Titegroup or Bullseye for .45 bullseye load?

[Wayne02]

Maybe using a 200gr LSWC bullet?

As a practical matter, how much difference is there between these two powders in this appication?

If a person did not have either of these on hand and was to go out and purchase one of them for the above application, is one more versatile for use in other calibers/loads than the other? For example what about a load for .38 in a revolver for bullseye competition?

Thanks

 

[WILDCATT]

bullseye target

200 gr SWC bullseye 3.6 is my load,and is compeditive at 50 yds.
I seat to first band 1/2 and roll crimp.leaving about 1/32 lead exposed.

 

[Beans]

200 gr SWC bullseye 3.6 is my load,and is compeditive at 50 yds.
I seat to first band 1/2 and roll crimp.leaving about 1/32 lead exposed.

I am using 3.4 grains of Bullseye with a 200 Gr RNFP bullet in my .45 Autos and my 625. model of 1988, 5 inch barrel.

In My 625 model of 1988 I have been getting 1 inch or smaller groups off a rest at 15 yards regularly and I tested it yesterday at 42 yards and I was mostly getting sub 2 inch groups. The largest out of 10--- 6 shot groups was 2.2 inches

ONE 6 shot group was 1.25 inches. CTC, I wish I could do that all the time.

When using my 1911 on IDPA targets, (stock RIA with Kings Hard ball sights), It will keep all the shots in the -0 head scoring area out to 20 yards.
A Plus is the recoil is a soft push.

 

[socal s&w]

I tried both in 45acp, started with BE liked it, wanted to check out TG as I use that in 12 ga. It was not a good experience for me.

BE was very accurate, TG was all over the target, no consistancy. The charge was about the same as I recall, but I quit using TG in that caliber because it didn't/wouldn't fly right.

Of course to be fair, my load was a very light 3.8 grs with a 180gr LSWC, WW case and primer. Maybe that's why it didn't perform to expectations, but the BE did.

That's my experience anyway, YMMV.

 

[Tell Sackett]

Bullseye has been around for a long time. Many swear by Titegroup.

My experience has been that Bullseye will far exceed the accuracy of Titegroup.

I cast my own bullets and the combination of Bullseye and the 200gr LSWC (Lee copy) has been a real winner for me. I usually use quite a bit more powder when I shoot PPC. 4.7gr is my standard load behind that bullet. Function and accuracy from my 1911 is superb.

 

[LubeckTech]

I use Titegroup in 9MM 40S&W and some .38SPL loads and like it but if in your position would choose Bullseye. Since it has been around longer there are a lot more loads listed for it especially in .45ACP and it us usually easier to find and in greater supply. Bullseye has been winning competitions longer than most of the posters on this board have been alive. It is what I prefer in .45ACP.

 

[Homesteader]

Bullseye is a proven standard hard to beat for what you're loading. I believe Titegroup to be better suited for higher pressure loads such as hotter 9mm and 40s&w. The loads quoted won't disappoint.

 

[Emerson]

I shoot 4.0 gr of Bullseye with a 200 gr SWC in both my 625 and my 1911. Accuracy is outstanding out of both guns. I have shot a lot of TiteGroup in my 1911 but at a little hotter loading. Personally I don't like TiteGroup in revolver loads.

 

[Beans]

200 gr SWC bullseye 3.6 is my load,and is compeditive at 50 yds.
I seat to first band 1/2 and roll crimp.leaving about 1/32 lead exposed.

I am using 3.4 grains of Bullseye with a 200 Gr RNFP bullet in my .45 Autos and my 625. model of 1988, 5 inch barrel.

In My 625 model of 1988 I have been getting 1 inch or smaller groups off a rest at 15 yards regularly and I tested it yesterday at 42 yards and I was mostly getting sub 2 inch groups. The largest out of 10--- 6 shot groups was 2.2 inches

ONE 6 shot group was 1.25 inches. CTC, I wish I could do that all the time.

When using my 1911 on IDPA targets, (stock RIA with Kings Hard ball sights), It will keep all the shots in the -0 head scoring area out to 20 yards.
A Plus is the recoil is a soft push.

