Any 1911 Titegroup shooters out there?

[ddeaton]

45ACP, 4 grs behind a 200 gr SWC produceds 700 fps and leaves blowback one side of the case. Not the pistol, and this also happens to another fellow reloader. Almost looks like tarnish from heat, does not wipe off. I just changed over from years of loading Bullseye. Anyone else?

[robertbank]

What you are experiencing is common when you use Titegroup. I think it is the way this powder builds pressure but I am not sure. It just seems like the case doesn't expand quick enough to seal off the gases before some of the gases leak back and score the outside of the case. I have found this when using the powder in 9MM, .38spl, .45acp and .45LC.

Take Care

Bob

[Walt]

I have seen the soot too. The cases come clean with normal tumbling for me. One of my daughters 45s likes 4.6 TG with a 200 LSWC and she has no problems running 500 rounds between cleanings. For me it's a nonissue.

[bobthenailer]

after useing several 8 pound kegs of BE over the years for 8 handgun calibers for low to med velocity loads with excellent accuracy ! i switched to tightgroup several years ago so far ive used about 20 lbs of tightgroup ! in my opinion its cleaner burning than BE, and in most cases i use the same powder charge as BE to acheive comparable accuracy & velocity . i have foud it to excell in handgun cartrages .

[BD]

I left the measure on my Pro-Jector set to 5 grains of Titegroup for several years of action pistol. This made major with the H&G #68s for fun and games, and it gave me 875 fps with the BD acp for serious stuff.
BD

[DragoonDrake]

I like it. It scared me when I first started using it because of how little volume it took up. Yes it leaves a soot scar on my brass too (357mag, 44mag, and 45ACP). I just tumble for two hours and don't worry about it.

[thegreatdane]

45ACP, 4 grs behind a 200 gr SWC produceds 700 fps and leaves blowback one side of the case...

It seems like your charge is too small. It doesn't have the required pressure to seal brass and chamber thus producing a leak (and carbon mark). Try a little more Titegroup, working up in about 0.2 gn increments. That 200grain'er @ 700fps is probably a real powder puff.

If slow w/ tiny recoil is your goal, I suggest 4.1gn of Hogdon Clays. It seals the chamber quite well and produces about 775 fps-ish with one of the most gentle recoils I've ever seen from a 45.

[DennisE]

Happens to me with Titegroup and .44 special. Comes off 100% when you tumble your brass. I love the performance of titegroup so i use it and tumble it. Dennis

[thegreatdane]

The new Lyman cast boolit handbook lists titegroup from 4.8 -5.4 behind a 200gn SWC. You're quite a way below minimums.

[ItZaLLgooD]

I just tried 4.2 gr and 4.6 gr under some 230 LRN. Both shot well without any funk on the brass.

[Bloodman14]

4.5 gr's for me under a Lee 230-R; my RIA loves it.

[MtGun44]

I have shot up about 18 lbs of TG in my various 1911s. 4.8 under a 200 SWC, LOA
at 1.250 works perfectly for the last 10-12 yrs.

Bill

[ddeaton]

I have also seen this in some factory ammo I have shot in the past. Never paid much attention to it. I know I am under minimum in the books. I keep this around 700fps to use in our indoor range at the club. We have a lead 800 fps limit. It makes for a nice target load.

[thegreatdane]

Just clocked some TG loads this weekend from my XD-M 45 @ 7500ft elevation ~30'F. All tests ran Rem 2.5 primers, and home cast/lubed 200gr Lee SWC, OAL 1.250.

4.8gn TG -> 837
4.9gn TG -> 881
5.2gn TG -> 920

Based on the low Extreme Spread and mild recoil of the 4.8 while making Power Factor, I believe I've found my new USPSA powder!

[MtGun44]

Worked for me for many years. You'll like it.

Bill

[NoZombies]

I've been using 5 grains of tightgroup under a 200 grain SWC for a long time. It works well and isn't too dirty. Shoots great in everything I've tried it in. 2" at 25 yards from a rest in my 3" para is the norm.

[Dale53]

Ddeaton and I, along with Molly, shot at our indoor range yesterday. We examined Dan's cartridge cases after he shot and they were exhibiting little or no "staining" with 4.0 grs of Titegroup and MiHec's #68 200 gr SWC. Accuracy looked very good, also.

