Universal and Titegroup question

[shark40sw]

I"ve just been told that I can get a good deal on some quantity's of both Universal and Tightgroup powder thru a friend of mine. (4 or 7lb cans) My question is, I've used Titegroup before and liked it for my .40 loads but I've never tried Universal yet. Should I spend the money and get a 4lb of each, or just stick with the titegroup. (the titegroup is cheaper). If it makes a difference I load for 9mm, .38 special, .40s&w, .357, .44 magnum, and .454 Casull.

 

[Mark whiz]

Universal is not a bad powder. I have used it in .32ACP, .38Spcl, .357Mag, & .45ACP with varied results. I found it works really well with LSWCs and Ranier Plated FPs in .38 & .357. Plated bullets in .45 respond pretty well to it as well. It was about as good as I could find in .32ACP with 60gr JHPs out of a little Beretta Tomcat.
Can't really say how this compares to Titegroup as I have never tried it............yet.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I think if I were you, I'd let the powder measure I'm loading with make my decision for me. I don't know about the Universal, as I've never owned it, but Titegroup meters really well from my Lee Pro Auto Disk and ok from my Hornady and RCBS measures. In both cases, it has some static cling issues I've gone to dryer sheets and powdered graphite to eliminate. Haven't used the "fixes" long enough to comment on their effectiveness yet.

As to the Universal, I suggest you post the powder measures you own and let other folks tell you if the Universal meters well in one or all of the ones you own. If it does, I see no reason not to give it a try and see how you like it. You certainly have a wide range of calibers to try it out in.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Mark whiz]

Another thing I forgot to mention earlier about Universal................it needs a pretty good crimp on the bullet. It's very common to find a few unburnt powder flakes on the table after you've fired a few rounds, and a good solid crimp helps to minimize that.

 

[Walkalong]

Universal measures real well from my Redding 10X. I like it. It gets cleaner and cleaner as the pressure goes up. I really like it in the .40.

 

[bakert]

I've never used Titegroup but I use Universal in the .45 Colt and in my opinion it's the best powder for light to medium .44 magnum rds with cast bullets. Very similar weight for charges but cleaner than Unique. It meters very well.

 

[shadowalker]

I've used both Titegroup and Universal for 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP, both measure very well and Universal makes a nice mid velocity target load. Universal seems to be a little more robust in velocity than Titegroup.

 

[FieroCDSP]

In both cases, it has some static cling issues I've gone to dryer sheets and powdered graphite to eliminate. Haven't used the "fixes" long enough to comment on their effectiveness yet.

I had dispenser-cling issues using Clays until I ran some Unique through it. Unique has a ton of graphite (or whatever they use as their lubricant) on it, and after a run of Unique ammo, the Clays meters better.

 

[boogalou]

I use Universal for 9mm, .40, & .45ACP and it's a nice flexible powder that meters well in my Lyman.

 

[Shoney]

Dave IFBG: Universal meters very well in my LNL measure, my Dillon measure, and Lyman measure.

shark40sw: I have had very good accuracy from Universal and Titegroup in 32ACP, 9x18, 9x19, 357Mag, and 45 ACP.

Here is my observation on the cartridges we have in common.

9x19: The Titegroup achieved slightly better velocities than the Universal, while Tightgroup is more economical. I liked Longshot much better, with much higher velocities.

357Mag: The Titegroup achieved slightly better velocities than the Universal, while Tightgroup is more economical. I liked Longshot much better, with much higher velocities.

40S&W:The Universal achieved better velocities than the Titegroup, while Tightgroup is more economical. I liked Longshot much better, with much higher velocities and less pressure.

45ACP Jacketed Bullet: The Universal achieved better velocities at a much lower pressure than the Titegroup, while Tightgroup is more economical. I liked Longshot much better with much higher velocities, but Universal was my choice for practice load 230gr because of the lower pressure.

45ACP Hard Cast Lead Bullet: The Universal and Tightgroup velocities were the same while Univeasal had lower pressue, and Tightgroup is more economical. Longshot had no advantages.

 

[shark40sw]

Thanks for the info everyone. I've used a limited amount of Tightgroup in the past (one pound) and found it was good for FMJ 180s in my two .40s. But Universal was a complete unknown to me. I was looking at it because of the wide range of calibers it showed loads for. It interested me because it did seem very versitile. Of course that did raise the question of, if it does so many things can it do any of them well?
Shoney, it's funny you should throw Longshot in there because it is another powder that I have listed, and it actually comes in cheaper for a 4lb can . I may have to try 4 of it and another of Titegroup.
PS: my powder measure is the 550 Dillon

 

[Sam Adams]

I use Titegroup in 9mm & .45, mainly because of the economy and the easy metering, but I've found that I get pretty consistent groups. I am not a competition shooter, so if that's anyone's goal then don't go by my say so.

I use Universal in .38 (no .357 loadings with it yet), but I'll give Titegroup a shot (well, 50 or 100 to be more precise).

 

[Sam Adams]

Shoney

Can you share with us your loads for the various calibers that you mentioned? It is always nice to have a good point of reference from someone who's done some testing beforehand.

 

[Shoney]

Sam Adams;
I don't mean to sound flippant, but I do not publish my loads on the internet. Since each weapon is different in so many ways, it is an exercise in futility; not to mention the legal ramifications if I commit a typo (If yu gut my dirft.)

All my loads (and more) can be found here:
data.hodgdon.com
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Index.htm
http://www.accuratepowder.com/reloading.htm
http://www.lapua.com/uploads/media/HandgunReloadingData2006.pdf
http://www.ramshot.com/powders/

My practice loads are usually low to mid range, tested for the most accurate. Hunting or PD loads are usually near max, but accuracy is foremost over velocity.

 

[Sam Adams]

Shoney,

Thanks. I appreciate your unwillingness to post actual loads, but the fact that your actual loads are low to mid-range of those published by the powder manufacturers listed is a big help.

 

[Ala Dan]

I've used Hodgdons Universal with great success in the .45 ACP; and
I'm starting to get my first "hands-on" experience with Tite-Group; I
will be back to post the results~!

 

[Walkalong]

I tried Universal and I tried Tightgroup. I bought a 4 lb der of Universal.

Tightgroup shoots pretty good though.

ROLL TIDE

 

[Sam Adams]

From my Post #12:

I use Universal in .38 (no .357 loadings with it yet)....

Uh, Unique - NOT Universal. Good thing that this is the kind of mistake I only make away from the loading bench and my reloading books.