Li"l Gun

Rockydoc

Well-Known Member
I bought some Li"l Gun for my 357 Mag Winchester '92 based on load data from several sources which indicated that LG produced the highest velocity and lowest pressure compared to other powders for a given bullet. Yet I read in some posts here that LG can be dangerously quirky. I have practically no experience with it except to note that the extremely fine size of the powder grains gave me difficulties measuring with my Lyman 1200 DPS II digital powder scale. The little grains would get between the shaft of the powder dribbler and the bearings supporting the shaft.

What are the pros and cons of Li'l Gun. What loads have you found that you like it best for?
 

Rick H

Well-Known Member
I use it in my 22 Hornet with 13.0gr. of Lil Gun and 45 gr. jkt. bullets. The advantage is I get 2850 fps instead of 2650 or so with most powders. It is accurate and repeatable with good case life. That is the only application I use that powder for, but it is a dandy. I have not seen a down side for that purpose. Perhaps the fact that it isn't more usable in other cartridges that I load for is a disadvantage.
 

Glaciers

Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
Decided not to try LG as 2400, H110, 296 and Alliant 300-MP does everything and then some for me
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
Its a volatile powder. It does NOT like to be compressed a d if ya de expect pressure spikes.

It burns HOT! IMHO it dosent
Belong in a semi auto.

I have used it in my 357 Carbine for a few years cause it breaks 2000 fps.

I do like it in the afore mentioned Hormet load.

As a rule I dont/wont use it.

CW
 

waco

Springfield, Oregon
It works like a champ in my CZ 527 chambered in .221 Fireball with Nosler 40gr BT Bullets.
 

Ian

Notorious member
I tried it in the 300 BLK, no particular issue but there is better stuff.

Realizing that the unique needs of sub-gauge shotgun led to its development may shed some light on why it does what it does. I think it uses the same scorch-burning technology as new Universal and Titegroup.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I view it as a limited use powder. Where it works it excels, otherwise it has little use.
The Hornet and K Hornet do very well with it.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
When I used it in pistol caliber carbines, the muzzle pressure was so high it was painful to the ears without muffs. So it never got much use as a walking varmint gun powder. But great in the 22 Hornet.
 

Tomme boy

Well-Known Member
It goes from a safe looking load to popping primers in a 350 Legend load in about a 0.50gr increase. H110 on steroids.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
When I used it in pistol caliber carbines, the muzzle pressure was so high it was painful to the ears without muffs. So it never got much use as a walking varmint gun powder. But great in the 22 Hornet.
My 10”’Tender in K Hornet gives some impressive fireballs with a full case of WC 680 and a 35 or 40 gr V max bullet.
I need to shoot that towards dusk and get some video bet it would light up the sky.
 

DHD

Active Member
This may or may not add anything to the discussion, but Freedom Arms does suggest to not use it in their revolvers. I've seen threads in the past where it blasts the forcing cone area on revolvers too. I used it initially in a 45 Colt Vaquero (the big one) and it got hot as Hades quick. I see where the question pertains more to rifles than revolvers though.
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
I used it with 325 gr cast bullets in a 45 Colt Redhawk years ago. I didn't have any issues with throat erosion.

Damn, those were the fun days.
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
For me the bottom Line is there is more to a good load then top velocities. When I saw pressure spikes I was done. I still have some in the first pound I bought over a decade ago.

CW
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I've used a little of it in a 218. IMO it's a pretty "specific for the purpose" type powder and not a "versatile across a wide range of cartridges" type powder. But then I think of all ball powders and real slow powders that way too, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.
 

Intel6

Active Member
I use it specifically for my .22 Hornets. I tried it in some .500 S&W loads in my Encore and it seemed to work well.
 

Tomme boy

Well-Known Member
I have a little over 2lbs of this that is getting shelved for good. It just behaves in a unpredictable ways. I had a good shooting load this summer in 90*+ temp that now is blowing primers in the same group I loaded this summer. And they gained over 200fps. NOTHING changed other than temp. The rounds were stored in a plastic cartridge case in my temp controlled basement.

I pulled the rest of the loads apart and they were loaded exactly as I had them. No variance at all on the weights.
 

Bill

Active Member
I bought a pound right after it came out for my t/c carbine 22 hornet, swelled cases and flattened primers with all but the lightest loads, turned out to be a recalled batch but I went back to aa1680 it was the best in mine anyway

Bill