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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,064 Likes: 3
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,064 Likes: 3 |
So where do we stand on this fast rifle/slow pistol powder?
I like it in my 20" carbine single shot rifle, still doubting its usefulness in my big bore revolvers due to the high temperatures & flame cutting possibly on the forcing cones.
The lower pressure & good velocity as well as accuracy are tempting me to take another look into .41 & .44 magnum handgun loads.
Any thoughts?
42
We deal in lead, friend.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,345 Likes: 13
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,345 Likes: 13 |
I’ve been meaning to try it for .357 carbine loads. Finally found a pound to try last week. We’ll see.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,235 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,235 Likes: 1 |
I’ve been meaning to try it for .357 carbine loads. Finally found a pound to try last week. We’ll see. I'm using 17.5 grns under 158 xtp's. Shoots great out of a Marlin 1894 & Ruger 77/357.
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 9,147 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 9,147 Likes: 4 |
They say it was designed for the .410 and 28 ga....but, it makes the angels sing in .22 Hornet.
Well this is a fine pickle we're in, should'a listened to Joe McCarthy and George Orwell I guess.
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,189
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,189 |
I don't use it much in handguns, but I use it a lot in rifles.
I belong on eroding granite, among the pines.
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,925 Likes: 20
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,925 Likes: 20 |
There are applications for it, the Hornet and .357 mag are two, where it gives both high velocity and much lower pressure than just about anything else. Elsewhere, there are other powders that are as good or better in those regards. Good stuff.
I use CCI 550s in the .357 and at JB’s suggestion, 450s in the Hornet.
What fresh Hell is this?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,074 Likes: 8
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,074 Likes: 8 |
41Rem: The ONLY cartridge I load with Lil Gun powder is a formerly very finicky Ruger #1-B in 22 Hornet. After a few years of trying quite a few different powders and bullets I just could NOT get this, then brand new and beautifully stocked Ruger #1-B, to shoot any better than 1.75" groups (5 shots at 100 yards) and most were at and just above 2.00"! So some years ago on this forum a fellow CampFirer suggested Lil Gun powder and nickel plated Hornet cases (solving a neck tension situation???) and voila that Rifle saved its place in my arsenal and now makes groups (5 shots at 100 yards) right at 1.00" and its best group to date with these components is .778"! So it "helped" perk up a previously unperkable (finicky!) 22 Hornet for me. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,194 Likes: 18
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,194 Likes: 18 |
It rocks in the Hornet, K-Hornet and my 77/44. It does well in the .30 Sneezer and .30 Carbine also.
The .44 load is a LPP, 18.0 gr of LG and 300 gr paper patched lead. Lot of splat with that load and it runs sub MOA most days.
Last edited by DigitalDan; 11/14/20.
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,627
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,627 |
It’s giving me 3000 with the 35 gr. Hornady in my 10” .221 Fireball, with great accuracy, and I use it under a Lyman 358156 HP in my 357. Works great.
Old70
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,665
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,665 |
Seems to work fine in 450 Bushmaster...my Iowa deer load.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,211 Likes: 9
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,211 Likes: 9 |
They say it was designed for the .410 and 28 ga....but, it makes the angels sing in .22 Hornet. Yep, K- Hornet, too. Almost as good as 300 MP. DF
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 439
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 439 |
I use it in the .22 Hornet and the 25/20-the latter with cast bullets.
"All I want is to enter my house justified."
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 867
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 867 |
Evening! Use it in the Rossi 454 casull. Ok, good accuracy, had heard of the flame cutting & wondered if it matters in a rifle??? Was thinking of changing. .??? Bill out. 👣🐾👣🐾🇨🇦
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,064 Likes: 3
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,064 Likes: 3 |
Brian Pierce wrote a few articles in Handloader about it years ago & in standard magnum revolvers it was picking up some popularity. But then I think it’s fallen out of favor due to the competition Silhouette shooters damaging their FA revolvers with it. The back strap flame cutting and forcing cone Erosion and high working temperatures were its downfall.
We deal in lead, friend.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 93
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 93 |
Used it in my 500 S&W Magnum. Received high velocities compared to other powders, but made the cylinder VERY hot to the touch and the forcing cone area would burn skin, this after 10 rounds. After some discussion with one of my shooting/reloading buddies, Mark C. from Baden, PA, who mentioned several of the points brought up in this thread, I discontinued its use.
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,189
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,189 |
Evening! Use it in the Rossi 454 casull. Ok, good accuracy, had heard of the flame cutting & wondered if it matters in a rifle??? Was thinking of changing. .??? Bill out. 👣🐾👣🐾🇨🇦 There's now cylinder gap or forcing cone in chambered rifle barrel, so no flame-cutting to worry about.
I belong on eroding granite, among the pines.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,064 Likes: 3
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,064 Likes: 3 |
Evening! Use it in the Rossi 454 casull. Ok, good accuracy, had heard of the flame cutting & wondered if it matters in a rifle??? Was thinking of changing. .??? Bill out. 👣🐾👣🐾🇨🇦 There's now cylinder gap or forcing cone in chambered rifle barrel, so no flame-cutting to worry about. This is a fact
We deal in lead, friend.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,537 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,537 Likes: 2 |
I used it in a 77/44 with 300 grain LBTs without a problem, well, it was a problem for deer.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 23,138 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 23,138 Likes: 6 |
Has anyone experimented with this powder in larger capacity cases for creating low velocity reduced loads? Presuming its burn rate is roughly in the class of 2400, 4227, etc.and is safe for applications that involve those powders could be erroneous I know. I also assume that since the large outfits that assemble load data don't list Lil Gun for said applications that there's something about it that gives wonky pressure curves in medium/large capacity cartridges- but it also could be that they just don't have the time to include every powder known to man for every cartridge known to man, and that's what has sown my curiosity.
Up until now I've only used it in .22Hornet and K-Hornet, not being a magnum pistol shooter. Recently I was gifted a four pound jug of it which added to what I already had gives me enough for a helluva long time of Hornet shooting, so naturally I've been casting sidelong glances at it when contemplating yet more cast bullet loads for .30-30, .32-40, .250-3000, etc.
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 48
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 48 |
I had a very scary incident with Lil Gun in 300 Blk. Used Hodgdon data. Subbed a 125 SST in for the 125 Nosler or whatever they published for. Just as velocity was starting to exceed H110, but well under published max, it went from totally normal to expanded primer pocket and case extruded into the ejector with a .2 grain change. I'm sure the bullet sub had some effects, but they are very similar bullets. And I may have screwed up, but I don't think so, the max listed load fills the case to the base of the neck. My hog hunt got cancelled anyway and I stopped there so who knows.
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