Thoughts on Titegroup for .357 Mag Rifle Loads

[Unit19]

I was reading another thread and someone mentioned using Titegroup in .357 magnum loads but didn't elaborate. I have a Henry Big Boy with a 20 inch barrel in .357 magnum, about 400 CCI small pistol magnum primers, and about 500 Speer 158 grain jacketed SP and 200 Sierra 158 grain jacketed SP bullets to load. Full disclosure I usually use 2400 or IMR4227 and regular small pistol primers, but I have more Titegroup than I will ever use and those magnum SPP have been here for several years.

So, all that said, what experiences does anyone have using Titegroup (Hodgdon web site has loads starting at 5.4 grains to 6.1 grains using Hornady 158 gr. XTP bullets) for a .357 magnum rifle load utilizing the above bullets and magnum primers?

Thanks!
Unit19

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

It would work. But T.G is a fast powder. It would better to use a slower powder. To take advantage of the longer barrel. Blue dot or 2400 would work well.

 

[mcb]

As @CoalCrackerAl says it a fast powder and you will get more velocity using a slower powder in a rifle.

An Example: I had two 44 Mag loads that both pushed a 240gr bullet to ~1350 fps from my 6.5 inch revolver. The fast powder (800-x) only got another ~250fps bump when I shot it from my 16-inch carbine. The slow powder (H110) got a ~360 fps boost in velocity in the 16-inch carbine. Over a 100 fps more due to being a slower burning powder that was able to take advantage of the longer barrel length.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Full disclosure I usually use 2400 or IMR4227 and regular small pistol primers, but I have more Titegroup than I will ever use and those magnum SPP have been here for several years.

If you're just looking to burn up the components you have, then any revolver load data which feeds in your rifle and works in a tube magazine safely will be fine. TiteGroup is NOT position sensitive and does NOT need a magnum primer - but I don't "think" a magnum primer will do any harm. That's the only fly in your plan - is TiteGroup sensitive to excessive burn from a magnum primer? Most likely no but it wouldn't hurt to call Hodgdon and ask. They're good folks.

 

[Charlie98]

. That's the only fly in your plan - is TiteGroup sensitive to excessive burn from a magnum primer? Most likely no but it wouldn't hurt to call Hodgdon and ask. They're good folks.

That would be my question. Not a big fan of TG, as most of you know, and it would not be my first choice for full-house Magnum loads... it's just cutting the edge too close. Geo is right... I'd shoot Hodgdon an email.

FWIW, there are those that swear by Magnum primers for IMR4227... so you could use them there, and likely with less risk than TG.

An easier way to get rid of that TiteGroup would be to find someone who loads it... and sell or swap it. I've sold and traded powder locally with listings posted here at THR. Life is too short to be saddled with trying to get rid of a powder you don't like by loading it out, or doesn't really work for what you want it for.

 

[Unit19]

Sounds good! I will stick with the 2400 and IMR4227. Not a fan of Titegroup but wife loves the .38 HBWC powder puff load I use it in for her. BTW, Hodgdon did cite magnum primers in their data for the .357 with Titegroup powder.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

FWIW, there are those that swear by Magnum primers for IMR4227...

In a .44Mag, sure but not in a .357Mag. I tried Federal small pistol magnum primers in .357RemMax with IMR 4227 and a 200gr. RCBS 35-200-FP and did not get better or worse results, just about the same as with standard primers. So-called "Match" weren't any different than magnum or standard, either. The great thing about IMR 4227 is it's mild nature; but that also means it just won't Jazz-Up for the big dance in a .35 caliber. In .44-40 I use WLP with IMR 4227 and those are supposedly magnum-ish primers. Works great with 200gr. LFN cast in my Uberti 1890 Remington knock off and even better in my buddy's 1930's vintage Winchester '94.

 

[Charlie98]

and did not get better or worse results

Well... the OP was talking about wanting to burn up his Magnum primers, my thought is they would be a better fit with IMR4227 than TiteGroup. FWIW, I'm NOT one of those who says IMR4227 needs a Magnum primer, in fact, quite the opposite, but he's got them, and he wants to get rid of them.

 

[Unit19]

It is not that I want together rid of the primers, they don't cost a thing sitting there, it is finding a use for two pounds of titegroup besides for a .38 HBWC. I think will just let it sit at the back of the powder shelf. Really don't like titegroup and only bought it in 2015 (I think, too lazy to go look) when that was all that my LGS could get and had in stock. Not much on trading but I know a couple of guys I would trust to trade powder with if they are interested. I really appreciate all the responses and insight into this!
Mods you can close this. Thank you!

