Trail Boss and Ranier Bullets with 38 spec

[Desert Pete]

Has anyone loaded Ranier, or other copper plated bullets, using Trail Boss? TB seems to work best with lead bullets but the plated bullet companies give mixed messages about which data to use - lead or jacketed. Looking for any experiences of actual shooters.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The fps is slow enough with lead.........
I can't see pushing a light copper coating with TB.

Bull or 231 would be my choice for a light target load.


Ps;
I shoot plated in the 9mm and lead in my 38's.

 

[Erich]

I have. I didn't sweat it - it's not like any of the published data is going to give you problems.

 

[mikld]

Have you looked on the bullet manufacturer's site? I loaded a bunch of Berrys plated bullets over several different powders using suggestions from their web site (low to mid-jacketed data) and lead data. For me, there wasn't enough advantage over cast to continue purchasing plated...

 

[rwsmith]

TB was made..

TB was made for slow lead. I've never heard anybody say plated bullets helped accuracy. Maybe I have the wrong impression but it seems being clean is the plated bullet's best point. I don't know why this would be so, what's a little plating on a bullet?

 

[EDH]

Trail Boss

Where did you find some trail Boss?

 

[Erich]

2007.

 

[Desert Pete]

Where did you find some trail Boss?

It's what I have left. Out of 231, Unique and Bulls Eye.

 

[venomballistics]

It's what I have left. Out of 231, Unique and Bulls Eye.

time for me to do some pistol powder hunting too.

each time out, I tend to grab some rifle powder to keep me with something to shoot, but Ive done a few too many favors for too many people through the shortage, so now I'm running short on a few key propellents.

 

[riverrat38]

I use 100% plated bullets, since the ranges in these parts don't allow lead. Currently, Xtreme 125 gr flat points.
For light loads, I use a maximum jigger of TB, with good results. A lesser load gives poor accuracy, which likely means poor obturation. Plated is more like hard cast, even though the lead underneath is dead soft.
For plus P, and light magnum, I use A#5.
Generally, I shoot the TB loads in my M442, and the A#5 loads in my K and L frames.
Accurate Powders gives some data for plated bullets on their website. This seems to be somewhat unique.
A#5 does not do well in lighter loads. Unburnt powder made extraction very difficult with my late M640 with minimum loads. No more.
Unfortunately, I just finished my bottle of TB and have very little A#5 left. I do have a jug of PB, and then its black powder!

Best,
Rick

 

[scooter123]

If you need powder I would suggest that you take a look at Powder Valley. Because as shocking as it seems to be they still have Vihtavouri 3N37 listed in stock nearly a full day after first listing it. It's what I use for my plated 38 specials and 6.8 grains with a 125 grain plated flat point yields 800 fps from my 6 inch Dan Wesson. It meters superbly and shoots fairly clean without any hint of position sensitivity. BTW, thought about picking up some more but as I currently have about 8 lbs. on hand thought I would let someone else have some. Granted, Vihtavouri powders are pricey but they do perform very well.

 

[retnavyshooter]

I am loading Berry's plated 158 gr. round nose using 3.2 gr. of TB. Very good results and a very comfortable load for an "old man" with arthritis. found 2 containers of TB at the Hampton, VA gun show last month, will look for more next show.