Accidental hot loaded .38 using Trail boss

[NeptunusRex]

Loaded 100 rounds of 38 using trailboss with 4.7 grains. Hodgdon manual calls for 4.1 (read the 1 as a 7). I was thinking about running it through my Ruger since it has a beefier frame than my Colt or Smith. Should I just toss them? Thanks.

 

[jwrowland77]

If 4.1 is max, I would pull those bullets and redo. No reason to put in harms way, you most importantly or your firearm, just because your Ruger is beefy. Better to be safe, than really sorry.

 

[Patocazador]

I don't have a lot of experience with Trail Boss and have only used it at maximum loads in .45 Colt. Even though they were listed as maximum, they felt VERY tame when fired.
However, if 4.1 is maximum, 4.7 is almost 15% higher. Better pull them just to be safe.

 

[floydster]

Did the load fill the case?? I use alot of Trail Boss. Are talking about 38Spl?? 38 Super?? 38 S&W??
What gr. bullet?? Not enough info.

Smokeyloads

 

[AnthonyRSS]

I don't have a lot of experience with Trail Boss and have only used it at maximum loads in .45 Colt. Even though they were listed as maximum, they felt VERY tame when fired.
However, if 4.1 is maximum, 4.7 is almost 15% higher. Better pull them just to be safe.

Felt recoil is not indicative of internal pressures.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I would prep another round or two and see if 4.7 reaches the base of the bullet when seated. If it does not, I would probably shoot them in the Ruger. If you are compressing the Trail Boss at 4.7, I would pull them.

 

[buck460XVR]

I would prep another round or two and see if 4.7 reaches the base of the bullet when seated. If it does not, I would probably shoot them in the Ruger. If you are compressing the Trail Boss at 4.7, I would pull them.

This. In handgun TB is safe up to 100% of case capacity. In other words without compressing it, you cannot get enough in a case to do harm. If you go to the Hodgdon website and look at this it shows 100% of case capacity is a max load.....

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:
Find where the base of the bullet to be loaded is located in the case and make a mark on the outside of the case at
this location. Then fill the case to that mark with Trail Boss, pour into the scale pan and weigh. This is your
maximum load. Pressures will be below the maximum allowed for this cartridge and perfectly safe to use!
Take 70% of this powder charge weight (multiply the maximum load from step 1 by .7), and that is your starting
load.
Start with this beginning load and work up to your maximum charge, all the while searching for the most accurate
reduced load. Once found, the fun begins!

 

[Walkalong]

I don't think you can blow anything up with Trail Boss, but I would just shoot them in a .357 and call it good.

 

[7.62 Nato]

It was my understanding you could not overcharge a modern smokeless cartridge using TrailBoss. That could be an exaggeration, I don't know. I may be tempted to fire those .38 Special rounds in a .357 magnum though.

 

[NeptunusRex]

Thanks. The powder does not fill the case and is not compressed by the bullet (it is close though). Using 158 gr lead flat nose for a .38 special load. The tribal knowledge I received from fellow reloaders was it would be safe through a .357 but was looking for outside experience. I appreciate the replies ,and the fact that no one beat me up about it

 

[rcmodel]

If it is not compressed, I would shoot it.

On the other hand, you made a serious reloading mistake.

And you would learn a reloading lesson you won't soon forget buy pulling them all!

rc

 

[7.62 Nato]

I find it odd that the IMR data lists 4.2 grains of TrailBoss as max load for both the .38 Special, AND the .357 Magnum with 158 grain lead bullets. The .357 Mag load showing increased velocity and pressure. They do list one with a SWC, and the other is LRN but I don't see that being critical. They are both loaded to appropriate COLs.

