Tight group loads for 9mm core

[bolewine]

Hi all,
Looking for some light loads using tight group and 125gr LRN I will be using them for steel out of my M&P CORE 5" with magna porting any help would be great.

 

[OKFC05]

Lead bullets with Magna Port usually tend to lead.
Would prefer FMJ with titegroup and ports.
Data are online at Hodgdon Reloading | Home

 

[bolewine]

Funny thing I asked if any one has a LIGHT load for a round nose lead bullet, and I get a totally different answer! I don't know how much you shoot,but my shooting habits prohibit me from using fmj bullets WAY too expensive! The load data at Hodgdon is for a 124 flat nose lead. I have also talked to the fine folks at magna port and they seem to have a very different opinion about leading. But thank you for your input.

 

[Mushki]

I gave up on tight group with lead bullets after about three pounds of it, it was just too smokey for my liking. As I remember ousted a near starting weight charge seat about .010" off of the lands.

 

[tlshores]

TiteGroup will work fine for lite loads with the 125 gr. bullets. I use it in my 9mm with 147 JHPs. With a heavier jacketed bullet the Hodgdon manual lists 3.6 as the max load producing about 900 fps. With a lighter lead bullet I'm guessing somewhere around 3.8 - 4.0 grains power, but again, that's just a guess and should not be loaded without checking someones published data.
One thing that is certain,... TiteGroup heats up your gun in a hurry and with a lead bullet will smoke like a steam engine. In competition I didn't notice it that much but when I looked at the videos, WOW.

 

[bolewine]

Ya I know it's smokey I use it in my .38/357 hunting loads, but I have 3lbs and can't get 231 or hp-38 just can't find them! I have been told that those two powders won't be available till next year something with equipment used in manufacturing. So here I am with tight group and a very heavy shooting schedule gotta make it work.

 

[gm272gs]

Hodgdon shows a 125gr. LCN with TiteGroup. That's pretty darned close to LRN, but If Hodgdon doesn't have the data you need, then look up data on the projectile. You don't say that you cast your own bullets, so the bullet manufacturer should have data.

 

[Rule3]

Funny thing I asked if any one has a LIGHT load for a round nose lead bullet, and I get a totally different answer! I don't know how much you shoot,but my shooting habits prohibit me from using fmj bullets WAY too expensive! The load data at Hodgdon is for a 124 flat nose lead. I have also talked to the fine folks at magna port and they seem to have a very different opinion about leading. But thank you for your input.

Actually the Hodgon data is for a 125 grain lead bullet ( different nose LCN, but the weight is the same) The is a very small "window" between min and max so use the start load for a "light load. If you go below that then you will just have problems.

 

[Bkreutz]

Ya I know it's smokey I use it in my .38/357 hunting loads, but I have 3lbs and can't get 231 or hp-38 just can't find them! I have been told that those two powders won't be available till next year something with equipment used in manufacturing. So here I am with tight group and a very heavy shooting schedule gotta make it work.

You might contact your local USPSA club and see if someone will trade powders with you. Titegroup is used by a lot of major power shooters. I just traded some Titegroup I had sitting around for W231 a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't happy with the way Titegroup worked in my Core. But the guy I traded with prefers it. (I haven't seen 231 for a year).

 

[Nevada Ed]

With only 94 fps between the starting and maximum powder charge........................


I would be looking for another powder...............

That seems like a very small "Window" for a lead bullet, that usually have a lot of leeway.

If you have to use it, stay safe.

 

[MyDads38]

Ya I know it's smokey I use it in my .38/357 hunting loads, but I have 3lbs and can't get 231 or hp-38 just can't find them! I have been told that those two powders won't be available till next year something with equipment used in manufacturing. So here I am with tight group and a very heavy shooting schedule gotta make it work.

I just picked up 3 lbs. of TiteGroup myself, because no one can get any Bullseye, 231/HP-38 in this area. This was the first pistol powder anyone has gotten in stock since last fall!

So I checked reviews and looked at the loading data on the Hodgdon website and decided to give it a try. I, too only load cast bullets in my 3 pistol calibers-38, 9mm & 45 auto. TG seems to have a very small window, from min to max, usually .5 grains or less and this concerned me. Will have to see how it meters through a measure; with a variation of +/- .1 grain, doesn't give you much of a margin of safety!

