Anyone try Lil'Gun in 44 mag ?

[JD 500]

Just curious if anyone has tried Lil Gun in 44mag loads. More specifically, has anyone tried it in 44 for a short barrel (2.5") ?

I would like to hear your comments / results.

Thanks,

 

[JD 500]

Just curious if anyone has tried Lil Gun in 44mag loads. More specifically, has anyone tried it in 44 for a short barrel (2.5") ?

I would like to hear your comments / results.

Thanks,

 

[Skip Sackett]

Yes to trying it, no to using it in short barrel.

Most of my 44mag loads are for lever action carbines or Handi-Rifles.

I am getting 1800fps from it with 240gr XTPs and 2200fps from 180gr WTPs.

I like the "feel" of the recoil that Lil' Gun gives me in the rifles. More of a "push" than a "snap".

I haven't tried it much in handguns yet, my M629 Classic is a 5" version. Maybe this spring!

I use magnum primers with it because of what I saw on the chronograph when I used standard ones.

FWIW

 

[JD 500]

Thanks Skip.

I was just about to post a question about which primers with which powders.

The Lil Gun was a buy only after my local shop had no H110 or W296. And I figured if it wasn't going to work in my 44, I could always use it for my 500. I thought it might be a gooid choice for the shorter barrel as it's listed as a faster burn rate than H110, W296, or either 4227.


My Hodgdon manual does list primers, doesn't list Lil Gun ( Older version).

Basically I have several manuals, but none seem to have all the specific components I have.

Just out of curiosity, have you used IMR4227 in 44, and with which primer ?

Thanks again,

 

[Skip Sackett]

JD,
I used IMR4227 once a long time ago. Before I kept any records at all. I remember I wasn't too impressed with how the extruded pellets metered. If I remember correctly I used magnum primers but don't quote me on that! Old timers!

Lil' Gun SHINES in the 500S&W Magnum. Again, in the Handi-Rifle platform. I bought one of those monsters from a friend that had some of the "Leverution"(sp) bullets made up from Hornady. NEVER AGAIN! That thing beat me to death. I had to throw my wife's jacket over my shoulder just so I could get through the 40 rounds he had left. Then I made some sweet loads with Lil' Gun and 350gr Gold Dots. Those gave the same velocity with next to no kick.
I also made some 1200fps stuff with Trail Boss. I called Hodgdon and they said to mark the case where the bullet base was going to end up and fill it to there!
Those were great to shoot.
At any rate. Lil' Gun is my choice for the 44mag now. I use magnum primers and a little less than maximum weight of powder. Brings the numbers right in there.

Did I tell you I like Lil' Gun yet?

 

[JD 500]

I used Lil Gun in the 500 w/ 350gr xtp's, and thought it was OK. I then moved to H4227 for the 500, and accuracy seemed to improve for me with the 350 grainers. I did however notice one thing with different powders in the 500; Every case that's come out of the cylinder after firing has soot on the outside, except the rounds I loaded with Lil Gun.

 

[buck460XVR]

Just shot 100 rounds today(actually shot more than that, just that many .44s with Lil'Gun)......21.5 under 240 grain XTPs and 240 grain Nosler JSPs. Feels about the same as 23 grains of H110. For hunting, I bump them both up half a grain. I use Winchester either/or large pistol primers for both. I also use Lil' Gun in my .460 under both 240s and 300s.

 

[JD 500]

Thanks buck !

I know Lil Gun isn't THE standard (H110), but I have it, and the local shop had no H110.