231 or Titegroup

[showmebob]

231 or titegroup for 380 (100gr) ,9mm (115gr) and 357 (125gr) which do you prefer and why? I'm looking for a light target load. I tried 700x but it doesn't meter well for me.
Also, a local supplier wants me to try Ramshot powders. Any opinions on Ramshot?

 

[lgbloader]

my dealer

I wouldn't post this on the internet...

LGB

 

[Roccobro]

Lead or plated? Titegroup is hot burning for straight lead stuff in .380.

Justin

 

[zxcvbob]

Bullseye will work great in all of those. (I use International Clays for my .380 light loads, but there's no published data for it) Unique for your hot loads in .380, although some people have trouble measuring it.

 

[showmebob]

Justin
I shoot platted bullets.

 

[joneb]

I tried 700x but it doesn't meter well for me.

I have a heck of time with large flake powders. I have great results with Bullseye, W-231 and AA#5.

 

[ants]

Bob, both work great for the bullets and the cartridges you listed.

You might find it easier to load the 380 with the slower powder W231, because the charge weight for Titegroup gets rather small with a 100g bullet. It's always harder to meter very small charges, even with a good powder like Titegroup.

Both work great in 9mm 115 grain. Can't lose with either one.

357 target loads will use both powders well, but fast powders don't get much velocity. To get more velocity from the magnum cartridge you'll need the W231.

 

[ants]

Other powders...

You didn't ask me for powder recommendations, but what would I use for target loads in 380 and 9mm and 357 mag?

VV N320.

 

[Walkalong]

Of the two, W-231.

Ramshot powders? Good stuff.

Zip excellent for very light target loads, and it is similar to W-231 in its uses.

For .357 if you want full loads you will need a much slower powder than W-231. Something like AA #9, H-110, or Ramshots Enforcer.

Personally, I really like 700X, and no, it doesn't meter as well as some, but is very accurate & burns really clean.


The "V" powders? Yep, really good stuff!

 

[putteral]

Both are excellant>

 

[DBR]

Either WW231 or Ramshot Silhouette will meter very well. Personally, I like Silhouette because it is a modern flash suppressed relatively cool burning powder. It is excellent for 9MM also.

 

[philbo]

With plated or jacketed bullets, I prefer Titegroup. With lead I'd prefer W231/HP38.

 

[TigerBight]

380 plinking with missouri bullets I like W321 makes for a great round and way cheep to reload for a fun day at the range. not sure of the other cals

 

[showmebob]

Thanks to all for sharing your expert advice!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I also would choose W231 for what you listed. I use a lot of W231 and for a lot of different calibers. Ramshot powder are reported to be very good and clean powders. Ramshot Zip is supposed to be a lot like W231 but I haven't tried it yet. BTW, Western Powders, Inc. owns Ramshot and they also recently bought out Accurate Arms. I don't know which company will benefit more from being under the same roof but time will tell.

 

[evan price]

I shoot a lot of Titegroup with lead bullets, and have no complaints. W231 is more forgiving in terms of the range of loads for small calibers but careful measurement is the key for Titegroup.

 

[Deavis]

Both work well. You can use HP38 instead of 231, it is cheaper and it is the same powder. Titegroup is supposed to be position insensitive, which is nice for light loads with very little powder in them.

 

[Walkalong]

Titegroup is supposed to be position insensitive

In my testing is is average in that dept.

 

[Jim Watson]

I loaded a pound of Titegroup when it was new on the market. I thought it dark, dense, and hard to see down in the bottom of the case when checked before placing a bullet for seating. I went back to HP38 (W231) which is a bit bulkier and lighter colored, easier to do a visual check on.

 

[Walkalong]

I went back to HP38 (W231) which is a bit bulkier and lighter colored, easier to do a visual check on.

A big advantage over Titegroup in my book. The light color of W-231 has always been one of the things I liked about it.

 

[Jumping Frog]

I load 9mm and .40 S&W with both W231 and Titegroup, but Ramshot Zip is my preferred powder for those rounds. I am loading middle-of-powder-range target loads, and I personally get smaller groups sizes from Zip.

Ramshot Zip is light grey, easy to see, fills about half the case, and meters very consistently. I still have about 5 lbs. left, so I obviously made a commitment to this powder.

 

[Clarence]

I've shot a lot of Titegroup but have decided to discontinue using it in my revolvers. It may just be me but it seems that the blow-by from between the forcing cone and the cylinder has destroyed the blueing on the cylinder of two of my revolvers.

Anyone else see anything like this with Titegroup?