Trail Boss, Anyone tried it out yet?

[Peter M. Eick]

One of my pet peeves is small powder charges in big cases. Just too dang hard to visually inspect for double charges. My classic example of this is a light 38 special level titegroup load in a 357 mag case.

So has anyone tried out the new powder from IMR called trail boss? I am really interested in it for lead loads in 38 special and 357 magnum. I am looking for around 780 fps in 38 special and a 158 grn LSWC and around 1000 fps or maybe a bit less in 357 magnum using the same 158 grn LSWC.

http://www.imrpowder.com/trailboss.html

 

[Jim Watson]

There have been some trials by people with an inside track at Hodgdon-IMR. Most reported on the SASS Wire. They gave out samples at End of Trail. But Trail Boss is not scheduled to be on the retail market until next month at best. I am waiting for some to load in .44 WCF.

 

[landon74]

The only thing I've read about it is here:

http://www.gunblast.com/IMR_TrailBoss.htm

Seems like good stuff, I like that it has greater volume for it's weight than some similar powders (ie Bullseye) less chance of double charges, plus very consistent
velocities....

 

[The Bushmaster]

I'm looking forward to this powder as I hate near empty cases. Especially .38 Specials. If you get it first let us know how it works. I haven't had too much problem with W-231 in my hand guns as I was trained to bring my hand gun down to the target and not up to the target. But I still don't like half full cases. I like my .38 Specials (4" barrels) to run just under 900 fps. So this Trail Boss has a lot to live up to.

 

[griz]

There website shows 38 special data with a 125 grain lead bullet and a compressed charge that still has low pressure and 900ish FPS. Sounds worth a try to me. Plus it's the only powder I've seen that looks like doughnuts.

 

[Sport45]

Look at the maximum loads in .38 special and .357mag. How does the same charge produce a higher velocity and pressure in the .357 case? Will the different test barrel account for this?

http://www.imrpowder.com/data/handgun/trailboss-feb2005.php

On edit: Never mind, I'm pretty sure it's the primer...

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Well I am sure excited about it. I read all I could on it, and as you all pointed out, compressed charges are a real possiblity with 38 special and 357 magnum. To bad they don't have 45 acp data yet.

I just hope it is a reasonably accurate powder. If so I am going to buy a big jug of it and standardize on all of my revolvers that I shoot lead only in.

 

[The Bushmaster]

To heck with you "lead" people...I want it to work with Jacketed bullets...

 

[griz]

Sport45, that is kind of weird, even with mag primers. Note that the strating load for 357 produces more pressure than the max charge in 38, yet gives less velocity.

At any rate, if they have some at tomorrows gun show I'm going to pick up a bottle.

 

[tc300mag1]

Sounds good i too prefer to shoot jacketed only though