38 SPECIAL
Case: Winchester Twist: 1:18.75"
Barrel: 7.7" Trim: 1.145" Primer: Winchester SP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bullet: 158 GR. LSWC Dia. .357" COL: 1.455"
Trail Boss 2.7 661 11,400 PSI 4.2 804 13,700 CUP

357 MAGNUM
Case: Winchester Twist: 1:18.75"
Barrel: 10" Trim: 1.285" Primer: Winchester SPM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bullet: 158 GR. LRNFP Dia. .358" COL: 1.610"
Trail Boss 3.2 754 16,500 CUP 4.2 865 20,400 CUP

 

[243winxb]

I like the way people answer without knowing the bullet weight or ever the caliber in question, for sure, till the info was supplied in post 10.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I like the way people answer without knowing the bullet weight or ever the caliber in question, for sure, till the info was supplied in post 10

Doesn't matter with Trail Boss, as long as you're not compressing the powder.
If you compress it, all bets are off.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I like the way people answer without knowing the bullet weight or ever the caliber in question, for sure, till the info was supplied in post 10.

With trail boss if its not compressed its not an overload. Cartridge, bullet weight is irrelevant




posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complains about

 

[243winxb]

OH, i see. Sorry about that.

 

[Walkalong]

243winxb is correct though, we did assume .38 Spl.

 

[buck460XVR]

243winxb is correct though, we did assume .38 Spl.

I didn't assume anything. I didn't have to. If you read the quote from Hodgdon I posted you'll see there is no reference whatsoever to caliber or bullet weight. It clearly states that this formula works for all calibers, all bullet weights, lead or jacketed, rifle or handgun. It also states using this formula, "Pressures will be below the maximum allowed for this cartridge and perfectly safe to use!". Didn't have to assume a caliber....didn't have to know the caliber. Only had to know if the load was compressed or not and not less than 70% of case capacity.

 

[FROGO207]

Per the MAX charge listed that was the most accurate loading + 5% for them in their test setup using trail boss. I can't find the email just now but I asked them the question when IMR first came out with the TB load info and saw the discrepancy with Max load being a full case without compressing it all in the same manual and that was their answer.

 

[Walkalong]

Only had to know if the load was compressed or not and not less than 70% of case capacity.

We had no idea what percentage the fill was. Lighten up. It wasn't personal. If it didn't fit, don't worry about it.

 

[floydster]

If it fits/it ships
I would shoot them--just sayin. ( In a .357).

Smokeyloads

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks. The powder does not fill the case and is not compressed by the bullet (it is close though). Using 158 gr lead flat nose for a .38 special load. The tribal knowledge I received from fellow reloaders was it would be safe through a .357 but was looking for outside experience. I appreciate the replies ,and the fact that no one beat me up about it

As long as the load in not compressed there is no way to get enough Trail Boss in any case to cause a pressure problem. But, DO NOT compress Trail Boss because if you break up the little donuts you can and will cause pressure spikes.

I find it odd that the IMR data lists 4.2 grains of TrailBoss as max load for both the .38 Special, AND the .357 Magnum with 158 grain lead bullets. The .357 Mag load showing increased velocity and pressure.

It's the Magnum primer that's causing the .357 Magnum load to produce higher pressures than the .38 Special load even though they both use the same powder charge. We also don't know how deep the 2 different bullets seat in the cases. Both can increase pressures which is obvious but the numbers in the data.

 

[JLDickmon]

If it is not compressed, I would shoot it.

On the other hand, you made a serious reloading mistake.

And you would learn a reloading lesson you won't soon forget buy pulling them all!

rc

been there done that.. last week..

another good rule is "check multiple sources"

 

[JLDickmon]

I find it odd that the IMR data lists 4.2 grains of TrailBoss as max load for both the .38 Special, AND the .357 Magnum with 158 grain lead bullets. The .357 Mag load showing increased velocity and pressure. They do list one with a SWC, and the other is LRN but I don't see that being critical. They are both loaded to appropriate COLs.

Bullet profile can GREATLY affect pressure

 

[kingmt]

I don't buy the Mag primer theory. I agree With NATO. Looking at the COL that data looks fishy to me.

Ether they just gutted at the numbers or different guns made the difference.