Getting to love Trail Boss!

[1Shirt]

I have been working recently on developing practice and plinking loads with Trail Boss for a number of ctgs. Other than the fact that the stuff is so lite that even a slight breath over a pan of it in a scale can put some of it airborne, think it is great. To me it is super because in everything I have tried it in, it is accurate within its limitations of vol. It is also cheap, and as I am cheap, sort of just goes together. Have now played with it enough to start buying it in quantity rather than in what ever ounce btls. they sell it in.

So far I have shot it in: Hornet, K-Hornet, 243, 7x57, 30-30, 357, 375-H&H, 44, 444, & 45-70. It's kind of like the old commercial where "a little dab will do ya" deal powder wise. I also like the fact that you probably would really have to screw up badly such as compressing the load to have any problems from overloads. Will be trying it in a couple of other ctgs. in the near future. In my 375's, to 50yds, from the bench w/Ranch Dog's blts, it will make one ragged hole for 5 shots. (And you could shoot it all day, because it is about like shooting a 223). With my 444, it will do 5 shot groups at 50 with Ranch Dogs 300 grainer into under 2" all day. Both of these rifles with full power loads from the bench will get your attention very quickly. Prefer to shoot my large bore rifles full power from other than the bench. So-with Trail Boss in the lower vol. range, and unique and 2400 in the med vol range, benching the hard recoilers is a pleasure.

Trail Boss will become a standard for me, along with 2400 and Unique. Never could get into Cowboy Action Shooting, but am glad it came along and that they developed a powder to support the sport.

Loads with this powder will make it possible to start young or inexperianced shooters without full power recoil. Its one of those "try it you will like it" things that comes along once in awhile.:bigsmyl2:
1Shirt!:coffee:

[405]

Agree.
If folks will remember it is a fast powder and that it's biggest attributes are bulk and accurate metering thru the measure, it will serve well. I really like it for light loads in high expansion ratio applications.

[furbis]

good to hear. I recently bought a jug and want to try it out as soon as I cast my first boolits. I want to start my 12 and 13 yr old boys big game hunting with the 30/30 and this sounds like good way to introduce them to cf rifles.

[462]

I've been researching Trail Boss and, yesterday, bought my first canister. Will be trying it in .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .45 ACP, .30-30 and .30-'06.

[Ohio Rusty]

I really like Trail Boss for 148 grain button nosed wad cutters in .38 special. 2.4 grains makes a great shooting load. I also put 4 grains under a Lee 125 grain RNFP for an accurate and great shooting midrange load.
I currently have a .44 wadcutter mould on the way, and I'm anxious to load up a bunch of .44 wadcutters to shoot from my .44 contender with the lightweight octagon barrel. I also have 2400 and Unique, and Trail Boss is a great powder I have found out also.
Ohio Rusty ><>

[Gohon]

1Shirt, what was the load you used in the 22 Hornet with Trailboss? I'm working up squirrel loads for the Hornet and just loaded 20 rounds with ten each of Trailboss behind a 50 grain gas check cast. Used 1.5 and 2.5 grains respectfully. Also loaded up additional lots using Bullseye, Unique, and 2400 but until that little white fluffy stuff stops coming down I can't get out to test them.

[1Shirt]

Gohon, I loaded 225438HP (checked/sized and lubed at 44gr) over loads from 2-3 gr, and got best accuracy out of both Hornet and K-Hornet at 2.7, w/Rem SP primers. My K is a #3 Ruger, my std hornet is the single shot bolt action savage. The K tends to be more accruate regardless of what I put thru it. That little white fluffy stuff is doing its thing here as well. Would be interested in your results with the other powders as well.
1Shirt!:coffee:

[BCB]

I got a 5-pound jug of it and I am going to purchase another 5-pound jug!!!...