Good luck, I hope it works out for both of us. I don't shoot competition, so I don't have to worry about power factors; just if it shoots/functions in my gun. As a side note, I also picked up 2 lbs. 700X and a pound of CFE Pistol to try. Red Dot has filled the void for Bullseye to this point. Will see how these other powders work out.

 

[bolewine]

Just picked up 2lbs autocomp gonna give that a try?

 

[Bkreutz]

Just picked up 2lbs autocomp gonna give that a try?

I like Autocomp (a lot). I find that the lower part of the load range works the best for me (accuracy and comfort). Wish I could find more, I have a bunch on backorder (whatever that means )

 

[Rule3]

Just picked up 2lbs autocomp gonna give that a try?

Way much mo better for 9mm than Tite Boom!

 

[OKFC05]

I have also talked to the fine folks at magna port and they seem to have a very different opinion about leading.

But did you ask about using low pressure titegroup loads below the recommended minimum with lead bullets through their ports?
Or just assume I don't know whereof I speak and give a dismissive response?

Autocomp is a much better choice for your application.

 

[gwpercle]

The Lyman #4 Cast Bullet Handbook shows the following for Tightgroup ( Tightgroup is shown as faster than Bullseye so there is not a lot of wiggle room) and a 125 cast lead bullet:

starting load - 3.4 grains @ 987 fps

maximum load - 3.8 grains @ 1103 fps
That's about it. hope this is a help.
Gary

 

[roundgunner]

I use 3.5 TG with a LEE 125gr. No problems so far but unlike some here I like TG.

 

[tlshores]

Ya I know it's smokey I use it in my .38/357 hunting loads, but I have 3lbs and can't get 231 or hp-38 just can't find them! I have been told that those two powders won't be available till next year something with equipment used in manufacturing. So here I am with tight group and a very heavy shooting schedule gotta make it work.

If it's what you have, use it. I have 8 lbs of it so I get your point. Titegroup is a fine powder and produces very good accuracy. It does, however, require some extra care.
The chemical formula packs a lot of energy in a small volume. Therefore, you have to be very careful not to double charge a case. Most powders would overflow the case making this condition more obvious, but 2X Titegroup will fit in even a 9mm case. The result is not a happy ending.
Because it requires relatively small charges, it also has a narrow window between max and min. Zero your scales and check the weights often.
Even with an appropriate charge, you have to be careful that the bullet is secure and not subject to set back while being chambered.
As long as you respect the potential issues, it will perform well for you.

 

[fxdc]

Don't waste that auto comp on lite steel loads.... It is great MAJOR 9 powder unlike Tite group... Not sure of your guns recoil spring weight??

My guns is a core w/KKM 5" compensated barrel, 12lb spring.
My OAL 1.160
Mixed brass
Wsp primers
X-treme plated RN bullets

3.5grs Tite Group
115gr avg 958fps
124gr avg 968fps
These are my steel loads....

Autocomp w/124gr these are MAJOR 9 loads!!!!

7.0grs avg 1352
Hi 1384
Low 1321

7.2grs avg 1410
Hi 1450
Low 1380

I am going to lock in at 7.1 and call it Good.

Load plated bullets like you would for lead... And buy a chrono, and watch for pressuresigns!!!!

Oh and for the heck if it ...
124gr with 5.2 of Tite group
Avg 1244
Hi 1266
Low 1232

All these above showed NO PRESSURE SIGNS.
And all loads chrono'd 5-30-2014

 

[roundgunner]

Don't waste that auto comp on lite steel loads.... It is great MAJOR 9 powder unlike Tite group... Not sure of your guns recoil spring weight??

My guns is a core w/KKM 5" compensated barrel, 12lb spring.
My OAL 1.160
Mixed brass
Wsp primers
X-treme plated RN bullets

3.5grs Tite Group
115gr avg 958fps
124gr avg 968fps
These are my steel loads....

Autocomp w/124gr these are MAJOR 9 loads!!!!

7.0grs avg 1352
Hi 1384
Low 1321

7.2grs avg 1410
Hi 1450
Low 1380

I am going to lock in at 7.1 and call it Good.

Load plated bullets like you would for lead... And buy a chrono, and watch for pressuresigns!!!!

Oh and for the heck if it ...
124gr with 5.2 of Tite group
Avg 1244
Hi 1266
Low 1232

All these above showed NO PRESSURE SIGNS.
And all loads chrono'd 5-30-2014

Wow that seems pretty hot.