I use LilGun with the 180s for the rifle. The 158s can do 2000 fps out of the Marlin 1894C but the 125s aren't going much faster even though they are much faster than the 158s out of the revolvers. MY .357 revolvers are 4" or less. I no longer shoot the max effort stuff out of anything other than the Security Six. My 13, 19, 65 and 66 are all 2-1/2"-3" and get fed the FBI load or 158 SWC over 5 gr. Unique. Dittos for the Speed Six 2-3/4". I will avoid further topic drift by ending my comments now.

PS - I understand that some believe LilGun eats forcing cones. I don't see any damage in my Contenders but don't really use it in revolver loads.

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Sincerely,

Hobie

I have been having good luck with Alliant Power Pro 300-MP with a 188gr WFNGC, 158gr XTP, and the 358156 for top velocities, been using Longshot, HS6, and Unique for the 1000fps loads.

Dave

Probably a bad thing if I make it to my eighties. Seems I always got very wide velocity variations with my 6.5 inch Blackhawk when using H-110/296. Could have been my loading technique as I have grown fond of using a taper crimp 357 die instead of a heavy roll crimp. It is still one of those modified jobs that although tapers the case you can see it sort of roll the case into the cannelure.

I have used 14.6 grains of 2400 under a 158 XTP for around 10 years now but it only chronographs around 1350 in the 6.5 inch barrel. Never really checked for large velocity spreads with the carbine and H-110/296 but that sure is a premier powder for loading the death ray for sure.

The reason I switched to 2400 and its lower velocity and this doesn't make practical sense at all but although both powders are equally accurate at 25 or 50 yards, when I plink at the gongs with the Blackhawk out to 300 yards that is where the 2400 shines. I'll swear if you can control your sight picture/trigger squeeze hitting a gong offhand at 200 yards can be done with most of a cylinder load with the 2400 powder. The gong is about 15 inches wide and 18 inches tall with a 6x6 square head on top. Once again no practical use other than to impress new shooters at the range (no gals though dang!)

But for practical use on critters I guess the H-110 would be the way to go. Seems like I loaded somewhere between 16 and 17 grains of the stuff.

Bob

But, honestly, most of my .357's are shot through a trio of carbine; two of them the boys' that came from you! At current, my only .357 revolver is a 3" Smith Mod 65, and it rarely get shot with full snort stuff. From what I remember, Lil Gun produces the same velocity with lower pressure, which was a big reason why I chose it for carbine use.

As to trimming, I have never trimmed a pistol or revolver round. I would assume that upon loading if you saw some that seemed long in the crimp, you would know. Of course by then it would be too late. Maybe grab a big handful and take some measurements to make a decision at that point.

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For the speed you want I don't think you'll do better than the powder you use.