I use it in the 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 445 Super Magnum, 45 Colt, 30-30 Winchester, 7-30 Waters, and the 270 Winchester—all with cast boolits…

I use the 70% formula to calculate the reloading data—never a problem…

Just shot some 44-250-K’s today from a SRH using 5.0 to 6.0 grains and it was shooting about ¾” center to center at 25 yards. At 10 yards when I was shooting over the chrony, it was cutting one large hole. Not too bad as it is winter here in Western PA…

I have found that in handgun cases (straight wall) accuracy begins to diminish as yards are increased. That is, if a load shoots ¾” at 25 yards it might stay proportional at 50 yards, but it most likely will open a bit. The rifle cartridges seem to shoot fairly accurate at the greater distances. One point five inch at 100 yards was very common with the 270 Winchester and the Lyman 287348 sized down to 0.278” and 12.5 grains of Trail Boss and a CCI-200 primer. Velocity is average 1338 from a Model 700…

It did not perform outstanding will all that I use it in, but it was always acceptable…

Where has this powder been my entire life?...

Good-luck…BCB

[1Shirt]

Just finished loading a batch of 303 Brit. for the first time. Went 12.5 gr with 165 gr RD, alum gc's, and 12.5 with 185 Lee w/alum gas checks. Forcast is for continuious snow for next two days with total accumulation of 8-10" and cold. So it looks like it will be a couple of weeks before I get to shoot them, but will report when I do.
1Shirt!:coffeecom

[303Guy]

I was thinking "Where's the 303 Brit?" Looking forward to your results with it. You say it's cheap? I thought it was pricey? Mmmm... will have to check out our local gunshop.

[fredj338]

I just started testing in my magnum cases for plinking loads. I like that it fills the case well. I wish they had it when I was shooting a lot of CAS, but RedDot always worked fine for me, TB seems to burn much cleaner though. I don't find it particularly cheap though, TG probably is cheaper per round, but I hate using tiny little charges of powder in large magnum cases, spooky.

[R.M.]

I've been using it ever since it first came out. I love it, other than the smell. It does have an odd odor to it. All that I do use it for is low velocity pistol rounds, but yes, it is a good powder. Cheap, I'm not sure about that, but when I take a shining to something, cost isn't the first criteria for me.

[Josh Ward]

I'm a big fan as well, load it mostly in 45ACP and 45 Colt

[1Shirt]

It is not necessarily cheap by the pound if you figure it that way. It is sold due to bulk in ounce btls/cans (however you consider the container). However if you consider the volume you use per ctg. in comparison with other powders that fill the case, you have a rational comparison. 12-13 grains works pretty well in 308/06/303 etc., and if you consider that compaired to 35-40 grain loads or more with slow burning powder to me it is cheap. Red Dot/Bullseye would be cheaper particularly in Rifle loads, but it lacks the volume of density that Trail Boss has. That of course to me, makes Trail Boss, a safer powder potentialy for the loader.
1Shirt!:coffeecom

[Landric]

I also really enjoy Trail Boss. I use it for my 200 grain .38 Special IDPA load and I've been working on it in .45 ACP and .44 Special also. Its also fantastic for plinking rounds in rifles and I love the high volume/low charge weight combination. While I am always careful handloading, mistakes do happen, and its nice to be using a powder where a double charge can be easily seen in big revolver cases.

[wallenba]

I'm using it to tame recoil in my milsurps for fun plinking and am getting good accuracy but low velocity. With those high volume cases it goes fast, and with only nine ounces in a bottle It's really not all that cheap, but I like it too. Using it in 7.5x55 Swiss, 7.62x54r Russian and 8x57 Mauser.

[Gohon]

1Shirt, I'll be sure and let you know the results of my loads when I get the chance to test them. I'm going to try them in the H&R first which has the 1 in 9 twist then switch to the Browning Micro which is a 1 in 16 twist.

[Jon K]

I was thinking "Where's the 303 Brit?" Looking forward to your results with it. You say it's cheap? I thought it was pricey? Mmmm... will have to check out our local gunshop.

303,

10 gr TB/314299 with any large rifle primer.