 

[boatbum101]

4.2gr Bullseye with hardcast HG68 for 50yd slow fire . 3.5gr Bullseye same bullet for 25yd timed & rapid fire . If using a softer swaged bullet such as Zero 200 SWC 3.8gr will work as well . All 200 SWC are not equal at 50yds . All military teams & many Master & High Master shooters use the Nosler 185 JHP & VVN 310 , usually 4.75gr ( military ) & 4.4 to 4.5 for most civilians . In my wadcutter guns I've not been able to equal Bullseye or VVN 310 group size with Titegroup . However with 230 FMJ " Ball " loads 4.8 to 5.0gr Titegroup works just fine . Find a quality bullet that groups well out of your gun & stick with it . Many powders will work , but best from your gun will have to be determined by testing . Preferably with a Ransom Rest . Most common powders used by 2700 shooters are the 2 above , Hodgon Clays , Win 231 , Win Super Target . All that said there are those who use Titegroup . Without careful testing in your gun who knows what's the best load ?

 

[TSQUARED]

Bullseye is probably one of ther most universal powders for pistol cartrifges. I have and still do use a lot of Bullseye in 38 Special and 9mm. In the 45 ACP i have opted for either American Selct, WST or Clays in light loads with LSWC bullets. I have not been fonf of Titegroup with lead bullets but do use it in some 9mm loads with jacketed bullets.

 

[ChuckS1]

Maybe using a 200gr LSWC bullet?

As a practical matter, how much difference is there between these two powders in this appication?

If a person did not have either of these on hand and was to go out and purchase one of them for the above application, is one more versatile for use in other calibers/loads than the other? For example what about a load for .38 in a revolver for bullseye competition?

Thanks

I vote for Bullseye becasue that's one powder I have always used for pistol cartridges (well, that and Unique). I load for a Les Baer M1911 with slide mounted UltraDot and my 25 yard load is 3.6 grains of Bullseye and a H&G 68. I've tried WST and Clays as well. I like WST as well. Clays not so much only because it doesn't meter as well in my SDB. Bullseye is what I use for .38 Special, 2.8 grains with a Zero 148 grain HBWC. I use 3.6 grains of Bulleye and a 158 grain 358311 or the RCBS 38-150 for DR practice loads in my K-38.

Practically speaking, there's not a dime's worth of difference among the powders you mentioned at 25 yards. The question to ask is "Can I hold my wobble to the 10 ring"? I, for one, can't tell the difference at 25 yards when I'm shooting. Off a rest is a different story, but you don't get to shoot of a rest in competition. My Les Baer will shoot a 1" group at 25 yards and a sub-2 inch group at 50 with those Bullseye/H&G 68 loads from a Ransom Rest. God knows I can't in competition, but at least I know the pistol is capable of it. Maybe one of these days...

50 yards is a totally different story and I know plenty of guys who have different loads for 25 and 50 yards. I use 4.2 grains of Bullseye and the H&G 68 for the 50 yard slow fire because I think it shoots better, but more so that I don't have to adjust my sights from 25 yards. But then again, I know guys who use the same load for both and adjust their sights.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I am not a Bullseye (the game) shooter, but I have loaded quite a few round of 185 and 200 grain SWC and Titegroup. Seems to shoot every bit as well as I can.

A friend and I broke in his Les Baer TRS with 185 SWCs and 5 grains of Titegroup. A 16 oz milk bottle at 50 yards was no big feat.

 

[MKT]

3.6 BE pushing a 200 gr SWC works well in my Target Model of 1950 .45ACP revolver. IIRC, I was getting just about 750FPS and it was an X-ring shooting load. Once the sights were dialed I held for 5 X's and a 10 in the sitting position.

Same load functioned well in a friend's new S&W 1911. Enough oomph to cycle the slide and shoot accurately in his gun too.

Have not shot (or loaded) any Tightgroup for comparison.

 

[Dennis9]

I like tightgroup

I must be one of the few people who use tightgroup instead of bullseye for the 45acp. I use nosler 180 match hp bullets and with 4.4g tightgroup oal. 1.233 very accurate in my colt 1911. Have also used bullseye 4.2g same oal but not as accurate in my colt, have used unique with 6.8 g and it is a hot load but acccurate. For all my work and cost I'll stick with tightgroup for my 45acp and for my 9mm , which is where it really shines.. A little goes a long way, which makes it cheaper to shoot if you load your own. That's about it.

