IMR Trailboss

[ID_shooting]

I need to do a run of 2500 .38's before spring hits. Loading will be with Laser cast wadcutters for plinking and whistlepigs. I am seriously considering trail boss. I will be using an RCBS Pro 2000. Anyone know what I can expect for metering?

 

[roo_ster]

TB goes through my Uniflow like greased owl sheet through a tin horn.

 

[Ray P]

Good info here on TrailBoss! Anyone try it yet in 32 H&R magnum?

Also, has anyone tried it in a digital scale/trickler like a ChargeMaster? I'm curious to here how well that large granule dispenses.

 

[scrat]

That trail boss is the best powder out there for light loads. amazing stuff.

30-30 winchester

i used 165 grn National bullet. Lead cast.

8 grns of trail boss.

wow very light recoil. Projectile shot very straight and level very nice groups. highly recomend that powder. i currently have loads ready to go in 7 grains and 9 grains. i was very happy with 8 though. amazing. i bought the 9oz bottle from lock stock and barrel for 14.75. i will continue to be a huge consumer of that product.

its a very clean burning powder too

 

[Ray P]

mediocre

Trail Boss provided very smooth loading (RCBS ChargeMaster), and consistent performance at all charge levels recommended for 90 gr .312 LRN.

Unfortunately, the consistent performance was lousy 2" groups at all loads between 2.4 and 2.8 grains. The TiteGroup gave much better performance at 2.7gr behind the same bullets in the same gun (SP101 w/ 4" bbl). Best 5-shot group with Titegroup was 3/8".

I doubt I'll use Trail Boss for 45-70 loads in my 1895 Marlin Guide Gun, as I prefer JHP or JFPs as bullets in that gun.

Guess I'll see what's available for trades at the gun club this weekend. I've only used 150 grains out of the jar.

 

[lanenebraska]

Trail Boss Range results:

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?p=302042&goto=postid

 

[Ray P]

Did I miss something?

You're using Trailboss in a smoke-pole?

Major paradigm shift!

So why is Trailboss better in a percussion gun than say, pellets or 777?

 

[cobra2411]

Time to revive this thread. I just picked up some TB for my 45lc Vaquero. I loaded using a lee classic turret press with an auto disk. It meters excellently. I used the 1.26 disk and got consistent 5.8 grain loads. I'm using 250gr RNFP lead bullets.

I loaded 25 tonight as a test batch. I'll let you know how they shoot, but from what I'm hearing I think I'll like it.

I paid 12.50 for a 9oz can locally.

 

[lgbloader]

Another Satisfied customer of Trail Boss.

I use it mainly in these two calibers:

38 Spcl - 125 gr lrnfp w/TB 3.7 gr.

30-30 Win - 165 lfp w/ TB 7.8 gr.


I have made rounds in a few other calibers as well but I stay with my pet loads for those.

* * I am about to start developing a load for my 375 Winchester lever gun. I will be using a 250 lfp bullet that I cast. Wish me luck because that would be the cats meow if it works out.

Cheers...

LGB

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

I've been using 4.5 grains of Trail Boss in a Schofield case with 200 rnfp for my SASS Vaquero Bisley loads. Very accurate with some recoil, which I like.

 

[Remo-99]

One interesting thing, this powder has a very strong ammonia smell when it burns. Not a real problem but I do notice it.

Could it be ether?, rarther than ammonia, your picking up on. As ether is used extensively in the production of ADI powders, as with many other powders, but I often notice a distinct ether smell with ADI powders.

But, +1 for TB's suitability as a lightweight load for lead bullets in large calibres, as that's what it was intended for.

I even thought about TB's possibility to use in light 12ga target loadings, considering, it's ADI designation 'AS25BP' suggests, it started out being developed as a shotgun powder.
Mmm, I think I need to do some testing.

 

[cobra2411]

Well I managed to get to the range today to try my TB rounds and I really like them. They've got a little kick to them to let you know you're shooting a big bore gun, but it's really light compared to factory loads.

