Does anyone have any data for using Lil' Gun powder with an 86 gr bullet in the 25-20?
Speed-wise, Lil' Gun is about the same as 2400, but I don't know about the energy density.

Thanks!

Hey, Russ, thanks for the reply.

What I meant by "energy density" was the energy of the powders on a grain-for-grain comparison. For
example, 2400 and H4198 are very similar in their volume density (13.3 and 13.5 gr/cc), and very close
in burn rate, but a body can't load the same amounts of either powder. Well, maybe a body could, but
a body might regret it. <GGG> That is, they're similar, but not interchangable.

I don't know anything abour Lil' gun. A friend has some, and was wanting to save a 3-hour trip to town
to get a powder listed in his reloading manuals for the 25-20. He has a new rifle he's itching to try out,
and I completely sympathize with his predicament. He's not a computer-kinda guy, and I was showing
off a bit when I told him I could find some Lil' Gun loads on the internet for him. I checked quite a few
places, but couldn't find any loads for that powder in that cart'rige. I was hoping that someone in
this astute group might have tried it.

For myself, I'd try a start load of about 8 gr under an 86 gr JSP, but I hesitate to tell someone else to
risk HIS face and HIS rifle on MY guesses.

Thanks again for the reply and info!

Grumble: just trying to be helpful, although I have no .25-20/86 lil gun experience. I have shot lil gun under hard 257420's at the 10.2 grain and less levels and found none to be very accurate in my Marlin cl. 10.2 is about 1/2 grain too much in my gun regarding case expansion. I have, however had excellent results with the Remington jacketed 86 grain bullet and 15.3 grains WW 748/6 1/2 primer combo. Groups around 1.25" at 100. Good shooting, ned

I just started using it with my 10" Contender barrel. So far, my heaviest load has been 8.0 grains and a Remington 86 grain SP. As near as I can tell from mic'ing the cases, pressure is a bit higher than factory loads I compared it to. Because it is a strong action, I intend to hot rod it a little and will go up from there. I wont get to the range again til this weekend, weather permitting, to test the newer loads and will have more to say about it then.

As always, I really appreciate the replies! It never ceases to amaze me how just
about any question can be answered, or at least intelligently discussed, on these forums.

Courtney, thanks for verifying my "guesstimate" on an experimental start load for Lil' Gun.
Sounds like 7-7.5 g might be the place to start in an older gun.

I printed your replies and faxed them to my friend, and he can use the info as he chooses.

Thanks again!

Not directly related, but I have tried it in my Savage 32/20. Velocity was always high, but accuracy was poor to terrible. My same experence with it in a Marlin 218 Bee is high velocity, but poor accuracy with jackered bullets. HTH, Ric

Although justified by the pursuit of truth, justice, and the American way, but but not on topic, I use the little 35 grain plastic tip hornady bullets in my Win 92/43 218 BEE with lilgun. I file the tips flat because of the magazine tube. The chamber is really minimum, and 14 grains is the load. It shoots 7/8" at 50 and with undetectable drop at 100. Iron sights, too.Cases last 4 or 5 reloads and its powerfol. Soon have to chronograph. Good shooting.

Grumble et al,
Wellllll, it's still not LilGun data, but I did get back from the range this afternoon with some innerestin' stats on the 25-20.
Please NB! My COAL after some cartridge lifter modification is 1.640", so case capacity is VERY different to the SAAMI spec of 1.592, AND I'm only partially sizing my once fired cases.

Malin "94, circa 1910, 24"oct barrel 1 in 12"
86gr Rem JFP WW case with WSR primer over 12gr:Rx7
AV:1790fps SD:45 ES:121 Energy:612#
Group Size 3 shots <1" at 35yds with a 5MOA Red Dot.

I could usually get the first two shots nearly touching off of a fairly decent rest arrangement, and I'm not experienced with one. But the barrel heats quickly and the group opens up. This also affects the velocity, and the warmer the barrel got, the faster the bullet went. Some indication of primers starting to flatten and definitely a 'warmish' load.

VERY satisfying accuracy though, and a real pleasure to shoot. As Ken Waters mentions in his tome "Pet Loads", a touchy lil cartridge, but the accuracy potential is there, and a great small game getter I'm sure out to a hunnert yards.

Cheers!
R*2