TiteGroup 45ACP RMR 230gr Sig P220 evaluation

We have had a heat advisory in the Lewiston Clarkston area until tonight, so I decided to go out to my favorite spot and evaluate my TiteGroup loads for 45ACP. My thinking was that nobody would be out there, and I was correct.

I actually created these loads in November 2020, but never made the time to test them out. Today I finally made some time since lately I have been busy with some 9mm load evaluations.

The testing as always was done with a 2x scope using a rest at 15 yards. I actually think it went well today, not just because one or two loads are probably good, but also because the target was very clear using the scope, instead of trying to focus at 15 yards with a red dot. Please note that the scope was not zeroed since I was testing the grouping, not the POI against POA.

Following are the results from my testing, with some very good accuracy with the 230gr bullets. I have had better groups before, but with 200gr bullets, not the 230gr RN bullet. I think TiteGroup worked very well in 45ACP:

45acp, P220, 4.4"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.250"
RMR, 230gr, FMJRN, TiteGroup, 4.4gr, FED150
Average: 685
ES: 19
SD: 7.5
Force: 240
PF: 157
Velocities: 676, 687, 680, 695, 689
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.83"
Test Date: 06/03/2021

45acp, P220, 4.4"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.250"
RMR, 230gr, FMJRN, TiteGroup, 4.5gr, FED150
Average: 713
ES: 22
SD: 8.9
Force: 260
PF: 163
Velocities: 715, 707, 703, 725, 719
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.86"
Test Date: 06/03/2021


45acp, P220, 4.4"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.250"
RMR, 230gr, FMJRN, TiteGroup, 4.6gr, FED150
Average: 716
ES: 25
SD: 9.6
Force: 262
PF: 164
Velocities: 730, 718, 719, 705, 710
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.54"
Test Date: 06/03/2021


45acp, P220, 4.4"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.250"
RMR, 230gr, FMJRN, TiteGroup, 4.7gr, FED150
Average: 732
ES: 28
SD: 10.7
Force: 274
PF: 168
Velocities: 738, 748, 720, 728, 729
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.65"
Test Date: 06/03/2021

45acp, P220, 4.4"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.250"
RMR, 230gr, FMJRN, TiteGroup, 4.8gr, FED150
Average: 763
ES: 22
SD: 8.7
Force: 297
PF: 175
Velocities: 755, 762, 757, 777, 766
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.15"
Test Date: 06/03/2021

45acp, P220, 4.4"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.250"
RMR, 230gr, FMJRN, TiteGroup, 4.9gr, FED150
Average: 762
ES: 32
SD: 11.4
Force: 296
PF: 175
Velocities: 765, 761, 747, 762, 779
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.2"
Test Date: 06/03/2021

AJC1 said:

That 4.7 and 4.6 load was amazing. If I shot a group that good I would buy a lottery ticket and have a cold one. Great test.

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Thanks!

I was surprised with the results since I have been trying to find an accurate load using the 230gr bullet. I will have to test these loads again to confirm the accuracy.

Warpiece said:

How was the recoil running them that slow with such a fast powder? Does it get snappy or is it still that nice straight back push?

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Everything felt mild since I shot the P220 just after shooting my P365X. I don't think it was snappy, but it is difficult to get a real feel when shooting from a rest. maybe next time I'll be able to get a better feel how this load feels compared to some other loads.

forrest r said:

Thank you for posting your testing, the 45acp might be old but it's still a fantastic cartridge.

Most people forget how accurate the 45acp can be. I did a post a couple days ago showing 3 different bullets/same powder/same powder weight with all 3 bullets holding under 1" 5-shot groups @ 50ft.

You do a post showing 1 bullet and 4 different loads with the same powder that will do under 1" 5-shot groups @ 45ft.

NICE!!!

It's interesting that that bullet's groups started to open up when you got into the +/- 18,000psi range

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Thanks for your nice comments. I have been trying to get an accurate load with the 230gr bullet for a while. This is the best so far. A 200gr bullet has been more accurate for me, but I am happy that I found an accurate load, and be able to use my TiteGroup.

