Li'l Gun in 357 mag

[Just another 22 shooter]

Just curious if anybody has used or uses Li"l Gun for full house loads in the 357 Magnum. Using Hodgdon's data from their on line page, I loaded up three rounds with 16 grns behind a 158 gr Hornady XTP(starting load from their data). Shot them out back of the house just to see how they felt in my 586. After feeling how they eject and looking at primers, I think I won't be going any higher on the charge weight of the powder. I've loaded up six more and will put them on paper this weekend some time to really see how they shoot. I have H 110 and Blue Dot also to try out with top end loads, but I used the Li'l Gun mainly because I was just curious. It seemed to be pretty clean burning, too.

[imashooter2]

Yes. Thousands of them under 158 grain jacketed and 180 grain cast.

[125JHP]

In my 686 a 158 Berrys plated in front if 17.0 chrono'd at 1253 fps and 1/2" 5 shot group at 10 yds.

[johngalt]

I don't use it, but I've read reports that it burns at high temperature and quickly erodes the forcing cone.

[125JHP]

I've tried it in my 500 & 44 mag as well as few other calibers. It does burn hot so you wouldn't want to use it for a range-fest or blast away session. For a hunting load where you do a little sight-in practice then fire a couple shots in the field it would be fine.Even so, I have relegated it for use in rifles and single shots and only occasional light use in revolver. Everything I have tried it in seems to get good accuracy and lower recoil while maintaining velocity agains other powders tested.

[Peter M. Eick]

I also found it made my guns hot when i was testing it. Try some out and you might be surprised how hot the barrel gets.

I don't use it anymore.

[buck460XVR]

Originally Posted by Peter M. Eick

I also found it made my guns hot when i was testing it. Try some out and you might be surprised how hot the barrel gets.

I don't use it anymore.

Same here.....and with all the verified reports of premature and excessive forcing cone erosion, I don't use it in my revolvers. Just ask Bob Baker of Freedom Arms.

[gwalchmai]

I've used it a bit with Hodgdon's data. It burns hot but as long as you're not shooting fast it's probably OK. My buddy shoots 158gr Zero JHPs over 17gr out of his Win lever rifle and they're impressive.

[ArchAngelCD]

Originally Posted by Peter M. Eick

I also found it made my guns hot when I was testing it. Try some out and you might be surprised how hot the barrel gets.

I don't use it anymore.

Originally Posted by buck460XVR

Same here.....and with all the verified reports of premature and excessive forcing cone erosion, I don't use it in my revolvers. Just ask Bob Baker of Freedom Arms.

I also agree, the barrel gets very hot so I stopped using it in handguns too.

I do however use Lil'Gun with 170gr and 180gr .357 Magnum ammo I shoot in my Marlin levergun. The velocity compared to W296/H110 is impressive and the accuracy is very good too.

When shot in the Marlin Levergun:

Sierra 170gr JHC
w/H110 AV=1699 fps
w/Lil'Gun AV=1793 fps

Hornady 180gr XTP
w/H110 AV=1495 fps
w/Lil'Gun AV=1584 fps

Cast Performance 180gr WFNGC
w/H110 AV=1547 fps
w/Lil'Gun AV=1657 fps