Titegroup for 10mm

Muskrat · April 25 2020 09:58:07 PM MDT

Is anyone loading 10mm loads with Titegroup? I've got a bunch of it since it's what I use to load .40 S&W for steel challenge, but since that's not happening this year, maybe I'll work up some 10mm loads. Just looking for accurate plinking loads that don't require a recoil spring suitable for stabilizing a train carriage.

Hodgdon has load data for 120 grain bullets up to 200 grain bullets in 10mm (quite a range)...nothing super hot, but often equal-to or better-than factory 10mm range loads.

In working up .40 loads, Titegroup has given me extremes of the most and least accurate loads you can imagine. I do like the fact that it's one of the least sensitive powders in regards to case-fill, and it's super-cheap per load. Seems like it'd be ideal for a 165 grain bullet going about 1000 fps. Maybe?

sqlbullet · April 27 2020 08:28:27 AM MDT

Never loaded it. Seems like it would be a great "economy" powder, producing practice level ammo for cheap. I would suggest you have good precautions in place against a double charge, as with any fast powder in a larger volume case.

A 165 @ 1000 fps with this powder will likely be below starting load. Even Hodgdon's starting load for 180 grain makes nearly 1100 fps with titegroup. Probably about 4.8 grains should get you there.

The_Shadow · April 27 2020 08:57:55 AM MDT

Here is some data for TitePoop! I mean TiteGroup!

Muskrat · April 27 2020 10:05:44 AM MDT

Hahaha...not a fan of Titegroup I take it?

It's an interesting powder from the accuracy perspective. In .40 S&W, 4.5 grains under a 165 Berries plated bullet was a tack driver, and 5.0 grains was so inaccurate as to be almost comical. Though part of that might be the Berries bullet...it doesn't seem to like going very fast with any powder.

I love it for .40 steel challenge loads. I get better accuracy than with Clays, and better economy than with Unique.

The_Shadow · April 27 2020 10:43:59 AM MDT

It works well but so many guys have double dropped charges and blew up firearms using it and not paying attention. That can be with any of those uber fast burning powders though...
I have a small amount of it that I test with at times. ${$default_cool_smiley}$

fltbed · April 27 2020 04:29:52 PM MDT

I was a Titegroup fan back in the 90's when it was introduced. Hodgdon rep confirmed my suspicions that it was re-labeled Winchester Super Lite made by St. Marks, as the load data was identical to WSL data Winchester provided a few years earlier. It was clean burning, consistent and very accurate.
Then, sometime in the early 2000's, Hodgdon started importing "Titegroup" and that's when all the issues started. The new stuff was dirty, inconsistent, inaccurate and then, guns started blowing up. By 2006 I saw, personally, five custom built USPSA $2000+ 40 cal Limited guns destroyed using Titegroup. (and heard about dozens more) STIs, SVs, custom Glocks, ammo was loaded on progressive presses (Dillon 650s & 1050s) where it's almost impossible to double charge a case.
I haven't recommended the stuff since and have been cautioning new reloaders to avoid the crap. Saving a few pennys on powder isn't worth the risk.

Jeff

PS. I love the nickname "Titepoop" very fitting.

Muskrat · April 27 2020 10:07:00 PM MDT

Quote from: fltbed on April 27 2020 04:29:52 PM MDT
I was a Titegroup fan back in the 90's when it was introduced. Hodgdon rep confirmed my suspicions that it was re-labeled Winchester Super Lite made by St. Marks, as the load data was identical to WSL data Winchester provided a few years earlier. It was clean burning, consistent and very accurate.
Then, sometime in the early 2000's, Hodgdon started importing "Titegroup" and that's when all the issues started. The new stuff was dirty, inconsistent, inaccurate and then, guns started blowing up. By 2006 I saw, personally, five custom built USPSA $2000+ 40 cal Limited guns destroyed using Titegroup. (and heard about dozens more) STIs, SVs, custom Glocks, ammo was loaded on progressive presses (Dillon 650s & 1050s) where it's almost impossible to double charge a case.
I haven't recommended the stuff since and have been cautioning new reloaders to avoid the crap. Saving a few pennys on powder isn't worth the risk.

Jeff

PS. I love the nickname "Titepoop" very fitting.

Well that would explain why they recalled it. Oh wait...Hodgdon still sells thousands of pounds of Titegroup every year...even in this ultra-litigious society. Perhaps the attorneys just haven't figured out that the powder is to blame.

Troll_Toes · May 02 2020 11:48:39 AM MDT

I've been using 5.1grs of TiteGroup with a 200gr hard cast coated bullet from MBC. It's a good plinking load

RDub01 · May 08 2020 09:32:01 AM MDT

I've played with it in .38 Special, .40 and 10mm. Overall I find it to be exceptionally mediocre where accuracy is concerned. I know some have found a sweet spot with it, but I have yet to do so. I have yet to shoot a tight group with Titegroup.. After doing quite a few factory ammo pull-downs, when examining powder charge vs velocity yield, Titegroup matches up with whatever non-canister powder the various factory loads are using very closely. It does provide economical range ammo that shoots ok.. aka plinkin loads. Titegroup's higher than usual content of nitroglycerin explains its high energy.