Getting more out of Titegroup

[Schnitzjr]

I've loaded thousands of 115 gr plated LRN 9mm bullets using 4.0gr Titegroup, COL 1.15 . My spent cases are a bit dirty (sooty).
Every load goes boom in all of my guns but they feel "spongy". I'd like to develop a load that feels more like a factory load but I'm not looking to push the limits of Titegroup. I've heard that's generally not a good idea...
I loaded up a few rounds at 4.3 gr (which means some more than likely are at 4.4) which is the maximum load according to various sources.

I'm not sure if it's better to load to the published max or perhaps adjust my COL to 1.10. I can use some guidance here. I don't know what effect in "feel" reducing the COL will have. I guess I'm wondering which will have a better effect, reduced COL or increased charge.

 

[Chainsaw.]

I chronographed my 9mm loads today an was underimpressed. My load is 4.8 grains of TG under a jacketed 115 with a cci 500 primer, col of 1.24. My velocity was......about 950-1000 fps. LAME. I think I need to shorten my col to 1.1.

So given that plus what you said about soot you can sneek up slowly. Ive found that some manufacturers call MAX a bit lower than it should be, probably because of lawyers. Get a chronograph.

 

[9x45]

You can go up to 4.8 and down to 1.100" for 115s, and probably easily to 5.5. My standard load is a 125 Bayou over 4.3 grs at 1.100" OAL and it goes about 1,180 fps. I have load 125 JHPs to 1,320 with 5.8 grs at 1.155" OAL and RN lead down to 1.060" with no flattening of primer or bulges. I think TiteGroup is conservative, especially for .45acp 230gr bullets, but not for 9mms.

 

[mrdaputer]

Schnitzjr where are you getting your info from? I went to the Hdgdon reloading data site and looks like you are running low. Here is their link
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

 

[Nick_C_S]

I'm not sure if it's better to load to the published max (i.e. increase the charge) or perhaps adjust my COL to 1.10 (down from 1.15).

Well, if the rounds are feeding properly at 1.15, I'd be hesitant to recommend changing it. It rarely makes sense to play with the COL to boost performance.

At the risk of oversimplifying, the net effect of reducing the COL is to increase the burn rate of the propellant. It's a bit like switching to a slightly faster powder, if you will.

I think you'd be better served to stick with your COL. You have to load your ammo and make your choices the way that is most comfortable for you. Published data is used as a guideline. But for whatever it's worth, TiteGroup has a bit of "slowness" to it - it's not as spunky as some of its contemporaries (TiteWad, Clays, Bullseye, W231/HP-38); so that buys a little wiggle room to work up. You are also using a light bullet, which tames your pressure curve. All that said, you have to decide for yourself what to do.

An alternative would be to move to an intermediate burn rate propellant. That'll give you more velocity with the same (or less) peak pressure.

 

[Metal god]

My titegroup 9mm load is 115gr Rainier PLRN & 4.6gr titegroup @ 1.110. I tested to 4.8gr but 4.6gr was more accurate .

 

[Schnitzjr]

Thanks for the replies. I fired the 4.3 gr loads through 3 guns today and they had more " punch" than those loaded with 4.0 gr.

Mrdaupter Hodgson lists 3.9 to 4.3 as the range for LRN. That's where I came up with my max for plated heads.

 

[Reloader2]

My plinking load is 4.3 grains of Titegroup with 115 plated RN Berry's or Xtreme bullet. No issues so far with three pistols.

 

[Worc]

Great timing! I just shot a 100 rounds that I loaded with 115 gr plated RN (Berry's) with 4.0 grs of Tite Group with CCI #500 primers at 1.130 COL. I also shot a 100 loads with the same specs with 4.6 grs of 231/HP-38. The Tite Group felt like less recoil. I bump up to 4.3 grs and try those. It would be the same that I use for Bullseye.

My cases looked pretty good and the rounds were not quite as accurate as the 231/HP-38. Good the hear others are going even higher than what I thought was near max (4.3).