Titegroup for .45 ACP

[gcrjr]

New to the forum, so any help is appreciated.
Based upon my Hornady 9th edtion, listing a max of 5.7 gr for a 200 gr LSWC cast for .45 ACP, I loaded at 5.5 gr.
Hodgdon lists a max of 5.4, while Lyman 48th edition lists 5.1 max for one type of LSWC and 5.4 max for another.
Research on various forums lists loads mainly in the 4.5 gr range.
The important question- am I safe in using the loads at .1 gr over max per some sources while .2 gr under max per Hornady?

Thanks

 

[CoalTrain49]

Call the powder manufacturer and tell them exactly what your load is. Have all your information handy so you don't waste their time. More than likely they will connect you with a tech who can tell you if it is safe. The best info will come from the powder people. My guess is they are going to green light your load. You may not like it much when you shoot it. For what it's worth my standard load is 4.5 gr of American Select with 230 LRN. Titegroup and American Select are kissing cousins.

 

[LiveLife]

Welcome to THR.

The difference in max charges you see are due to differences in reloading components such as brass, bullet, primers, test barrel length, groove diameter of the test barrel, diameter of the bullet and OAL/COL used etc. Lyman uses "*, **, +" to note different than listed case/primer/compressed charges etc. so check the bottom of each page to see the difference.

Keep in mind that chamber pressure testing is done with new brass, not mixed range brass. I reserve known verified once-fired brass for max published loads and use mid-to-high range load data with mixed range brass with unknown number of reloadings and brass condition.

Often, the barrels/bullets we use will vary from the bullets used for pressure testing (different nose profile/length/alloy type/diameter etc.) which will affect bullet seating depth/chamber pressures along with barrel length/groove diameter and working OAL/COL for our pistols will often be different from the test barrel fixtures that doesn't have to cycle the slide and feed rounds from the magazine.

So as already posted, if you have any questions about load data, I would contact the powder manufacturers and provide the exact reloading components (bullet type/primer/working OAL/COL etc.), pistol, and barrel length/groove diameter used and they should be able to provide you with safe load data for your loads.

For load development with new bullet or powder, I usually use the most conservative load data I could find and conduct my powder work up from the start charge and first identify the powder charge that will reliably cycle the slide/extract and eject spent cases then look for accuracy trend as I incrementally increase the powder charge towards published max while looking for pressure signs.

 

[Blue68f100]

Why did you jump to max or near max without working up the load?

TG is one powder that is a little moody when you get to the top end. Has damaged a lot of guns when you go over the edge. The 45acp being a low pressure round you may have a little more margin.

I would save the ones you have and work up the load. Then you will know if it's too high. If you workup and find them to be fine then your good to go. Beware some brass has less volume and will generate higher pressures.

Be safe

 

[g.willikers]

As will the 200 grain SWC bullets from different manufacturers.
There's quite a variety of styles, some a little longer than others.
Jumping in at the high end of velocities and pressures is never a good idea.

 

[Otto]

Just use 5gr. With TG, there's little to gain loading to the max.

BTW, Hornady's data is derived from using their own bullets in testing (which are knurled). Follow Hodgdons data if you're using some other bullet.

 

[kimbernut]

Otto

Otto, is steering you right. 5.0 is all you need with Titegroup. If you are looking for target accuracy a couple of friends use 4.2 gr. and get 1-1 1/2" goups at 25 yards.

 

[Sunray]

And Hodgdon is currently showing 5.2 as max. Manuals reflect the conditions on the day of the test only.
4.5 of most powders is a target load, for a 200 cast bullet. As mentioned, you must work up the load from the starting load. Not just pick one and hope.

 

[Hondo 60]

5.5 grains of Tite Group seems a bit much.
My standard with Tite Group & a 200 gr lead bullet is closer to 5.0

Hodgdon says 4.8 - 5.4

 

[Lafitte]

I'm with the 5.0gr. group. No need for any more!!

Lafitte

 

[MoreIsLess]

What to do if no load listed for lead

I read somewhere that if only jacket listing is shown and no listing is shown for lead, then you should reduce the charge by 25% and use that for lead. Does that sound about right?

 

[TfflHndn]

I've never heard or read that. I wouldn't personally drop 25% with no data at all for the load. May be a good reason lead is not listed and too low a load has dangers too. But maybe one of the other more experienced can say if what you've heard is good practice.

 

[MoreIsLess]

I re-read the post where I saw this and it actually turned out to be 10% below the charge posted for jacketed not 25%. So if the recommended charge for jacketed was 4.5, then reduce it by 10% which would make it 4.1 for lead.

Guess I answered my own question.

 

[kimbernut]

10%

Yes, 10% is what I have heard. If in doubt get the Lee reload Manual. Lee covers most every load in lead and jacketed and for the most part it seems to be a recap of what all the powder manufacturer's manuals print.