Clays... although I'll say I don't have any experience with it directly. I guess my answer really is: Anything but TiteGroup. TiteGroup has a high nitro content, so it runs very hot.
I get that with every powder I use after 50 rounds without stopping, but yes, Titegroup will heat the gun up faster than a lot of other powders will. No doubt about that.I've also run TiteGroup in .45 Colt loads... after 50 rounds, the pistol was so hot I could hardly hold it to punch out the empties.
Completely agree even for light loads with lead bullets, coated or other wise.I've been loading .41MAG for over 30 years... I don't go any slower than Unique.
I've just always been afraid to load that light in those big cases, so I never experimented with it. I probably missed out on some good things because of it.I’ve loaded 215gn cast in 41 mag with clays before. Very light target load, accurate and fun to shoot. If I recall I was using 4.5gn of clays (right around there, don’t take my word for it though be sure to crack a book first).
That was back when the 41 was my only revolver, so I would experiment with different stuff especially as it was also my first revolver and the target loads really helped me learn to shoot a single action well.
YMMV, lots of Titegroup fans out there.
I get that with every powder I use after 50 rounds without stopping, but yes, Titegroup will heat the gun up faster than a lot of other powders will. No doubt about that.
Im also not of fan of a bunch of empty space in a cartridge and do avoid it these days but like I said it was my only revolver at the time and was trying all kinds of combinations.I've just always been afraid to load that light in those big cases, so I never experimented with it. I probably missed out on some good things because of it.
Shooting it in a single-action Ruger... it wasn't like I was at the OK corral, just recreational target shooting.
My standard load now is 8.0gn of unique.
Ok, I know I shoot to fast most of the time but I also shoot defensively
After years and years of loading 9grn Unique, under a 215grn cast, I've actually dropped down to 8grns as my standard load. The paper or steel plate can't tell the difference, but my hand can after 200 rounds or so.
Have you looked for vv tin star. It's made for exactly the same purpose as TB. I've never seen it on the shelf if I do ill grab some.I got caught. I was using Trail Boss for my light coated bullet oads. I did not keep stocked up and I have run out. So I am looking for about 800-850 fps. I do not have any Unique. I have shot a couple of hundred of the Clays loads and they seem okay. I have HP38 but the Hodgdon site does not seem to list a cast bullet load for it. Hodgdon claims Tightgroup is made for light loads in big cases. Thought I would ask about it. It is one of the powders that can be bought now. I have a fair quantity of Clays since I load it in 12 gauge. I just do not shoot many jacketed bullets in this gun. Both because of recoil and expense. I have a sorta coarse ghost site with a big round bead on the gun and mainly bang paper at 10 yards or so with it. I have a Lil gun load with Hornady XTP that is very accurate but not often used. My Blue Dot loads were great also but alas, I can not use them any more.
I have HP38 but the Hodgdon site does not seem to list a cast bullet load for it.
I have to agree with this also.For all the above reasons and my own experience/bias.......Clays over Titegroup every time.
Ditto.Titegroup performs its intended task well; it produces accurate, small groups with light loads in big cases. Titegroup consistently gave me the smallest groups in cowboy action level loads (mouse farts) compared to other powders.
The best way to answer your question is to run both powders through your gun and prove to yourself which one works best. Experimentation beats anecdotes every time.