Pricey??? not really, when you compare # loaded per lb vs other powders, price is about equal.

Jon

[lead Foot]

How much do you pay for a jug (8pound)of Trail Boss in the US. As it is made in Australia it will be interersting to know the difference. They sell it in 4kg here.
Lead foot;

[fredj338]

Here they are sold in 5# jugs, about $100 shipped.

[Jon K]

Powder Valley........$85.50/5#

Jon

[BCB]

Here they are sold in 5# jugs, about $100 shipped.

where do you get a 5-pound jug for $100 including the shipping and hazmet fee?...

I am ready to order...

BCB

[BCB]

Powder Valley........$85.50/5#

Jon

That price is deceptive as there is no shipping and hazmet fee included…

I recently placed an order to Powder Valley and it was for over $300.00…

I took the shipping charges and the hazmet fee and applied it to each product I received. I put it in a ratio and proportion (as to listed prices) so all was fairly distributed among all of the products…

My 5 pounds of Trail Boss cost a total of $92.01. Or about $18.40 per pound…

I think it would be tough to beat that price…

Good-luck…BCB

[DukeInFlorida]

I'm using Trail Boss in my .500 S&W Magnum! I can fire even the heaviest of bullets with no more recoil than a .38 special.

I love the stuff!

Been buying the 9 ounce plastic cans, and will have to look into the 5 pounder.

You guys have all seen this pdf file, right?
http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

The suggestion is that you "Don't crush the donuts!"

Other than that, you can fill the case right up with the stuff, and never go over pressure!

[warf73]

My 5 pounds of Trail Boss cost a total of $92.01. Or about $18.40 per pound…

I think it would be tough to beat that price…

Good-luck…BCB

For my plinking load I use Red Dot or Herco it's $14.35 per pound if I purchase it by the pound.
If buying in the 8lbs keg its $12.31 per pound so it's not really "tough to beat" its just what do you want to do with what powder.
The price has held me back from TB and many others also I'm betting.

[BCB]

For my plinking load I use Red Dot or Herco it's $14.35 per pound if I purchase it by the pound.
If buying in the 8lbs keg its $12.31 per pound so it's not really "tough to beat" its just what do you want to do with what powder.
The price has held me back from TB and many others also I'm betting.

If you get Red Dot for that price today $14.35 per pound, that is amazing! And even more amazing is the fact that you can get it for $12.31 per pound if you purchase bulk...

You certainly must live in the area of Powder Valley and you can go pick it up at those prices...

Those are the prices he lists and that is before shipping and hazmet...

I wish I have a local gun store that sold it that cheap...

But, I do like TB because I just work the powder thrower and seat the boolit. A quick glance into the case is all that is required...

BCB

[Shooter6br]

Make mine Unique or Universal Clays

[warf73]

If you get Red Dot for that price today $14.35 per pound, that is amazing! And even more amazing is the fact that you can get it for $12.31 per pound if you purchase bulk...

You certainly must live in the area of Powder Valley and you can go pick it up at those prices...

Those are the prices he lists and that is before shipping and hazmet...

I wish I have a local gun store that sold it that cheap...

But, I do like TB because I just work the powder thrower and seat the boolit. A quick glance into the case is all that is required...

BCB

Yes I live within 40 miles of them, I get all my reloading supplies from.

[abunaitoo]

How are you finding loads for Trail Boss????
Would the Blue Dot formula work the same way????

[405]

TB load data? You can go to the IMR/Hodgdon site and look up the data for the cartridges they have tested. Or, you can call their technical hot line and maybe get an idea of guidelines for its use. Make no mistake, it is a fast powder- just such low density that it is hard to get too much in a "normal" cartridge in a modern gun to blow it up. I wouldn't bet on some of the very large capacity cartridges or large capacity/over-bore cartridges or large capacity cartridges in older, weaker BP era guns though.

[BCB]

Yes I live within 40 miles of them, I get all my reloading supplies from.


warf73,

You are a lucky guy to live that close to Powder Valley...

