Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading ‘Lil Gun and standard primers?

Our local gun store has some ‘Lil Gun on the shelf, the first powder that can be used handguns I’ve seen there in a while. It burns slower than anything I’ve used before. I would use it for .45 Colt and .44 Mag. I have a decent supply of standard large pistol primers ( CCI 300).

Anyone know if standard primers would work for ‘Lil Gun and these primers? I would be using it for practice rounds so low to mid range powder charges.

Thanks!

LilGun is not a powder for reduced loads. When I used it in 44mag, it seemed slightly slower than h110/296. I always used CCI350 or WLP primers - I think it will light OK with standard primers as long as the start pressure is high and the temps aren't cold. But I admit that I've never tested it with standard primers. It has a high nitro content and does heat up my pistol fast.

WLP or standard work fine with LIL Gun for .44 in my experience.

Thanks Joe, I’ll head back to the store in the morning and see if they have any left.

I've been meaning to give Lil Gun a try in .357 loads.

I’ve heard the “horror stories” about flame cutting/throat erosion with ‘Lil Gun in revolvers and haven’t tried it! But, as is a bit slower than H110/296……I wonder how it would work in my S&W 460, pushing my 400 grain cast bullets hard. I do not have a shortage of large rifle magnum primers. Could I possibly get a significant velocity gain over my WW 296 I’m presently using? I may have to give it a shot……pun intended!

Please forgive the off topic interruption! memtb

Perhaps I’m mistaken but I seem to recall talk of ignition problems with Lil’ Gun in cold weather.

I’ve tried it in my 357 rifle with 180 gr cast pills and it produces about 100-150 fps higher velocity compared to 296 loads and at lower pressure (going by Hodgdon quoted pressures).

Not sure this is helpful, but I’ve used LilGun in 22 hornet rifle loads with small pistol primers (non magnum), for 1000s of rounds. I’ve had zero problems with that combination.

I've lit off healthy loads of Lil Gun in a .357 Maximum rifle with 180-200gr. bullets, using standard small rifle primers. No issues. Can't speak to velocity deviations as I didn't chrono any of those loads, but judging by the excellent accuracy that couldn't have been too bad.

So I went back and bought a lb. of ‘Lil Gun and loaded up some test rounds for .44 mag, model 629.
With CCI standard primers and 240 grn cast bullets I used 20.5 grains which is close to Hodgdon’s starting load. I was getting pretty good ignition. I found a tiny amount of unburned residue in the spent cases compared to none I found in some cases that had been loaded with Blue Dot and 2400, but not enough to bother me. And the temp was in the low 30s so I think it was a good test.

I chronoed a couple of rounds and saw an average of about 1160 fps so this is a respectable target load. I’ve read that this powder burns pretty hot and I saw that. Even with a reduced load and a cool day after I had shot a couple of cylinders the barrel was really hot and I had to give it time to cool.

I know we all miss the days when you could buy the powder and primers you want but until that happens again I’ve found something that will keep me shooting.

Lil' Gun was developed for the 410 as a flattened ball powder to have better metering, positioning and better burning characteristics than other 410 powders, according to Hodgdon.

Those primary "other" powders are 2400 and H110.

I've always used standard primers with it and never had an issue; Lil Gun has always left less unburnt powder granules than both 2400 and H110 for me in magnum handgun loads.

.22 Hornet and .218 Bee are the only cartridges I use Lil' Gun in and have only used standard pistol primers in both. Never had an issue.

Thanks, that's good to know. So far I've not been able to find any locally. I'll still be on the look though.

Ain't that the truth!

In my little "brand bubble" I've gotten real fond of alliant powders and prefer alliant 2400 in my full power stuff, and unique in my target stuff.

Like you, I've resorted to lil gun in my full power stuff. It's a great powder with the same standard primers. Even in my below zero temps here in interior Alaska.

I'm now using hs-6, another one I'd never have chosen, but it's what was available.

Then lever evolution in the 308 winchester, beat out my best 200 grain rl 17 and 2000mr loads.

Thanks hodgdon for keeping some powder on the shelves!