First loads with Trail Boss on 44 Magnum ...

[wquiles]

EDIT: Actually the "Official" method per the manufacturer, is to fill a case to the boolit base as you have done, weigh the charge, and 70% of that weight is your START charge. You can then load up as normal, but never compress it, as it does interesting things when compressed.

For my initial loads, I am going straight to the max load, making sure it is "not" compressed. Here with RP cases (1.276") and an Accu Cast .430" hard cast 240gr SWC, seated:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/44mag/TrailBoss/DSCF1826.JPG


http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/44mag/TrailBoss/DSCF1828.JPG


http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/44mag/TrailBoss/DSCF1829.JPG


http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/44mag/TrailBoss/DSCF1831.JPG


I prime my cases by hand with the RCBS tool:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/44mag/TrailBoss/DSCF1833.JPG


I use a Lee powder measure on my bench - about 1/2 of the cases done:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/44mag/TrailBoss/DSCF1834.JPG


Closest case (left) has been seated, the one farther away (right) is getting the Redding Profile Crimp die:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/44mag/TrailBoss/DSCF1835.JPG


http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/44mag/TrailBoss/DSCF1836.JPG


And my log book (been keeping these for every lot since I started reloading in 1991). My numbering is as follows: number is: Caliber - Year - lot# (01, 02, 03, etc): this was 44-14-01
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/44mag/TrailBoss/DSCF1842.JPG


According to QuickLoad, this should give about 800-ish fps out of my 4-5/8" Bisley. I hope to be able to try them out this weekend :)

Will

[osteodoc08]

Interesting method youve got there. Nice pictures. Welcome to the board.

[wquiles]

Thank you [smilie=s:

[ghh3rd]

Looks good - I've been wanting to try Trai lBoss, once I find some. Let us know how your range session goes.

[dubber123]

Actually the "Official" method per the manufacturer, is to fill a case to the boolit base as you have done, weigh the charge, and 70% of that weight is your START charge. You can then load up as normal, but never compress it, as it does interesting things when compressed.

[wquiles]

Yes, you are correct - thank you. I went ahead and updated post #1 to reflect the proper and official way.

I will report later after the range session to see how they worked out :)

Will

[osteodoc08]

TrailBoss is one of the powders I'm hoping to get a keg or two when the powder supply comes back on line.

[opos]

I'm old and easily confused but think I got things figured out..the 'short case" in the first couple of pictures is a case that has been cut to make a "dipper"..correct? At first I thought it was a 44 special case but thing I got it...I love Trail Boss...it's my go to for 45 Colt for "fun and plinker loads with 200 grain LRNFP"...even smells good.

[wquiles]

Well, got to try these today:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/44mag/TrailBoss/20140706_101852.jpg


44 Mag, Ruger SBH/Bisley, 4-5/8" barrel, R-P brass=1.275", WLP, 7.1gr TrailBoss, 240gr LSWC, OAL=1.605", about 80F (the data on top - the one on the bottom is for a different lot):
5-shot group, showing top->bottom in each column: low, high, average, spread, SD
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/44mag/TrailBoss/44-14-01_TrailBoss.jpg


QuickLoad V3.8 predicted about 808 fps, and the average here was about 830-840 fps, at a load density of about 91%. No high-pressure signs of any kind - very pleasant to shoot :)

My eye are unfortunately not as good as 10 years ago, so I was not able to show good groups at 20 yards. I hate to admit it but I might need a scope/red dot sight now-a-days :oops:

Will

[bigted]

nicely done. good writeup and detailed info. just the way it should be ... trail boss IS a fun powder in handguns. i have even loaded a bit in 38-55's and 45-70's. but it shines very nicely in handgun loads.

welcome to the forum.

[wquiles]

nicely done. good writeup and detailed info. just the way it should be ... trail boss IS a fun powder in handguns. i have even loaded a bit in 38-55's and 45-70's. but it shines very nicely in handgun loads.

welcome to the forum.

Thank you. I am in fact waiting for a Handi in 45/70, so Trail Boss is one of the first ones I will try, with big 405gr bullets :bigsmyl2:

[mr surveyor]

I'm a fan of Trail Boss myself. I spent Independence Day doing the most independent thing I could think of ... reloading:D

Made sure a couple hundred rounds of .44 and .357 were loaded with TB for future pleasantries.

