Had been using Titegroup for my 357 and 38 loads. Recently had a reloading shop owner tell me that Titegroup was not good and actually dangerous for the 357 due to case volume. He recommended 2400 which I purchased. Loads seem fine the only thing is the amount loaded per pound vs Titegroup. Any opinions?
I am of the opinion that progressive presses lessen the chance of double loads, but they do happen. Titegroup is as fast burning as Bullseye powder, when I ask Bullseye Pistol shooters their loads, those using Titegroup are within a tenth of a grain of the people loading Bullseye powder, plus or minus. I did test Bullseye powder in 357 cases, 4.0 grains with a 158 LRN, and it shot well and was consistent. That was a 38 Special equivalent in velocity. I used 3.5 grains Bullseye with a 158 LRN in a 38 Special case, comes out of a four inch barrel at 760 fps.
I was told a story by a former employee of a Pawn Shop and indoor range. A customer came in and purchased a Colt Officer Model in 38 Special. He was an experienced rifle shooter but this was his first pistol. He asked the owner for a load recommendation, which the owner wrote something down like 158 gr L 3.5 grains Bullseye. The rifle shooter thought something must be wrong, the charge level was obviously too low, so he adjusted it, up!
He then went to the indoor range and blew the top strap off this pistol where it was lodged in the range ceiling till the range was closed.
The pistol owner, being so incompetent he did not know he was incompetent, thought the pistol was defective and went to the front desk demanding a refund!
Once the particulars of the loads were figured out, the Pawn Shop/Range owner asked the guy to leave and not return!
I have used kegs of 2400 in the 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum, it is a great powder. Skeeter Skelton had a load, in 38 Special cases, of 13.5 grains 2400 with a 158 lead bullet. I thought that was too hot, but the same charge in a 357 case works very well.
Code:
Smith & Wesson M27-2 6.5” Barrel
158 LSWC 13.5grs 2400 R-P cases Fed 100
4-Sep-05 T = 80 °F
Ave Vel = 1245
Std Dev = 22.49
ES = 97.26
High = 1285
Low = 1187
Number shots= 32
158 LSWC 13.5grs 2400 R-P cases CCI primers
9-Oct-05 T = 64 °F
Ave Vel = 1273
Std Dev = 44.03
ES = 176.7
High = 1372
Low = 1195
N = 30
158 JHP (W/W) 13.5 grains 2400 R-P cases WSP
5-Aug-06 T = 103 °F
Ave Vel =1196
Std Dev =26.58
ES =87.17
High =1244
Low =1157
N =10