Your test results with Clays were more impressive, especially since you were using a red dot, and @50ft.

The groups starting to open up could be the load, or maybe my concentration. It was about 93 degrees out there yesterday, so things got sweaty after a while.

lordpaxman said:

Thanks for the range report.
Would you agree Titegroup can produce, well, tight groups? Other powders can and do but for all it’s risk Titegroup was named appropriately.
My first Titegroup loads with the P220 were with a Rainier RN:
230gr Rainier RN, 1.230”, 4.4gr TG, Vavg 731, PF 168
230gr Rainier RN, 1.230”, 4.6gr TG, Vavg 756, PF 174
230gr Rainier RN, 1.230”, 4.8gr TG, Vavg 770, PF 177
At the time I didn’t have any FMJ RN to play with and when I did I had switched to either IMR Target or WST. I found Titegroup and Target produced a snappier recoil while Clays and WST was decidedly smoother. It’s subjective but that’s what I found, and it was interesting to me since Clays is one of the fastest powders. N310 is on the list still, but it’ll have to wait until this shortage abates.

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Thanks for your comments. Looks like TiteGroup is capable to provide tight groups. I wasn't sure before, but looks like it does.

I have some loaded up WST loads and will compare the two back to back to see if I feel a difference in the recoil. Clays seems like a good powder for the 230gr bullet also. I probably need to get some Clays at some point.

Lennyjoe said:

I have several pounds of Titegroup sitting on the shelf and not sure if I’ll ever use it. HP-38/W231 works so well for me in all my .45 ACP’s that I’m not sure I’d want to try anything else.

Looks like the powder/bullet combo works for you.

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The combo worked yesterday. I still need to verify it and test it at 25yards also. A lot of people probably don't want to use/try TiteGroup, just because of all the horror stories.

giggitygiggity said:

I use 230gr FMJ or plated and 4.6 grains of Titegroup. The cool thing is that I use the same Titegroup powder charge for 180gr .40SW and 115gr 9mm loads. All three calibers with their 4.6 grains are exceptional.

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Thanks for sharing! I haven't tried TiteGroup in 40S&W yet, but it is on my ToDo list.

BRatigan said:

Excellent groups, I would say you are where you need to be under those conditions. You earned a cold one.

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Thanks! Actually on my way home I picked up a couple of cold ones.

giggitygiggity said:

You’re welcome! It is pretty convenient because it negates the need to adjust my powder dispenser.

As for .40SW and Titegroup, I started loading around 4.1 or 4.2 grains for 180gr loads and the accuracy was about softball size at 15 yards. Once I bumped the charge up to the 4.5-4.6 grain territory, the groups shrunk to si 1.5-2” offhand groups. It’s amazing what a fraction of a grain of powder can do. Titegroup makes some accurate loads, but because it is an economical powder, the potential to over charge, sometimes 2-3x the prescribed charge weight exists so be careful, verify your powder charges, and verify with other sources when working towards extreme ends, and start low and work your way up.

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I check my powder charges since I am using the Lee turret, so I check all my charges. The Hodgdon load data shows 4.2gr to 4.7gr, which is 6 different loads. I mostly test my pistol loads starting with 6 different loads of 5. I think once I go over 30 (5x6), I start loosing concentration.

bersaguy said:

That was the first load i found, and one that my 1911 still likes. 4.7g TG pushing a 230g Berry's RN @ 1.265". Mild recoil and very accurate. Nice shooting!

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Thanks for the comments. I will try and evaluate the recoil next time out when testing the accuracy at 25 yards.

longdayjake said:

Wait, why didn't I know you were in Lewiston? You been in to see us?

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Yes, a couple of times to pick up some bullets. Every time I just talked to Joe a little bit. The last time was probably around middle March.

longdayjake said:

I need a face to go with the name.

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It is always nice to put a face to a voice and name. That is why it was a privilege meeting Joe for the first time. I am planning my next purchase, so I will definitely stop by some time in the future.