I have been using Lil Gun in the 357 Mag revolver for a few years now.
Recently I noticed that there were substantial amounts of powder escaping between the cylinder and forcing cone in barrel.
Also, when I cleaned the pistol, it looks like I am getting some erosion on the face of the forcing cone, and probably top strap.
I am using an almost max load, with Federal small pistol primers, and Hornady 158gr XTPs. I tried loading with a harder crimp, and still getting the powder spray.
I am wondering if anyone else using Lil Gun in a 357 are noticing similar etching/erosion?.... and if a mag pistol primer is a fix...
Thank you for your thoughts in advance!
Mike

I load it in my 357 Rossi carbine. 16 grains and a 180 grn Rem HP bullet. I use a Rem 6 1/2 primer to light that.
Of course, no way to tell if it would help in your revolver, except to try it.

I have always read to use magnum primers with Lil'Gun. I use it in my Rossi .357 M92 and Lil Gun and in my .218B I use magnum primers in both.
I also use it in my Smith M66 and haven't seen any problems.

Hip

Posted in 2015 in different forum:

There's a theory going around that Lil Gun is excessively hot, and causes flame cutting and throat erosion. It was started (allegedly) by Freedom Arms telling people to stop using it in their revolvers, as it was causing excessive throat erosion.

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I read a lot about not using Lil Gun in revolvers. I use it for shotgun loads, but still keep away from revolvers.

Jiri

Yes, lots of opinion about forcing cone erosion when using Lil’Gun. Why just in revolvers? Gas is vented at the forcing cone so the steel is exposed to very hot gas on multiple surfaces - unlike in a rifle chamber. Plus the barrel is very thin there and has problems conducting heat away - again not like a rifle barrel. Does Lil’Gun have higher flame temperatures than H110? Don’t know. I have used it in several revolvers, but not really enough to see any damage even if it occurred. Internet rumor? Up to you.



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Thank you Gentlemen for the responses!
I had not noticed the erosion when I first started using Lil Gun. It seems I started using it about 10 years ago (more than just a few!) for my full power hunting loads.
At that time, I was getting exceptional accuracy and velocity, but I was also starting to mess around with caste bullets, using different powders, and didn't shoot the hunting loads except to sight in for hunting season.
The past few weeks, I was checking the Lil Gun loads for accuracy at 50 yds, and noticed powder spray cutting pin holes in my targets laying on the bench!
When cleaning the revolver, I noticed the etching at the mouth of the forcing cone.
I don't have any magnum small pistol primers on hand to try.
Hopefully I can find some, and try working up the load again, paying special attention to the "powder spray" coming through the gap at the cylinder.
I am not ready to give up on Lil Gun yet in the 357, but I also don't want to continue as is!
Thank you again for your help with this!

Mike

Yes, this a common experience with revolver shooters with LilGun.. I highly recommend Alliant 300-MP for full power loads. Fast and very accurate. Alliant doesn't recommend using magnum primers with it. I don't and it works wonderfully..