LiL Gun

[scott5]

Hello all;
I decided to load up some LiL Gun in 357 Mag. 158gr. SJHP, using standard data and Steves "Reloading Data Pages" on the net and thought It might be good for the 140gr. bullet also. I think it is slightly compressed but maximum recomended load for the 158gr might be a good medium load for the 140s.
These will only be shot in Rugers and Dan Wesson revolvers.

Does anybody have any other data for LiL Gun?

Scott5

 

[JohnK]

Lil'Gun is great in the 357 using 158gr and heavier bullets. I've tried it with 110's with unimpressive results. Accuracy was fine with the light bullets but the velocity wasn't there.

Lil'Gun, 158gr LSWC, CCI SPM primer
17.0 gr 1,445 fps, 1.615" OAL
19.0 gr 1,559 fps, 1.615" OAL (over max in some manuals)

Lil'Gun, 173gr Keith (Dry Creek Bullet Works) CCI SPM primer
17.0 gr 1,499 fps, 1.645" OAL

I'd use the 158gr data with 140gr bullets, you'd get less velocity of course but it should be safe to do.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Hodgdon Lil-Gun is the best thing to ever come about for the .22 Hornet and .357magnum.

I've used 18.0gr w/158gr XTP w/Federal small pistol Magnum primers. Velocity is chrono'd 1,450fps from 4"bbl Ruger Sec.-6. About 100fps faster than H110/Win296 with drammatically lower pressures about 150fps faster than #2400 or Unique. This load is listed by Hodgdon as it is the most powder that can be practically put into the .357 case. Pressures are less than that of old factory .38/44 Spl. loads. Hodgdon claims around 28,000psi. Much less than the 40,000psi-plus of the H110/296, and much more velocity than the H4227. Accuracy is excellent too.

With the .22Hornet, I use 12.5gr w/Win Small Pistol primer in Winchester brass with 40gr Sierra HP for ~2,950fps and sub-1" groups from my Ruger m77/22KBZ (24"bbl- heavy-stainless).

With 45gr Hornady, Sierra, or Remington SoftPt., and 10.7gr of Lil-gun, I get ~2,800fps and ~1.0"groups. Note these are noticeably lighter loads than Hodgdon's listed loads. These are where my gun "likes" them. I've seen over 3,100fps with the 35gr V-max bullet with max listed charges, but accuracy is less than with the lighter loads. Velocity of the 40gr load duplicates or exceeds that of 11.0gr of H110, but with much lower pressures.

Very close on heels of .221 Fireball!

I plan to try the Lil-Gun in a Winchester m94 in .45Colt after Pistol competition season is over in early October, for use with 300gr WFNGC bullet for PineyWoods pigs and whitetails in November.

 

[Clark]

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.


1950's Police Surplus Colt Police Positive 38 Special 4" barrel [I reamed it out to 357 mag]:
1) cheap 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

But the 23.5 gr was so hard to fit in the case, and it made so much more noise and recoil, still, my chrono does not lie to me.

I can get move velocity with that bullet from a shorter barrel and a .380 with Power Pistol.