Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading
o

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-21-2012, 10:17 PM
00Buck2's Avatar
00Buck2 00Buck2 is offline
Member
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hoosier State
Posts: 899
Likes: 1,024
Liked 1,095 Times in 266 Posts
Default 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?

Can anyone suggest a starting load for 45 colt with Trail Boss under a 200g Cast LSWC.

I have been loading this bullet over 8.6g of Unique in my 25-5, 4". I've had really good results and no problems with this load other than REALLY DIRTY.

I heard that Trail Boss is not any cleaner but is really good for lead bullets, so I bought a pound of it today. Well I can not find a starting load in my Speer#11 or Lyman 3rd edition for this bullet/powder.

Any suggestions?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-21-2012, 10:35 PM
Dragon88 Dragon88 is offline
Member
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 107
Liked 456 Times in 205 Posts
Default

Hodgdon has data in their Online Reloading Center.

I like to start near the maximum charge listed for Trail Boss. It is a very bulky powder, and as long as you don't compress it and crush the little "donuts", Hodgdon says it is impossible to overcharge this powder. Velocity will be very low, light recoil, it's somewhat clean but it has a weird smell when fired.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-21-2012, 10:57 PM
00Buck2's Avatar
00Buck2 00Buck2 is offline
Member
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hoosier State
Posts: 899
Likes: 1,024
Liked 1,095 Times in 266 Posts
Default

Thanks, I looked online and IMR showed loads for 240g and heavier bullets. I would guess (going off my previous reloading experience) a starting load for 240g LSWC would be safe for 200g LSCW.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-21-2012, 11:36 PM
Dragon88 Dragon88 is offline
Member
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 107
Liked 456 Times in 205 Posts
Default

From the Reloading Center:

Quote:
200 GR. CAST LRNFP IMR Trail Boss .452" 1.600" 5.5gr 706fps 8,000 PSI 6.5gr 855fps 11,000 PSI
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-22-2012, 12:17 AM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
Banned
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hoosier Land!
Posts: 4,379
Likes: 587
Liked 576 Times in 307 Posts
Default

This is the advice that I got from Mike Daly who works for Hodgdon: "Mark the case where the base of the bullet will end up when seated, fill to there with Trail Boss and that is your maximum load. Reduce by 10% for a starting load."

Seems that you cannot go wrong with info like that. Rule 3 found it on their website I think.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-22-2012, 12:20 AM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
Banned
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hoosier Land!
Posts: 4,379
Likes: 587
Liked 576 Times in 307 Posts
Default

Well, I was wrong. It can be reduced by 30%!

Check this out!

http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-22-2012, 12:27 AM
Dragon88 Dragon88 is offline
Member
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 107
Liked 456 Times in 205 Posts
Default

Yeah, the big thing with TB they promote is that you can create a safe load for just about any cartridge using that technique. Personally I find minimum TB loads too light, little more than a pop. Mid-range to max loads are more suitable to my tastes, and they are still very light compared to regular powder choices.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-22-2012, 12:35 AM
Ron H.'s Avatar
Ron H. Ron H. is offline
US Veteran
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 33
Liked 249 Times in 118 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 00Buck2 View Post
Can anyone suggest a starting load for 45 colt with Trail Boss under a 200g Cast LSWC.

I have been loading this bullet over 8.6g of Unique in my 25-5, 4". I've had really good results and no problems with this load other than REALLY DIRTY.

I heard that Trail Boss is not any cleaner but is really good for lead bullets, so I bought a pound of it today. Well I can not find a starting load in my Speer#11 or Lyman 3rd edition for this bullet/powder.

Any suggestions?
Sir, the reason you can't find a starting load in Speer No. 11 is that Trail Boss didn't exist in 1987 when that manual came out.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.
__________________
Wishin' don't make it so.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-22-2012, 09:18 AM
Peter M. Eick Peter M. Eick is offline
SWCA Member
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Antonio, TX, USA
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 8
Liked 740 Times in 256 Posts
Default

6.5 grns is pretty mild load with trailboss. I am using that in my 45 colt (Cimarron) and it is just enough recoil to be interesting. I was thinking of going to unique to get a bit more "umph" out of it.
__________________
SWCA 1646
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-22-2012, 09:50 AM
Titegroups Titegroups is offline
Member
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 65
Liked 247 Times in 166 Posts
Default

Trail Boss was developed for cowboy shooters specific needs, I used to shoot it, you can load pretty much as light as you care too, I ran 4g in 44 mag cases for matches and my loads were not really that light. Loadwise you can treat it like black powder, impossible to overload it. Keep in mind that 1lb. container only hold 9oz. so its not cheap to shoot. If you like really light loads it will do the trick.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-22-2012, 11:39 AM
00Buck2's Avatar
00Buck2 00Buck2 is offline
Member
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hoosier State
Posts: 899
Likes: 1,024
Liked 1,095 Times in 266 Posts
Default

Thank you all!

