Trail Boss in .38 Damaging Alu J-Frames?

[GeoJelly]

I just picked up a near-new 642 and want to at least run a few rounds thru it before adding it to my rotation. Being an Old Woman ... ... and a worry-wart, I want to run the mildest-possible (but jacketed) rounds thru it for practice. I picked up a can of Trail Boss last year (for .32H&R) and I think it's just the ticket. But, but, I thought I saw somewhere that TB burns very hot and can/could cause flame-cutting, or worse, on aluminum frames. I hope I'm wrong - can anyone weigh in on this? I did a search here in reloading but din' see anything about it ... hopefully it's a wive's tale!
'

 

[Bosquebass]

I was always under the impression that flame cutting in any revolver was the result of high pressures as in the 357 magnum not the type of powder used. I've never used Trail Boss but I don't see how it would be possible for a target velocity load with any powder could cause any sort of flame cutting.
FWIW, I have fired more than 500 +P rounds both factory (Remington 125 gn) and my own loads with 158 grn lead swc and a healthy dose of Unique in a M438 and the top strap still looks new. The aluminum framed 438 is +P rated and seems more than up to the job.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Trail Boss is designed and made for "LEAD" bullets..........

You would be much better off with some Bullseye or w231 for a light jacket bullet test.

Lots of starting loads out there for you to try out.

Flame cutting is brought on by maximum loads and lots of powder.
You are making a mountain out of a mole hill!!

 

[Pisgah]

Jacketed bullets are NOT safe for use with low-pressure, low speed loads. The higher coefficient of friction of a jacketed bullet as opposed to a lead bullet greatly increases the chances of a "squib" load that will leave a bullet stuck in the bore -- not good, as the results can be anything from the gun being locked up by a bullet stuck part-way in to the forcing cone or a bulged or cracked barrel from another round being fired on top of a stuck bullet. Stick to standard-pressure or +P loads with jacketed bullets.

I am not aware of any problem with Trail Boss and flame cutting, but it is intended for lead bullets.

 

[Baggy Wrinkle]

I used the recommended 3.7 grains of Trailboss under a 158 lead SWC in my 637 and it is soft shooting, accurate and fun. Go for it. As Pisgah said, don’t use Trailboss with jacketed bullets; a squib is much more likely. Been there, done that.

 

[Imissedagain]

Call them.
(913) 362-9455
Let us know the truth!

 

[bigedp51]

Trail Boss is designed and made for "LEAD" bullets..........

Trail Boss is a high bulk powder meant for reduced loads with a higher load density. It can be used with lead, plated or jacketed bullets in pistol or rifle cartridges. I started using Trail Boss when SR4759 became hard to find, and it was also designed for reduced loads with a high loading density. (meaning no chance of a double charge)

I use it in my pistol and rifles with all types of bullets simply because you can't double charge the cases. It was designed to be used in older black powder cartridges to better fill the case.

[PDF]Trail Boss - IMR ® Powder
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjp8YCDg7LhAhXHjVkKHXgjAK0QFjABegQIABAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fimrpowder.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F11%2Ftrail-boss-reduced-loads-r_p.pdf&usg=AOvVaw36_OGGZV785lkqWrnoGv37

IMR® TRAIL BOSS® REDUCED LOADS FOR RIFLE AND PISTOL
As noted in the powder description section, Trail Boss was designed primarily for reduced loads using lead bullets in pistol cartridges. However, Trail Boss offers superb versatility in rifle cartridges producing reduced loads using lead or jacketed bullets. These reduced loads make firing such cartridges as the 300 Winchester Magnum or even the 458 Winchester Magnum pure fun! Listed below we show a few examples of such loads throughout the Reloading Data Center, but the fun doesn't stop there. If you don't see Trail Boss data for your favorite cartridge we have a formula for developing loads for all cartridges and it's simple to follow. This formula may be used in both rifle and pistol applications:

 

[glowe]

Look at the relative burn rates of gun powders. Hodgdons list shows Trail Boss at #19, and powders like Red Dot, Bullseye, Promo, 700X and 15 other powders are faster burning than TB. I have used it for years without issue. Love the high bulk.

 

[GeoJelly]

Thank you, Gents, for your input and concern. I only have four powders on hand - partially because of the fire hazard potential: Power Pistol (used a lot), Universal, Lil Gun and TB. I mistakenly said that I got Trail Boss for .32HR but that’s what I have Lil Gun for - senior moment . Don’t worry - I triple check my work when I’m loading! I guess I had better go with Universal in part because it will cost almost $20 to get 100 cast bullets! 5.0-g just barely one-third fills a .38 case ... but that’s why God created flashlights. I still really like the concept of a low-density powder like TB but sure don’t want a squib. All things considered, I can use Speer 110-g GDHP’s as cheaply as ordering some lead bullets ... I do intend to load a few GDHP’s with TB but will wait and run them through one of my SP101’s. ... before I get a

!!

