Pistol powder supply

[Rangerrich99]

Originally Posted by jimbob86

It meters poorly and double charges are easily possible. If you factor in the cost of guns and ER visits, it's not really very cost effective to try to save money on the cheapest component of pistol reloading by using high energy low volume powders.

This depends. I've personally never had a double charge or serious problems with metering using TG and I've been using the stuff for about a decade, to the tune of over 9,000+ rounds loaded and fired. Generally it meters to about +/- 0.2 grains out of my crappy Lee powder measure. About the same as CFEPistol as a matter of fact.

But I do agree that care must be taken when using TG; you definitely don't want to get overconfident when using the stuff. But with reasonable caution it's a good powder for the applications listed above.

[huntinaz]

Titegroup is awesome. Meters great and is accurate. Risk of a double charge is the same as the rest of the fast low-volume powders (it’s not the only popular one).

[totaldla]

Titegroup is the color of case soot. The absolute best powder for double charges.

[Nick_C_S]

It (TiteGroup) meters poorly and double charges are easily possible.

TiteGroup is a dense, fine powder. The two most important characteristics for consistent metering. TiteGroup meters excellent - way above average. One of the best.

As for double-charges: I load - by far - more 38 Special than any other chambering. Nobody is more atune to the dreaded double-charge than a 38 Special loader (tall case, small charges - most every recipe has double-charge potential). In the case of TiteGroup, some of my 38 target loads have such little powder volume that FIVE charges can fit in the case. Yes, TG takes up very little space (because it's so dense and potent).

Speaking only for myself, the fear of a double-charge is no reason to not use a specific propellant. If you load 38 Special and fear a double charge, that would mean all your ammunition would be with Trail Boss. I check my case fills before bullet placement. I consider it the most important step of safe loading. So I've never understood the logic of power selection based on double-charge potential.

[zxcvbob]

I hate Titegroup, perhaps because 99% of the time I shoot lead bullets. But poor metering is not one of its problems. It's smokey, heats the gun up way too quickly, and you can't see the powder in the case because it doesn't take up much room and it's soot colored. It does meter well though, and it's cheap to use.

TG is probably okay in 9mm and .45 ACP, especially with jacketed bullets. I would definitely avoid it in .38 Special because a double charge looks just like a regular charge in the deep cases.

Stock up on Bullseye or Green Dot. Unique is good too, it's just kinda dirty. AA#5 should be good, but I've never tried it.

WSF is a great powder, but there's not much load data for it for some reason.

[FITASC]

Quote:
I've had good results with Titegroup, and like they say -"A little goes a long way" You'll get about 20% more loads.
It meters poorly and double charges are easily possible. If you factor in the cost of guns and ER visits, it's not really very cost effective to try to save money on the cheapest component of pistol reloading by using high energy low volume powders.

I have never had any issues with TG through my RCBS powder measure; works great for 9, 38, 32swl, 45

[5whiskey]

As some have said, whatever powder suits your needs, is currently plentiful, and economical. Powder doesn’t seem to have taken the supply hit that primers have... yet. It’s coming though. Grafs still has a decent selection. Also, for your listed calibers there is a ton of overlap. 700x will give excellent velocity and economy in 45acp and 38 spl. It is serviceable in 9mm as well, though you won’t realize the full velocity potential of the cartridge using that powder. There are other plenty of powders too. Clays, universal, W231, TG... the world is your oyster only worrying about those 3 calibers. HS6 will work in a pinch, but won’t be optimal in 45 or 38 unless you load +p+. Other powders out there as well. I lean toward fast for caliber powder in standard pistol, largely due to economy. 700x is still $18 for a 14 ounce can (and in stock) at grafs as of today, and that will load nearly 1500 rounds of 9mm (1200 of 45). That’s about 1.2 pennies per round in powder for 9mm, and under 1.5 for .45.

[Kram]

Don't buy W231! It's horrible powder! Wretched stuff! Not even good for the flower beds. You'll hate it. If you already have some, send it to me for proper disposal. You're welcome

lol now you tell me. I bought 2 pounds yesterday...

[jetinteriorguy]

TG is great stuff. Accuracy is good, meters like a champ, and is economical to use. It does tend to run hot so plated, coated, or jacketed bullets are best. And if your loading regimen is good a double charge shouldn’t be a problem. I got rid of all of mine after I blew the top off my 627. Not sure about other powders and their behavior with a double charge, but TG is definitely not very forgiving. Luckily no one was hurt other than a scratch on my forehead. I’m not going to go into a lengthy explanation, but it involve a progressive loader that I was having problems with and I did something stupid. I now load on an automatic turret press for pistol and use bulkier powders and have no more issues. It took 34 years for something like this to happen and boy was it an eye opener, I’ve tightened up my safety procedures to be triple sure of things now.

