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  #1  
Old 11-29-2009, 09:43 PM
TwoPoundPull TwoPoundPull is offline
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Default Trail Boss?

FWIW.....Had good luck with this Cheerio's look-a-like powder when 231 gave me some case sensitivity issues in 45 Colt. Had it on hand for 30-30 under cast RNFP. Going to try it in 44 and 41 mag for light range loads. Any cowboy shooters use this stuf when you cross over to Bullseye or PPC.........Thanks.....2#
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Old 11-29-2009, 10:07 PM
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I tried it in .357 loaded with of 3.5 grains pushing a 158 GR LSWC and loved it. It runs about 780 fps at that loading and smooth as hell. Actually we have tire back stops at the range and I found a few bullets hardly deformed and just barely stuck in the tire.
I was looking for a super mild loading and it worked great.

It can be loaded to 4.2 @ 865. Not a screamer but fun to shoot!
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Old 11-30-2009, 01:02 AM
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I've used Trail Boss with considerable success in the .500 Mag. 12gr behind a 405 gr hard cast produces a very mild recoil but a satisfying thump at the backstop.

I'm also getting good results in my .458 Win Mag using 23gr behind a 300gr cowboy bullet.

Hodgdon says it has no position sensitivity and with normal charges, you virtually can't double charge a case. The only downside for light loads is that they cheap you out with I think are 9oz cans vice the usual 16 oz cannisters. Don
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Old 11-30-2009, 10:30 AM
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Quote:
... The only downside for light loads is that they cheap you out with I think are 9oz cans vice the usual 16 oz cannisters. ...
I was going to buy some TB, but the small container for the price put me off too.

But another way to think about it is --
4.2 gr / load of TB = 900 loads per 9 oz.
11.4 gr / load of 2400 = 600 loads per 16 oz.

(The first load is from USMC586;
The second is the lightest load Lyman gives for the .357 Mag w/ 2400 and a 158 gr lead bullet).

I expect you can find a powder that comes in 16 oz containers that will beat TB on cost per load, but it would not be by much. My point here is that cost per load has to count for something. Just thinking out loud.
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Last edited by Jack Flash; 11-30-2009 at 10:38 AM.
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Old 11-30-2009, 11:10 AM
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I have been loading some 44 spl with it. It is very consistent but I will not be buying it again. It is not worth the extra expense IMO for what you get. Price per lb or price per load however you want to calculate it. Plus don't exhale when you use it, it all blows away

44 Special and Trail Boss powder
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Old 11-30-2009, 11:18 AM
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I've used TB in .38 spl, 45 colt, and in 460 mag. it meters fine and shoots fine. I was lucky to find a few cans at Sportsmans Warehouse back last fall for around $13 per can. I still have 2-1/2 cans left.
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Old 11-30-2009, 07:30 PM
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I haven't used TB in a revolver as yet but did try it out on a test load for my .43 Spanish Remington rolling block. I didn't chronograph the load since I only loaded 8 rounds as a test. Turned out to be the most accurate load I have ever shot from my .43. I am definitely going to load more and see if it was a flute or the real thing. If it shoots as well as the first load I will be buying a 5 pound cage or 2. I think I will try it in my .41 magnum or the .44/40 Ruger just for fun. James
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Old 11-30-2009, 08:36 PM
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I have been using it since it first came out. Used in .44, 45ACP, and .38 revolver loads. Very easy to load, and as has been said, impossible to double charge, at least with any loads I use.
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Old 11-30-2009, 08:58 PM
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I did mention it but it is worth emphasizing, one of the really big advantages Trail Boss has is that you're dealing with reduced loads. It is virtually impossible to double charge like you could with Titegroup, Bullseye or other similar powders.

It's a nice safety factor. Don
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Old 12-01-2009, 12:35 AM
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Howdy

The whole reason Trail Boss was developed in the first place was for light loads in big, cavernous cases like 45 Colt. It was developed specifically with Cowboy Action Shooters in mind. That's why it has the 'old west' name. A lot of CAS shooters were trying to duplicate 38 Sp ballistics in the 45 Colt, with light powder charges and light bullets. 45 Colt does not take well to that, 3 flakes of Whiz Bang tends to burn erratically with so much empty space. Trail Boss was developed specifically to take up more space in big cases for light loads.

