Reloading .38 Spl/.357 with Titegroup

[Jim Edward]

While you’re on the subject of .38 special/.357 magnum.. I’m another new reloader in need of advice. I’ve started with 9mm this year, and having loaded a bunch, I’m starting on .38 special, and maybe a few .357 magnum. I have Titegroup for powder at the moment, and Xtreme bullets 125 gr flat nose plated bullets. I can’t find load data anywhere for a 125gr plated bullet with Titegroup. I can find it for light bullets, and heavier bullets, as well as lead and jacketed. The powder charge seems to vary greatly between the different bullets, to the point that I have no idea where to start. I’ll be shooting these as plinking ammo from my S&W model 28, a pretty stout revolver. Any advice is appreciated. I’m learning a lot from reading the forums here, and I’m glad to have found this group.

 

[lordpaxman]

Welcome to THR @Jim Edward !
For a new reloader I’d advise you find a different powder other than Titegroup to start with. If you can’t, then, double and triple check your charges to MAKE SURE you don’t overcharge.
I used the Hodgdon online data when working up Titegroup loads for my plated 125gr bullets. I started with the lead data but ended up with a squib in my 6” 686, so I switched to the jacketed data (XTP). Even at the max of 4.6gr, at 1.445” the loads were still very mild at about 100 PF. Good luck.

 

[Charlie98]

Xtreme plated bullets are pretty good, pax is right... just use the 125grn jacketed data Hornady provides for TiteGroup.

Pax is also correct... TiteGroup is not a very forgiving powder, and not one I would recommend to someone as their first powder. It has a very narrow window of charge weights, and you really have to mind things like bullet seating depth. It is also a very hot burning powder... and for that reason I do not recommend it with cast lead bullets. It does work well with 9mm, as you have probably seen... so that would be a good place to use it. In fact, it's what I'm doing now... until it's finally all gone and I can erase it from my memory.

 

[gonoles_1980]

Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading Has the load data for 125 grain bullet for titegroup. Xtreme recommends not more than midrange data for jacketed bullets. Bullet/Load Info (xtremebullets.com) there is a big gap between the high end of the lead bullets and the low end of the jacketed bullets. So maybe start your ladder at the low end of the plated bullets. The only things I use Titegroup in currently are light loaded 240 grain LSWC 44spl and with 9mm 124 gr plated bullets. I use bullseye in my 38's and HP-38 in my 357 snubbie.

 

[Charlie98]

The only things I use Titegroup in currently are light loaded 240 grain LSWC 44spl

That was one of my experiments with TiteGroup in an effort to use it up. I found the pistol so hot after 50 rounds I could hardly hold it to punch the empties out. Knowing now that the high nitro content makes it burn so hot, I don't use it for cast bullets.

 

[jmorris]

I have used titegroup in the past for 38, not the right powder at all if you are going for top end 357 loads.

 

[gonoles_1980]

That was one of my experiments with TiteGroup in an effort to use it up. I found the pistol so hot after 50 rounds I could hardly hold it to punch the empties out. Knowing now that the high nitro content makes it burn so hot, I don't use it for cast bullets.

I use only 4.0grains in the 44spl, they're for my wife to shoot out of my 44 mag, very low recoil. I haven't noticed any overheating issues, though the gun has a 7" barrel, so maybe that dissipates the heat. Checking my logs I did use it in my 38spl with 3.5gr on a 158gr LSWC back in 2014, switched to Bullseye, I think it had more to do with availability at the time.

 

[Hartkopf]

Titegroup does run hot. It’s very noticeable shooting high volume with an auto loader. Your holster better be full length to protect your skin from the slide/barrel. (Brand your butt)

I also prefer more case fill so I’ve moved to slower bulkier powders. I use Longshot and HS-6 for everything now. In 357 magnum, Longshot works great for a fairly stout load that’s fun to shoot.

 

[Random 8]

As above, TG requires some special precautions in terms of charge weight. It is not very forgiving. That being said, it did produce extremely accurate and efficient loads for me using a 125 Cast ACME bullet in both .38 and .357. I used Hodgdon listed start charges for .38 cast, and never felt the need to deviate from that course as my use was the same as yours, casual plinking ammo. My loads were clean and accurate. I used the .38 load in both cases.

Just revisited the Hodgdon data. Looking at .357 XTP vs Cast, you probably could go a bit heavier, I think the cast bullet is kept light to prevent leading, but personally I wouldn't feel the need to for your stated purpose. You'll be safe to follow the cast data. Running those plated too fast could give you leading problems.

 

[AJC1]

I like tg for powder puff loads in 38spl. I dont find it appropriate for any kind of power in 357 which is the reason to shift to the bigger cartridge. Much slower powders like 2400 should be used in mag cases when trying for power.

 

[George P]

Welcome to THR @Jim Edward !
For a new reloader I’d advise you find a different powder other than Titegroup to start with. If you can’t, then, double and triple check your charges to MAKE SURE you don’t overcharge.
I used the Hodgdon online data when working up Titegroup loads for my plated 125gr bullets. I started with the lead data but ended up with a squib in my 6” 686, so I switched to the jacketed data (XTP). Even at the max of 4.6gr, at 1.445” the loads were still very mild at about 100 PF. Good luck.

I strongly disagree; Titegroup is an excellent powder for 38; OP, use data for lead bullets for you plated - or light jacketed. Keep velocities below the recommended velocity of 1200fps.

 

[lordpaxman]

Titegroup is an excellent powder for 38

I strongly agree; Titegroup is excellent in a number of calibers. My most tightest groups with my .38 were with, you guessed it, Titegroup. However, for a new reloader there are better first powder choices. If it’s the only powder you have, by all means use it, just be sure you stay within the lines.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Xtreme plated bullets are pretty good, pax is right... just use the 125grn jacketed data Hornady provides for TiteGroup.

Pax is also correct... TiteGroup is not a very forgiving powder, and not one I would recommend to someone as their first powder. It has a very narrow window of charge weights, and you really have to mind things like bullet seating depth. It is also a very hot burning powder... and for that reason I do not recommend it with cast lead bullets. It does work well with 9mm, as you have probably seen... so that would be a good place to use it. In fact, it's what I'm doing now... until it's finally all gone and I can erase it from my memory.

I too am working on a can. It's ok in 38s. But I found other powders work better.
I eventually just ran starting loads for jacketed with the plated bullet.