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08-23-2014, 11:46 PM
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Test Load Increments
I picked up a 14 oz container of Tite Wad a few days ago, based on its closeness to 'burning rate' of Bullseye. No data on it for 158 gr LSWC 38sp or 357. Did find data for 45ACP, so am going to use it for that. For 185 gr LSWC, starting load is 3.5gr and max load is 4.2 gr. I loaded test rounds going up 0.1gr per step (i.e. 3.5, 3.6, etc) to the max.
My questions are: 1) Am I being overly conservative? 2)Is there a general rule of thumb for increasing the charge of test loads in pistol cartridges?
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08-24-2014, 12:20 AM
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I increment my pistol loads by 0.1 grain.
Knowing that the burn rate of Titewad was similar to Bullseye would not provide me with enough information to base test loads. I'd leave the Titewad on the shelf until I had much better information... just me.
Will
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08-24-2014, 12:26 AM
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Up until recently Hodgdon recommended against using Titewad for any handgun applications. If Hodgdon does not provide load data for Titewad in a cartridge DO NOT USE IT! (IMHO of course) I think the only data Hodgdon is supplying is for the 9mm and 45 Auto.
I would not be using it in the 38/357 and if you doubt that contact Hodgdon and ask them personally.
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08-24-2014, 12:36 AM
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I go up....
I go up .2 at a time.
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08-24-2014, 01:03 AM
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TW isn't my first choice for pistol powder, in fact, it may rank underneath cannon powder. Your load range here is only .7 grains. If you figure for variance in thrown charges, you have a tricky load to keep regulated here.
It's best treated as a pure light target shotgun propellant. And I found it lackluster for that as well.
That said, you have data.
It would not be unreasonable to increment by .1, nor would it be unreasonable to weigh each charge, given the nature of that data.
Given the process and economical loading here, it may last till proper powders become more available.
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08-24-2014, 01:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skrazo
I picked up a 14 oz container of Tite Wad a few days ago, based on its closeness to 'burning rate' of Bullseye. No data on it for 158 gr LSWC 38sp or 357. Did find data for 45ACP, so am going to use it for that. For 185 gr LSWC, starting load is 3.5gr and max load is 4.2 gr. I loaded test rounds going up 0.1gr per step (i.e. 3.5, 3.6, etc) to the max.
My questions are: 1) Am I being overly conservative? Too conservative in not using it for other pistol loads without manufacturer's data? No. Too conservative in using 0.1gr increments? Probably. 2)Is there a general rule of thumb for increasing the charge of test loads in pistol cartridges?
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I'd hand weigh each test round, but use 0.2gr increments mainly because the PMs I'll use later are "accurate" +/-0.1gr.
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08-24-2014, 04:54 AM
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Hodgdon is slowly, very slowly, providing data for Titewad in handgun
cartridges. I spoke to a Hodgdon rep on the phone who told me he was
trying to get their ballisticians to test TW in a variety of cartridges but
they were very busy. Information on other forums indicate that those
who feel comfortable working up loads are using TW in several of the
smaller cased handgun rounds. I wanted to use it in the 38 spl for
light plinking loads so I treated it like Clays. I started with 2.5 grs
under a cast 158 gr RN and worked up .1 gr at a time and stopped at
3.0 grs. 3.0 grs chronographed 765 fps with a 158 gr RN with only
10 fps ES and very clean burning out of my 4" md 10-5 and I called
that good enough for now.
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08-24-2014, 08:07 AM
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I usually use .2 gr. increments when I work up a load. When I find a spot that looks promising, then I will load charges .1 gr. higher & lower to find the "sweet spot" for that load. I seldom ever get to the max load on any cartridge, but once in a while that's where the "sweet spot" is, but not often.
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08-24-2014, 11:41 AM
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Titewad isn't my choice for powder........period. I only bought it because there is no pistol powder to be found in these parts. I will only use it for calibers that are endorsed by Hodgdon. After thinking about it, I probably will not test fire the max load. Hopefully, something in mid-range will make my 1911's cycle nicely. Thanks for the replies so far.
P.S. I hand weighed all the charges, but once a good load is found, I'll calibrate my RCBS powder measure for that.
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08-24-2014, 12:04 PM
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I also load my test rounds in .2 increments.
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08-24-2014, 04:41 PM
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Wow, why is......
Why is Titewad so unsuitable for handgun powder??? What is it people don't like about it?
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08-24-2014, 05:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwsmith
Why is Titewad so unsuitable for handgun powder??? What is it people don't like about it?
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Faster than Bullseye and a narrow loading range within pressure specs.
Very small charges. Sort of like Titegroup problems squared.
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08-24-2014, 07:16 PM
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I fired the test rounds today. All went fine. Probably will settle on 3.8 gr, 185 LSWC.
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08-24-2014, 10:16 PM
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It's powder & case volume dependent. In small volume cases with fast & überfast powders, 1/10gr increments are very prudent. With medium burners, 2/10gr usually works fine. Larger cases, slower powders, 3/10gr works for me.
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08-25-2014, 02:11 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwsmith
Why is Titewad so unsuitable for handgun powder??? What is it people don't like about it?
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I don't think there's anything wrong with it that isn't "wrong"
with several other fast burners like 700X, Red dot, Clays and
Bullseye. Very fast burn, quick pressure build up, small charge
weights with a narrow range. Many handloaders just seem
intimidated by powders with these characteristics. But many
just are not going to use any loads that are not in a loading
manual and if that's how they feel then they shouldn't. TW
data will be forthcoming, in time.
Last edited by alwslate; 08-26-2014 at 05:53 AM.
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08-25-2014, 05:49 PM
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What are good accurate powders...
What are good accurate powders that don't take tiny charges? With Titegroup I feel like I'm just covering the primer hole.
All I can say about double charges is that you gotta be really careful to make sure this doesn't happen. Some people are only comfortable when a double charge spills out of the case.
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08-25-2014, 08:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwsmith
What are good accurate powders that don't take tiny charges? With Titegroup I feel like I'm just covering the primer hole.
All I can say about double charges is that you gotta be really careful to make sure this doesn't happen. Some people are only comfortable when a double charge spills out of the case.
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I am fine with a powder that fills just under 1/2 the case. Then a dbl may not spill out, but easily fills the case. WST & Red Dot are close in burn rate to TG, both have about 1.5x the volume & a lot less heat. I am sure there are others. TrailBoss is what I like in my magnum cases with light loads, fills 1/2 the case or more, but I used a ton of RedDot in CAS years ago. It was my go to light powder load in big cases.
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08-25-2014, 10:27 PM
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I use 0.1gr increments when developing a new load. Since I mainly load 9mm pistol loads there usually isn't a very wide spread from min to max. I usually only load 10 or so of each, then after I find what part of the range my gun likes, then I'll load around 50 of 3 different weights in the "sweet spot" vicinity. Since I shoot action pistol, I then run the 3 different loads through a timed stage to see which one I like better. (balance between speed and accuracy). I never shoot standing still looking at a bullseye so developing my load that way doesn't make much sense to me. I've had loads that were more accurate in a static situation, but not so good when transitioning between targets. That was an eye opener.
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