BCB

[Froggfuzz]

Landric,

While searching for .38 Special and .357 Magnum loads for a 200 grain swaged Winchester RN at .362" diameter (I think originally intended for .38 S&W-I happen to have about 1200 of them), I noted your post that you used Trail Boss for IDPA. Would you please share the details of that load with me?

I am looking for an easy shooting plinking load for my K and N frame Smiths and in Colt SAA second gen. and Officer's Match revolvers as well as a .357 Rossi Puma.

Thanks,

Froggfuzz

[JScott]

I recently tried some in 38 Special with favorable results. 3.5 gr under an RCBS 38-150-KT gave me 724 fps and were very consistent with a Standard Deviation of 10.6 fps(10 shots). This was out of a S&W Model 64 DAO with a 4 inch barrel. Accuracy was very good with 10 shots going about 2.5 inches at 50 ft. This was a very pleasant load to shoot and did not appear smokey. No leading with bullets of about 10.5 BHN either. Keep in mind it was only about 20 degrees out so you may get different results in warmer weather. I thought the accuracy was very acceptable for a fixed sight, double action-only revolver. I will be loading up more and might bump the charge a couple of tenths to try and get around 800 fps.

[stubshaft]

I tried in in my K-hornet and was not too impressed (3.0 - 4.0 with a 225450). I'll try a lighter charge with my PB and see what happens. Just loaded a bunch of 223's with Bators and the 450 over 7.8gr. Will see tomorrow how they shoot.

[Floydster]

Been using it in my .38 Spl., .357 mag and my 45 ACP for the last two years, I just love this powder for cast bullets--- if you haven't tried it, you are missing out:)
Floydster

[ItZaLLgooD]

I just bought a can for loading up some plinkers for the S+W 460. Any suggestions for TB and a 255gr RNFP? Does it smoke like black powder?

[Beerd]

look here:
http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf
..

[KCSO]

1 Shirt you might try 5 grains of Trail Boss undr a 90 grain 32 acp bullet a real nice quiet plinker load and accurate in my Parker Hale 303.

[63 Shiloh]

I am using a very similar load KCSO, using a 85gn 32-20 HP bullet and 7gn of TB.

Vert accurate and has allowed me to use my .303 for bunny and fox shooting without the BOOM.

Mike

[quilbilly]

I have been testing TB in my 338 WinMag with some interesting results. At 70% caseful the MV was 1400 fps and wouldn't stabilize the boolit (Lee 220 gr GC). At 95% the MV is 1644 fps but going to the 100% caseful, the MV drops back to 1550 fps. That 95% load is the most precise I have ever chronographed and in the seven shot test only varied 4 fps. At 1644 the boolit is stabilized and I hope soon to get it out to the 100 yd range to see how accurate my cast boolits are.
FYI - 95% full is one full 45-70 case which I now use as an easy measure.

[dverna]

BCB,

If there is a large trap or skeet competition near you there are usually vendors who will have almost any powder you wish at good prices. Most will be in 4 or 8 lb jugs. I pay about $75 for an 8 lb jug of Promo (equivalent to Red Dot for shotgun loads).

Our gun club organizes "group buys" with dealers like Dawson (Ohio) and we get primers, and powders at much reduced costs. They even have 1 lb cans if you do not wish to buy jugs.

I have not purchased components from a store in about 5 years. The savings are significant.

Don Verna

[BCB]

Yep, I know what you are saying, but we don't have such groups in my area. Or at least none I am familiar with...

Years ago, several of the guys I worked with went to Camp Perry every year and they got super buys there. I would put in an order and what they could get they would get. I still have some CCI primers that were $10.00 per 1000. That was years ago when we purchased 10's of thousands at a time...

Those guys have retired, a couple of them permenently...

Now, I just put in a large order to a company such as Powder Valley and still do fairly well as I usually order that full 50 pound limit...

It is nice to split the cost with someone else, but if that no longer is an option, ya do what ya gotta do...

BCB