Lil gun / 357max

[RDW]

Mar 24, 2024 13:27:04 GMT -5 bigbore5 said:

I've got an old model with most of the rifling worn out of the barrel but no real visible top strap cutting. Many thousands of rounds of Unique or Universal and the RCBS 38-150kt went down the barrel in the past 60 years.

Light bullets and gobs of 110 ,296, or such will do it. Lots of folks like the fireball Huh? Haha.
I do to but thats what gunsmiths are for. Fix that kindof stuff.

[ideal]

I had some moderate to borderline serious frosting (sandblasting) with my 45 Colt Redhawk using Lyman 452651 & Lil Gun. I was able to clean up the damage and recut the forcing cone well enough to sell the gun to a friend with full disclosure and a clear conscience. This all took place within around 300 rounds or so. I only sold it because I consolidated my Redhawk calibers down to one. 44 magnum. I've tried to buy the 45 back a few times but he still won't part with it.

[lar4570]

Lil-gun is Magic Dust in the 450bushmaster realm...
Top velocities almost across the board.
I'm shooting 350s in mine, but went with CFE-BLK and 1680

[wheelnut]

I've had success with Vihtavouri N110 vs. Lil'Gun and W296/H110. N110 is single base and in my experience burns more cleanly and more predictably than the other powders. It's easier to work up loads as there isn't such a narrow accuracy sweet spot, velocity tracks predictably and so do pressure signs. Lil' gun definitely makes a barrel hotter to the touch with extended strings of fire.

[bradshaw]

Mar 25, 2024 2:37:28 GMT -5 wheelnut said:

I've had success with Vihtavouri N110 vs. Lil'Gun and W296/H110. N110 is single base and in my experience burns more cleanly and more predictably than the other powders. It's easier to work up loads as there isn't such a narrow accuracy sweet spot, velocity tracks predictably and so do pressure signs. Lil' gun definitely makes a barrel hotter to the touch with extended strings of fire.

*****

In my .357 Maximum experience, Vihtavuori N110 didn’t equal the velocity of Win 296/H110, nor the accuracy of IMR/H4227.

As for Hodgdon Lil Gun, it won’t be found in my revolvers.

In .44 Mag. Vihtavuori N110 ran close, but not equal to, velocity & accuracy of 296/H110.

Were I to revisit the original prototype .357 Maximum case of 1.490”, I’d try Vihtavuori N110. As a side note, I got fairly ferocious performance from Hercules 2400 in the 1.490” case, and pehaps surprisingly, the production 1.605" Maximum case.
David Bradshaw

[RDW]

Mar 25, 2024 13:51:20 GMT -5 bradshaw said:

Mar 25, 2024 2:37:28 GMT -5 wheelnut said:

I've had success with Vihtavouri N110 vs. Lil'Gun and W296/H110. N110 is single base and in my experience burns more cleanly and more predictably than the other powders. It's easier to work up loads as there isn't such a narrow accuracy sweet spot, velocity tracks predictably and so do pressure signs. Lil' gun definitely makes a barrel hotter to the touch with extended strings of fire.

*****

In my .357 Maximum experience, Vihtavuori N110 didn’t equal the velocity of Win 296/H110, nor the accuracy of IMR/H4227. As for Hodgdon Lil Gun, it won’t be found in my revolvers.In .44 Mag, Vihtavuori N110 ran close, but not equal to, velocity & accuracy of 296/H110. Were I to revisit the original prototype .357 Maximum case of 1.490”, I’d try Vihtavuori N110. Asa side note, I got fairly ferocious performance for the old Hercules 2400 in the 1.490” case, and [per haps surprisingly, the production .357 Maximum 1.605” case.
David Bradshaw

Funny to hear you say that. The original first crazy attempt to cram as much into a Blackhawk that i could get into it, was a standard Blackhawk frame with the shortened to 1.5 max case  in somewhere around 1983 or 84. I had a Maximum and had a lot of cases because the local Gunstore made a mistake on there order form from remington and i ended up with a lot of discounted ammo for the maximum. And i mean a LOT. Haha. 2 weeks pay, but i got it all Baby!1400 rounds in 50 round boxes.
Shortly there after the dan wesson came out and it became very popular with the max crowd here in houston. The LGS called and asked if they could give my number out to sevral customers who were looking for ammo.
they new i had over a thousand rounds of it . My reply was absolutely not. Hahaha. once i shot them in the ruger max, i would then play with the case length.
I made 2 BHs with extra long cylinders and standard 357 barrels. The 1.475 and 1.5 case length guns were absolute smokers. 110 and 296 would just spank the heck out of them bullets and i questioned the Max length frame.
cuz they were just as fast and a bit more effecient in my humble opinion.
It was later dubbed 38 Ronnie stupid by freinds and it started a chain of experimentation for me on case lengths, just to see what i could get out of a standard blackhawk.
David you saw that very first 357 extra i made. It was the one with the deer engraved into the cylinder and the bisley grip frame that went all the way to the front of the frame.
So when i saw john Linebaughs 45 high pressure 5 shot, i had a head start on the idea. i made several until that fatefull day in august of 86 when i saw the (Outer limits of Hangun Power). Shortly there after i lost my everlovin mind and havent found it since.
RW

[kgb]

Has anyone used Lil'Gun at less than maximum levels?

I'm not seeing indication of that here, but if it runs well when backed off a bit from the peak, it might be a suitable powder for some. I have tried it in .41 Magnum and .32 H&R, have been using it mostly in .32-20 rifles for Pistol Cartridge Silhouette. Have not noticed it getting the rifle barrel particularly hot, but then again haven't done a comparison of strings of fire using it vs. Reloder 7 or AA9.

[45MAN]

LIL'GUN: RUINOUS TO REVOLVER BARRELS BUT SUPPOSEDLY OK IN CLOSED BREECH GUNS (CONTENDERS, ENCORES, RIFLES, etc.).

[wheelnut]

In my limited testing of Lil' Gun it didn't run that well at lower levels but I didn't super download it either, just mediocre accuracy and more fouling from my notes. AA No. 9 I like when not running for max effort in the magnum calibers and more of a "range" load.

[edk]

Lil' Gun will make the Contender in 22 K-Hornet sing. Keeping it out of revolvers as advised.