[greentick]

550B reloader. I've had 2 squibs in 26yrs of reloading (about a 6-7yr break in there). Thankfully, never a double charge. I have used TG and like it. After the squibs I changed my process (twice, relearned that one after the break). If something comes off the line I leave that spot empty or clear all processes. Nothing goes back on the line.

The Inline Fabrication skylight LED helps immensely as well.

[Wag]

Another big +1 for W231.

--Wag--

[jimbob86]

This depends. I've personally never had a double charge or serious problems with metering using TG and I've been using the stuff for about a decade, to the tune of over 9,000+ rounds loaded and fired. Generally it meters to about +/- 0.2 grains out of my crappy Lee powder measure.

+/- .2gr .....on a 9mm ..... load data separation from "Start Load" to "Do NOT Exceed Load" is .3gr ..... you are going to either be below the start or above the do not exceed, depending upon what you are shooting for, quite often, with that much error, and that tiny window..... whatever, it's your hand, and your gun. Blow 'em up if ya want to....

[Micro man]

Looks like W231 is crowd favorite, thanks for the input. I ordered some from Cabelas a week ago ( higher cost per pound but close enough I could pick it up and avoid hazmat fee) but 2 days later they canceled my order.
Found some @ Powder Valley ( lower cost per pound but had to pay hazmat and shipping). 4 pounds is supposed to be delivered on Saturday !

[Marco Califo]

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...inchester-1-lb
In stock and $16 Hazmat.

[Rangerrich99]

Originally Posted by jimbob86

+/- .2gr .....on a 9mm ..... load data separation from "Start Load" to "Do NOT Exceed Load" is .3gr ..... you are going to either be below the start or above the do not exceed, depending upon what you are shooting for, quite often, with that much error, and that tiny window..... whatever, it's your hand, and your gun. Blow 'em up if ya want to....

Nearly 10,000 of them loaded and fired and never had a single issue. But thanks for your concern, it's touching Of course, I figured out a long time ago that being 0.1 grains high or low is insignificant all other things being equal. Never going to get close to damaging a modern gun being off by a tenth.

Edit: So I just looked at Hodgdon's data on 9mm LRN (115 grain), which says: 3.9-4.3 grains of TG. I use 4.1 grains, decided on that load purposefully so that even with the 0.2 grains variance I'd be within limits either way.

The other one I use is for 124 grain, which Hodgdon's has at 3.6-4.1 grains. I use 3.9 grains.

[huntinaz]

I loaded around 10k 124gr LRN with titegroup as well. Great combo

It’s a wonder 3gr of bullseye under a 148gr wadcutter was ever able to become popular as it is without everyone loading their double charges and ruining good Smith and Wessons

It’s good to know your limitations although it’s hard to imagine some of you guys ever get anything loaded at all

[Whirlwind06]

BE-86 has become one of my favorites for 38 and 9mm 4.2 grains with 147 grain 9mm or 158. 38 works for me.
I think I bought it during the last shortage.

I currently have,
Bullseye
Be-86
Tight group
Herco
Unique
And American select

I haven't done anything with American select yet.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[5whiskey]

+/- .2gr .....on a 9mm ..... load data separation from "Start Load" to "Do NOT Exceed Load" is .3gr ..... you are going to either be below the start or above the do not exceed, depending upon what you are shooting for, quite often, with that much error, and that tiny window..... whatever, it's your hand, and your gun. Blow 'em up if ya want to....

As Rangerrich said, .1 grain over max in standard 9mm, shot out of a modern +p capable pistol, when the load previously tested safe is nothing to get panties in a bunch over. It’s certainly not gonna blow your hands off. Get real, we don’t reload Willy nilly here but no one that’s been around a minute is afraid of his own shadow either.

[SHR970]

That .3gr. max can easily be within differing components and still be well within 38+P load data. One simply has to work up with their own waepon.

Lets go to the other side of the spectrum. Hornady's MAX data for my 375 RUM is well below START data from AA / Western, Hodgdons / WIN, IMR. Do I consider their START DATA to be in HANG FIRE territory? I certainly question it as it is so far below the distrubutors data.

TG max means approach with due caution. Proper care taken means you may or may not find a great load. You will find a useable load but it may or may not be to your satisfaction. The joy of the previous shortages is that we have found loads that we wouldn't have even tried in normal circumstances.

[Nick_C_S]

BE-86 has become one of my favorites

I bought a # of BE-86 to work on some defense ammo with a flash suppressant. I made some 135 GDHP SB's for 38 and 357 and results were pretty good. I have since moved on to make other HP ammo; and all around, I am very pleased with it.

Flash suppressant aside, BE-86 seems to be in a good burn rate location. It's a little faster than Power Pistol; and that seems to be a sweet spot. It makes really good +P 38 Special ammo. I love the 125gn +P's I've made with it. Gonna make some more tomorrow.

I didn't intend to become fond of BE-86. I bought it just because I needed something flash suppressed. Yet, here I am really liking it too.