Maven
Well-Known Member
Several years ago I acquired 2 lbs. of Lil Gun (at a very good price!), but later found that its usage was limited, e.g., the .410 shotgun shell, the .44mag. with heavier jacketed bullets, etc. On line discussions of it were highly inconsistent (forcing cone erosion, burns hot -> great powder, etc.), yet its burning rate roughly equal to SR 4759, a tad faster than 2400, but slower than AA #9. That being the case, I wondered, could I use it as a CB propellant in my .30-06? The short answer is most definitely yes. After monkeying with LG in my Ly. pistol powder measure, I found a rotor which would drop 18.4 - 18.5gr., which is about what I used to use with faster burning WC 820 (AA #9). The cases were neck sized Rem. '06, expanded with a Ly. M-die, and primed with WLR primers. The CB was a 195gr. CBE gc'd Loverin sized to .311". The results were surprising: accurate, but slow. I.e., I actually got off my butt and set up my Shooting Chrony (sans sky screens as it was overcast and thus unnecessary) and got a mean velocity. of only 1156 fps +-17 fps. I'd like to bump that up to no more than 1,400 fps, but don't wish to tempt fate by using much more than 20.5gr. Lil Gun. Btw, there were no pressure signs at all and the case necks were barely sooty.
Thought you'd like to know and maybe try it yourself. Btw, my "go to" load for CB's in the '06 and similar cartridges is 12.5gr. Unique. If Lil Gun comes close, I'll be very pleased.
Thought you'd like to know and maybe try it yourself. Btw, my "go to" load for CB's in the '06 and similar cartridges is 12.5gr. Unique. If Lil Gun comes close, I'll be very pleased.