Lil Gun and 357's

[Seafarer12]

Hello Guys,
I got some Lil Gun and was going to load up some 180gr XTP's for my rifle. I got some data off Hodgdon site. Their load is 13 to 15 grains. My question is do you need magnum primers for Lil Gun?
Thanks,

 

[PotatoJudge]

Nope, regular primers with lil gun and 2400 (others too, just litsting the heavy hitters). Mag primers with Win 296 and H110 only.

 

[Seafarer12]

Just making sure, they didn't list what kind. I usually use 2400.

 

[kasTX]

I just checked my One Book/One Caliber reference, and the Hodgdon section shows all loads using Winchester SPM primers. In other words, it specifies magnum primers for all of its handgun and rifle loads. Not sure why the load data center online doesn't specify which primer to use.

 

[Seafarer12]

I am always leery of the books that say use SPM on all 357's. I think it is a catch all most of the time. Like Alliant states not to use SPM primers with 2400 but I have reloading manuals that say to use spm primers and they have the same charge max charge as the books I have using SP primers. I was doing some more searching after I wrote this and found it written on someones site not to use SPM primers with Lil Gun. I will play it safe and run SP primers. I wasn't sure if I was going to get any ignition problems with SP's.

 

[zeke]

Have used Fed 200 small pistol Mag primers with Lil-gun and heavier jacketed bullets for 357 rifle, with excellent results. Better accuracy and velocity than the other powders tried.

Settled on Speer's 170 grain gdsp, which allows for more powder and higher velocity for pressure.

 

[Envisaged]

I have tried both magnum and cci sp primers. the cci's didn't light off all the 15.0gr of 'Lil Gun in my 20" leveraction. I am sticking with magnum primers.

 

[Cypress]

I used magnum primers in my loads with Lil' Gun. Seems to be more consistant. I also found with my test loads (158 XTP's and 187 CP's) that there is a definate point that velocity gains dropped off. I think it was around 1 grain below Max.

 

[joneb]

Has anyone tried small rifle primers ?

 

[Walkalong]

Yes, but with 5744 in the .357, not Lil' Gun. Small pistol gave better accuracy, but it may be just the complete opposite with Lil' Gun.

Usually, the least harsh primer that ignites the powder properly will give the best accuracy in rifles.

 

[Seafarer12]

Well I might try spm primers a try. What are peoples favorite load for a 180 out of a rifle? I mean there isnt a whole lot of room to play on Hodgdons data 2 grains from min to max.

 

[Walkalong]

I just bought some Lil' Gun, but to try in .22 Hornet. I may give it a try in .357 & .44 Mag at some point, who knows.

 

[Seafarer12]

I bought it for 22 Hornet too along with 357.

 

[Envisaged]

I use 15.0gr of 'Lil Gun under a Laser Cast lead bullet. Love it. You should probably start at about 13.5gr and work your way up from there.

 

[buck460XVR]

Speer also recommends a SPM primer with Lil' Gun in .357. Whether it is needed or whether it's just the load tested, only they themselves would know. With Lil' Gun in .357 I always use magnum primers......in the .44 and .460 I do not.