light loads of titegroup in 40 s&w

saskgunowner101

saskgunowner101

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So I hooked up the auto disk to my turret press instead of throwing powder by scale( progress, so far so good) and I'm using the .34 disk hole. When I weigh it on the scale, it reads out 3.6-3.8 grains. I know this is light, but I'm curious what the bottom end is for powder charges in titegroup. There was an article I found on google at handgunmags. com, and it has light loads. I'm using 180 grain copper plated Excel bullets, cci500 small pistol primer, asst. brass, and obviously, titegroup.I set the c.o.l. to 1.124-1.127. To my understanding, the worst that would happen is the slide might not lock back. I've seen no warnings of titegroup being dangerous at low powder weight. Any thoughts on this??
 
I don't know either, but I have read some loads for .40 S&W going as low as 3.2grn. I was playing around with some loads for my Glock, and I was also wondering how low you could go.

I have just loaded up 50 rnds of the following and will report back tonight:

.40 S&W
3.7 grn Titegroup
180 grn SWC Excell .400" CW
CCI SP primer
Winchester 1F brass
COL 1.124"-1.128"

Firearm to be used: Glock 22
 
You should be ok at 3.6-3.8 grains. Myself and many others are using 3.4-3.5 grains of tightgroup behind a 180g fmj for IPSC Minor. As you said, depending on the gun, the slide may not lock back, but it should cycle just fine.

Dave
 
"...what the bottom end is for powder charges in titegroup..." That's what loading manuals are for.
"...the worst that would happen..." It might not cycle the action either. 3.4 grains of Titegroup is apparently a known IPSC 'minor' .40 S&W load.
 
"...what the bottom end is for powder charges in titegroup..." That's what loading manuals are for.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but none of my loading manuals seem to list anything under 4.2grns as a starting point for Titegroup.
 
Got this load from Dragoon. 2.8 gr of Titegroup under my 180 gr lead bullets make minor PF for IPSC and Pf for IDPA. Very accurate and soft shooting.

Take Care

Bob
 
I have also used loads that light, mainly for inexperienced shooters.

If you want to go lighter, then I suggest a faster powder like Clays. It will burn cleaner because it will generate a higher pressure, but not a higher velocity.
 
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The Lee auto disk always seems about 3-4 gr short of what their manual says is the minimun. I think my last load was 4.3gr behind 180gr TMJ.
 
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