i only reload handgun ammo at this time and for economic reasons i have chosen my powders based on using them for several different calibers and loads. i am currently loading 9mm, 38 spec, 357 mag, 44 spec, 44 mag, 45 colt and 500 mag. the powders i am using are win 231, lil gun and titegroup. i have loaded several hundred rounds with the tg and now i'm reading that this may be harmful to my guns. the hottest loads of tg are of course in the 500 mag. i do shoot a lot in 357 and 44 mag too with this powder. so should i dismantle all of the rounds i have done to save my guns or what?????

What.
Loaded rounds per published tables are designed to be safe, provided proper loading precedures are followed.
Creativity is not encouraged in beginning loading.

That's the only powder I have used in my S&W M&P 40. And that gun has well over 5000 rounds fly through it. I don't load my ammo to max.

Just what is Tight Group supposed to harm?

I don't think you have to break your TG loads. I've loaded and shot dozens of thousands of TG rounds; it is one of the most popular powders in my club. Noone has any complains about it.

AFAIK, TG shines for minor power factor loads in 38 spl, 357mag and 9mm. Magnums could very well be different, but why would anyone use a fast powder in magnum loads? Not that it's unsafe or harmful, just wrong choice of powder.

Mike

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9x19, 9x29R, 9x33R, 10x22

my info for the harmfullness of TG comes from just a few posts up on the "reloading" list titled "titegroup questions" by emerson. some of the posters have had problems from flame cutting on their guns and i did not want to suffer the same fate so i thought i'd ask. i'm still learning guys, take it easy.

Criticisms aimed at various powders often come from people who try to make one powder do everything, or use powders at the limits of their usefulness. Sometimes it is just plain personal prejudice or preference, if you wish. I've tried lilgun in .357 and plan to use the rest of it to load .410 shotgun, for example.
For all the calibers you listed except 500 mag (which I don't have), I could make all my desired handloads with just 231 and 296 on hand. I would never tell you that is what you should do.
I would point out the 231 and titegroup are very similar, and if you are trying to limit your powder stock, you could drop one.

Works great in my 357 and my 45ACP. The only complaint was from a buddy who said every time he shot it he could feel the heat. It's relatively clean and meters extremely well in the equipment that I have.

I had troubel with TG in 9mm using cast bullets. Switched to 231 and the problem went away. Used the TG in .45 ACP without any problem. I found Clays to be lighter recoiling and cleaner, so I have switched to it. Nothing really wrong with TG. Lots of folke prefer it.

I've heard the flame cutting thing a few times but haven't seen anything to truely back it up. Folks say that it burns really hot and that creates a flame cutting issue, show me.

Bill

All powders go bang in all cartridges. IMO, using TG for anything but light target loads is asking for trouble. It has a very narrow load range, burns very hot & has a very small volumn charge. In a large case, it's asking for double charges. It's only real advantage, it's cheap. Not for me, the powder is the cheapest part of a handload today, so why go there. I load for performance & there are several other powders w/ the same burn rate & almost twice the loft. Pushing TG to get higer vel. is madness. To each his own, but that IMO.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I agree with several of the above.Every powder has a narrow range (some more than others).Most of the problems I see are when someone tries to make a powder "versatile" by using it in a capacity where it's not suitable.Choose a suitable powder for the job.

I've had no problems using TG, but I might rethink using Lil' Gun in the boomers.

Issues with Lil' Gun?

Never loaded Tite Group in a revolver cartridge, but I've been through thousands of rounds of it in 9mm and .40 S&W with very good performance. It has low flash signature in the dark and is not case position sensitive, and when compared to many powders you can load more rounds per pound . . . seems to me if you are a competent reloader double loading should not be an issue.