45 Colt "Ruger" Trailboss loads

[35 Whelen]

I guess it makes no sense to me to buy something as expensive as Trail Boss, then try to make it do what a less expensive powder does better.

IMHO, Trail Boss was/is a solution looking for a problem. But, some love it!

35W

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I bought 2x bottles many years ago, I still have 1.5 bottles left. I tried it in the 45 Colt and was not impressed with the accuracy and I loaded up 405gr bullets in the 45-70, again not impressed. I currently have no intentions to use it in anything I load for..

 

[GBExpat]

IMHO, Trail Boss was/is a solution looking for a problem. ...

<chuckle> Sounds like a fair assessment to me ... and I am one of the folks who, for limited purposes (vintage .32-20 and tiny .44spc pistols, in my case), really likes the stuff.

I think that there is a good chance that what we know as "Trailboss" was a product created for another specific, if somewhat related, purpose ... and the MFR has come up with "fit" (cowboy shooting) and marketing approach.

 

[Sistema1927]

Get some W296/H110 and magnum primers for Ruger only loads. Problem solved.

 

[Walkalong]

vintage .32-20

It is the only powder that I can see an appropriate charge of in my .32-20 cases without really bending over to look. (Yea, I could set up a mirror or use a powder checker or lockout die.) Only problem is, it is very erratic with plated in .32-20, so I have to use lead with it. Not a huge deal.

 

[GBExpat]

Only problem is, it is very erratic with plated in .32-20

There ... fixed that for you.

My short-lived Trailboss-under-Plateds testing ran the gamut from "disappointing" to down-right scary.

 

[RealGun]

Trailboss (or Tin Star) is probably a good choice in any cartridge with a legacy of black powder. It takes up about the same amount of space. Black powder legacies in modern handguns include 38 Special, 45 Colt, 44-40/44WCF, 32-20 and on and on. There are a number of rifle cartridges too. That would not include the 20th century magnums. Because of the length of those cases, a high volume powder makes it possible to see a powder charge before placing a bullet for seating. We see the same thing in magnum cases, where the slower burning powders have charges that can be easily enough viewed because of the loft of the powder as well as the powder charge weight. Accurate #9, A2400, Enforcer, et al. have higher VMD ratings but none approaching Trailboss or Tin Star.

 

[stoky]

I bought 2x bottles many years ago, I still have 1.5 bottles left. I tried it in the 45 Colt and was not impressed with the accuracy and I loaded up 405gr bullets in the 45-70, again not impressed. I currently have no intentions to use it in anything I load for..

I got excellent 100yd accuracy out of it a 16" '92.
Couldn't get it to work well in .45-70 though, which seems weird, it seems like it should.
IMO Trailboss and 2400 are opposites in one way, 2400 isn't going to burn cleanly and consistently unless it's stoked way up. That's certainly not Trailbos's forte.

 

[Rule3]

I guess what makes no sense of this whole discussion or similar ones, is why try to make a powder do something it it is not designed for? With the variety of powders out there there are certainly ones that will do anything a reloader wants to do.

It's not like it's the only powder left on the shelf.

Want more power Scotty?, Get some new Dilithium crystals.

 

[GBExpat]

I got excellent 100yd accuracy out of it a 16" '92.

Oh yeah! My standard revolver .32-20 Trailboss loads are extremely accurate when fired in my 1922 Marlin 27-S.

The 100gr loads reach ~960fps and the 115, about 100fps more.

 

[midland man]

I guess what makes no sense of this whole discussion or similar ones, is why try to make a powder do something it it is not designed for? With the variety of powders out there there are certainly ones that will do anything a reloader wants to do.

It's not like it's the only powder left on the shelf.

Want more power Scotty?, Get some new Dilithium crystals.

go with true black powder works every time!! lol so heres what I use for a 250gr lead bullet I use 6.8gr greendot and for ruger only loads I use 300gr jsp sierra bullet with 20.8gr h110 and only shoot the ruger only in my two rossi 92 rifles period!!

 

[Walkalong]

There ... fixed that for you.

My short-lived Trailboss-under-Plateds testing ran the gamut from "disappointing" to down-right scary.