The smell... Yeah, it has an ammonia like smell. Not sure what ether smells like, so I can't say if that's more accurate.

 

[1858rem]

anyone try shooting roundball outta 45 colt with 5.8g of trailboss behind it? gotta few loaded up but was curious if anyone else has tried that load or has another suggestion for rb, pretty great stuff the cheerios are lol

 

[cobra2411]

I'm using 250gr lead RNFP... Don't know if that's close enough for you. You're talking about FMJ right?

I really liked it. Good kick, but not too bad. Supposed to be around 775fps or so. I've used unique with loads ranging from around 800-950fps based on standard load specs in Lee's book and from Alliant's site and above 850-900 it's a little brutish to shoot. Fun, but you don't want to spend all day shooting them. When I go to the range I like to run hundreds of rounds though my various guns so I want something that's not going to beat me up....

 

[1858rem]

i was talking about rounder balls than that ....like 144grain ROUND balls.... i only have the lyman 47th which doesnt list trailboss, and the imr pamphlet doesnt list a load under a 160g bullet.

 

[Remo-99]

1858rem, roundball loads are great for ultralight plinkers at close ranges.
If they are fully coated with lube and not pushed too hard, ya shouldn't have any trouble with leading.

And darn cheap shooting, if ya cast them yourself.

 

[mbrosch]

Well I'm tired of the smoke and soot from my .45 ACP loaded with 5 grains of Unique, behind a 200 grain LRN Moly Coated Billy Bullet. It (my STI) shoots straight and goes bang every time, but I'm seriously tired of having to clean it so much. Anybody worked up a good Trail Boss load for a 1911? That's with the LRN @ 200 grains.

 

[RidgwayCO]

Remember, NO compressed loads with this powder ("don't crush the donuts")!

In the .38 Special, 3.8gr of TB (.88cc cavity) gave about 670 fps from my 4" S&W Model 65 with a Missouri Bullet 158gr LSWC. The .95cc cavity throws 4.1gr for me, with a velocity of 725 fps. Hodgdon says the max for this combo is 4.2gr.

Very accurate and comfortable shooting. I've used the 3.8gr load in the past to introduce very recoil-shy people to the joys of center-fire revolvers. And the energy level of the 4.1gr load rivals factory .380 Auto...

In .44 Special, I've loaded up some Oregon Trail 200gr LRNFP bullets with 5.6gr (1.26cc) and 6.0gr (1.36cc) of TB (Hornady says 6.3gr max). Will let you know what the target and chronograph say.

 

[Ghiller]

I use Trailboss in the 45acp and it is super clean...and impossible to over fill the case, it's super fluffy..It's 14 bucks for 9oz...and its 18.99 for 16oz of Clays..about the same...The ammonia smell you get is from your primer, not the powder..it burns that clean!!...anybody looking for 45acp loads, send me a message and I'll share them...wonderful powder-puff loads.

 

[fastbike]

45 Colt

I've loaded lead 200 gr RN w/ 6 gr Trailboss and it's pretty mild.

I've loaded 7.1 gr w/ 225 lead truncated cone. This load charts about at the SAAMI limits. My Uberti SAA shot the load w/o problems. The Blackhawk laughs at this load.

 

[MCMXI]

I use Trail Boss (6.0gr and a 250gr bullet) for .45 Colt loads for my USFA Rodeos and have put quite a few of the same load through the Marlin 1894. It's definitely an accurate powder giving good results (2" groups at 25 yards from the Rodeos) in both the SAAs and the 1894. Recoil is non-existent, in fact, I'd happily place the butt of the rifle on the end of my nose and pull the trigger ... it's that light.

As for metering with the RCBS ChargeMaster .... EXCELLENT!!

Trail Boss comes in 9oz containers (3938 grains), but at only 6.0gr per load, that's good for more than 650 loads.