Trail Boss Experience

[GunAdmirer]

I used Trail Boss this morning for the first time. It was cheaper and available in the middle of our current primer/powder shortage.

It is very unique looking - fluffy to better fill the case.

I tried to drop 4.0 gr. out of my RCBS powder measure while loading 80 rounds of .38 sp. After fiddling with it for awhile, I was able to drop 3.9 gr. pretty consistently. Rarely could I get it to hit 4.0 gr. Occasionally I would have a hard time working the powder measure and would get a 4.2-4.3 gr. load.

I couldn't bring myself to dispense directly into the cases and decided to dispense into a powder pan and live with anything between 3.9 and 4.1 gr.. If it flowed smoothly, I poured into the case without weighing it. If I had a hard time working the powder measure, I would weigh it to confirm and then adjust weight if necessary.

I really want to like this powder but don't like the drop consistency. I tried the usual things to improve consistency.

 

[D. Manley]

I recently loaded up a batch of .44 Special loads with TB with my seldom-used LCT and to my surprise, it metered very well through the Lee PM. The better news is, from the little I know of this powder, I doubt you'll notice one whit of difference in the variances you experienced even over a chrono.

 

[lgbloader]

I use a RCBS Uniflow and a Dillon PM to throw this powder and I have never had an issue with metering. Lucky I guess.

LGB

 

[Landric]

I use Trail Boss for several different handloads. I have found it works pretty well in all my powder measures in which I have tried it. I use several RCBS Uniflows, Lee PPMs, and Lee Pro Auto Disks. It is by far the most consistent in the Lee PPM, the cheapest of the three. Go figure. I haven't tried it in my Dillon measure yet, but the Dillon seems to work well with everything, so I expect good results.

I am very happy with Trail Boss overall, especially the bulk and therefore volume it takes up in the cases.

 

[.38 Special]

I get about the same results with my ancient old Lyman measure. My chronograph can't tell the difference between 3.9 grains and 4.1 grains in the .44 Special, so I simply don't worry about it.

 

[Stinger]

It measures as accurately as the best of them, in my experience.

 

[MCMXI]

It measures as accurately as the best of them, in my experience.

+1

I use an RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 and a Redding Competition 10X powder measure and it (Trail Boss) meters perfectly ... 6.0gr at a time.

 

[wmurphy]

A couple of things I've found with TrailBoss;

Wipe the inside and outside of the powder tube with a dryer sheet to eliminate any static build-up.

After filling the poweder tube, tap on the sides of it a bit to initially settle the power a bit.

I use an RCBS and Dillon, and both work great with TrailBoss. However, the Dillon requires the use of the large powder bar regardless of the size of the charge.

 

[something vague]

In reality, is TrailBoss really cheaper? You're not getting a full pound of powder in the #1 cantainers of every other powder. I haven't actually taken the time to figure it out but I don't believe that it is cheaper by any means.

I have just recently been intrigued by it though as I load lots of .38spl and .357mag target rounds. I just bought a can yesterday to use for my 148gr LHBWC's I have kicking around. I would like to load these in some .357mag cases but have been struggling to find data for it with Trail Boss. Does anyone here have any data for this combo or should I just start with some .38spl. data?

 

[GunAdmirer]

The Hodgdon website and current basic loading guide lists loads for .357 in the cowboy action section.

I don't know why my RCBS Uniflow has been more inconsistent than your experiences. I'll keep working with it.

 

[1858rem]

just remember, dont crush the cheerios, and i think i remember reading that it wants to spike pressure real quick past max loads... which is a bad idea anyhow

 

[1858rem]

In reality, is TrailBoss really cheaper?

not really, its about 13 dollars online and 15 local for 9oz bottle so about $1.67 per oz, recently i picked up a lb of bullseye for $19 which is 1.19 per oz


all this before taxes too!

 

[sargenv]

I don't fire Trailboss because it is cheaper.. I fire it mostly as a safeguard against a double charge ina large case. a few grains of Bullseye can get lost in any larger case, allowing for a double or even triple charge without really being able to see it. If you double a charge of TB, likely it will spill over and you WILL notice it. Saving a few pennies per charge doesn't make sense to me in the case of a class of firearm that while it might be inexpensive when I bought it would cost much more to replace it. The ability to see a double charge of powder is worth the extra money I pay for that insurance.

 

[Walkalong]

It meters just fine through my Redding 10X, about like flake powders such as 700X, Unique, etc. It definitely doesn't meter as well as AA #2 and other fine powders, but it meters well enough.

 

[1858rem]

anyone have a favorite charge TB in 45 acp?

 

[Landric]

I like 4.0 grains with a 250 grain RNFP in .45ACP. Runs an average of about 690-700fps out of my 4 1/2" M&P, light recoil, and reliable.

 

[hydraulicman]

I love trail boss in .38 special

Just for plinking loads. its great stuff.