forcing cone damage with lil'gun

[leon riverrat]

There have been several reports of damage occuring to the forcing cone with the use of lil'gun powder in revolvers. This has resulted in a reccommendation by some to limit its use to rifles and discontinue its use in revolvers.
I have been using lil'gun for several years in 38 special, 38/44, and 357 magnum revolvers and have developed several useful loads with cast bullets. One particular 4 screw K-38 has been used for most testing and development of loads and has had several hundred Lil'gun rounds fired through it. A visual inspection of this gun does not indicate any particular damage in the forcing cone area when compared to another similar revolver which has had no lil'gun fired in it. A sized bullet inserted into the forcing cone of the two revolvers indicates no significant difference in the diameters of the forcing cones which would seem to indicate that erosion of the forcing cone has not occured.
I am not sure what to look for in inspecting the forcing cone for damage other than the inspections I have outlined. I would like to continue the use of Lil-gun but certainly can fine other powders should it prove to be damaging.
Any advice or information would be appreciated. Thanks

[TSQUARED]

LitlGun is a very hot burning powder. I have not used it in revolvers but stopped using it in 410 shotshell because it cased separation of the cartridge upon firing. Draw your own conclusions as to it's long term suitability. Personally I would opt for a cooler butning powder.

[flat top]

Leon; I have always chosen to stick with the "old reliables" when it comes to the powders I use. Bullseye, Unique, 296, 2400, etc. They give proven performance, and have been used long enough that "if" there were any problems, they would have surely shown up years ago.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by flat top

Leon; I have always chosen to stick with the "old reliables" when it comes to the powders I use. Bullseye, Unique, 296, 2400, etc. They give proven performance, and have been used long enough that "if" there were any problems, they would have surely shown up years ago.

I second that FT. Sometimes I do stray and try other component MFR's but most of the time I find myself going back to the tried and true.

[Jellybean]

I forget which forum it was on, but there were more than a few people that had had problems with it. Just because an individual has never had any problems with it doesn't mean it's safe, it just means it not guaranteed to cause immediate problems. I've never had a 1911 frame crack with 10mm ammo, but I don't shoot hot loads out of them because they do fail.

[cgt4570]

From what I've read, it has to do with how complete a burn you've gotten by the time the charge reaches the forcing cone. Too much unburnt powder acts just like sand in a sandblaster. Of course, some powders are worse than others. I think a lot of the issues with .22 Jet and .357 Max can be contributed to sandblasting instead of flame cutting. Just my 2 cents.

[Gun 4 Fun]

I have used it in my F/A 83 in .475 Linebaugh with great results, but stopped immediately after learning about this problem directly from Bob Baker of Freedom Arms. He has tested it in quite a few different chamberings, and always with the same results- rapid throat erosion/wear.

I doubt that it would be a problem in your .38's, since it is a relatively low pressure round. The trouble seems to come from using Lil'Gun in high intensity rounds like the common magnums, and the newer really big bore rounds.
As mentioned above, Lil'Gun is very hot burning, and the trouble lies in the heat imparted to the metal.

The original thread is over at Graybeard Outdoors.

[leon riverrat]

What got me started on Lil'gun was how it performed in the 22 Hornet. Most consistant, accurate, and highest velocity I had ever experienced with that cartridge. Small amount of powder in big single shot rifle(Ruger #1). Similar results in 221 fireball.
As several of you mention it appears to start becoming a problem when larger volumns are used in magnum cartridges. The problem seems to grow if rapid fire and heated barrels are introduced. I think Gun 4 fun has it pegged correctly and it probably will not be a problem in a low pressure cartridge such as the 38 special not fired rapidly.

[JohnK]

I was planning to replace my .221 Fireball 4227 loads, with Lil Gun, until reading the reports of very high flame temperature.

Another 100 fps is not worth a worn out throat, in the most accurate rifle I've ever had.

[Snapping Twig]

Best to be safe than sorry. K frame barrels are hard to come by.

[Skip Sackett]

No revolver loads for me with it BUT I do use it in carbine loads, 357Mag and 44Mag.

Velocity is great and accuracy acceptable.