Author Topic: Lil' Gun in .454? (Read 677 times)

Shoot! · « **on:** September 27, 2003, 06:26:23 PM »

Seems that most full power loads for the big .45 call for one of the twin brothers, H110 / W296. I've seen some reference to Lil Gun and while digging around for more load data, came across some confliction info. In the article Heavy Bullets in the 45 Colt it says "In every case, Hodgdons new powder Lil'Gun outperformed H110. It generates more velocity with less powder and apparently less pressure than H110 in every caliber I've tried it in thus far." In another article Penetration Test at the Linebaugh Seminar it says "We also learned that Hodgdons Lil Gun powder is unsuitable for high velocity loads as the pressure and recoil tend to increase significantly, a fact that was taught by my front sight to my forehead."
Can anybody confirm that Lil' Gun is unsuitable in hot loads due to a sharp pressure increase near max?
Thanks!

Duffy · « **Reply #1 on:** September 28, 2003, 06:04:43 AM »

I have messed with it in the 22 Hornet, 454 and 44 so far. Mostly for lighter bullets that 110/296 doesnt work well on and with reduced loads. On the Hornet it seemed a bit peaky and I couldn't get the accuracy I wanted so I quit. In the 454 I used it on the 260g Speers and seems to work pretty good but I still get a large muzzle flash even out of my Encore which kinda suprized me. I did notice in the Hodgdon manual that the charges are higher than 110 until you get up to the heavy bullets then things change quickly. It was all in all designed for the 410 shotshell and things stay pretty consistant in that compared to metallic shells. I do belive it's one a person has to be a little more careful with when approching max loads.

Ryan

DLH · « **Reply #2 on:** October 02, 2003, 12:52:14 PM »

I use it in my 454 casull , with 300g bullets, pretty warm, excelent acc.
I use AA #9 in the same gun with 250g bullets.

Sergeantlbt · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2003, 03:49:05 PM »

I have used LilGun in the 45 Colt. I followed Hodgdon's guidelines for the 240 Sierra JHP. It is hot. Speeds hover around 1300 fps over my Chrony. With a 5 1/2" Ruger Blackhawk I can shoot a 2" group at 50 yds.

sarge

Paul H · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2003, 01:48:41 PM »

I've used it in my 480. With medium to lighter weight bullets ie 400 grs and under, it is equal or better than 110/296. With heavy bullets, it is too fast burning.

Lil gun is faster than 110/296. Consider it as a tweener between 2400 and 110/296. It has it's place, but it isn't an accross the board replacement for 110/296.

If I were using Lil gun for a 454, I'd use it for 300 gr and under bullets.

HoCoMDHunter · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2003, 06:38:52 AM »

I use it to load 45 colts and 454 with great success. There may be some truth to the loss of accuracy at the high end. So far, my best groups with the hottest loads and 300 gr. XTP mags are about 2" @ 50 yds. I can get 1" groups with a lighter load and lead. So far, it is the only powder I have used for these so I can't offer a comparison.