Titegroup vs ??? for 38 special?

[taz666]

Titegroup is a good target powder for .38 special.
3.4gr under one of these:
38-158 TFP HT - Slippery Bullets- Premium Coated Bullets

 

[Huskerguy]

Titegroup and HP-38/W231 are my staple powders. I shoot 9 and 38 special in my clubs league. When working up loads for new firearms I use both and compare. For instance, my Prodigy and Ruger PCC in 9 both like TG and a 125 grain bullet I cast. I just finished testing a MP HP mold my 627 liked the HP-38 just slightly better but it was so close, it was a tough call so I had my wife break the tie after looking at the targets.

In my opinion, either work well. The talk about small amounts and fast powders covers many powders including Bullseye and others. Just be careful and pay attention.

 

[Green Frog]

I used to shoot in a casual PPC league with a full house "short cylinder" gun from Fred Schmidt and a slicked up Model 66 ND w/6" barrel in the former I shot 148 gr HBWCs almost exclusively. The 66 got mostly 158 gr SWCs. Powder charges, in no particular order of preference, were Bullseye, HP38, 700X, and Green Dot. Accuracy was about equal for all, but BE was definitely more sooty. A friend called it "flaming dirt"!

Final advice, if you have/can get any of these (remember HP38=w231j it will probably do guide well for you. I must admit I've never even tried TiteGroup... never had a need to.

Froggie

 

[venomballistics]

the real flaming dirt is unique, though the name fits most of these good old powders.
I've never warmed up to titegroup .... though CFE pistol seems like a sort of extra spicy unique of sorts.

 

[AJ]

I have a S&W Model 52-1 and a PPC Revolver (I think a Model 14 that Behlert customized). Both get exclusively 148 grain HBWC's with 2.8 grains of Bullseye.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I used to be a tite group hater . But found I just didn't give it a fair chance . When looking for data for the 44 magnum , 240 gr bullet the current load data was 5-10 grs . After several tries I settled on 8.0 grs.
Next going to the 41 magnum 210 gr bullet data was 6.5-7.5 grs , I settled on 7.0 grs . I have found both above loads accurate / clean and I don't notice an overly hot barrel when shooting . When I reloaded 9mm , I used titegroup with complete satisfaction .

 

[Texasref]

I've found that slower powders work better in 38 Spcl.
Accurate #5 is what I load under a 158 LSWC.
This is shooting revolvers only. The impulse of faster powders is a little hard on the hand.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Never used TG but use a similar powder for 38 spl and 45 acp. Alliant American Select, Bullseye and Titegroup all are about the same fast burn rate. AS is clean burning but not typically available these days.

I wouldn't be too picky about my powder these days. Lots of people use TG and are careful with their powder charges. I don't use a progressive press and visually check every powder charge in the block with a flashlight.

 

[gwpercle]

the real flaming dirt is unique, though the name fits most of these good old powders.
I've never warmed up to titegroup .... though CFE pistol seems like a sort of extra spicy unique of sorts.

I have always heard Unique called "Flaming Dirt" also .
Bullseye Unique & 2400 ... for 40 years ... Now ,
I'm warming up to all kinds of powders I would have never tried simply because they are all I can get ...
I have a new bottle of TightGroup sitting here looking at me ...
"Because it was Available" ... I wish you would have said ...
... it's great stuff ! At least I can find load data for it .
I don't like new powders ... give me old and reliable !
Gary

 

[mtgianni]

Add AA2 and AA5 to the list of powders that work just fine in 38's.

 

[AJ]

Never used TG but use a similar powder for 38 spl and 45 acp. Alliant American Select, Bullseye and Titegroup all are about the same fast burn rate. AS is clean burning but not typically available these days..

Have a Relative Burn Rate Chart. Older, but probably applicable to most of the powers mentioned.

#9 Bullseye
#10 Titegroup
#11 American Select

 

[tdan]

Titegroup is the only powder I use for 38 Special. It produces excellent accuracy for target loads. Using Zero 148gr WCHB wadcutters, my model 14 would shoot excellent scores consistently. My personal best in a Harry Reeves bullseye match was a 284 which was greatly helped by the 96-4x that I shot in the 50 yd. slow fire portion of the match. I have never experienced any issues with my cylinder "overheating" due the supposed claim that Titegroup burns hot. It is also a superior powder for 9mm target loads. I have a CZ Shadow 2 that prints 5/8" groups at 25 yds off a rest using Precision Delta 124 gr. JHP's and Titegroup. This powder is relatively inexpensive and flat out works. I love it!