TrailBoss

[Gunslinger1911]

I've read on the IMR site about the "70% of max load density" for a starting load for TrailBoss.
I take it that this is as low as is safe to go - but they don't come out and say so.

What say you guru's ? Safe to go lower ? I think some/most (?) powders have a pressure range they work best at, don't know about TrailBoss.

[Norbrat]

It's a fast powder, so going lower should not be a problem, as long as there is enough to push the bullet out the barrel, of course!

[Sensai]

I think Norbrat is right, just so the boolit clears the barrel. I have used quite a bit lower than 70% without problem. It is a quick powder and easily ignited, so no filler needed. The key to very light loads, though, is to always know that the barrel is clear. If you don't know for sure then check it before firing another round. :!:

[ultramag]

I suspect since they've released the info with their formula you mention to figure a safe load starting that TrailBoss is pretty stable. The one no-no I understand about TrailBoss is that you do NOT want to compress it.

[ShooterAZ]

My experience with Trail Boss, is that it is already a wimp load (velocity wise, but not pressure wise) with the case full or nearly full. I have read that compressing the powder can be problematic. You will probably find that your best accuracy will occur somewhere between 70% and full. Personally, I wouldn't waste my time trying to reduce that powder further....good luck.

[osteodoc08]

So long as you don't get squibs, you're good to go. Don't compress it.

[Gunslinger1911]

Thanks gents ! That's what I was hoping to hear. Looking to down load a 22-250 till I can find a 22 hornet - of course, I want a Ruger #1 (hard to find, pricey!).

Yea, I know, prob a waste of time - but something new. Pretty much got a handle on a new 10mm, and need a break from bulldogging the 500 S&W.

[manithree]

Sounds like my son's science project last year. With Trail Boss, we got down near .22 wmr (45g @ 2100 fps, 55g @1950 fps) at the low end of Trail Boss. But with Hodgdon H4895 (I think Hodgon says you can go down to 60% of a max published load), we got a nice range out of his Savage Axis. The 55g H5895 loads started at 20g and got 2100 fps, up to 32g and 3500 fps. Those were Hornady jacketed bullets. And they were very accurate at 50 yds.

My son liked it because he was starting to have buyer's remorse over his .22-250 since he had been hoping for a .22 hornet.

[osteodoc08]

Herein lies one of the beauties of hand loading. No other hobby gives me as much satisfaction as reloading, shooting and hunting. I consider them intertwined and a continuum of sort with one another

[Gunslinger1911]

I hear you osteodoc08 - I get to experiment with all kinds of loads, HOT, mouse f@rt, everything in between!
I have a 45 Colt load that will take anything on the face of the Earth - I also have a load in 500 S&W that my 15 year old daughter can enjoy - talk about a mouse f@rt !!!

Some people will ask "why?" for some of my ideas. I answer "why not ?"

[DeanWinchester]

The last trip to th gun range I was shooting a 100g plain base boolit over 3.5g of Trailboss........in my .308

[quilbilly]

I have tried TB in 30/30 and 338 WM and in both cases a 95% full load gave me a muzzle velocity of 60% of a factory load using the same size projectile. Don't know if that is useful info or not to you but in the 338WM, that TB velocity wouldn't stabilize the cast boolit at 40 yards.

[Gunslinger1911]

More good guys !!

DeanWinchester - guess that really answers my question about going below 70% !!!! Any idea what the velocity was ?

quilbilly - ya, I figure I'll have to play with boolit weight at the lower vel.

[2wheelDuke]

I haven't tried Trail Boss in that specific load yet, but I was playing with the Lee 230gr "blackout" boolit in .308 with a light charge of Red Dot for a subsonic .308. I shot a 12" gong for my first test, and things seemed good to start. When I went to put it on paper to try to fine tune the load, I found that the boolits were keyholing. Back to the drawing board there.

You might have issues with the bullet stabilizing if you go too low.

[zuke]

I started with 17 gr. in my Pedersoli Sharp's under a 330 gr boolit. I went all the way down to 2 gr just to see what would happen.
The last boolit I fired stopped right at the muzzle and I pulled it out with my finger's!

[FLHTC]

You can go way lower than 70% load density. if you go into the IMR web site and look at the 45 Colt loads, they are for the old 19th century Colts and go down to 4.5 grains with a 250 grain lead bullet. I use Trail Boss for more than cartridge loads. :grin:

[DeanWinchester]

No idea about velocity. I know at 25 yards, the zero is the same as most of my other loads. Point of aim is pretty much on. Using the same hold at a hundred, the boolit hits the ground around 60-75 yards. Lol!

[sthwestvictoria]

I use Trail Boss for more than cartridge loads. :grin:

What do you mean by this?? Removing wasp nests? boosting to low earth orbit?

In answer to the OP, this table is from ADI, the Australian manufacturer of Trail Boss:
87946

Demonstrating TB is a bit slower than Red Dot.


My experience with Trail Boss, is that it is already a wimp load (velocity wise, but not pressure wise) Exactly!!

This is an interesting thread over at Paco Kelly, together with pressure trace information - it is instructive to see how fast TB spikes compared to other powders:
87947
87948
http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=27410

When I started using Trail Boss I was using the higher loadings - fill to base of bullet and reductions from there. Accuracy was terrible. I have found for me using 30-30 and 35 whelen accuracy with TB is down at the lighter loadings and presumably lighter pressures.

[FLHTC]

What do you mean by this?? Removing wasp nests? boosting to low earth orbit?


PM Sent

[osteodoc08]

PM Sent

I'm curious too. Perhaps a potato gun....;-)