Max Trail Boss Load in 240 Grain .44 Magnum SWC??

[Southern Shooter]

I understand that Hodgdon list 7.3 grains of Trail Boss as a max load in 240 grain cast SWC. I have loaded this and it is fun to shoot but, it seems rather anaemic. I know that I can switch to other powders however, I want to stay with Trail Boss, for now.

Does anybody here load above the 7.3 grains and find all is well?

Thanks

[Norbrat]

Trail Boss was designed for anaemic loads, so you aren't going to get high intenisty loads with that powder.

According to Hogdon's instructions, the maximum Trail Boss load for any cartridge is to fill the case to the base of the boolit. Don't crush the powder; breaking the donuts will change the burning rate.

If that gives you more than 7.3 gns, it should still be quite safe.

[youngda9]

Get a more powerful gun if you want more power. Do NOT exceed max loads. Don't hot-rod it and get yourself hurt.

[Southern Shooter]

Not that this really matters, but if someone is wondering which gun these loads are being fired from it is the Ruger 50th Anniversary Flat-top Blackhawk.

[CGT80]

I tried a 45 colt load with 5.1 grains of Trail Boss under a 250 grain copper plated bullet. I fired it in my 460 S&W 8 3/8" revolver. It was very anemic. 561 fps average. It seemed like I had unburnt powder and it was dirty and smokey. I am going to try some max loads next (powder filled to the base of the bullet).

I also use the trail boss at 11 grains with a 280 grain cast bullet in 460 brass. These loads have a little recoil and burn the powder pretty good. I could push it to about 14 grains in that case.

I like win 231 in my 45 colt cases. It will give maximum performance for a standard load. My 45lc/231 load is around 1000 fps and does nicely. It isn't quite a max standard load. Some guns will run the "ruger only" load, which may use win 29/h-110, and will run at a higher velocity. I'm sure my gun would handle it, but I just run 460 brass to go that hot.

I also used win 231 in 44 spl and 44 mag cases for a ruger super black hawk, IIRC, and I know it was a single action. They were great light loads, but they were not anemic.

Mark your case where the bottom of the bullet would be, when seated, and fill up to that point with trail boss-give that load a try. If it is still too light, you will need a different powder.

I just ordered a 5lb jug of trail boss-so I do like it, but I understand it's limitations.

[oldfart1956]

Somebody feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on this but doesn't Hodgdon say to fill to the base of the boolit and then use 70% of that as a max load. As in...not simply loading to the base of the boolit. Remember Trailboss is a fast powder. Audie..the Oldfart..

[762 shooter]

Full case to bottom of boolit is MAX load.

70% of that is starting load.

762

[Larry Gibson]

If you want other than "anemic" you do not need to "Get a more powerful gun " as the 44 Magnum is fair to midland powerful. What is needed is a slower burning powder and more of it like 19.5 - 22 gr of 2400. For a good mid range load use 8.5 - 95 gr Unique with that 240 gr cast bullet.

Trail Boss is a bulky fast burning powder made expressly for "anemic" low end loads.

Larry Gibson

[rintinglen]

Would you use a screwdriver as a hammer? A hammer as a wrench? The job is best done with the right tool. In this case, Trail Boss is the wrong tool. As Larry mentions, it is made for full-case, low-end loads. It was specifically designed to make for safer reloading in those big, old-timey Cowboy calibers like the 38-40, 44-40, and 45 Colt. A double charge of fast burning powder in an old collectible gun is something to be avoided, so Hogdon makes Trail boss big and fluffy, to fill the case without dangerous pressures. I recommend it's use to beginning revolver reloaders for exactly that reason. However, you are getting past the "babe-in-the-woods" stage and want to take the training wheels off.

You need to use a different powder. Alliant's Bluedot, and 2400, Hogdon's H-110 or H-4227, Accurate Number 9, Winchester 296, IMR 4227 and Ramshot Enforcer are all useful for 44 Mag top end loads. Myself, I'm partial to 2400 and H-110. But whichever you choose, you need to jettison the idea that there is a "one-size-fits-all" powder that will run from mild to wild. There are some that will cover the middle of the road well, Unique comes to mind here, but there isn't any powder that will be suitable for every application in a 44 magnum. LIght loads use different powders than Heavy ones. Choose the right tool.

