TiteGroup Vs W231

[lev83]

I have been using Titegroup exclusively for handgun loading (45 ACP/38 SPCL/357 Mag) for about two years but have recently started to consider a switch to W231. Just a few questions:
1) Which powder is more economical?
2) Which powder meters better?
3) Is one of the powders more sensitive to heat/cold exposure?
4) Which powder gives better accuracy?

 

[Walkalong]

You can really only answer that question for yourself. Get a pound and try it. W-231 is a great all around pistol powder.

I don't care for TiteGroup myself, but in it's defense, many here like it a lot. I would put Zip before TiteGroup.

One persons trash is another persons treasure. We all have our favorites, and we all have ones that did not excite us.

 

[calaverasslim]

I like them both and have used them for quita awhile. I find, though, that I am turning to the 231 more and more. I guess it's because I find it is a little cleaner? Maybe just my perception.

However, both are great powders and you can't go wrong using either one.

 

[prickett]

I'd say Titegroup is more economical. 4 lbs of Titegroup is less expensive than 4 lbs of 231. You also use less Titegroup in yours loads, so Titegroup definitely has the edge here.

I just recently started using Titegroup, so I only going by what I've heard, but its supposed to be more temperature sensitive than 231. So 231 has the edge here.

Both meter very well for me, so that is a push.

Can't answer the accuracy question as I'm loading for action shooting. If I can hit the plate, I've accomplished the required accuracy. Both do.

 

[1858rem]

how far out is that plate? how much time for the shots, just curios on that one...... best group i have gotten with titegroup is 5" by 5" at 30+ yards. i was shooting off the stack of firewood on the back porch and could not find a tree at 25 yds lol (it was raining) that was ten shots, but unfortunatly that is the only real test i have done. i figure i cant quite shoot 5" groups at 50 ft so def not at 100ft. good nuff' fer me!

 

[prickett]

The smallest plate is 5"x5". The distance is around 10 yds.

I assume you use the same bullets with different powders? I'm no expert but I can't image a powder would make a SIGNIFICANT difference in accuracy (i.e. maybe a 1" at 25 yd difference, but not much more).

 

[jhansman]

I use 'em both, but Titegroup costs me less and gives me more accuracy (.45ACP, .357mag).

 

[philbo]

I also use both Titegroup & W231/HP38. I have found both to be clean and meter well. Titegroup is my preferred powder for plated/jacketed plinking rounds, but I prefer W231/HP38 for lead bullets. In my experience I found that I had more leading problems with Titegroup as it burns much hotter than the W231.

 

[Claude Clay]

+1 prickett

accuracy wise its bullseye. TG beats 231 in short bbl. 231 beats TG in long bbl. thats for 40 & 45 acp.
TG has a sharper, snappy recoil--while good to replicate SD rounds it is not a fun general practice round unless loaded down. at which point bullseye wins.
as i only load 40 to SD, i use TG. 231 vrs bullseye is whichever you like.

 

[1858rem]

well i think i gotta redo my "test" def more than a few inches variation. i was still figuring out why there was so much lead in my barrel too. ummmm for me, LeeLA needs better instructions lol



forgot to mention im no crack shot, could not see the front sight(so i tipped it red) and am a new reloader.


about 231, you say it is better in a long barrel? i have a converted 1858 Remington w 1:32 twist and 8" barrel. do you think 231 would best tg? i am currently using universal and it seems a good 45lc powder, but takes nearly 8g/load.

 

[Walkalong]

i was still figuring out why there was so much lead in my barrel too

That is a whole nother question. What bullet/alloy - powder/charge weight, etc?

 

[1858rem]

was pure stuff. now i used ww only and helped tons,....also tripled up the amount of lla i was using(i could not even see it!),but i still had 70+lb soft lead(for my muzzleloaders) im not really using all that much currently so i cast up 300 at a 50/50 mix of ww and soft stuff with a half lb of 50/50solder mixed in too, to try and make use of all my lead. i thought if you loaded a lead bullet too slow you would get leading as well as too fast, also if you go to slow the lead does not fill the barrel up(bump up) and allows for gas cutting idunno fer sure but that was my excuse back when i was using dippers solely and ended up only throwing 4g of titegroup for 45 lc consequently..... i got most figured out now... but still need some work as im getting some leading still even w/ pure ww at 7.6g universal ~900fps 255g boolet

 

[prickett]

i was still figuring out why there was so much lead in my barrel too

This can be caused by undersized bullets. They allow the explosive flame to "get around" the bullet as opposed to just contacting the base of the bullet.

 

[1858rem]

forgot to mention im sizing all to .452 as suggested in lyman 47th..... the 255rnfp lee mold is not a tumble lube bullet but i tumble lube anyhow and it works ok, but i have been thinking of trying a 230g tl mold later, comparing velocity weight and energy though i prefer the 255g.... i may get a lb of aa#5 w/velocity of 961fps and 523 fpe max to see what its accuracy is like from my barrel.... as i stated earlier i cant shoot well as the pistol yet, im in about 5-6 inches at 50 ft consistently now, so i may save 20 bucks and just get a case of primers instead...or mebbe try 231.... not quite as high a velocity though

 

[neal7250]

Titegroup, is just what it implies. It seems to be one of the more accurate handgun powders out there. It is by no means the cleanest powder, but the low charge weights make it very attractive to someone watching the cost. I use it in everything from 9-mm Mokarov, to 44 special, but I don't use it in Magnums.

Real good stuff

 

[1858rem]

im still tryin to get a few titegroups from it lol

 

[rfwobbly]

TiteGroup is one of the powders that is known to lay down a smoke screen at IPSC matches. It is also not recommended by some moly-coated lead bullet manufacturers.

 

[Walkalong]

Titegroup burns real hot, that is why.