Yep.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

And my testing with 45 Colt and heavy loads yielded poor results. For one thing, I can't get used to the feel of a heavy charge of fast powder. Also, the 45 Colt case is huge for the amount of powder it holds. Fill it with 4227, stick in a Keith bullet and pull the trigger. You will have the attention of the neighbors on the range, especially if you can fill the 10 ring. Just don't do it in a weak gun.

 

[Dog Soldier]

I tried the T Boss in a number of Black Powder birthed cases. It did not work out for me. Maybe it works better for the Cowboy sport target shooting.

 

[RealGun]

I tried the T Boss in a number of Black Powder birthed cases. It did not work out for me. Maybe it works better for the Cowboy sport target shooting.

When casting a pall on a powder choice, one should include some specifics. Personally, there is nothing I don't like about TB except the cost, while I only use it according to Hodgdon data.

 

[RealGun]

And my testing with 45 Colt and heavy loads yielded poor results. For one thing, I can't get used to the feel of a heavy charge of fast powder. Also, the 45 Colt case is huge for the amount of powder it holds. Fill it with 4227, stick in a Keith bullet and pull the trigger. You will have the attention of the neighbors on the range, especially if you can fill the 10 ring. Just don't do it in a weak gun.

Were your results based upon using Hodgdon's suggested data?

 

[Rule3]

Look what I found. I was browsing through some pictures and found these. The label is on the cover so not sure if these were for the 45 Colt SW Mt Gun or for the SW 460 Mag. Oh well it was smelly Trail Boss! The one and only jar I ever bought.

 

[Dog Soldier]

When casting a pall on a powder choice, one should include some specifics. Personally, there is nothing I don't like about TB except the cost, while I only use it according to Hodgdon data.

Then you should be specific. What is the pricing compared to? Are you comparing by volume weight or just retail?

 

[RealGun]

Look what I found. I was browsing through some pictures and found these. The label is on the cover so not sure if these were for the 45 Colt SW Mt Gun or for the SW 460 Mag. Oh well it was smelly Trail Boss! The one and only jar I ever bought.



View attachment 228681

What you smelled was probably that coating.

 

[RealGun]

Then you should be specific. What is the pricing compared to? Are you comparing by volume weight or just retail?

Well, if you know your powders, you know that Trailboss at 9 oz in a jar costs about the same or even more as one pound of most others.

 

[Rule3]

What you smelled was probably that coating.

No, I know what you mean though, that burnt electrical smell. TB just smells funny anyway. Cowboy Farts.!

 

[LOLBELL]

I've had great luck with Trail Boss in all the pistol calibers I've tried it in. I sat at morning coffee yesterday and compared HP38 and TB in 45 Colt using all the necessary math and Powder Valley prices and came to the conclusion that TB cost about 2/10ths of a penny more per round.

 

[RealGun]

I've had great luck with Trail Boss in all the pistol calibers I've tried it in. I sat at morning coffee yesterday and compared HP38 and TB in 45 Colt using all the necessary math and Powder Valley prices and came to the conclusion that TB cost about 2/10ths of a penny more per round.

Doesn't sound like much as an absolute amount, but what is the comparison by percentage?

 

[LOLBELL]

Doesn't sound like much as an absolute amount, but what is the comparison by percentage?

Cost for HP38 was 2 cents per round (powder only) and Trail Boss was 2.2 cents per round so I guess about 10% more for the TB. I use a load with a home cast 255 grn bullet and 5.3 grns of TB that shoots a 2" group dead on point of aim at 25 yards with no leading out of a couple of 45 Vaqueros. That makes it worth the extra 20 cents a hundred for me. This and the fact that only a blind man could double charge that load. I don't like low volume loads in high volume cases. Besides I kinda like the smell.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Were your results based upon using Hodgdon's suggested data?

Yes. 4.6 to 6.0 gr., which is a little higher than Hodgdon. Did best at the bottom. A lot of that was probably my fault, since heavy loads and fast powder don't work that well with my shooting style.

If you have a stronger gun, you can try going higher, I show moderate recoil at 6.0 gr.