Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading Lil' Gun Dead in Magnum Handguns?

Doubt that would happen.

When you're blasting hot gas thru a crack (cylinder/barrel) at 60K psi, or whatever super high pressure those FA revolvers can generate, that's one set of problems. That can act somewhat like a plasma cutter.

Shotguns, not so much at their pressure levels. And, I don't think you'd see a problem with more moderate revolver pressures.

DF

In the 410, Lil' Gun is known to be hard on the hulls causing brittleness and cracking leading to lower hull life. I use it for the final load in my 410 hulls before tossing them.

I've heard the same cautions regarding Lil' Gun in handguns so I have been hesitant to use it there. I mostly use Lil' Gun in the 30 Carbine where it has worked well for me.

I've been using Lil Gun in heavy 32H&R and heavy 45 colt loads since it first came out and have no noticeable wear from it's use. It's obviously an issue in the 357, 44, 454 class loads, but I think since mine are a bit lower pressure and I don't shoot too many at a time I'm not getting the same heat wear as the big magnums.

I also burn a lot of it in the hornet, 221 fireball, and 300BLK.

Evidently it burns pretty hot at 55-60K psi. Hornet runs around half that and no cylinder/barrel gap.

Lilgun is good powder. The FA experience seems to be unique.

DF

I have a FA in 32H&R and .327. I don't worry about the 32H&R in it since the cylinder is so much longer than my Ruger 32H&Rs. I use more H110 in the .327 though.

My FA M-97 .357 had to have a taller front sight for 180 gr. bullets. The folks at FA knew exactly what I needed; swap out was easy with an Allen wrench.

And, I don't push it to the wall. It does great with reasonable handloads.

DF

DF, you running Lil' Gun in that FA?

If so what are your load details?

41

No.

I use other powders in that one.

Save Lilgun for my K-Hornet.

DF

Roger that.

I don't reload .410's, wasn't aware than Lil Gun cooked .410 shells. It does make sense, as it does burn hot. I was assuming that at shotgun pressure, it's wouldn't cook stuff like the FA revolvers pushing 55-60K PSI.

Seems I remember the .410 may have higher pressures than the larger gauges, just not that familiar with the sub gauges. Although I do have some 28's, my only .410 is a Winchester 37 my Dad bought when I was but a lad. Well, I also have a T/C Contender with a .410/.45 barrel, wasn't counting that one.

DF

I use lil gun in 300 blk in a 10 inch ar no heat issues, im near starting load though. edit did not see the magnum part.

I'm loading Lilgun in the Ruger M77 Hornet, Ruger Security Six 357 and 20ga lead and Tungsten loads.

I've seen now evidence of any issues, either in the guns or hulls.

Count me as a fan!

Called Hodgeon a month ago with the same question, their answer was use it and disregard internet myth's. Their words, not mine take them for whatever you want.
As an aside, Brian Pearce is still using it, also take that however you want.

He pretty much quit putting the Lil Gun load date in his articles on magnum handguns.

He's the guy who got me started loading the 250 grain Cast Performance LBT solids over this powder in my 41 magnums. Loved the idea of top velocities with lower pressure.


41

I developed a hunting load years ago using Lil' Gun for my .45 Colt. But, I shoot so few of these rounds that I cannot comment as to what they might do to my gun over time. I've shot less than a hundred but no signs of any damage so far.

I run it in 12 gauge TSS loads. It works fantastic.

I use Lil Gun in my Marlin 1894c 357 mag. A starting load gets me almost 1900 fps using 158 grain XTP's, with single digit SD and low ES. A nicely accurate easy shooting load. Works great when calling in coyotes. Same load goes mid 1300's in my 3 screw Blackhawk 4⅝ barrel.
500 fps + with the longer barrel and closed breech of the Marlin.


Regards,
Manny

100 yards with a red dot sight. 300 grains of lead, 18 grains of Li'l Gun.



Critters don't take a second step after the shot.

I like 4227 in my .45 Colt. I read that Hank Williams, Jr likes 4227 in his Gen 1 Colts. He reportedly is a major vintage Colt collector.

4227 reportedly has a smooth pressure curve, easy on vintage guns, but with good performance. I really like it in my .45 Colt Marlin Cowboy with 24” barrel. I push 300 gr bullets pretty hard with 4227. That load is accurate and performance is good. Tough on ‘dillers.

DF

I use it for my 50 Beowulf AR