Tite group or W231 in 44 mag

[glockky]

Anyone have any experience shooting cast bullets out of a 44 mag with tite group or W231? I was just on there site and seen alot of loads, but didnt find many people who used them whenever i done a search. thanks.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I used to use Titegroup for light lead loads in the .44 (and .357), it worked well.
Now I use either Clays or Universal depending on the power level I'm looking for.

 

[evan price]

I use Titegroup with cast bullets in 44mag. Works fine, but be really careful because you can triple charge a case with most loads of Titegroup. I've gone up to 9.5 grains with a 240-LSWC and gotten good results.

I prefer a lighter load of around 6 grains with the 240 LSWC for general target shooting, easier on the hands.

 

[Galil5.56]

I know a commercial loader who used/uses WW231 and 240 grain LSWCs for his .44 Mag loads. From the charge weight he told me he uses, the velocity would be about 75-80% of what you could achieve with max loadings of H110/WW296.

 

[Sam1911]

I've used Titegroup, but that huge case give me the creeps with such a dense powder.

In .44 Special, I found I could charge a case 5 times before it overflowed. Not much visual safety factor there.

 

[mbopp]

Never tried Titegroup but I've used W231 and Unique for mild loads in my 44. I've settled on W231 since I use it in my 357 for cast loads and also in the 45ACP.
I have some dead soft swaged 44 bullets I bought eons ago. I'm down to 6.5gr of 231 to keep the leading to a minimum.

 

[glockky]

I see alot of people like unique for lead loads i just have heard it doesnt meter good in an auto disc powder measure. And i already have tite group and 231 for my 38,357, and 45 acp.

 

[Walkalong]

W231 would be the better choice in my opinion. It does not burn nearly as hot as Titegroup, which is a good thing when shooting lead, and has proven to be an accurate powder with lead bullets. It also gives excellent ES & SD numbers with lead.

Both can be double or even triple charged if you get careless, but a double charge of W231 will be a little more obvious.

 

[Hondo 60]

No experience with W231, but I've used tens of pounds of Tite Group.

With cast bullets you'll see a lot of smoke.
That'll get your gun & your hands dirty, but it cleans up very easily.
Hoppe's # 9 for your gun & wet wipes for your hands - works perfectly.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I've used Titegroup, but that huge case give me the creeps with such a dense powder.

In .44 Special, I found I could charge a case 5 times before it overflowed. Not much visual safety factor there.

Agreed. I batch charge and compare all 50 loads together in a loading block off the press with revolver loads.

 

[mdi]

I've used a lot of W231 in light loads in my .44 Magnums. I prefer a slower powder though, like Unique or Universal for my light to mid range loads and 2400 or WC820 for my boomers.

BTW; and no offence intended to anyone, but, in my opinion, if you have to rely on a powder overflowing the case to tell you it's too much, you need to re evaluate your reloading methods. I've seen many posts that say "use XXX powder 'cause if you overcharge the case it'll spill over." That, IMHO, is the last reason to choose a powder. I've been dropping powder charges in cases for over 40 years, off and on. In the late 60s I had a squib, and none since. Yep, I do sometimes double charge a case (mebbe once every 6 to 8 years) or skip a case, but I use my best safety device; my eyes! I look in every case I charge with a bright light (a mini maglight lives on my bench just for this), even my .223 Rem. Choose your components by their preformance, not by what will happen when you screw up...

 

[Cherokee]

One of my most accurate 44 mag loads is with 231 and 216 gr RNFP cast bullet. Don't use Titegroup

 

[glockky]

thanks for the info guys i appreciate it .