- Mar 9, 2011
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I had a one-pound can of Hodgdon Titegroup pistol powder, so I thought I'd work up a load for 9mm. I used a Nosler 124 grain JHP, Winchester cases trimmed to 0.749", CCI #500 primers, and an OAL of 1.140". The starting load was listed at 3.6 grains for a velocity of 957 fps, and the maximum load was listed at 4.1 grains for 1,057 fps.
I loaded five rounds each from minimum to maximum, at a 0.1 grain interval. The powder was dispensed from an RCBS Powdermaster powder dispenser, into an RCBS Powder Pro digital scale, and each powder throw was double checked on a Frankfort Arsenal digital scale. I also used a light tapered crimp with a crimping die.
Each group of five rounds were fired through an well-worn Ruger P89. The Ruger is expendable, in case a handload accidentally goes "kaboom." They were fired through a "Shooting Chrony" chronograph at a range of 10 feet, and each fired cartridge case was carefully inspected for signs of excess pressure.
The average of the velocity was as follows:
3.6 gr. - 963 fps
3.7 gr. - 981 fps
3.8 gr. - 989 fps
3.9 gr. - 1033 fps
4.0 gr. - 1040 fps
4.1 gr. - 1059 fps
From 3.6 to 3.8 grains, the cases exhibited carbon residue on the outside, which is a sign that they were not fully expanding in the chamber. At 4.0 to 4.1 grains, the loads felt "snappy" and the pistol started throwing the cases in a close proximity to each other.
Hodgdon Titegroup is a decent pistol powder because it's fast-burning, and you use smaller charges. It does have one problem though: It is tricky to use because the internal pressure of the cartridge can jump up drastically, with only a 0.1 grain difference in the charge.
Note: The data I provided should only be used with caution, and may not apply to the particular pistol you have. Always start at the minimum load according to a current reloading manual, and work your way up in .1 grain intervals. I am not responsible for any injury or damage caused by the data I provided.
Happy shooting!
I loaded five rounds each from minimum to maximum, at a 0.1 grain interval. The powder was dispensed from an RCBS Powdermaster powder dispenser, into an RCBS Powder Pro digital scale, and each powder throw was double checked on a Frankfort Arsenal digital scale. I also used a light tapered crimp with a crimping die.
Each group of five rounds were fired through an well-worn Ruger P89. The Ruger is expendable, in case a handload accidentally goes "kaboom." They were fired through a "Shooting Chrony" chronograph at a range of 10 feet, and each fired cartridge case was carefully inspected for signs of excess pressure.
The average of the velocity was as follows:
3.6 gr. - 963 fps
3.7 gr. - 981 fps
3.8 gr. - 989 fps
3.9 gr. - 1033 fps
4.0 gr. - 1040 fps
4.1 gr. - 1059 fps
From 3.6 to 3.8 grains, the cases exhibited carbon residue on the outside, which is a sign that they were not fully expanding in the chamber. At 4.0 to 4.1 grains, the loads felt "snappy" and the pistol started throwing the cases in a close proximity to each other.
Hodgdon Titegroup is a decent pistol powder because it's fast-burning, and you use smaller charges. It does have one problem though: It is tricky to use because the internal pressure of the cartridge can jump up drastically, with only a 0.1 grain difference in the charge.
Note: The data I provided should only be used with caution, and may not apply to the particular pistol you have. Always start at the minimum load according to a current reloading manual, and work your way up in .1 grain intervals. I am not responsible for any injury or damage caused by the data I provided.
Happy shooting!