I have messed around with it a bit, but frankly, I prefer to stuff the 45 Colt to the brim with FFg. If you think Trail Boss is expensive, try dumping 35 grains or so of FFg in each cartridge.
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Old 12-01-2009, 01:13 AM
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I tried TB in 38 Spl, 357 mag. 41 Mag and 44 Spl. I didn't really care for it in any of them. It was probably at it's best in the 41. Great groups, but it shot way low from my fixed sight model 58.

For those who like TB the price hurdle can be overcome by buying the 5 lb. canister.
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  #12  
Old 12-01-2009, 06:02 AM
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I just never really needed anything that "dribbled" out of the barrel so it really didn't impress me either.

Looks cool and smells neat when ignited.

Cowboy action shooters probably like it pretty good.
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Old 12-01-2009, 06:07 AM
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Exclamation It has it's place.

What is neat about this capitalistic society of ours is that folks make things that are needed. Hence, Trail Boss.

Large capacity cases is where it really shines. A 45Colt case is one place a little powder can get lost. Not Trail Boss. A light charge fills the case. That's a good thing for many reasons.

I used it in the 500 S&W Handi-Rifle I used to have. 300gr bullets going 1300fps was plenty good enough for me!
Especially my shoulder!
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Old 12-01-2009, 09:49 AM
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This thread made me decide to go get a can of Trail Boss. A lot of my shooting is with midrange loads. I mean, not all of us require EACH AND EVERY ROUND to be capable of stopping a charging grizzly.

So I ran down to the local shop last night only to find they were sold out of TB. They had plenty a week ago. Must be that SOMEONE likes this stuff!
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  #15  
Old 12-01-2009, 10:56 AM
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It is good. If it was a full 1 lb for the price I would use it for the 44's.
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Old 12-01-2009, 02:48 PM
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I have used it in 38, 357 and 41. It does exactly what it claims it will. I never achieved great accuracy with any of the loads I have tried it in but it doesn't claim to achieve that anyway. Wasn't bad, just not as good as other loads. However, if you want a mild shooting load in any caliber it is listed for, you will love Trailboss.

It is a unique powder in shape and such. The one warning is to not compress it. Once those little doughnut shapes start getting crushed, it is said that pressures can rise quickly.
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Old 12-01-2009, 11:10 PM
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How does it do if you try for higher velocities? I've used 7.9 grs of W231 behind a 255 gr bullet in 45 Colt. It is a real blaster, but the powder charge rattles around in the case. If I were to try for higher than the 855 fps, 11,000 psi shown in the IMR site data, would I run the risk of getting in over what is healthy for a 625 Mountain Gun?
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Old 12-01-2009, 11:46 PM
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I have been loading .45 ACP with a 230 grain lead SWC on top of 4 grains of Trail Boss. Out of my 5 inch 1911 this round chronographs an average of 690 fps on a cool day. I use a standard spring on both my 4” and 5” 1911s and after over a 1000 rounds I have had no problem with cycling. I also load my 38s with 158 grain lead SWC on top of 4 grains of Trail Boss and get an average of 787 fps from a 6” revolver.
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Old 12-02-2009, 02:25 AM
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Cyrano, it really doesn't pay to try to up the horsepower with Trail Boss. Hodgdon shows 5.8gr as a maximum in the .45 Colt with a 250gr LRNFP bullet (727 fps out of a 7-1/4" barrel). My experience is that will almost fill the space below the bullet, and you REALLY don't want to compress Trail Boss ("don't crush the donuts"), as bad things can happen pressure-wise when Trail Boss's physical geometry is altered.
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Old 12-02-2009, 06:48 AM
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The point of using Trail Boss is to get light velocity with high case fill.

Cyrano,
If you want to get more out of the 45Colt and your Mountain Gun, look in the "Ruger/TC" only section of the newest Lee manual. There are some real whompers there and I think I would leave the heaviest of those alone, but there are loads that are what I would call +P ones that would be fine in your firearm. Look for data that doesn't exceed 20,000psi. There may even be some loads with W231/HP-38 there as well.

The M625 will take 20,000psi all day long and stay tight. There are folks that regularly load them to 30,000psi. You will find some of those loads in that manual too, I wouldn't start off with them though!
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  #21  
Old 12-02-2009, 05:28 PM
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Skip -

1) Glad to see you here !

2) Question for you. Would you be concerned if I told you I was getting 17.0 gr Trailboss into a 500 case ? I am loading with Berry's plated 350 gr. I assume this combo is working as the cannelure is close to the base of the bullet, with not much shank sitting inside the case. I'm certain I am not compressing the powder. The loads are light as can be of course.
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Old 12-02-2009, 06:55 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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Exclamation Can't remember my 500 Load! Old Timers!

