I have a question about the powders. I got started back in the late 90's,the gun shop got me on Unique,a friend of mine got me started on a press. the dies come with a dipper,thats all I've ever used. well,i can't get unique down here, a guy in the cowboy shooting told Trail Boss was a good powder. but he said I couldn't use the same dipper for this powder. and I'm not into the scales. This will prouably be the last of my reloading, at my age,and not getting out as often as I like. whats the big diference in the dipper I'm using and the powder I got? I fast draw, I don't need all the fancy, just the shooting at targets. thanks.
Unique powder
- Thread starter Tam45
- Start date
- Status
zxcvbob
Member
Welcome to THR! You posted this in the wrong forum; someone with admin powers will probably be along shortly to move it to the reloading forum.
What are you shooting, .38 Specials? .45 Colts? .357 Magnum? You can make your own dippers using a 9mm (or other) brass and a piece of wire; cut the brass down until it throws the amount of powder you want.
Do you have a scale? Or are you just going to eyeball it? (I think you can get away with that with Trailboss) Can you at least borrow a scale to set up your dipper?
What are you shooting, .38 Specials? .45 Colts? .357 Magnum? You can make your own dippers using a 9mm (or other) brass and a piece of wire; cut the brass down until it throws the amount of powder you want.
Do you have a scale? Or are you just going to eyeball it? (I think you can get away with that with Trailboss) Can you at least borrow a scale to set up your dipper?
Well, you could spend a few bucks and get a Lee dipper kit. It comes with several dippers (15) of varying sizes/capacity and a handy-dandy easy to use "slide rule" chart to tell you how much of whatever powder each dipper will dip...
http://leeprecision.com/powder-measure-kit.html
http://leeprecision.com/powder-measure-kit.html
Sunray
Member
Throw the scoops away and use a scale. The scoops are calibrated in cc's (that aren't ever used for reloading. They're a metric unit of volume.) and can vary the powder charge plus or minus a full grain.
However, if you insist, you'll have to measure how much Train Boss your useless scoop holds and hope. You'll need a scale for that.
However, if you insist, you'll have to measure how much Train Boss your useless scoop holds and hope. You'll need a scale for that.
Use a scale to measure your dipper drops for ten dips. If they are consistent, you are good to go.
For Trail Boss, grab a case you intend to load, cut the case to 70% of its height, then solder a wire or rod to it and now you have the dipper for that cartridge. You're actually using less than 70% of a full case load because of the bottom of the case, but you are close enough that it won't matter.
For Trail Boss, grab a case you intend to load, cut the case to 70% of its height, then solder a wire or rod to it and now you have the dipper for that cartridge. You're actually using less than 70% of a full case load because of the bottom of the case, but you are close enough that it won't matter.
splattergun
Member
So, let me see if I have this straight. You're only using the dipper that came with your dies years ago. You've been using the same recipe with Unique all these years. Now that you can't get Unique, you don't have the necessary data or tools to use anything else. Right so far? You need data, my friend, and new tools. You're not into scales? hmmm. problem
I am assuming that you no longer have the data sheet that came with your dies. Since you're "not into scales", the best suggestion I might make (aside from getting a scale), I to get a reloading manual. My next suggestion is to also get the set of Lee dippers. They are pretty much "lawyer safe" once you decide which powder to use and then calculate which size dipper you need to use. BUT, you will have no idea what your actual charge is, only the approximation based on a chart of "lawyer safe" approximations.
Get a scale. They're cheaper than lawyers. Or doctors.
I am assuming that you no longer have the data sheet that came with your dies. Since you're "not into scales", the best suggestion I might make (aside from getting a scale), I to get a reloading manual. My next suggestion is to also get the set of Lee dippers. They are pretty much "lawyer safe" once you decide which powder to use and then calculate which size dipper you need to use. BUT, you will have no idea what your actual charge is, only the approximation based on a chart of "lawyer safe" approximations.
Get a scale. They're cheaper than lawyers. Or doctors.
zxcvbob
Member
Trailboss is a special case; he can get by just fine without a scale using TB. He doesn't care what the actual charge is, only that they are all the same and it's a safe load.
Black powder is another possibility.
I would still recommend getting a scale.
Black powder is another possibility.
I would still recommend getting a scale.
Potatohead
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2013
- Messages
- 5,375
Why do you not have to weigh TrailBoss?
Jesse Heywood
Member
TrailBoss was designed as a case-filling load. With it's low density, a scale is not a must, a volume measure will suffice. The case should be filled 70-100% of the volume below the bullet. That is where rsrocket1 gets his advice. Here is the reference. www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf.
