Is it time to call Trail Boss dead?

[rsrocket1]

I’ve heard of some using Blackhorn 209 as a Trail Boss replacement. I can’t comment as I haven’t used it, but from what I’ve read it is a very low pressure powder similar to Black Powder and only mildly corrosive. It is said that it can be cleaned within a week of firing with Hoppes #9 with no ill effects. It is rather expensive though.

I have not found BH209 to be corrosive. IMO, it is essentially smokeless powder with the bulk of BP. I bought a container when it first came out (at about $30). It works great in inline muzzeloaders but it is considerably more difficult to ignite compared to BP and other BP substitutes.

Here is an inline muzzleloader comparison of BH 209 vs Alliant BlackMZ which I heard is rebadged American Pioneer Powder. The smoke from BlackMZ is a much closer emulation of real Black Powder and is corrosive if left uncleaned for a long time.



For reduced loads, I've found that there is nothing that Trail Boss can do that Clays, Red Dot or Titewad can't do other than fill up a case and prevent negligent multiple charges.

 

[jmorris]

Not everyone knows that Hodgdon produced a load data formula that allows this powder to be used in most cartridges for low pressure lead rounds.

They still have it up.

https://imrpowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/trail-boss-reduced-loads-r_p.pdf

Low Recoil Loads

www.hodgdonreloading.com

 

[Charlie98]

I tried to like Accurate 5744 but I couldn’t. I never saw that it would do anything as well as IMR 4198 or IMR 4227 but it was always cheaper by a few bucks so I tried it. Not my bag but neither is Trail Boss.
I agree, it was never the first powder I restocked when it ran out. But I did always run out of it so…

That's what I decided. AA5744 certainly works, but not as well as IMR4198, which I have found to be stellar... and I would probably pick IMR4227 over AA5744 given the choice, too, unless I ran into velocity or pressure issues. If you look at my loading bench, I have 8#'ers of IMR4198 and IMR4227... but no AA5744.

Just like Varget, I have not, nor will I ever buy a can of TrailBoss... no need to.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

IMR 4227 does an excellent job of filling a case and/or loading reduced loads. I have loaded many 38 special @ 12,000 CUP. They burn a little dirty, but not nearly like Black Powder.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

IMR 4227 does an excellent job of filling a case and/or loading reduced loads. I have loaded many 38 special @ 12,000 CUP. They burn a little dirty, but not nearly like Black Powder.

I tried 777 in .38S&W once.

My advice is, Don’t do that!

Burn the FFFg instead.

 

[JmacD]

I tried 777 in .38S&W once.

My advice is, Don’t do that!

Burn the FFFg instead.

I new a guy that tried to crush white hots and put them in 9mm in a revolver…his results were, well… he would never tell me the results for some reason….

 

[JmacD]

I have not found BH209 to be corrosive. IMO, it is essentially smokeless powder with the bulk of BP. I bought a container when it first came out (at about $30). It works great in inline muzzeloaders but it is considerably more difficult to ignite compared to BP and other BP substitutes.

Here is an inline muzzleloader comparison of BH 209 vs Alliant BlackMZ which I heard is rebadged American Pioneer Powder. The smoke from BlackMZ is a much closer emulation of real Black Powder and is corrosive if left uncleaned for a long time.



For reduced loads, I've found that there is nothing that Trail Boss can do that Clays, Red Dot or Titewad can't do other than fill up a case and prevent negligent multiple charges.

I like it so far in my Accura lrx. Buddy of mine is working on a Frankenstein load of a cast and tight crimped round ball and 209 in a 44mag case… dunno how far he’s got with it.