Accidental hot loaded .38 using Trail boss
- Thread starter NeptunusRex
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I personally would pull them.
My load for .38 Special with Trail Boss is 4.2 gr.
That is with a case trimmed at 1.145.
A Lee T.L. cast 158 gr. SWC with a length of .655
A COL of 1.450
That leaves a seating depth of .350
with an available case space of .360
I then measured out 4.7 grains of Trail Boss in a primed case and came out with an available case space of .340
By those measurements it leaves a compressed load by .010.
My load for .38 Special with Trail Boss is 4.2 gr.
That is with a case trimmed at 1.145.
A Lee T.L. cast 158 gr. SWC with a length of .655
A COL of 1.450
That leaves a seating depth of .350
with an available case space of .360
I then measured out 4.7 grains of Trail Boss in a primed case and came out with an available case space of .340
By those measurements it leaves a compressed load by .010.
buck460XVR
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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.
Folks that have actually used TB were well aware that a load 15% over max as listed in a published manual was close to or above being compressed. Not an assumption, but fact. We also know it does not like to be compressed. This is why there was concern and the question of % asked. Again since TrailBoss is loaded to volume, no assumptions of caliber needed to be made. Since making assumptions and then responding to a question about reloading is irresponsible and foolish, I took exception to being included in your blanket statement. If you made an error and assumed something, I give you credit for admitting it. But don't ASSUME the rest of us made the same error.
Lost Sheep
Member
Just a little off-topic, but illustrative.
It really does drive home the point of re-working up loads whenever you change any component.
Lost Sheep
I am surprised at the amount of difference, but not so surprised that there are increases. Magnum primer instead of standard and 10" barrel instead of 7.7".
It really does drive home the point of re-working up loads whenever you change any component.
Lost Sheep
col.lemat
Member
I would pull them
Peter M. Eick
Member
I don't often comment about overloading rounds, but MY standard 38 special 158 lead SWC with Trailboss is 4.6 grns. I shoot them all the time with no issues. It does not exceed the full case requirement "for me".
It is an overload so you take your chances.
My recommendation is pull them if you have not worked up your loads to this level.
It is an overload so you take your chances.
My recommendation is pull them if you have not worked up your loads to this level.
DeadFlies
Member
Lee lists a max load of 9 grains of TB for 30-30. I load 10.5 grains with no issues. As long as it isn't compressed you should be OK, IMHO.
The only risk I see, based on the knowledgeable comments all ready posted, is for them to be on the high side pressure wise, getting lost in the mix, and end up in a weaker gun.
I've been cleaning up the man cave, and finding all sorts of "odds & ends". Like a handful of 9mm, no 2 or 3 the same. Some are reloads, some commercial, so tossed them into a bag for disposal during the next trip to the range. Now I know none of them are overloaded, but some may be slightly underloaded, and won't cycle the slide. I recognize one of those, potentially, but I don't know about the rest. My point is, they have a nasty habit of finding their way out of the place they belong into somewhere else. So if you decide to shoot them, at least mark and segregate them.
I've been cleaning up the man cave, and finding all sorts of "odds & ends". Like a handful of 9mm, no 2 or 3 the same. Some are reloads, some commercial, so tossed them into a bag for disposal during the next trip to the range. Now I know none of them are overloaded, but some may be slightly underloaded, and won't cycle the slide. I recognize one of those, potentially, but I don't know about the rest. My point is, they have a nasty habit of finding their way out of the place they belong into somewhere else. So if you decide to shoot them, at least mark and segregate them.
hueyville
Member
I would put them in my beefiest .357 wheel gun and let fly. But I am not real smart. With certain powders my rule is dip the case in the powder, shake it off level and seat bullet of choice. No guns pieces removed from body by surgeon yet.
jcwit
member
Same load that I use, and no signs of pressure.
greenmtnguy
Member
As the OP didn't state what firearm he was using these in (38Spl, 38Spl+P, 357Mag), and without being able to physically see&measure the case, bullet, seating depth, etc. to determine whether the TrailBoss is compressed or not I would personally add my vote to the "Pull Em" list. If there is additional information forthcoming, that might cause me to change my vote. But technically speaking, the "recipe" wasn't followed, and even though TB can be safe in a case as long as it isn't compressed, I can't be sure that it isn't compressed given what info was provided.
Just my $.02 and probably worth less than that.
P.S I use TrailBoss in my 45 Colt and 45/70 mouse-plinking loads (even the 45/70 load is subsonic) and they aren't full in those cases
Just my $.02 and probably worth less than that.
P.S I use TrailBoss in my 45 Colt and 45/70 mouse-plinking loads (even the 45/70 load is subsonic) and they aren't full in those cases
Last edited:
Lost Sheep
Member
Oh, we think you can be trusted to beat yourself up for it.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
Here's what I would do.
Check other manuals and see if the 4.1 is particularly conservative. This might give some peace of mind. Re-check the cartridge dimensions. Cartridge length is a proxy for the important measurement, the volume UNDER the bullet.
Load a few rounds with 4.0 some with 4.1, some with 4.2, some with 4.3, 4.4 and so forth.
Shoot the 4.0 and inspect for signs of overpressure (sticky extraction, flattened primers, stuff like that). Then the 4.1 and so forth. Stop if you get overpressure.
With Trail Boss, as has been posted before, there is little chance of overpressure, but the general procedure outlined above should work for any such "accidents", even with other powders.
Caution is the watchword.
Lost Sheep
savanahsdad
Member
+1 ,
or in other words work up a load befor shooting those, you maybe ok , but I would not pull all of them if I didn't have to , but I would not shoot them eather with out working up to them
ArchAngelCD
Member.
So many people worried about which caliber and which handgun, why? Hodgdon sells us you can not cause an overpressure situation with Trail Boss. You CAN NOT get enough Trail Boss into a case as long as you don't compress the load to cause any pressure problems, period!
But, this is only true for Trail Boss and not other smokeless powders.
But, this is only true for Trail Boss and not other smokeless powders.
Captaingyro
Member
Yep. I came in to say the same thing, but Lost Sheep beat me to it, with Savanahsdad seconding. We all know how to work up a load; with fifteen minutes additional work you can find your answer and probably learn a little in the process.
1KPerDay
Member
I'd be very surprised if you see any pressure signs with a full uncompressed load of TB in .38 special. The recommended max loads for 148WC felt like squibs.
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