 

[pasound]

I'm getting started reloading again, after nearly 20 years. Got 250 Berry's 125gr plated hp's, and looking at another 250 158gr plated fp's for my Smith 60's (nothing loaded hot - just accurate - I know better). Is Trail Boss a good choice here? Was loading Unique and Bullseye in my past life.

 

[bigedp51]

I'm getting started reloading again, after nearly 20 years. Got 250 Berry's 125gr plated hp's, and looking at another 250 158gr plated fp's for my Smith 60's (nothing loaded hot - just accurate - I know better). Is Trail Boss a good choice here? Was loading Unique and Bullseye in my past life.

The advantage to using Trail Boss in any pistol case is you can not double charge the cases. So you can say Trail Boss will give you peace of mind with reduced pistol loads.

"BUT" you can double charge cases with other powders commonly used for light loads. I shoot the loads below with more plated bullets than any other type bullet.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLnymlOQOVc[/ame]

 

[pasound]

Trail Boss shows much slower loads, but obviously much more charge volume, (after watching the video - I see) with the lead bullets shown. I will explore it's data more with the plated and jacketed loads I want to use. Thanks!

 

[Jellybean]

I've never heard of Trail Boss burning hot and damaging guns, but I have heard that about Lil' Gun.

 

[dla]

I just picked up a near-new 642 and want to at least run a few rounds thru it before adding it to my rotation. Being an Old Woman ... ... and a worry-wart, I want to run the mildest-possible (but jacketed) rounds thru it for practice. I picked up a can of Trail Boss last year (for .32H&R) and I think it's just the ticket. But, but, I thought I saw somewhere that TB burns very hot and can/could cause flame-cutting, or worse, on aluminum frames. I hope I'm wrong - can anyone weigh in on this? I did a search here in reloading but din' see anything about it ... hopefully it's a wive's tale!
'

The frame material is irrelevant. The low pressure of the 38spl round will not cut through the top strap.

As others have said, Trail Boss is a very safe powder for low-velocity loads.
LilGun would only be used for very high velocity 357 Mag loads.
Universal is a good powder for mid-range loads.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Trail Boss burns HOT enough to produce Standard 38 Special velocities.

Even with copper jacket bullets the loads will be under maximum 38 special pressures, for your 642 revolver.

I have loaded TB in my rifles and it makes a nice light load for "Plinking" or 50-100 yard "Meat for the pot" loads if the wind is right.

However I prefer to use it with lead bullets for the best accuracy.

 

[Mad_Charlie]

Trail Boss, straight wall cartridges, and lead bullets. About as good as it gets for easy shooting.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

I'm still handweighing all my pistol loads: when the powder goes in the case it is in my left hand. The case then goes into the shellholder and a bullet is placed for seating.

Makes a double charge nigh on to impossible. Just saying...

Cheers!

 

[Imissedagain]

Tough to double charge a case when I scoop and weigh, then the powder is funneled into each case.
All 50 are then double checked for similar levels of powder before pressing the bullets.

From what I’ve read/heard most doubles are a result of progressive reloading machines and lack of paying attention for whatever reason.

Talking with my best friend’s kids a decade or so ago, I cautioned them about doubling and kabooming with their first press.... a Blue one.
A few weeks ago I told the Mom.... your kids listened and so far I have not had to see/feel your wrath as they’ve been prudent in their loading habits.

Then she showed me pictures of axe throwing fun at a recent barbecue.

 

[Peak53]

I load TB to one tenth of an inch below the seated (lead) bullet. After all, it is a black powder replacement. It is strongly recommended not to compress TB when seating the bullet. This works great for me in 38 and 44 specials, as well as 30-30 and 25-20, for light loads at moderate distances. Accuracy seemed to suffer in 44 mag, but what's the fun in shooting soft magnums anyway? That's what specials are for. Have fun!

 

[Imissedagain]

The pic is from Lyman’s 49th.
460 S&W case would be about .125” compressed without my slide rule handy???
Ran some 458 WinMag... 370g Penn PC Spitzers with TB and Unique and will compare at 50 yds with chrono asap... along with those powders in the 460 Snub.

It’s a pleasure to sit at the bench, with a scope, and fire the 16.5” No.1 Rifle.