 

[trulyapostolic]

I know a lot of people are fond if titegroup but if you've got a match barrel fit in your 1911 I highly advise avoiding it. I've heard a couple gunsmiths say that powder wears out barrels just like Solo 1000. I'm sure it shoots well, and definitely meters well, but isn't worth the accelerated barrel wear. Just my .02. I personally a shoot clays and N310 out of my competition wad gun.

 

[Oscarflytyer]

i push a H&G 68 200 LSWC clone w/ 5.0 grns bullseye. 3 1911s and a Ruger BH conv all like it a LOT. trick is to size it .001" + over bore size. straight WW + 2% tin and 45/45/10 tumble lubed. only 45 acp load I use unless I am shooting gi hardball for cases.

 

[4barrel]

4.7 titegroup with a lyman 195 hard cast for target 45. 3.2 tightgroup with a 148 -- 160 gr. through all my wheel guns.---4.5 BE--same bullet 45--3.5 BE same bullet 38. I cant shoot good as whats his name but a 96 up is ok with me with 1 hand @ 25. Last time I shot @ 50 in a meet was 89-3x. I am 65+. Not a lot of difference in the powders but TG is cleaner & BE by the books looks to have a little less pressure.

 

[4barrel]

I vote for Bullseye becasue that's one powder I have always used for pistol cartridges (well, that and Unique). I load for a Les Baer M1911 with slide mounted UltraDot and my 25 yard load is 3.6 grains of Bullseye and a H&G 68. I've tried WST and Clays as well. I like WST as well. Clays not so much only because it doesn't meter as well in my SDB. Bullseye is what I use for .38 Special, 2.8 grains with a Zero 148 grain HBWC. I use 3.6 grains of Bulleye and a 158 grain 358311 or the RCBS 38-150 for DR practice loads in my K-38.

Practically speaking, there's not a dime's worth of difference among the powders you mentioned at 25 yards. The question to ask is "Can I hold my wobble to the 10 ring"? I, for one, can't tell the difference at 25 yards when I'm shooting. Off a rest is a different story, but you don't get to shoot of a rest in competition. My Les Baer will shoot a 1" group at 25 yards and a sub-2 inch group at 50 with those Bullseye/H&G 68 loads from a Ransom Rest. God knows I can't in competition, but at least I know the pistol is capable of it. Maybe one of these days...

50 yards is a totally different story and I know plenty of guys who have different loads for 25 and 50 yards. I use 4.2 grains of Bullseye and the H&G 68 for the 50 yard slow fire because I think it shoots better, but more so that I don't have to adjust my sights from 25 yards. But then again, I know guys who use the same load for both and adjust their sights.

You run for office. You speak the truth.--I vote for you.

 

[Brassmaster]

I use 4.3 gr of Bullseye in my Colt 1911 .45 acp (wad gun) for competition bullseye matches. In the Ransom rest it will hold the 10 ring at 50yds. For my 1911 hardball 45acp, I use 4.2 gr of Bullseye and in the Ransom rest it will hold the x ring. In my S&W Model 52, 38 Special, I shoot 148 gr fully seated Speer lead wadcutters (that's all it is designed for) with 2.7 gr Bullseye. It will hold the 10 ring at 50 yards. Bullseye Powder is far and away the powder that the majority of competitive bullseye shooters use; maybe 90% +/-. I have tried many, many other powders such as 231 ball, Clays, etc. with unsatisfactory results. Although Bullseye powder tends to be somewhat dirty, I'll trade that for performance any day. I would suggest two things: first, start with 3.8 of Bullseye in the 1911 with 200 gr LSWC and work up. I started at that and after 4.3 (wad gun) the group began to open up. I went as far as 5.2 and the further I went the worse groups got. My second recommendation would be to utilize a Ransom rest. It eliminates the human factor and is essential to determining how well your gun will shoot and what load works best. Hope this info is helpful. Good luck and good shooting! Brassmaster