Many of the responders in this thread seem to think that I am saying Titegroup is a bad powder, and they (correctly) point out that one shouldn't blame a component for something that is clearly caused by an error on the part of the reloader.
Some activities, and reloading is one of them, can have severe consequences if a person makes a mistake. The reality is that the more you do something, the greater the chances that you will eventually make a mistake. Recognizing this, it makes good sense to employ practices where certain types of mistakes are impossible.
As an example, if you use a circular saw, and sometimes need to change blades before cutting a different type of material, if you always unplug the saw before doing the blade change, it will be impossible to lose fingers, because even if you accidentally bump the operating switch while changing the blade,the saw is not capable of running when it is not plugged in.
To clarify, in my opinion, Titegroup is a totally inappropriate powder to use in the .500 Smith & Wesson cartridge, because there is the potential for catastrophe that does not exist with other powders. Titegroup may be an ideal powder for other calibers such as the 9mm, but I agree with the previous poster who expressed astonishment that Hodgdon even lists data for it in the .500, because listing such data implies that the company thinks it's a good choice for reloaders to use in that caliber.
Similarly, Hodgdon Clays may be the ideal powder for certain shotgun loads, but I would never use it in a magnum revolver because of the aforementioned potential for disaster.
Hodgdon does not list data for Clays in the .500, but they DO list data for this powder in the .44 Magnum. If I were employed at Hodgdon and in charge of what reloading data they published in their manuals and on their website, Clays would not be listed at all in the published loads for the .44 Magnum.
Some activities, and reloading is one of them, can have severe consequences if a person makes a mistake. The reality is that the more you do something, the greater the chances that you will eventually make a mistake. Recognizing this, it makes good sense to employ practices where certain types of mistakes are impossible.
As an example, if you use a circular saw, and sometimes need to change blades before cutting a different type of material, if you always unplug the saw before doing the blade change, it will be impossible to lose fingers, because even if you accidentally bump the operating switch while changing the blade,the saw is not capable of running when it is not plugged in.
To clarify, in my opinion, Titegroup is a totally inappropriate powder to use in the .500 Smith & Wesson cartridge, because there is the potential for catastrophe that does not exist with other powders. Titegroup may be an ideal powder for other calibers such as the 9mm, but I agree with the previous poster who expressed astonishment that Hodgdon even lists data for it in the .500, because listing such data implies that the company thinks it's a good choice for reloaders to use in that caliber.
Similarly, Hodgdon Clays may be the ideal powder for certain shotgun loads, but I would never use it in a magnum revolver because of the aforementioned potential for disaster.
Hodgdon does not list data for Clays in the .500, but they DO list data for this powder in the .44 Magnum. If I were employed at Hodgdon and in charge of what reloading data they published in their manuals and on their website, Clays would not be listed at all in the published loads for the .44 Magnum.