 

[kcofohio]

I have loaded 158 gr. Berry's, using Titegroup and HP-38. I'm not done adjusting the loads, but it's for plicking out of a Ruger 77/357 at 50 yds or less. I"m right at 5.8 gr. at this point with Titegroup.

 

[AJC1]

It is not that I want together rid of the primers, they don't cost a thing sitting there, it is finding a use for two pounds of titegroup besides for a .38 HBWC. I think will just let it sit at the back of the powder shelf. Really don't like titegroup and only bought it in 2015 (I think, too lazy to go look) when that was all that my LGS could get and had in stock. Not much on trading but I know a couple of guys I would trust to trade powder with if they are interested. I really appreciate all the responses and insight into this!
Mods you can close this. Thank you!

Tg is great for 38, and I load a ton of them. A 158 cast bullet an 3 grains it an easy shooter. The good news is no matter how bad this gets you can load for the wife, and her going to the range is gooder.

 

[Bill M.]

All of the loadings for Titegroup in .357 Mag listed on the Hodgdon website are for Mag primers, So if the idea is to use up Mag primers that would be a way to go. I have not shot "rifle" loads. The midrange .357 Titegroup loads I have shot in my two revolvers worked fine. I have read all the non love for Tightgroup but I find it work just fine.

 

[Charlie98]

it is finding a use for two pounds of titegroup

I did the same thing.... back during the First Dark Age of Reloading. LGS had just gotten a delivery, and I was down to my last pound of Unique... he was pulling TG out of the box and I just grabbed 2 cans to have something. I'm trying to use it up in 9mm... it seems to last forever.

Oddly enough, I bought 2 pounds of IMR4227, for the same reason. At first I didn't like it... but then I discovered, by just loading it up to get rid of it, that it worked really, really well in pistol cartridge rifles, and even in cast bullet rifle cartridges, and it has a permanent parking spot on the bench, now.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

I've used both Tight Group & H110 for my 357 reloads-all shot out of revolvers so no rifle experience with them. The Tight Group makes a great plinker round but for serious work the H110 makes it feel like a magnum.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I did the same thing.... back during the First Dark Age of Reloading. LGS had just gotten a delivery, and I was down to my last pound of Unique... he was pulling TG out of the box and I just grabbed 2 cans to have something. I'm trying to use it up in 9mm... it seems to last forever.

Oddly enough, I bought 2 pounds of IMR4227, for the same reason. At first I didn't like it... but then I discovered, by just loading it up to get rid of it, that it worked really, really well in pistol cartridge rifles, and even in cast bullet rifle cartridges, and it has a permanent parking spot on the bench, now.

Yup. I "discovered" IMR 4227 in the mid-80's when 2400 was hard to find. All I was reloading for back then was a RBH .357 and a Marlin 94 .357. My original 6gr Unique load didn't perform as well in the carbine as factory ammo - which basically just ticked me off - so I looked up loads with "real rifle powders" and was advised by gun club members to look at IMR 4227 or 2400. 2400 came highly recommended so I went that way but in the mid-80's Hercules wasn't doing well and finding 2400 got hard, so I went with IMR 4227 as a secondary backup plan. Both now live in the cabinet along side Accurate No.9 and Accurate No.4100.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

It is not that I want together rid of the primers, they don't cost a thing sitting there, it is finding a use for two pounds of titegroup besides for a .38 HBWC. I think will just let it sit at the back of the powder shelf. Really don't like titegroup and only bought it in 2015 (I think, too lazy to go look) when that was all that my LGS could get and had in stock. Not much on trading but I know a couple of guys I would trust to trade powder with if they are interested. I really appreciate all the responses and insight into this!
Mods you can close this. Thank you!

Seems like Hodgdon recommends SPM primers so I'd say your original plan is a go if you still want to use up your TG and SPM primers on carbine loads. It's not a bad idea, really.

 

[Charlie98]

Seems like Hodgdon recommends SPM primers so I'd say your original plan is a go if you still want to use up your TG and SPM primers on carbine loads. It's not a bad idea, really.

Odd... the specify SPM for the .357 data, but standard primers for .38SPC. But, I guess that answers my question about a Magnum primer being suitable for TiteGroup.