Titegroup vs 231

[engineermike]

I use TG and HP-38 and like them both...

 

[thump_rrr]

I use Titegroup. Yes its a little more dirty than W231 but my guns are cleaned after each range session anyway.
I wet tumble my brass so it is back to like new condition before the next loading session.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It sure looks like a kissing cousin at least.

I have not done side by side load comparisons with them, but can say Zip works very well in .45 ACP, and I would not hesitate to buy some if I could not get W-231/HP-38.
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I don't know what I would do without W231 and I have no intention of finding out. I was down to 5X 1lb cans of W231/HP-38 and when I found a good price I bought a 4lb jug of W231. A few months later I found another good deal and bought another. I have about 12 lbs of W231 right now, that will probably last me a good long while. (or around 18,000 rounds of .38 Special and .45 Auto)

HP38/W231 every time over Titegroup. Too many stories involving Titegroup although they ARE generally involving 10mm Kurz and not .45ACP. Titegroup has a rep for being touchy.

Really apples & oranges. Titegroup is much faster than W231. I've tried W231 in .45ACP & wound up going back to Bullseye.

HP38/W231 is more in the Unique neighborhood on the burn rate chart.

http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html

Hodgdon may show Zip one powder above W231/HP-38 and Unique one powder below W231/HP-38 on their chart but the maker of Zip shows them on the same exact burn rate chart line with each other.
http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/burn_rates.pdf

I completely agree Titegroup is a lot faster than W231 and is probably a poor comparison.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use Titegroup. Yes its a little more dirty than W231 but my guns are cleaned after each range session anyway.
I wet tumble my brass so it is back to like new condition before the next loading session.

I keep hearing shooters say they don't care how dirty a powder is because they clean their guns anyway. I also clean my guns after each range trip but that's not the point. I'm concerned about dirty ammo DURING the shooting session. If a powder is dirty enough it can foul the handgun to the point it interferes with it's proper operation. Sure, it's no problem at the range when killing paper but what about if you're using that gun in a competition? You don't need a failure then or if you're using the gun for some light hunting/plinking fun...

 

[thump_rrr]

I keep hearing shooters say they don't care how dirty a powder is because they clean their guns anyway. I also clean my guns after each range trip but that's not the point. I'm concerned about dirty ammo DURING the shooting session. If a powder is dirty enough it can foul the handgun to the point it interferes with it's proper operation. Sure, it's no problem at the range when killing paper but what about if you're using that gun in a competition? You don't need a failure then or if you're using the gun for some light hunting/plinking fun...

I've run 600 rounds of .45ACP through my 1911 in one session without a single malfunction.
I've tested my HK P30-L v3 9mm with over 1000 rounds between cleanings and once again not a single malfunction.

Most IPSC Level III matches come in at under 200 rounds which doesn't present a problem.

I keep other powders on hand such as W231 and even Vihtavuori N320 which I can't really justify at 2.5 times the price of Titegroup.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you can shoot 600 to 1000 rounds without a problem it sounds like it's not all that dirty after all...

 

[mackg]

Never used 231, but Titegroup has been a disappointment to me.

It is accurate, allright, and meters very well; I have easily found replacement loads in most of my calibers...
It is also very dirty, considering it's one of the newest powders available. I do have buildups in 1911 guns which raise the barrel and cause FP bullets to jam (I use Liquid Alox).
However, the most aggravating thing about it is that it is extremely dense and makes small loads (volumes).
Visually checking loads with Titegroup is a major pain in the neck, at least on a progressive press, where the powder die is not before your eyes... It even makes me nervous in 9 Luger...

 

[JoeDaddy]

MoreIsLess Quote:
"I have some Bullseye. How does that stack up to 231 for 45acp?"


Bullseye is fantastic in 45ACP loads. That and 231 are probably the most popular powders in this caliber.

 

[Fishslayer]

Hodgdon may show Zip one powder above W231/HP-38 and Unique one powder below W231/HP-38 on their chart but the maker of Zip shows them on the same exact burn rate chart line with each other.
http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/burn_rates.pdf

Burn rate charts will differ for a few reasons. I use them mostly to get a general idea of where a powder's at. Also useful as an illustration for somebody trying to decide what powder(s) to use.

When I was starting out one of the factors in my decisions re powder had to do with local availability. Alliant powders are readily available in my area so those are what I went with. If I needed to substitute I would look to a burn rate chart.

 

[p5200]

I quit using Titegroup when I realized it was eating the plastic reservoir tube and base of my RCBS Charge Master 1500 even when draining powder right after use. I've heard of others having the same problem with the Hornady dispenser/scale combos. I now use W231 or AA#2 powder for my 9mm.

 

[Scott_R]

Yep, I've seen TG embed itself into plastic overnight. I'm burning the 4 lbs I have (5.2g at a time) and going back to HP38.