Lil Gun in the 17 Squirrel

[Stephen Grant]

I was just wondering if someone has had first hand experience with this powder and would care to share their findings.

To date I've tried 296, 1680, WW680 and H-108. None of them seem to shade the other by much in the accuracy department.

Got a pound of Lil Gun on the shelf, but though it might be a tad too slow (not sure if it’s slower the 1680 or not) for this small case.

Would like to hear your thoughts.

Stephen

[nvreloader]

Stephen

If you can give me the total case capacity of H20 filled to the top of a FIRED case, bbl length, bullet seating depth, I can give QL a tweak and see what pops up.
Tia,
Don

[Stephen Grant]

Don,

The case holds 8.8grs H2O, the bullet seating depth is .130" and the barrel is 24".

Thanks for looking into that for me.

Stephen

[sicero]

Stephen, I can tell you my AH can take 1.3gr more 1680 than Lil-gun. I have found lil-gun to be unpredictable. In my 22 Hornet the case could be stuffed full and compressed with no problem , go figure. Kenny

[Daryl]

I load it the same in my Hornet, Kenny- as you probably know. Wonderful accuracy goes with this powder. I also use it in my .17AH with same results, however it is far from a compressed load. This does not hurt the performance.
it is faster than 1680 - that's for sure.

Normal load with 1680 in my .17AH with 25gr. Vmax is 12.6gr. yet with Lil'Gun, it's 10.3. Same velocity.

[nvreloader]

Originally Posted by Stephen Grant

Don, The case holds 8.8grs H2O, the bullet seating depth is .130" and the barrel is 24". Thanks for looking into that for me. Stephen

Stephen
Here is the info from QL, you didn't say which bullet,so I SWAG and figured the 20gr weight.

These loads are figured for 84% of the maximum case pressure of 43511 PSI:

Cartridge : .17 Squirrel
Case Capacity : 8.8grs H2o
Case Length : .985"
Bullet : .172, 20, Hornady V-MAX 21710
Cartridge O.A.L. : 1.393 inch
Barrel Length : 24 inch

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.

Matching Maximum Pressure: 38072 PSI,

These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet and gun.
Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !


POWDER Grs-VEL/FPS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hodgdon Lil-GUN 7.4-3249-Near Maximum
Winchester 296 7.5-3179-Near Maximum
Vihtavuori N110 6.6-3130-Near Maximum
Hodgdon H110- 7.5-3122-Near Maximum
Ramshot Enforcer 6.5-3095-Near Maximum
Alliant 2400- 6.0-3085-Near Maximum
Vihtavuori N120- 8.1-3052-Near Maximum
Accurate 4100- 6.7-3037-Near Maximum
Accurate No.7- 5.4-3030-Near Maximum
Alliant BLUE DOT- 5.4-3029-Near Maximum
Accurate No.9- 5.9-3025-Near Maximum
Vihtavuori N105 5.2-3021-Near Maximum
Hodgdon H4227- 7.3-3010-Near Maximum
Alliant Power Pistol 4.3-2994-Near Maximum
Accurate 5744- 6.8-2991-Near Maximum
IMR 4227- 7.2-2978-Near Maximum
IMR 4198- 7.9-2958-Near Maximum
Vihtavuori 3N38- 5.1-2954-Near Maximum
Accurate 2015- 9.1-2954-Near Maximum
Accurate No.5- 4.6-2944-Near Maximum
Vihtavuori N130- 8.6-2936-Near Maximum
Accurate 1680- 8.0-2927-Near Maximum

Hope this helps.
TIA,
Don

[Stephen Grant]

Kenny and Daryl,

I was hoping Lil Gun was just a touch faster since using 1680 I can't get enough in the case. It is a good powder for the 25 gr bullets though.

As a note of interest, this weekend I loaded both 1680 and some old WW 680 that I had on hand. I was very surprized how clean the WW 680 burned when compared to 1680. I alway thought 1680 was surplus WW 680 for some reason.

Don,

You are correct on the bullet weight at 20 grs.

I plan on using the 20 and 17 gr vmax if I find a comb that shoot well.

That data you provided is a great help I've got it tucked into my range book for reference now.

Thanks all for your help.

Stephen

[nvreloader]

Originally Posted by Stephen Grant

Don, I plan on using the 20 and 17 gr vmax if I find a comb that shoot well. Stephen

Stephen.
Going to the 17 gr bullet will add about 200-300 fps to vel, and a average of .2-.4grs higher on the load data weights.
Don

[Daryl]

Steven - as you probably found out, WW680 (now H616 ?) is faster than 1680. They are not related except using some of the same numbers.
Seems to me I recall velcities listed for the .17 Squirrel in the 3,400fps range with 20gr. Vamx bullets - I've seen 3,600fps listed, but that might have ben the 15 gr. Berger. It's been a while since I was interested in that number.

That tiny brass (sml. dia. base) is the pressure valve for the Hornet based rounds - and 45,000PSI is lower than normal .22 Hornet's standard 44,000CUP, isn't it? I cannot see a good reason for downloading a ctg. unless that's what's desired.

[GLWenzl]

I used ligun in the squirrel as well as a few other powders but went back to 296, my 77/17 Sq liked it better. don’t see my load notes, may have never got transferred from paper to puter??? sorry