Recently, I purchased a always wanted, a new s&w model 57-6,6", 41magnum. I reload for everything I have, I do not really buy loaded ammo, except for carry ammo, and shotgun shells. I have some lil gun, so I proposed to try it. I settled on 20.5 behind a 210 gr xtp, it shot , ok at 25, but, was not anything to beoverwhelmed about. I started doing a bit of a search,and found to my chagrin, reports that lil gun causes forcing cone erosion, in instances. Has anyone had any experience with this, I have decided to switch over th AA#9, as I have found loads in both jacketed, and lead, which will serve my purposes better. I do have 50 rounds loaded with lil gun, and am wondering, should I shoot them up, or pull em? Thanks, for the help

I've never loaded anything with that powder, but I wouldn't sweat using up just 50 rounds of it that you have already loaded. If it were really that bad where just 50 rounds would erode a barrel's forcing cone, I am sure nobody would give any load data for it.

As for the Accurate #9, great powder choice. I use it a lot in 357 Mag and 44 Mag for full power loads.

If you have a carbine or contender barrel shoot them there. Other than that I would not shoot them in any of my revolvers.

I do load some 180gr .357 Magnum ammo with Lil'Gun but they are only shot I'm my Marlin levergun. Too bad that powder generates so much heat because that ammo us amazingly accurate.

I guess not every shotgun powder is completely compatible with handgun loading.

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SWCA #3437

+1;

It makes a great .410 shotgun powder but I have found that powders
used for the 20 Ga. and even better, the 12 Ga., work better in revolver loads.

50 rounds will not hurt the weapon but then, piece of mind will
also play a part in your decision. If they are not a full load I would
let them rip........... unless you need the powder.

I can't comment of lil gun but I will tell you that I really like Accurate #9 . When 2400 has been next to impossible to buy I started looking around for an alternate . I really am impressed with both #9 and it's brother 4100 (Ramshot Enforcer ) . I shoot more #9 . It's a great powder for the magnum calibers , doesn't seem to have the snap recoil like the others , more of a shove . Lights well with std primers .

Now thats a shame, I have a couple hundred rounds down the tube of my 454 Casull w/ lil gun. Very accurate rounds to boot, everything Ive loaded with that powder has been pretty accurate in fact. I have heard about the high flame temp with lil gun & flame cutting of the top strap of revolvers after a lot of rounds, but never head of cracking the forcing cone. Ive heard of forcing cone cracks by shooting max charged 125gr bullets in a 357 mag. Well I guess you learn something new every day, thats why I like it here so much.
(ohhhh, it's forcing cone erosion, my bad... Ill just refrain from making more bullets w/lil gun then.)

Thank you, to all that replied, I think I will just pull them. I have read very good things with no.9, in both jacketed, and hard cast. I do not like to stock a bunch of different powders, and I want something I can find. No.9 was always in stock here, even during the great drought.

One reason I never got into Lilgun was the high burn temps at the forcing cone. H110 is bad too, just not as bad & shorter bullets are worse than longer bullets.

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I only used AA#9 a little in my 41 Mag loads (& without issues) but in my 45 Colt loads it is the only powder I ever had squibs with.

I suggest you use Magnum primers with it.

AA#9 Squibs in 45 Colt cases

.

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In less than 25 rounds got top strap erosion in Ruger 32 mag single six using lil-gun and Speer 100 gn jhp.

it was the best powder I tried in 357 carbine with Speer's 170 gdsp, for velocity/accuracy combination. Also tried 2400, 296, AA-9 and N-110. Couldn't see what affects it may have had on barrel, if any.

I use HS-6 when loading cast bullets for .357 Magnum handgun ammo. I don't load for the .41 Magnum so I can't testify how well HS-6 will do in that cartridge.

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SWCA #3437

My Henry 357 seems to like H110. If only my powder measure did! Going to try replacing it with IMR 4227.

I read , comparing in the load manuals that with IMR 4227 I gave up a little velocity , but I gained me an edge in accuracy , smaller groups . IMR 4227 definitely needs a magnum primer , a good crimp and good neck tension to get good , consistent ignition . So go easy on flaring the case mouth . Just enough to barely get the bullet started in the case.
I have used it in 357 magnum, 41 magnum , 44 magnum and even 45 Colt loads . I do not use " light weight " for caliber cast bullets . Std weight seemed to be best . YMMV

I've heard some people disparage Lil Gun and they'll never use it again.

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I don't know which powder measure you're using but H110 being a ball powder meters like water for me. (three different measures)

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SWCA #3437

Same here, but my carbines like IMR4227. In .357 and my revolvers, H110/W296 is still my first choice. The measuring like water helps. As for Lil' Gun in revolvers, I'm one of those that disparage it for obvious reasons.