I had the opportunity to try loading the Hornady 240gr XTP Magnum bullet over Lil Gun fired by the Remington 7 1/2 primer. Due to its lack of ballistic tip, the OAL looks short, but it's not really. It did strike the barrel extension lower than I would have preferred during chambering, leaving a distinct copper dot where it repeatedly hit. I had not considered loading it as it costs the same as the 225gr FTX bullet and I liked the BC of that round better. What follows is a table of the loads I had a chance to run:
For this outing, once again 38gr (80%) of Lil Gun traveling an average of 2250fps rules the roost at 100 yards. Not my best group, but here's the target that gained this load a Hoot's Pick
In the table, I forgot to mention I used just the taper crimp set to yield a mouth diameter of .475 inches. It pressed nicely into the cannelure.
Base expansion ranged from .003" at 35gr Lil Gun to .0035" at 40gr Lil Gun.
When I get a chance, I'll try some faster loads, but those speeds, like in the case of the FTX family, will cause over-expansion at close range.
Hoot