JD,
Thanks!

I wouldn't be concerned that you have gotten that much Trail Boss into the case. Here is what I was told by the Hodgdon Tech when I called about using it. He said: (Not an exact quote) "Mark the case where the base of the bullet will sit and fill'er up to there with Trail Boss, it'll work fine!"

That's just what I did too. My bullet was seated deeper though. I'll have to check my data to see what the load was.

Edit: I used a 300gr Speer Gold Dot and 16.2gr of Trail Boss. I remember a firm crimp and not the OAL, check another recipe for that bullet and that is what I used, Wolf Large Rifle Primers.

Low 1270fps
High 1279fps
Avg 1275FPS
ES 8.95fps
SD 4.58fps

Last edited by Skip Sackett; 12-02-2009 at 07:02 PM. Reason: Found the data:
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  #23  
Old 12-02-2009, 10:12 PM
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I use TB in .38 spl,.41 mag, .45AR, .44 mag and .45 Colt. It shoots well in all. I like it a lot - especially in the 5 pound jugs.
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Old 12-02-2009, 11:24 PM
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I'd read the hype on this stuff, so I gave it a looksey in 45 Colt. Seems to work best in the lighter bullet weights. I did not care for it with my 255gr. LSWC's.......mediocre accuracy and lackluster velocity. The cowboy shooters I know seem to be turning to Titegroup for their 45 Colts. I find it to be a super powder for mid-range 45 Colt loads. I'd be surprised to see Trail Boss still around 10 years from now.
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Old 11-05-2018, 11:26 AM
hillbillydruggist hillbillydruggist is offline
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anyone ever tried in a bottle necked rifle cartridges?
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Old 11-05-2018, 04:52 PM
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Trail Boss works for me in my J frame snub nose for light target loads for the girls.
125gr Lfn or RN Cowboy type at 580-600fps for a Recoil of only 1.90.
A 158 LRN at only 570fps that hits POA and only has a Recoil of 2.58ft/lbs.
A FBI 158gr LHP at 861fps has a Recoil of 5.92 ft/lbs.

As for a rifle bottle neck, yes.........
I loaded the Speer and Hornady 110 gr Plinkers with Trail Boss, SR4759 and Unique powders.
All three worked in the 1600fps zone for 50 yard work but may go to 100yards
if your rifle barrel etc. are in good shape.
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Old 11-05-2018, 09:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hillbillydruggist View Post
anyone ever tried in a bottle necked rifle cartridges?
TB is the go-to powder for subsonic .308 . Fat 180+ gr bullets and about 10g of TB gets me about 1025 fps.
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Old 11-05-2018, 10:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skip Sackett View Post
JD,
... Here is what I was told by the Hodgdon Tech when I called about using it. He said: (Not an exact quote) "Mark the case where the base of the bullet will sit and fill'er up to there with Trail Boss, it'll work fine!" ...
I've found this rule of thumb to be pretty useful in 38 special, 357 magnum cases, 44 special and 44 magnum cases. I fill to 0.1" below the seated bullet just to be sure there is no compression. The 357 and 44 special give me good accuracy. It's a fair "thump" but not a big one. I get better accuracy in a 44 mag case with powder that gives a bit more velocity. If I download below the "rule of thumb," accuracy seems to suffer. All said and done, good metering and clean burning.
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Old 11-05-2018, 10:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdan View Post
I'd be surprised to see Trail Boss still around 10 years from now.
Well here we are at 8.75 years later and trail boss is still going strong!

It has done wonder out of my 38-55 Low Wall! And is very pleasant to shoot for Speed Rifle out of the guide gun.

Ivan
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Old 11-09-2018, 12:39 PM
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I have used TB in .357mag and .44mag. The result is mild/moderate .357mag & .44mag loads that became my favorite to shoot at the range.

When I get the time, I plan on developing loads with TB for my .375H&H and either a round ball or cast lead projectile.

Last edited by roo_ster; 11-09-2018 at 12:43 PM. Reason: edit
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Old 11-09-2018, 12:55 PM
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I tried some moderate loads of TB under some 158gr Platted SWC last year and had very good results. It was just a little smokier than my usual 28 special powders but grouped nicely right at POA. Soft shooting too!
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