.357 mag, Lil Gun & 140g XTP (update)

[snapcrackpop]

I assume you cant use Lil Gun for Hornady's 140g bullets? Can't seem to find any data on that powder below 158g bullets.....

The store was out of the 158 and 180 XTP's........!

Shooting a NEF Handi rifle, not a pistol.

[Graybeard]

It's in the same general burn range as H110/W296 and it is usable all the way down to 110 grains I think so I'd think data should be out there for it. Did you not find data on 125s either? If not then go to the site of the powder maker for data as surely it's there or in the Hornady manual.

It may be ever so slightly slower than H110/W296 but not by much. I've primarily used it for what it was originally intended a .410 shotshell powder but have also used it for .357 Mag 158 grain loadings and gave it a try in .44 mag and was not satisfied with the results in .44 mag tho the .357 mag load seems fine.

[snapcrackpop]

Hodgdon's site has reloading data that is easy to find, but nothing listed below the 158s.  When I was using 158g bullets (Herters HPJ) 18g was filling up the case....
Hornady's site only has a few loads listed and for the 357 its with the 140g FXP bullet, but again, no Lil Gun powder listed....

I guess I'll be buying some more powder (H110?) or try to return the bullets without a reciept.

[OLDHandgunner]

You should be fine with Lil-Gun with 140 XTP's. I've haven't used Lil-Gun in my 357's only in 22 Hornet. But like GB said Lil-Gun is right there with H-110/W-296. So you should be able to work up a load with it.
When I started loading for the 357 forty + years ago I settled in on a 140 JHP because they shot the best and did the best for my hunting needs. Shot many deer with them over the years. I shot mostly Speer 140 JHP and a few Sierra 140gr HC because Hornady didn't make a 140gr back then only a 146gr 1/2 jacket. Then when Hornady finally came out with the 140's I switched and have used them every since.
All my revolvers shoot 140 XTP's with either H-110 or 2400 excellent.

Just a note: Back in the 60's loading data and bullets weren't plentiful. So I'd find a powder I had and and if the bullet weight wasn't listed ( like the 140's ) I'd find the powder charge for the 125gr & the 158gr and compromise in the middle and work up a load.
Now there is plenty of data out there in books & on-line for reloaders.

[buck460XVR]

I never had the luck with Lil' Gun and light bullets as I did with it and heavier bullets(158, 180) in .357. Since the talk about issues with Lil' Gun and  premature forcing cone erosion, I have quit using it alltogether in my revolvers since H110/ W296 works just as well. Still use it in the carbines tho, where it performs well.

[snapcrackpop]

Thanks for the replys.  
I did see where it is close to H110 in the burn chart and figured it should be safe, but being new to reloading I thought I would ask a few questions.
Biggest issue with using it is at 18 grains the case is full (with the bullet) when using 158g bullets and it appears the amount goes up with the smaller bullets....so now what?  More compression of the powder?

[snapcrackpop]

In my Handi rifle:
I tried 17.5, 18 and 18.5 grains and shot just over 2" group with the 1st and 3rd loads, the 18 grain load shot about 3.12".  All 3 shot groups at 100 yards.  No pressure signs that I could see.  Found a couple pierced primers during reloading, so back to the drawing board.....

So far that is my best group.  
But I'll be trying the H110 and some 180 XTP's in the furture.