It burned cleaner than my loads with Dupont PB (although PB was fine and accuracy is outstanding).

I talked to a Hodgdon Tech this week and he stated that using light loads of Titegroup (4.0 grs of Titegroup in the .45 ACP with the 200 SWC presents NO problems). He further stated that some staining is inevitable with a variety of powders at low pressures. The .45 ACP case is short and stiff and doesn't always seal perfectly. It is NOT something to be concerned about.

When I finish off the partial cans of pistol powder I have on hand, I will open the new keg of Titegroup. That will be my new "standard" powder for light to medium loads in most of my pistols and revolvers.

FWIW
Dale53

[NHlever]

Dale is right there, I have found Titegroup to be a good powder across a broad range of calibers, for light-medium loads. I've used it in 9mm, 38 Special, .357 Mag, 44 Special, 45 Colt, and .44 Mag with complete sucess. My Marlins love Titegroup in 3 - 3.5 grain doses behind the Lee 158 RNFP, and often return groups under an inch at 50 yards. It is a reasonably quiet load too, though other powders might beat it there. I'm also sneaking it into some of my light rifle loads with some sucess. I guess I will always have some Unique around, and perhaps something faster for the real light loads like Red Dot, or 700X.

[MtGun44]

Dale,

I quit using 231 and BE for TG in IPSC loads. Cheaper and burns a bit cleaner, meters well.
W231 needed 5.7 or more to do what 4.7 TG does so more loads per pound. Cleaner than
BE but all three meter just fine. I used the same amount of BE 4.8 gr for my std 200 gr H&G 68
load.

Bill

[JIMinPHX]

I went to a shooting competition back east about 7 years ago, where I expected to do well despite having 3 cut nerves & over 40 stitches in my weak side hand. I would have done well if it wasn't for a husband & wife team with a pair of slicked up 1911s. They cleaned my clock pretty much across the board. Their ammo was loaded with Titegroup. I don't remember the exact load, but Titegroup can produce spectacular results in the .45acp when properly loaded.

[Jailer]

You think those other loads are powder puff. I run 4.0gn TG with a 230gn Hornady HAP for IDPA SSP. Comes in right about 600 FPS and recoils lighter than a 9mm.

Yes I get the soot mark on the brass, but a little Lemi Shine/dish soap bath in the kitchen sink followed by about 30 minutes in the tumbler and they look like new again.

[Dale53]

My main motivation to switch to Titegroup, is that I shoot a variety of calibers from .32 S&W Long to .454 Casull. I was concerned about fast powders being so position sensitive when loaded light for target use in the larger calibers (principally .44 Special and .45 Colt). Titegroup is NOT position sensitive, so with it's other attributes, should be "just a bit better" for general target use as well as "respectable" loads (such as 986 fps with our Mihec Group Buy RCBS 45-270-SAA bullet that actually weighs 285 grs). That is definitely in the "respectable" category for me. A great general use load for the field in my SS Bisley Black Hawk Convertible. The same powder loaded at the 4.0 gr level behind a #68 SWC makes a super target load for the convertible .45 ACP cylinder as well as in the 1911's and 625's I shoot.

Dale53

[ddeaton]

My main motivation to switch to Titegroup, is that I shoot a variety of calibers from .32 S&W Long to .454 Casull. I was concerned about fast powders being so position sensitive when loaded light for target use in the larger calibers (principally .44 Special and .45 Colt). Titegroup is NOT position sensitive, so with it's other attributes, should be "just a bit better" for general target use as well as "respectable" loads (such as 986 fps with our Mihec Group Buy RCBS 45-270-SAA bullet that actually weighs 285 grs). That is definitely in the "respectable" category for me. A great general use load for the field in my SS Bisley Black Hawk Convertible. The same powder loaded at the 4.0 gr level behind a #68 SWC makes a super target load for the convertible .45 ACP cylinder as well as in the 1911's and 625's I shoot.

Dale53

Now I can try them in my very own 625! :Fire: Sorry Dale, I was all busy today getting ready for a work trip to KS tomorrow. With the snow I didnt get a chance to drop it off.

[Dale53]

ddeaton;
That's all right. I was sticking pins in an effigy of ddeaton, this evening. If your joints start aching, you'll know why...:kidding:

Dale53