[BCB]

To the base of a 44-240-SWC, it takes 6.5 grains of T.B. to just touch the boolit when seated to the proper depth...

I use the 70% rule as a starting load...

Never had any problems going a bit higher than what the 70% rules calculates. But, I don't shoot the maximum charge in any of the calibers that I use T.B. in...

Good-luck...BCB

[Smithy]

To the base of a 44-240-SWC, it takes 6.5 grains of T.B. to just touch the boolit when seated to the proper depth...

If the above is the case, then why did Hornady list 7.3 grains as the top load? It would acording to the quote, be a very compressed load to say the least, yet there it is at the Hornady site. BCB could you may have been thinking about 44 special rather than the magnum version? Smithy.

[jonp]

Get a more powerful gun if you want more power. Do NOT exceed max loads. Don't hot-rod it and get yourself hurt.

He does not need a more powerful gun. He needs different powder. The OP is asking Trailboss to do something it was not designed to do. It makes a great target/cowboy action powder. That is what it is for. It's not H110

[BCB]

If the above is the case, then why did Hornady list 7.3 grains as the top load? It would acording to the quote, be a very compressed load to say the least, yet there it is at the Hornady site. BCB could you may have been thinking about 44 special rather than the magnum version? Smithy.

If the pic posts, you will see that I have placed a 44-240-SWC on the top of the 44 Magnum case I use to measure Trail Boss for that particular load...

Note that the crimp groove is at the case mouth on the 44 Magnum case that is not cut off to the base of the boolit...

I put a piece of duct tape on the cut off case (cut at the base of the boolit to be used) and use the cut off case as a dipper. Fill that case with Trail Boss and dump it in a 44 Magnum case and seat the boolit to the crimp groove...

That is a maximum charge without compressing the powder...

The cut off case holds ~6.5 grains of Trail Boss...

I don't know where Hornady came up with the 7.3 grains as that would surely be compressed...

Good-luck...BCB

[1bluehorse]

To the base of a 44-240-SWC, it takes 6.5 grains of T.B. to just touch the boolit when seated to the proper depth...

I use the 70% rule as a starting load...

Never had any problems going a bit higher than what the 70% rules calculates. But, I don't shoot the maximum charge in any of the calibers that I use T.B. in...

Good-luck...BCB

I'd say that's just about right....my "figuring" using a caliper, came out to 6 gr. with a 429421 bullet I cast that's 260 (258ish) gr...

[runfiverun]

when using trail boss you might think that the load is anemic.
and the velocity most likely is.
you need to remember that velocity and peak pressure are two different things.

[btroj]

when using trail boss you might think that the load is anemic.
and the velocity most likely is.
you need to remember that velocity and peak pressure are two different things.

Take some time to think about this and what Larry said.

Some powders work well for 800 fps, some at 1000 fps, and others at 1300 fps.

Do you own a tack hammer, framing hammer, and a sledge? Ever think about why? Powder is the same way.

[PAT303]

If the above is the case, then why did Hornady list 7.3 grains as the top load? It would acording to the quote, be a very compressed load to say the least, yet there it is at the Hornady site. BCB could you may have been thinking about 44 special rather than the magnum version? Smithy.

I think people forget that the top load is for cowboy action shooting,in Oz there is a velocity limit when shooting at steel and the max limit listed will keep you under this,I shoot 5grns of TB in my 357 under 160grn SWC and that is over listed max but I don't shoot steel and the empties fall from the cylinder. Pat

[psychicrhino]

Good advice here. Had just picked up some trail boss to try for my. 38 spl. Thanks

[PAT303]

As of today I'm dropping back to 4grns to give me a bit more control during rapid fire,the 5grn loads will be for 50m deliberate only,3grns under a full WC is like a 22. Pat

[BCB]

I think people forget that the top load is for cowboy action shooting,in Oz there is a velocity limit when shooting at steel and the max limit listed will keep you under this,I shoot 5grns of TB in my 357 under 160grn SWC and that is over listed max but I don't shoot steel and the empties fall from the cylinder. Pat

I sort of doubt that would be the top load recommended by Hornady--althought it appears obvious it is in print someplace...

With my 6.5 grain charge of Trail Boss and the 240 grain SWC, I am getting 697 fps from a Super Redhawk...

I don't know what maximum velocity is for the Cowboy stuff, but I do know that 7.3 grains would be greatly compressed--that is in print to be a "no no"...

