Reduced Loads

[Conservidave]

Im looking around on the Hodgdon web site and came across the reduced loads section using Trail Boss powder where they explain how to develop your own loads for rifle and pistol using their formula. I actually have a pound of Trail Boss and was wondering if it would work in the .45 ACP round.....?

Im not sure why i would need to but thought it might be fun to experiment with.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm not sure if Trail Boss will cycle the slide but if it does I see no reason not to play with it...

 

[Catpop]

Cycling the slide is what governed my 1911 45 reduced loads. When it got too low to cycle I bumped it back up. Never had a problem with squibs stuck in barrel.
Good luck, Cat pop

 

[Walkalong]

There is no need to use Trail Boss for light loads in .45 ACP. Many of the fast pistol powders work just fine for that and it is easy to see in the case to make sure you haven't double charged it. Trail Boss shines when you have a very large case that needs filling.

If you try it, load it to 100% load density, but do not compress it. See what happens. Probably a light poot. I know people here have tried it, I just don't remember the results.

 

[Sunray]

The TB 230 cast starting load does seem really low, but it gives 658 fps out of a regular 5" barrel. Really no reason to expect it to fail to cycle. Change the return spring if it gives you grief.

 

[Toprudder]

Trailboss does work in 45acp

Works well for me. Steel frame Witness 45, 4.5" barrel.
1.240 COL, Winchester large primer, population 5 each

Xtreme 200 RN, 4.5gn, 654.8fps, 29.6sd, 67 spread.
Xtreme 200 RN, 5.0gn, 710.4fps, 9.8sd, 25 spread.
Xtreme 200 RN, 5.5gn, 740.4fps, 10.9sd, 22 spread.

Xtreme 230 RN, 3.5gn, 554.8fps, 16.6sd, 45 spread.
Xtreme 230 RN, 4.0gn, 612.0fps, 29.7sd, 76 spread.
Xtreme 230 RN, 4.5gn, 657.0fps, 6.0sd, 15 spread.

Despite the low velocity on the lower charges, they all cycled the gun. I could probably have squeezed a little more charge in the case before compressing the powder.

 

[berettaprofessor]

4.0 grains of Trail Boss behind a 230 grain Berry's PRN (OAL 1.240) averages 620.3fps out of my Taurus 1911, shoots as soft as a mouse...passing gas..., and I can make nearly one hole groups offhand at 7 yards with it.