Peter M. Eick
Member
I finally found some trail boss to try out. Nice stuff. Meters +/- 0.1 grn out of a Uniflow with a baffle in my pro2000 press. Using a nice starting load of 3.6 grns to 4.0 grns of Trailboss I loaded up 50 rounds at .1 grn increments to test out tomorrow or Tuesday. I was loading Lasercast 158 Lead SWC's with cci500 primers to 1.458 COL and starline brass.
A couple of comments because I also loaded up 250 rnds of Unique and 200 rnds of Universal clays to compare to. The Trail boss will not allow you to double charge a case. at 3.8 grns it will spill out of the case on a double charge. Universal clays and unique are barely detectable down in the case on my pro2000 at standard loads. For this reason alone if the rounds are reasonably accurate and have a decent velocity I will stop all further loading with non-Trail boss powder for the 38 special.
My gripe is that I use a redding profile crimp and an RCBS seater die. With a 5 station press, I cannot get a powder check die into the mix without swapping the powder dispenser for the belling step. I am after the safety of being able to see a double charge over just about anything other then accuracy or velocity.
I have not had a chance yet to load TB into the 357 Magnum for lead loads. I will try that out after I get some range time in the next couple of days.
I will post chrono data when I get it done. I will be using a 38/44 heavy duty 5" and a 38/44 outdoorsman 6.5" for the testing. If all is well I will try them out in my 4" diamondback and an 8 3/8" pre-27.
Anyone else have some Trail boss experience in 38 special to add?
A couple of comments because I also loaded up 250 rnds of Unique and 200 rnds of Universal clays to compare to. The Trail boss will not allow you to double charge a case. at 3.8 grns it will spill out of the case on a double charge. Universal clays and unique are barely detectable down in the case on my pro2000 at standard loads. For this reason alone if the rounds are reasonably accurate and have a decent velocity I will stop all further loading with non-Trail boss powder for the 38 special.
My gripe is that I use a redding profile crimp and an RCBS seater die. With a 5 station press, I cannot get a powder check die into the mix without swapping the powder dispenser for the belling step. I am after the safety of being able to see a double charge over just about anything other then accuracy or velocity.
I have not had a chance yet to load TB into the 357 Magnum for lead loads. I will try that out after I get some range time in the next couple of days.
I will post chrono data when I get it done. I will be using a 38/44 heavy duty 5" and a 38/44 outdoorsman 6.5" for the testing. If all is well I will try them out in my 4" diamondback and an 8 3/8" pre-27.
Anyone else have some Trail boss experience in 38 special to add?