Author Topic: lil gun with a cast RCBS 180gr bullet in a 357 rifle (Read 930 times)

Sixgun · « **on:** December 03, 2004, 05:47:24 AM »

I have never used li'l gun but have read that it is really great in a 357 rifle. I would like loading info for using li'l gun in a 357 mag with the RCBS 180gr silhouette bullet. I will need some good accurate loads at around 1700 to 1750 fps.

I am using some bullets that a friend cast for me to test and have not got a mold yet. If anyone has one and wants to part with it give me a pm and we can talk about it.

Thanks, Sixgun

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2004, 05:56:07 AM »

I've not tried it in the .357 Mag but have in .454 Casull and .44 mag. Found velocity to be no better than W296/H110 and accuracy to be less satisfactory. I've pretty much given up on it myself.

Nobade · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2004, 04:52:31 AM »

Works great in rifle loads for the .357. It's marginally slower than 296/H110 and will generate some good speed in rifle length barrels. Load it heavy and experiment with mag primers to see if they give any better accuracy. BTW, it's the ticket in the .22 Hornet!

Black Jaque Janaviac · « **Reply #3 on:** December 15, 2004, 05:28:28 AM »

Lil' Gun should do just what you are asking for, and possibly room to boot.

I know Buffalo Bore produces commercial .357 with a 180 grain load that exceeds your targeted velocity. Some suspect that Buff. Bore is using Lil'Gun.

Steelbanger · « **Reply #4 on:** December 15, 2004, 05:40:09 AM »

Watch out with that 180 gr. silhouette bullet and you're shooting it in a lever gun. The nose profile is smaller than the primer and RCBS doesn't recommend using it in a tubular magazine. At least they didn't the last time I asked about using it in an 1894 Marlin.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2004, 03:26:48 PM »

Quote from: Steelbanger

Watch out with that 180 gr. silhouette bullet and you're shooting it in a lever gun. The nose profile is smaller than the primer and RCBS doesn't recommend using it in a tubular magazine. At least they didn't the last time I asked about using it in an 1894 Marlin.

Further, ALL the powder, rifle and bullet manufacturers that I'm aware of don't recommend pointy bullets or small meplat bullets in tubular magazines. Although rare, there are published accounts of secondary explosions in tubular magazines causing destruction and injury. One doesn't have to search far to find them. Of note as well is the possibility of a primer not being fully seated as being a cause.