CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.
The max load for LIL'GUN 357 mag 158 gr is 18 gr.
I have reamed out to 357 mag an 1965 Police surplus lightweight Colt Police Positive 38 special. [I got a half dozen for $80 each from AIM for destructive tests] I cut an inch off the bottom of the frame.
I shot 158 gr XTP and LSWC 26 gr LIL'GUN lots of times. Getting 26 gr to fit takes more than double compression.
The recoil and noise are extreme. I have never shot a 44 mag that kicked that hard.
I wrote to Hodgdon and asked why they did not have any cast bullet loads for 357 mag 158 gr LIL'GUN. He said that it burned too hot and melted the base of the bullets.
Then I chronographed a couple round [before I shot THAT chrono with a handgun]
9-9-2003: Colt Police Positive 38 Special 4" barrel:
1) commercial 38 special 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) More powder... more recoil... more noise... less velocity.... the extra energy is going into extra fireball
2) LIL'GUN burning does not smell as good as H110/W296, so I am back to H110.