Anyone use Titegroup for .45acp loads?

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imq707s

New member
I've decided that I want to start reloading rounds for my 1911, in addition to the .223 and .308 that I've done for years. I went to the local gunshop and one of the guys there suggested that I try Titegroup powder. He said it burned very clean, and a lot of people seemed to really like it. He also suggested CCI 300 LP primers. I also picked up a pack of Winchester 230gr FMJ bullets and some brass.

So now I have all the supplys.....but I need a good place to start for some light plinking loads. I did a little searching on the forums and from what I can see, I should start out at around 4.3gr of TG, and an OAL around 1.550"-1.70" OAL. These will just be plinking rounds....the less recoil the better, as long as they run ok in the gun.

Is my "starting load" pretty close to where it should be? Is the TG a good powder?

Any info would be great....this is the first time I've ever reloaded pistol ammo. Kind of hard to pass up when you can reload it for half the price of the WWB ammo (or less).
 
Yep. 5.4 grains under a 200gr. LSWC works just fine in my SA Loaded. You'll want to work up some loads that have enough ooomph to cycle your 1911, so I'd recommend working up several loads and taking notes. I ended up having to pull the bullets out of about 20 rounds that I had loaded just a tad too light to fully cycle my pistol. Also, the OAL for my gun with the above mentioned bullet is 1.245", quite a bit shy of the spec OAL for this round. Anything longer would not feed for me. TG is a great powder. Good luck.
 
I am using 5gr of titegroup behind a 200gr Rainer FP. Titegroup is very clean burning. That was one of the reason the 700x and Bullseye can are collecting dust on my powder shelf.

With your load you are under the recomended starting load on the hodgdon web site at 4.4gr. My Sierra manual list 4.5gr as the low and 5.2gr as the max. I would bump your load up a little, to right around 4.7 or 5 gr. My sierra manual list the 5.2gr load as the most accurate. You do not have much of a window with the 230gr. I like using the 200gr bullet as they are a little cheaper than the 230gr and they tend to reduce recoil a little over the 230gr.


If you do not have any reloading manuals for pistol loads, I would encourage you to STOP and get some first.

I have added two pages from my Sierra 5th Edition manual. For you or anyone else. Hope this helps you out a little.
 

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So now I have all the supplys.....but I need a good place to start for some light plinking loads. I did a little searching on the forums and from what I can see, I should start out at around 4.3gr of TG, and an OAL around 1.550"-1.70" OAL.
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WHOA THERE, FELLA! Did you typo or is that an actual published OAL? That is extremely long. My guns run best at 1.240" to 1.230". That's 3/10 of an inch shorter than your claim. I don't see the bullet being able to seat...

TiteGroup is a good powder. The two gripes, albiet small, is it feels a bit more abrupt on recoil compared to HP38. Also, it doesn't fill the case very well AT ALL. Be careful not to double charge...
 
I've been using the Titegroup powder in my 1911, works very well for me. I use 4.8gr with a 200gr bullet for target and it works quite well in my 5" Kimber.
 
I had the best experience with 4.5 gr and 200 gr LSWC in Kimber classic custom. It's really light load, but still cycles the gun and is very accurate. Most people at the range think that I'm shooting 22's
 
Tuttle8 said "WHOA THERE, FELLA! Did you typo or is that an actual published OAL? That is extremely long. My guns run best at 1.240" to 1.230". That's 3/10 of an inch shorter than your claim. I don't see the bullet being able to seat..."

I agree. I took a look in 3 of my reloading manauls and here's what I saw:

Hornady 7th Ed'n says their .45, 230 gr round has a COL of 1.230 in. for all of their 230's, but their FMJ-FP ENC, and that one is 1.200 in.

Nosler 6th Ed'n only has one load - their .45 185 gr, their's has minimum COL of 1.190 and maximum COL of 1.275.

Speer says their .45, 230 gr (L-RN) round is 1.270 and their .45, 230 gr (GD-HP) is 1.200.

So, imq707s, you need to reconsider what you read. Your COL's (1.550"-1.70") for 230 gr .45 rounds are too long (probably wouldn't fit in the magazine, anyway)

If you're relying heavily on forums for your load data, put me in your will :)

You really need some manuals. Best to buy the one from the bullet maker for the bullet you're using. But if you're careful you can cross-reference.

Bobby
 
My manual says 4.4 min to 4.8gr max for TiteGroup and a 230gr bullet.

I would not go below the 4.4 Min on any load.

I like TiteGroup in all of my handgun loads .45acp, .44 mag, .357 mag, .38 spl, 9mm and .40 S&W . Its a good powder.
 
