Cast bullet loads with lil gun

[wayne24]

Hello,
Was wondering if anyone uses lil gun for cast bullet loads in their 357 mag and 44 mag.Most loads are going to be used in handi rifles.If someone could give me a starting load or point me to someplace on the web it would be great.The bullets are 150gr. 180gr. and 205gr. for the 357 mag, 44 mag 240gr. 255gr.265gr.300gr. and 310gr.
Thanks,
Wayne

[Graybeard]

Please don't take your load data from sites like this. Lil' Gun is distributed by Hodgdon go to their site and you should be able to pull safe pressure tested data for your firearms from there. Better yet if you have not yet invest in some reloading manuals. For cast bullets there is none better than Lyman's manual.

[wayne24]

I am just looking for a place to start.All of the web sites and manuals that I have found do not list any loads for cast bullets and lil gun.Where would I start using jacketed bullet loads?Thanks for the heads up Greybeard.
Thanks,
Wayne

[Graybeard]

You can safely use jacketed bullet data for same weight cast bullets but NOT vice versa.

[COR]

Use this site for Lil Gun data.  http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
Unfortunately the Lyman manual won't have any.  You can also buy Hodgdon's Manual (magazine actually). I used Lil Gun and cast bullets for the exact calibers you asked about.  My 44 load is with a LBT 260WFNGC and it is an honest to goodness 1" shooter at 35yds if I do my part.  I used the Hodgdon manual and the 270 Speer Gold Dot Data (also on that site I listed).  Lil Gun is a "sleeper" powder that I use almost exclusively for cast loads, you won't get the velocities you can get with W296/H110 but with cast bullets I'm not a big believer in "speed" anyway  as 1100-1200fps will ruin any critters day. It works great with the .357 158grSWC's I cast too.  Good luck, now the fun starts!

[wayne24]

Thanks for the info.What kind of velocity am I going to get using jacketed bullet loads with cast?Higher or lower or the same?I think I might have to save up for a chronograph.
Wayne   

[Graybeard]

A bit higher velocity generally and at a bit lower pressure.

[wayne24]

A bit higher velocity generally and at a bit lower pressure.

Thanks