I am going to try the method Sackett advised and start by reducing it by 20%.

I really like Unique but it is kinda a pain because it tends to hang in the powder dispenser so I pay a little closer attention to it when using it.

I found the 8.6 load very good in my 25-5 by loading 6 separate cartridges at 8g, 8.5g and 9.0g and I shot them at 25y from a rest. The 8g shot lousy group, 8.5g good group, 9g good group but not as tight as the 8.5, but I didn't like the recoil.

Thanks now I'm going to get to working up a TB load.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-22-2012, 12:22 PM
Rule3's Avatar
Rule3 Rule3 is offline
Member
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,065
Likes: 10,777
Liked 15,467 Times in 6,788 Posts
Default

As Titegroup mentioned, the container is the same as other powders but it is not 16 oz.

I bought some to try and see no real reason for it other than filling up a case. It is not cost effective, floats around, smells funny and is expensive.

The only real advantage is you do not need any load data for any caliber, and can not over charge a case unless you compress it, by using the IMR pdf method. I guess the Cowboy action shooter like it.

In a bowl with lots of sugar it's a tasty breakfast.
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-22-2012, 03:01 PM
00Buck2's Avatar
00Buck2 00Buck2 is offline
Member
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Hoosier State
Posts: 899
Likes: 1,024
Liked 1,095 Times in 266 Posts
Default

The only real advantage is you do not need any load data for any caliber, and can not over charge a case unless you compress it, by using the IMR pdf method. I guess the Cowboy action shooter like it.

In a bowl with lots of sugar it's a tasty breakfast.[/QUOTE]

You guys hit the nail on the head!!
I just finished up 100 rounds of it, I shot 6 groups of 3 different loads 7.0g,7.5g and 8.0g under the 200g LSWC.

I went with the 8.0, fired 100 rounds at my 6" and 4" swinging target off hand, hit 50-70% of the time at 25y. I then ran at a hard sprint from the barn to the back of the house to clean my gun! Whats up with that smell?

That was different, I don't think it is for me but I had to try it and now I have a whole can to get rid of. I guess I will buy some nose plugs for next time.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-22-2012, 03:04 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
Banned
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hoosier Land!
Posts: 4,379
Likes: 587
Liked 576 Times in 307 Posts
Default

I LIKE THE SMELL OF IT! Guess I am just weird!

Another powder that smells similar to it is WST. Not as strong but, same smell.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-22-2012, 03:06 PM
Rule3's Avatar
Rule3 Rule3 is offline
Member
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,065
Likes: 10,777
Liked 15,467 Times in 6,788 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 00Buck2 View Post
The only real advantage is you do not need any load data for any caliber, and can not over charge a case unless you compress it, by using the IMR pdf method. I guess the Cowboy action shooter like it.

In a bowl with lots of sugar it's a tasty breakfast.
You guys hit the nail on the head!!
I just finished up 100 rounds of it, I shot 6 groups of 3 different loads 7.0g,7.5g and 8.0g under the 200g LSWC.

I went with the 8.0, fired 100 rounds at my 6" and 4" swinging target off hand, hit 50-70% of the time at 25y. I then ran at a hard sprint from the barn to the back of the house to clean my gun! Whats up with that smell?

That was different, I don't think it is for me but I had to try it and now I have a whole can to get rid of. I guess I will buy some nose plugs for next time.[/QUOTE]

That's the Honey Frosting on the Cherrios that smells

No worrys we all had to try it, you will use it up quick. It's a good powder for it's intended use, about as safe as you can get and not blow up your gun.
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 01-22-2012, 03:08 PM
Dragon88 Dragon88 is offline
Member
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 107
Liked 456 Times in 205 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Skip Sackett View Post
I LIKE THE SMELL OF IT! Guess I am just weird!
Yeah, just a little. It has a chemical smell to me, and sometimes leaves a white residue on cases. It keeps the gun cleaner than Unique though, that's for sure.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 01-23-2012, 12:50 PM
Beans Beans is offline
Member
45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load? 45 Colt, Trail Boss load?  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Southern Az Territory, Border County
Posts: 494
Likes: 16
Liked 50 Times in 21 Posts
Default

I used 5 grains of Trailboss and a 200 gr bullets in my .45's for several years.

Accuracy was good, recoil was light.
__________________
Semper FI
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cartridge, colt

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
38 S & W load (Trail Boss) arctic cat Reloading 16 11-17-2020 10:59 AM
Trail Boss in 45LC - which load manuals? SLT223 Reloading 21 01-09-2017 08:56 PM
Anyone got a good Trail Boss load for .38 S&W? canoeguy Reloading 23 10-21-2010 05:11 PM
IMR Trail Boss reduced load for Rifle and Pistol calculations Rule3 Reloading 7 07-23-2010 03:34 PM
38 S&W Trail Boss load data needed Ben Cartwright SASS Reloading 12 02-27-2010 10:13 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:42 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)