[DeepSouth]

Anybody using this combo?I've been casting some and i'm ready to start reloading these.The 2 powders I have are Lil Gun and Accurate 5744 and all i have are CCI large pistol primers.Ranch Dog shows info on Lil Gun but doesn't show what type of primers.All my reloading manuals,but for my Speer man,do not list LilGun.The Speer does list LilGun but it shows jacket loads up to 245gr and every Lil gun load uses a magnum primer.So I'm kind of at a loss as to where to start. Can I use large pistol primers instead of magnum primers?Ranch Dogs data says a Max of 23grs of Lil gun,I know to start 10% lower,but is the large pistol primer ok to use? What exactly is the difference in the two primers? Large pistol vs Magnum pistol.

 

[picketpin]

Deepsouth, You picked a good bullet. As for primers most standard large pistol primers are in the same class of burning heat except I have heard that Winchesters LP primers tend toward the hotter burning side more similar to magnum primers. The hotter the burn the more easily the primer ignites the powder. Magnum Primers are typically recommended for ball type powders such as Lil Gun, H110, BLC-2, 748, 760 etc that are harder to ignite and burn more uniformly with the hotter ignition. I have found and some others here at Marlin owners that you don't need the magnum primer for lil gun.

So yes, your cci primer is safe to use, as you stated drop Ranchdogs Load by 5-10% and start there, go up if necessary. I have found in my rifles that Lil Gun loads at the bottom of the recommended charge weight are typically the most accurate.

I have some of these bullets on the way from Carolina Cast Bullets that is listed on RanchDogs site and am looking forward to working up some loads in both my '94 and 444.

james

 

[papajohn]

I've been using Lil Gun in the 357 and 44 for years, and have never seen the need for magnum primers, it's not hard to ignite like some ball powders are. In cold weather it might help make your ignition more consistent, but above freezing I wouldn't worry about it.

Magnum primers burn a little longer and/or hotter, but how much varies from brand to brand. And then of course there are Winchester Large Pistol primers, which (unless things have changed, but I doubt it) are exactly the same as the Magnum LP primers they charge more for. The only difference is the packaging and the price! :

 

[Ranch Dog]

The 44 Mag's SAAMI and CIP spec is for a Large Pistol primer. Same with the 357 Mag and 41 Mag. Depsite having "Mag" in the name of the cartridge, the spec calls for Large Pistol.