10mm Delta Elite Medium Power Loads?

w graumann · December 21 2015 01:58:03 PM MST

I would like to load 175 gr. Lee cast bullets & use "Titegroup" powder (as I have a supply of it). I'm not looking for high velocity, only 800-1000 fps.
What has been the "group experience" with "Titegroup?"

sqlbullet · December 21 2015 02:14:28 PM MST

It falls on my personal don't use list as a double charge would not overflow the case.

That said, several guys use around 5.5 grains for their practice loads.

The_Shadow · December 21 2015 04:20:25 PM MST

It is a faster burning powder and a little goes a long ways, but as mentioned a double charge is very possible and has been done in the past by others that blew up casings and wrecked some guns. ${$default_huh_smiley}$

5.5 is a middle ground loading and your yield at that level would be 1050-1060 fps give or take...

Be careful!

fltbed · December 21 2015 05:33:26 PM MST

Loading with Titegroup is like owning a poisonous snake for a pet. If your really careful, you probably won't get bit...probably.

That said, like the others pointed out, if your really careful and diligent in your loading technique, you probably won't have any issues...probably.

Jeff

Benchrst · December 21 2015 06:18:07 PM MST

I really don't see what all the warnings are about...

Get sloppy with your reloading, brake job, or setting up your hang glider, and the outcome will be what it is.

DM1906 · December 21 2015 11:05:20 PM MST

Quote from: Benchrst on December 21 2015 06:18:07 PM MST
I really don't see what all the warnings are about...

Get sloppy with your reloading, brake job, or setting up your hang glider, and the outcome will be what it is.

This.

I load several target rounds with easily-doubled powder charges. It's very easy with .38Spl, .40SW, .44Spl, .45ACP, .45LC, with Bullseye, WST, TG, and the list goes on. Acknowledge the warnings, load right, and move on. That said, I wouldn't use TG (or Bullseye, etc.) for .357M or .44M, and won't use it for 10mm, for the same reasons. TG is great for .40SW at lower/target velocities. There's really no such thing as .44M plinkers, and IMO, not in 10mm, either. Want light? Shoot .40SW, same as .38Spl to .357M. If it's a matter of economics, you shouldn't be driving a Corvette when you can only afford a Gremlin.

sqlbullet · December 22 2015 08:03:38 AM MST

Unique is as fast a powder as I shoot in 10mm.

DM1906 · December 22 2015 09:08:52 AM MST

Quote from: sqlbullet on December 22 2015 08:03:38 AM MST
Unique is as fast a powder as I shoot in 10mm.

Unique is unique. Can be used for .25Auto to .45-70, and everything in between, with acceptable performance. If I had to choose ONE post-apocalyptic powder......

fltbed · December 22 2015 06:39:16 PM MST

Quote from: Benchrst on December 21 2015 06:18:07 PM MST
I really don't see what all the warnings are about...

Get sloppy with your reloading, brake job, or setting up your hang glider, and the outcome will be what it is.

For me, my words of caution come from seeing way to many high end custom limited guns go KB at the USPSA matches.

When TG first came out, it was relabeled WSL from St Marks powder co. We all used it in our limited 40's. It was $4-$5 a pound cheaper than anything else on the market, it just made Major Power Factor, it was clean burning and it was accurate. Sometime around 2000, Hodgdon started importing it from overseas. It was the same label but it wasn't the same. It was much dirtier burning. Some lot numbers wouldn't make Power Factor. Then the KB's started happening. Most of us switched powders, some didn't, either due to the price or because they had several kegs of their favorite lot number stored up. Over the next ten years I personally saw close to 20 guns destroyed and read about many more in Front Sight magazine or on the Enos forums, with various injuries to the shooter. Some were friends I shoot with every month at the matches. All had one thing in common...Titegroup.

Rant over

Jeff

Benchrst · December 22 2015 10:51:39 PM MST

Jeff

I respect what you're saying, and at the same time don't believe what I said discounts it - at all.

My comment is directed at those who just haven't done the proper legwork.

Personally, I wouldn't push anything with TG, especially not a 180 (I recognize that isn't what the OP is asking for).

fltbed · December 24 2015 07:02:49 AM MST

Oh I defiantly agree with what your saying.

The odd thing is, we all load our limited 40's with fast burning powders and heavy bullets for the soft recoil impulse. I use WST with 180's. Popular powders are similar, Bullseye, Solo 1000, N320, AA #2, Zip, during the powder shortage some guys started using shotgun powders like Promo or American Select. All of those powders are easily double charged in the 40 case yet every time we heard of a gun blowing up it was with TG. Their's something else going on there, I just can't figure out what. So I just caution new reloaders to avoid it. (TG)

Jeff

sqlbullet · December 24 2015 09:12:38 AM MST

perhaps TG is a bit more prone to stacking in the powder drop tube? Spitballing ideas....

Benchrst · December 24 2015 11:15:35 AM MST

Perhaps an informal test, for when I get the time to put together a PTII.

A useful number of same loads with TG, run them through the test barrel.

Certainly wouldn't be conclusive, but something might show up.

DM1906 · December 24 2015 12:25:31 PM MST

Quote from: sqlbullet on December 24 2015 09:12:38 AM MST
perhaps TG is a bit more prone to stacking in the powder drop tube? Spitballing ideas....

I was thinking along the same line. A light load (squib) is just as possible/likely. In a competition or SD situation, it isn't always likely, or even possible, to check the bore. Tap...Rack...Go...KB! Also, IMO, too many novice handloaders are beginning their first experiences with progressive loaders. This especially true with high-volume competitive shooters looking to save some bucks. Progressive loaders are a machine, but still load one step at a time. I know of handloaders like this, and they have no idea what they're doing, outside the manual and what they read on the 'net.

Barry in IN · December 25 2015 12:10:12 PM MST

Perhaps this a good time for a reminder, or for any new reloaders a tip:
Always keep an eye on the powder level when reloading.

You know what X grains looks like in a case because you have your first case as an example. It was loaded after adjusting the powder measure and checking it on the scale. From there, it went straight back into the case.
That is your standard for comparison.

If using a single stage press, comparing is easy. You hold a light above your case loading tray, angling it so you can see the level in each case. As you go down each row, you are just eyeballing for a consistent level. This won't tell you if each charge is absolutely dead on the money, but if a charge is very much low or high it will be apparent. A double charge is so obvious it can't be missed.

On a progressive, it isn't much more difficult. Many types of flexible stem "snake lights" can be mounted to the press and set so the beam shines into the case mouth after it receives the powder charge. Again, you've set the first case's charge by the scale and know what it should look like. As you go along, they should be monotonously consistent in powder height. If not, you will catch it.
But you have to be watching for it. It might add another quarter second to each run of the handle (which I know will feel like a lot when you do it) but it's worth doing.