TiteGroup and .44sp load

[txpitdog]

I think I already know the answer, but I've got to run this by y'all. For years, I have been using TiteGroup in various pistol calibers, but I quit reloading for a couple years after having kids.

Tonight I cleaned up my workbench, dusted off my reloading data book, and loaded up some .44 specials using a 198gr hardcast RNFP and 6.1gr TiteGroup. I've shot hundreds of these in both my Ruger SBH and my 3" barreled Rossi 720.

I guess since I hadn't loaded in several years, the 6.1gr didn't look like enough to puff a dandelion. Still, I had my notes indicating that this was a good serviceable load for targets and for popping small game in the woods.

Just to be safe, I checked my Speer's 13th manual, and it lists a starting load of 5.4gr and a max load of 6.2gr for the same bullet and TiteGroup. And this is for cowboy action shooting. Just out of curiosity, I checked the Hodgdon site, and :shock: the max load is now 5.4gr!

The answers already in my head are (1) always follow the most current load data, and (2) today's TiteGroup isn't necessarily the same as yesterday's. It still seems strange that the performance characteristics of this powder would change by 20%.

I loaded my good ol' trusty load using the "old" TiteGroup, which is probably circa 2003/04. I have a newer can that I will follow the new loading limits for.

I guess this is where y'all tell me what I already know...[/u]

 

[Sharp Shooter]

"Just to be safe, I checked my Speer's 13th manual, and it lists a starting load of 5.4gr and a max load of 6.2gr for the same bullet and TiteGroup. And this is for cowboy action shooting. Just out of curiosity, I checked the Hodgdon site, and the max load is now 5.4gr!"

Welcome to the forum txpitdog.
I think I'd give Hodgdon a call. Maybe Speer too. It's entirely possible the bullets listed in the .44 Special, CAS section of your Speer Manual aren't the same bullets used for the load data on the Hodgdon site. I say that because I have Hodgdon's #27 Manual sitting in front of me as I type this, and it ALSO lists a maximum charge of 5.4 grains of Titegroup behind a 200 grain, cast RNFP bullet in the .44 Special, just like the Hodgdon website. And here's the thing - my Hodgdon #27 Manual was published in 1998, the same year your Speer #13 Manual was published (I have one of those too).
However, my Speer #14 Manual, which was published in 2007, says the same thing about those bullets and Titegroup powder as my Speer #13 Manual. So I'm betting it's not that Hodgdon has changed their Titegroup powder so much as it's that you're looking at load data for different bullets. But I've been wrong before. I'd give them a call.
Good luck!

 

[contender]

One thing I nEVER do is to try & keep reloading data in my head & use that as my guide for loading.
But,, folow the manuels,, and as long as you stay within the max loads listed,, a Ruger SA 44 spl should be fine.

 

[1ruger]

Most manuals keep the 44 Special load to very mild level.
There are a lot of "weak" revolvers in this caliber like Charter Arms which can not take much stress so manuals keep the max level to where they would be safe in these revolvers.