riverrat6340
Member
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2006
- Messages
- 11
I have been working with lil'gun in my model 14 and 15 S&W revolvers and find it somewhat different from the usual run of powders such as 2400, 4227 and similar powders sometimes used in the 38 special for heavy loads. It seems to produce more velocity with less pressure than other similar powders.
Hodgden .357 magnum data indicates 18 grains will produce over 1500 fps with 158 gr. bullet with only 24100 cup. Most other powders produce 35000+ cup to reach this velocity.
I have worked up to 12 grains of lil'gun with 168 grain LSWC bullet in my model 14 with no indication of excessive pressures except for the velocity obtained. This load produces an average velocity of 1150 fps on my chrono which I have checked for accuracy. Using Winchester +P brass, Federal primers and hard cast 358429 bullets. Accuracy is good(1" at 25 yards). Primers look normal and cases extract easily. Recoil and muzzle blast are noticable, but do not seem excessive. I feel the load is safe enough in my guns, but would really like to know the pressure being produced.
The same load with a change in bullet to the RCBS 150 grain LSWC produces and average velocity of 1140 fps. Normally one would expect the 150 grain bullet to exceed the 168 grain bullet in velocity with the same powder charge.
It seems that the 168 grain bullet provides enough resistance to reach best performance with this powder. Consensis seems to be that lil'gun works best with heavier bullets. My results seem to confirm this. I plan to go with the 150 grain load for regular use as it will be easier on the gun and accuracy is a bit better. The 168 load will be reserved for use on feral hogs.
Sorry for getting long winded on this as this is my first post to the forum, but I wanted to throw this out and see how it fit with what others had experienced.
Hodgden .357 magnum data indicates 18 grains will produce over 1500 fps with 158 gr. bullet with only 24100 cup. Most other powders produce 35000+ cup to reach this velocity.
I have worked up to 12 grains of lil'gun with 168 grain LSWC bullet in my model 14 with no indication of excessive pressures except for the velocity obtained. This load produces an average velocity of 1150 fps on my chrono which I have checked for accuracy. Using Winchester +P brass, Federal primers and hard cast 358429 bullets. Accuracy is good(1" at 25 yards). Primers look normal and cases extract easily. Recoil and muzzle blast are noticable, but do not seem excessive. I feel the load is safe enough in my guns, but would really like to know the pressure being produced.
The same load with a change in bullet to the RCBS 150 grain LSWC produces and average velocity of 1140 fps. Normally one would expect the 150 grain bullet to exceed the 168 grain bullet in velocity with the same powder charge.
It seems that the 168 grain bullet provides enough resistance to reach best performance with this powder. Consensis seems to be that lil'gun works best with heavier bullets. My results seem to confirm this. I plan to go with the 150 grain load for regular use as it will be easier on the gun and accuracy is a bit better. The 168 load will be reserved for use on feral hogs.
Sorry for getting long winded on this as this is my first post to the forum, but I wanted to throw this out and see how it fit with what others had experienced.
