Hogdon Tite Group--for 38-357

[charles64]

I have always used Unique but have been out of the reloading game for several years. After retirement I decided to start reloading again
so I could move back up from 22 to 38&357.
The local shop had a good supply of Hogdon powers but no Unique so I tried some of their Tite Group and so far have been pleased the only problem I have found is that with light loads about 3.5 gr with 158gr. HBWC (800 fps) the quanity of powder is so small, that I seem to detect a difference in the muzzle blast from time to time. If I hold the pistol up then lower it slowly to the firing position the muzzle blast seems to be the consisant. Is the problem not enough power for even ignition at low loads? Who has tried the Tite Group what is your openion of it?

 

[charles64]

I have always used Unique but have been out of the reloading game for several years. After retirement I decided to start reloading again
so I could move back up from 22 to 38&357.
The local shop had a good supply of Hogdon powers but no Unique so I tried some of their Tite Group and so far have been pleased the only problem I have found is that with light loads about 3.5 gr with 158gr. HBWC (800 fps) the quanity of powder is so small, that I seem to detect a difference in the muzzle blast from time to time. If I hold the pistol up then lower it slowly to the firing position the muzzle blast seems to be the consisant. Is the problem not enough power for even ignition at low loads? Who has tried the Tite Group what is your openion of it?

 

[2000Z-71]

I've used it for my cowboy loads in .44 Magnum and .45 Colt and have been happy with it. It does burn cleaner than Unique. I have not used loads near that light, so I can't give an opinion there You also might want to check out Hodgdon Universal Clays, its burn rate is very close to Unique.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Charles,
I have used Titegroup in loads like you have stated. One characteristic of it is that it is supposed to be position insensitive. I have never noticed it being position sensitive even in light loads like you are loading. What does the data say is the minimum load for your bullet type? Are you below it? If so, that is a no-no and may be the reason for your problem.

Check the data.

p.s. Personally, I don't like Titegroup for one of the reasons you mentioned, case fill. With the recommended loads there is still a lot of room in the case. Easily enough to even put a triple charge in there let alone a double!

 

[VonFatman]

I use this as my standard/go-to range load...VERY accurate and what I'd call a mid-warm .357 load.

125gr. Win JHP
7.0gr. TiteGroup
Win Primer
Mixed Brass
OAL: 1.573
FPS: 1,100
-Used Model 28-2 w/6" (my standard .357 range load)

 

[Tom C]

I use Titegroup for my cowboyloads, but use Universal Clays for somewhat heavier loads.

 

[m657]

I have migrated to Tite Group for 38/357 medium to heavier loads with very good results. I don't care for it in that the volume amount is VERY small compared to such as Trail Boss.

And after using it all these years, it STILL smells funny to me.

It does work very good on the target, and meters very well in the 650. My buddy on the State Sheriff's champion squad, reports they all use it exclusively.

I'm taking a 9mm out today to give it a try in the upper range of the mfg. published data. Report to follow.

 

[Kirmdog]

I have been using Titegroup this last year with the .38 Special. Shooting galary courses in Bullseye competion with the Remington 148 gr. HBWC and 2.7gr. of Titegroup, Remington small pistol primer and Remington brass out of a S&W Mod. 14. I have never noticed anything different from shot to shot and I've been getting great groups with this combo and it's a lot lighter than your 3.5 load. From time to time I also shoot this Titegroup load with a 158 gr. cast SWC in place of the 148 gr. HBWC in competion with the same good results. It's also a lot cleaner than my old 2.7 grains of Bullseye load!

Kirmdog

 

[roundgunner]

I useTitegroup in a 38+P+ load for idpa.
158 RN cast over 4.0 TG thousands of times.
158 RN plated berrys 4.2 TG thousands of times
I use it with all my handguns now 380, 38, 357, 40, 44, 45.
It is cheap and clean and I’m getting close to have used 20 pounds so far. Pm me if you want more load data.

 

[new cal shooter]

If anyone has used REX II powder, almost exact data as Tite group, but a few $ cheaper..

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I have used 3.8 grains of Titegroup under a 158 LSWC for thousands of loads. Makes for a great lower level load for my lightweight shooting.

 

[Landric]

I haven't tried Titegroup for .38 Special, mostly because I have about 8 pounds of HS-6 and I've found the perfect IDPA (and practice) load for me in .38 Special involves a 158 grain cast bullet and HS-6. Once the HS-6 runs out I might give Titegroup a try in .38 Special.

I recently chronographed some .45ACP 200 grain RNFP and .44 Russian 240 grain RNFP loads with Titegroup. I found it to be incredibly consistent, .45ACP had a six shot spread between 870.8 and 898.2 fps and a standard deviation of 10.74. .44 Russian has a six shot spread of 664.2 and 688.2 and a standard deviation of 8.13. 4.0 grains in .44 Russian and 5.0 grains in .45ACP. The .44 Russian was fired out of a S&W 21-4 4" and the .45 ACP out of a S&W M&P45 4 1/2".

 

[nitesite]

The starting load published by Hodgdon for 158-gr LSWC and .357 Magnum case is 4.6-grains of Titegroup. I used Fed 100 primers.

Using that charge and a swaged 158-gr LSWC my loads clock almost exactly 900-fps from a 4"686 and the SD is single digits.

Makes a fun round for shooting when you want to go .38 Special +P plus a little more, and it's very accurate in three of my revolvers.

 

[tommy F]

I switched to titegroup from 231 for 38 & 45s. I have tested 3.2 over 160 SWC, RN and TC with excelen results. Tested in scoped Marlin Lever action also and shot .800" groups. The 45 auto and revolver loads are good shooters also.

Tommy

 

[Charliee]

I use 3.2 gr of titegroup behind a 158 gr cast swc. Its my range load for all my 38 shooting.
It does quite well but I am considering bumping the charge up a little just to see what happens. I like Titegroup and also load it in my 40 cal loads. Its great for target loads.

 

[Saggitar]

My 357 is a 686 Plus (7 Shot) 3" BBl Smith & Wesson.
After experimenting with various loads by Bullseye, Universal, 2400, HP38, & Tightgroup, I setteled on Tightgroup for my 125gr-JHP load with 7grains. This is about a middle load pushing around 1450 coming out of a 10" BBL. Coming out of my 3" BBl im not quite sure. I get consistant shots & very managable recoil out of this load. It's the one I use for the HOME & the load I always practice with.

 

[charles64]

Thanks for all the responce. After reading all the responce. I started checking my equipment and my loading procedure.
THE PROBLEM WAS OPERATOR ERROR. + EQUIPMENT DAMAGE
In moving and storing (my old # 55 Ideal power measurer had gotten damaged) (the top bar was closed more than the bottom bar)(THE SCREW SETTINGS ARE DESIGNED TO PREVENT THIS) THEY HAD BEEN DAMAGED. When I reduced the load I was closing the top adjustment more than the bottom thus creating a void that sometimes did not fill. I adjusted the load and weighed after each adjustment until I reached 3.5 gr But I failed to check every 5th or 6th load with the scales as I had in the pass. So I was getting different loads of power. I repaired the damage and now verify every 5th power drop with the scales and every thing is right on. Good thing I didn't break the # 1 rule start light and work up with a new load, and always try my new loads in my model 27.

 

[mnhntr]

i like my Tightgroup loads for 38+P. Have had good results so far with this combo. 140gr Sierra JHC, 4.5gr TG and a CCI 500 primer.