A cut-down case is the minimum needed, a scale is recommended, but not a must. The important thing is to not compress the charge, so don't fill the case below the base of the bullet.
A cut-down case is the minimum needed, a scale is recommended, but not a must. The important thing is to not compress the charge, so don't fill the case below the base of the bullet.
lauderdale
Member
Oh lord?
Jlr2267
Member
Mark an empty spent case about where the bottom of the bullet would be (redo this every time you change case or bullet type). Fill case to just below the line. That's the max volume of Trailboss for your application...you can use less, but not more. Find or make a dipper that gives you that volume and you're all set.
DO NOT USE THIS METHOD WITH ANY OTHER POWDER!
DO NOT USE THIS METHOD WITH ANY OTHER POWDER!
Potatohead
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2013
- Messages
- 5,375
Sounds wacky but ok, thanks.
*Kemosabe*
Member
Wait for more imput on TrailBoss
Somehow I feel that a .45 “Long” Colt filled to 70% capacity with TrailBoss and a 320 grain bullet is not going to be without risk.
Wait for more input on TrailBoss so those with other insights might comment.
Somehow I feel that a .45 “Long” Colt filled to 70% capacity with TrailBoss and a 320 grain bullet is not going to be without risk.
Wait for more input on TrailBoss so those with other insights might comment.
Item 1:
Get some decent scales, get at least one decent manual, ...or don't reload.
(Rarely do I take such an all-or-nothing stance)
Item 2: Trailboss. 70% of usable case volume (the free volume under the bullet base) is the general starting-load rule. (See HERE)
is a draft engraving for a tombstone.
Get some decent scales, get at least one decent manual, ...or don't reload.
(Rarely do I take such an all-or-nothing stance)
Item 2: Trailboss. 70% of usable case volume (the free volume under the bullet base) is the general starting-load rule. (See HERE)
Vodoun da Vinci
Member
Yeah, I don't wanna be defeatist/negative but a scale is possibly one of the things I just don't think a reloader can do without. Especially if you are going to change powders and work up new loads.
I use Unique exclusively and when I can't get any more and run out it's gonna be a dark day. I don't know what I'll do but I'll definitely incorporate a scale.
VooDoo
I use Unique exclusively and when I can't get any more and run out it's gonna be a dark day. I don't know what I'll do but I'll definitely incorporate a scale.
VooDoo
Ed Ames
Member
It will be about a 13k CUP load, if that. That is excessive for converted BP guns but is within SAAMI specs for .45 Colt and will be fine in modern guns.
That's why I dislike Trail Boss. It is like a smokeless black powder substitute. High volume, low pressure. That is good in some ways but I own a scale so it doesn't do much for me.
For reference: A 395gr bullet and 5gr trail boss (which fits in a casull, but OAL > .45 Colt cylinders allow) is in the 24k CUP range. In other words, if you ignore OAL and load nearly 400gr you can make it into "ruger only" range. in something like a Judge.
Jlr2267
Member
I know a lot of folks who never used anything but Lee dippers. All of them are still alive with all their digits.
I reloaded for years by volume...still do for certain loads.
Trail boss is simple the web site explains it simply as fill any case you are loading 100% full. That's maximum load weight. Subtract 30% and that's your starting load for any cartridge. Simple. You can't over charge trail boss. That's the beauty of that powder. Best wishes.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
You may not want to believe what Hodgdon is telling you but you can not get enough Trail Boss in any case to go over pressure as long as you DO NOT compress Trail Boss.
Just go and read what Hodgdon has to say on the matter:
http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Trail Boss Reduced Loads R&P.pdf
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Or some Universal which can be loaded ALMOST grain for grain with Unique.
Certainly close enough for what you can do with a dipper.
BUT
I agree with all the above suggestions on buying a load manual and a scale.
There are plenty of choices for scales that will cost you very little and insure your ammo is safe for you and those around you when you shoot.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/71...scale-100-grain-capacity?cm_vc=ProductFinding
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/43...cale-1500-grain-capacity?cm_vc=ProductFinding
http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-pocket-scale-93543.html
judgedelta
Member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2013
- Messages
- 687
I have read that you can't put enough Trail Boss in a case to blow anything up; but I guess you could use too little and not get the bullet out of the barrel???
ArchAngelCD
Member.
But sticking a bullet in the barrel can happen with any powder if you use too little. There are very few if any other powders you can load a full case of and still be safe doing so...
Jlr2267
Member
I think you're right. Not even with TinStar can you use all the case capacity as a safe load.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
