the test 12 rounds were fired in about 1 minute. Though the barrel was warm, it wasn't too warm to hold.
Yes, it will erode the top strap and forcing cones eventually, but so does every other powder when used at maximum SAAMI pressure levels.
My first .44 magnum was a Ruger SBH I bought in 1971. Over the years I owned it, I fired over 20K maximum loads utilizing mostly H-110, but with a little 2400 and IMR 4227 thrown in. It began cutting the top strap at around 3000 rounds and eventually that cut became about .020" deep.....and then stopped getting any worse. The same thing happened to my S&W model 28.
It's the nature of the beast with the magnums if you use heavy loads.
I've found Lil'Gun DOES produce higher velocities at lower (apparent) pressures than other slow burning ball powders like H-110/WW296/AA#9/WC820. As to barrel heat, the only time I've really noticed it was when using it in a recent range chronographing session of some Lyman 358156 160 gr. cast boolits. This load produced 1550 fps. average, and during the test 12 rounds were fired in about 1 minute. Though the barrel was warm, it wasn't too warm to hold.