Although I have never tried compressing Trail Boss so I really don't know if there is danger in that process or not...

Good-luck...BCB

[Savvy Jack]

I know this is an old post but here is the link http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

[Savvy Jack]

edited

[Southern Shooter]

Thanks for the information. I need to do so more work with that powder. Kind of got distracted by life issues.

[REDTAIL]

For all of my Mid Range & Hunting Loads with a 240- 250 gr Cast Bullet, I have great luck using either Unique or Herco Powders, They have taken down Whitetails, & even a Coyote or two, Droped them where they stand I was going to try some of the new powders that came out, But I thought, Seeing the Haz Mat Fees etc I said " if it's not Broke etc etc."

[REDTAIL]

Question,? has any one ever purchased the Hand Book Titled The complete Reloading Manual for the 44 Magnum Cartridge,? Saw it on E Bay foe Apx $12.00 figured it be a nice edition to check loads & compare with my other manuals etc.

[Savvy Jack]

ooops, 44 Magnum loads

[Shuz]

FWIW-Yesterday I shot a 1.44" 6 shot group from a bench rest with a recently purchased old model 6.5" .44 magnum 3 screw flattop with 7.0g of Trail Boss behind a 225g Lee custom .44 RNFP. The velocity chrono'd at 844fps with an SD of 16. The boolit had a hardness of Saeco 6 and was .430" in diameter OAL was 1.590" primers were CCI 300 and cases were WW. The cases extracted very easily, but were quite dirty with powder soot which I've noticed is characteristic of Trail Boss. This load APPEARED safe in my revolver, but may not be in yours.:holysheep
By the way, there was absolutely no leading after firing 30 rounds and emptying the box!

[mvozz]

Interesting post. I just took a friend out to shoot some of my 44 mag loads. I was using the same 240 gr SWC with three different loads, Trail Boss, Blue Dot and H110. I called them my "Plinking Loads" - "Mag Loads" and "Barn Burners". He called them "Fun Loads" - "Impressive Loads" and "Holy ****" loads. He is just getting into loading hand guns and I am trying to teach him that different powders make all of the difference in performance. The most accurate of the 3 were the "Barn Burners" but the others were pretty good too. He is working on some 357 mag loads so I am holding his hand a lot just so he doesn't have to make the same mistakes I did 40 years ago. I love teaching a new generation the art and science of hand gun loading!

[JoeJames]

I am usually a big fan of light or moderate loads, but to me Trail Boss is particularly light. My pet light load in my Rossi R92 44 Magnum is 7 grains of Unique with a 240 grain .431 Oregon Trail boolit = average 1150 fps.

[gwpercle]

I bought the one for 41 Magnum . I like it.
Most of the published data for the cartridge of your choice is put into one book and comparing load between them is simple ... just flip pages back and forth .
Contains data on cast , swagged, plated and jacketed projectiles . Not having to look through 6 different manuals is nice . If you don't reload for a lot of different rounds it's one way to save money on buying a bunch of manuals.
The down side is you don't get any information that is normally found in the front and back of loading manuals...lots of good stuff is there if you are a beginner.
The price is affordable so I think I'll buy a few more for my most reloaded rounds i.e. 45 acp , 38 special and 357 magnum... they wont replace my big loading manuals but add to them .
Gary

[catkiller45]

is there data for the 255 gr lead semi wad cutter...all I found was
240 grain bullets..

[cowboy4evr]

When my sister fell and broke her wrist ( shooting hand of course ) and the dr told her no more shooting for several months I came to her rescue . I loaded up some fairly light loads ( the 70% rule ) for her favorite , the 41 magnum using trail boss . She shot those for several months w/no problems to her hand . I believe it was Clint Smith that said his favorite load " everyday load " in the 44 mag was 8.0 grs of 231 using a 240 gr bullet for about 1000 fps . That performance figure will depending on barrel length , your gun etc . It is a nice load and a pleasure to use with plenty of power to take care of most what needs doing . Regards, Paul

[Carrier]

So all you that are using Trail Boss are you using dippers and single stage presses? I bought a couple pounds of it and tried using the powder measure on my LNL and and also an RCBS and nether of them worked very well. I can’t see myself loading handgun on a single stage.

[Shuz]

I load on a Dillon Square Deal B and use Trail Boss .