HODGDON LIL'GUN...anybody tried it in .44 Mag?

Airborne · January 19, 2001, 09:41 AM

Greetings,

I just bought a pound of Hodgdon Lil'gun on the recommendation of a fella at a local gun shop. He claims it will produce higher velocity with less pressure (depending on the loading) than H110 or W296. He also claims it is not as finicky ignition wise when compared to these two other powders as well. I plan to start with 240 Gr. JHP's and use CCI 350 magnum primers and Winchester cases.

Does anyone have any experience with this powder? I'm also looking to experiment with .357 Mag so any shared experience with this powder in that caliber would also be appreciated.

Thanks!
SM

linngl · January 19, 2001, 11:45 AM

I Haven't used it. Have you checked the obvious source for info? http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/index.htm

Airborne · January 19, 2001, 04:51 PM

Linngl,
Yes, I've been to the web site, and also have some load data in their basic reloaders data manual. I don't know how long it's been on the market, but a TFL search resulted in zero hits. I was surprised at this. Anyway, I'm hoping to find someone who has first hand experience loading with it. Thanks for the reply none the less.

Best,
SM

Contender · January 19, 2001, 06:38 PM

Head over to Beartooth's site. Post over there on their forum. I believe there are a number of shooters who have tried it over there with cast bullets.

www.beartoothbullets.com

FWIW

Airborne · January 22, 2001, 06:39 PM

Contender,
Thanks for the link, and advice for Bear Tooth Bullets forum. I posted as you suggested and got back some great replies.

It seems the jury is still out on this powder, even with people who've used it. It seems to show some great potential, however, and I will post my results once I get some good data. It's back to the reloading bench for me!

Thanks again,
SM

Contender · January 22, 2001, 09:31 PM

Anytime Airborne,

Yes, what I have been able to gather is that it can behave more like AA#9 than H110/296.

Regards

WESHOOT2 · January 24, 2001, 08:03 PM

After considerable effort, I've confirmed W296 as the correct 44 Magnum 'boomer' powder (same in 41 and 45 Colt).

Prefer 3N37 and N110 for 180g and heavier in the 357, with H110 for lighter bullets.

Universal Clays for 'mediums' in all four calibers.

Clark · January 27, 2001, 10:41 AM

I tiried Lil'Gun in 9mm with 1.169" OAL and 38 super loads to start. As I worked up, the load got wimpier. I wrote Hodgdon, and the said, of course, as the efficiency goes down.

Lil' Gun may have 44 mag loads like H110, and look and smell like H110, but acts very differently in 9mm.

January 22, 2001, 06:39 PM	#5
Airborne Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 1999 Posts: 229	Results from Bear Tooth Bullets Contender, Thanks for the link, and advice for Bear Tooth Bullets forum. I posted as you suggested and got back some great replies. It seems the jury is still out on this powder, even with people who've used it. It seems to show some great potential, however, and I will post my results once I get some good data. It's back to the reloading bench for me! Thanks again, SM

January 24, 2001, 08:03 PM	#7
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	After considerable effort, I've confirmed W296 as the correct 44 Magnum 'boomer' powder (same in 41 and 45 Colt). Prefer 3N37 and N110 for 180g and heavier in the 357, with H110 for lighter bullets. Universal Clays for 'mediums' in all four calibers. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

January 19, 2001, 09:41 AM	#1
Airborne Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 1999 Posts: 229	Greetings, I just bought a pound of Hodgdon Lil'gun on the recommendation of a fella at a local gun shop. He claims it will produce higher velocity with less pressure (depending on the loading) than H110 or W296. He also claims it is not as finicky ignition wise when compared to these two other powders as well. I plan to start with 240 Gr. JHP's and use CCI 350 magnum primers and Winchester cases. Does anyone have any experience with this powder? I'm also looking to experiment with .357 Mag so any shared experience with this powder in that caliber would also be appreciated. Thanks! SM

January 19, 2001, 11:45 AM	#2
linngl Member Join Date: December 1, 1999 Location: Sherman,Tx,USA Posts: 40	I Haven't used it. Have you checked the obvious source for info? http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/index.htm

January 19, 2001, 04:51 PM	#3
Airborne Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 1999 Posts: 229	Linngl, Yes, I've been to the web site, and also have some load data in their basic reloaders data manual. I don't know how long it's been on the market, but a TFL search resulted in zero hits. I was surprised at this. Anyway, I'm hoping to find someone who has first hand experience loading with it. Thanks for the reply none the less. Best, SM

January 19, 2001, 06:38 PM	#4
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	Head over to Beartooth's site. Post over there on their forum. I believe there are a number of shooters who have tried it over there with cast bullets. www.beartoothbullets.com FWIW

January 22, 2001, 09:31 PM	#6
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	Anytime Airborne, Yes, what I have been able to gather is that it can behave more like AA#9 than H110/296. Regards

January 27, 2001, 10:41 AM	#8
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I tiried Lil'Gun in 9mm with 1.169" OAL and 38 super loads to start. As I worked up, the load got wimpier. I wrote Hodgdon, and the said, of course, as the efficiency goes down. Lil' Gun may have 44 mag loads like H110, and look and smell like H110, but acts very differently in 9mm.