I've been using titegroup exclusively in my .45 and have had zero problems. 5.1 grains behind Speer 200 g LSWC.

I second (or third) all the comments about getting some reloading manuals. The internet is not reliable. Use the manufacturers data. I have the Hodgdon reloading manual and use it for my titegroup loads. You can pick those manuals up at your local reloading store or over the internet.
 
Titegroup with 200 LSWC and 230 LRN

I've been using the Titegroup with both the above lead rounds. It runs very cleanly compared to 700x or 800x, has slightly sharper recoil feeling to it. This is suitable, as both my 1911s have short barrels (3.5" Springfield Ultra Compact Carry and RIA MS Commander 4.25"), so the faster powder burns more of it behind the bullet and less out the end of the barrel. The 700x/800x always leaves unburned flakes everywhere (with all their loadings that I have tried), while there isn't any that I've seen from the Titegroup. These loadings come from Hodgdon's free manuals and Lee's 2nd Edition. The crimp came from experimenting with over 2000 rounds for the last 2 years: more crimp makes no improvement (but works the brass) and less can make for wider groups and occasional feed jams in the tight Springfield's chambering area (the RIA has about .080" longer feed area length than my Springfield Ultra Compact Carry model of 1980-81).

It costs less by a stretch, using 4.5 to 5.1g of it. For 4.5-4.6g I run the 200 LSWC at 1.235"-1.250" OAL and 1/4 turn of crimp on the die, and for the 230 LRN OAL is 1.250"-1.260" instead.

I just bought my first 185 LSWC bullets: it will be interesting to see how they do?
 
Never tried TG in 45ACP , but it's my new reliable go to powder for shooting heavy 147 gr subsonic 9mm through my Uzi. I love WST for 45acp , but always looking for a good secondary substitute, might just give TG a try.
 
My manual says 4.4 min to 4.8gr max for TiteGroup and a 230gr bullet.

I would not go below the 4.4 Min on any load.
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I currently load 3.5 grains of Titegroup for 185gr HPLSWC, 200gr LSWC and 230gr ball. I have gone down as low as 3.2 grains with success. But, when you get down around these light of loads, Titegroup is no longer as clean burning. This is in a 1911 with a 12# recoil spring.
 
HmanK2,

Welcome to the forum.

I would like to suggest that, rather than revivify a 10-year-old thread (aka, a zombie thread), it would be better to start a new thread on the same general topic. The reasons are, most of the original posters of a thread this age have left the board and won't see your addition, sometimes old data has since been revised by the manufacturers, plus you will encourage more new contributions with a new thread (a psychological effect).

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So it's a zombie thread lol. Fine with me.

Titegroup fan here too - way cleaner than bullseye.
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So Grey Lion; Bullseye is your baseline for clean burning propellants? :D Just giving your a hard time my friend. I'm easily amused :p.

And yes, TG generally runs clean. When you turn it way down (oddly, rather easy to do in 38 Special, btw), it'll start to leave behind partially spent flakes and get sooty. But all in all, it's a clean burner.

I purchased 4#'s of TG untested. My intent was for lead target 38 Special ammo and the like and it disappointed there. But I did find that it really shined with plated "range level" shooting ammo. I think it runs too hot for lead (just my experience), but with plated bullets, it's great stuff. Economical too (not that I choose propellants based on economy).

Of particular mention is 115gn/9mm; 125gn/38Spl; and 200gn 45ACP. Many others as well. I made boatloads of 148 plated DEWC's with it too.

If your intent is to make a bunch of basic ammo to shoot at the range, TiteGroup is hard to beat.

But I exhausted my supply of TG and chose not to buy any more. Good ol' W231 is still my go-to. Makes all the great plated ammo like TG, but runs cooler and is thus better suited for lead.

That's my brief story with TiteGroup. Great stuff. Just not well suite for me.
 
TightGroup burns hot. You can have leading issues if you are shooting lead bullets.

I rarely use TG in anything other than lightly loaded 9mm FMJ. For 45 I like Unique, WSF, Blue Dot, and recently CFEpistol.
 
I use tightgroup with 200 gr LSWC and my Lyman manual says the OAL should be 1.178". You should check several reloading manuals to double check for OAL.
 
Old thread I see, but I’ll chime in anyway.

I reload 9mm and 45acp only. I use 4.6 gr of TG with 230gr FMJ @ 1.230 and shoot them exclusively in 1911’s. I have no functionality or accuracy issues in any of the 9-10 high end pistols they’re used in.
 
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