JD

[Bzcraig]

Trailboss is my favorite for 38/357 plinking rounds

[Savvy Jack]

Is QuickLoad set up for 44-40?

[wquiles]

Is QuickLoad set up for 44-40?

My version 3.8 sure does.

[Savvy Jack]

My version 3.8 sure does.


argh, I just might have to check into it now!!!

[Savvy Jack]

Does the free trial work....I can try that!

[MT Chambers]

Well, got to try these today:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/44mag/TrailBoss/20140706_101852.jpg


44 Mag, Ruger SBH/Bisley, 4-5/8" barrel, R-P brass=1.275", WLP, 7.1gr TrailBoss, 240gr LSWC, OAL=1.605", about 80F (the data on top - the one on the bottom is for a different lot):
5-shot group, showing top->bottom in each column: low, high, average, spread, SD
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/44mag/TrailBoss/44-14-01_TrailBoss.jpg


QuickLoad V3.8 predicted about 808 fps, and the average here was about 830-840 fps, at a load density of about 91%. No high-pressure signs of any kind - very pleasant to shoot :)

My eye are unfortunately not as good as 10 years ago, so I was not able to show good groups at 20 yards. I hate to admit it but I might need a scope/red dot sight now-a-days :oops:

Will
Trail Boss is my "go to" powder for light loads, even in the F/A .454 casull, take care of your remaining eye.

[wquiles]

... take care of your remaining eye.

Apologies. What I meant above is that I don't see well enough today as I did 10-15 years ago, so I can't group well with iron sights. I ended up installing a red dot sight:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/Ruger/custom44/20140727_161654.jpg



And although not a load using TrailBoss, this was my best 5-shot target at 25 yards from the bench, using a 250gr Beartooth LFN boolit at about 1100fps:
http://m3coupe.com/Firearms/loads/shooting_range/Dec14/20141205_161420.jpg


Will

[MT Gianni]

Glad it works for you, I see Trail Boss in a 44 magnum as putting passenger tires on a 3/4 ton truck. There are plenty of cartridges it should run at but none should end with magnum.

[Savvy Jack]

Glad it works for you, I see Trail Boss in a 44 magnum as putting passenger tires on a 3/4 ton truck. There are plenty of cartridges it should run at but none should end with magnum.

I have 5lbs of TrailBoss and 1/2 lb of 2400. So do I waste my 2400 for plinking of use up the trailboss? Cant find either powder right now.

Leland Snow was scheduled to meet his investors at the new Snow aircraft plant in Olney Texas. He was late due to a flat tire on the airplane. In order to get there he had to use the only spare tire and wheel available which was one size smaller. The look on the investors faces when he arrived was priceless. I use to have a photo but cant find it.

Moral of the story, use what ya got as long as it works!

[wquiles]

Glad it works for you, I see Trail Boss in a 44 magnum as putting passenger tires on a 3/4 ton truck. There are plenty of cartridges it should run at but none should end with magnum.

Actually, now that i have loaded a few more rounds, I am not liking TB in the 44Magnum that much. The 800-830pfs feels too low for the weight of the revolver - I am now in the loading on the 1000+ fps range (not with TrailBoss), and I like the balance/weight/recoil more than these loads with TB. So yes, I found TB too mild for this gun.

Now, on my 45/70, TB works great for my 300gr cast at between 1200-1300 fps, so there is where I will most likely use the rest of the TB powder I have :-P

Will

[MT Gianni]

Try some red dot, around 6.5 gr you will use less powder and get good accuracy. Green dot works well also.

[wquiles]

Thanks. Over where I live in the Dallas area, powder is still not easy to come by, but I will try to see if I can find some Red/Green dot :)

[MT Gianni]

I have 5lbs of TrailBoss and 1/2 lb of 2400. So do I waste my 2400 for plinking of use up the trailboss? Cant find either powder right now.

Leland Snow was scheduled to meet his investors at the new Snow aircraft plant in Olney Texas. He was late due to a flat tire on the airplane. In order to get there he had to use the only spare tire and wheel available which was one size smaller. The look on the investors faces when he arrived was priceless. I use to have a photo but cant find it.

Moral of the story, use what ya got as long as it works!
I see TB in my area as priced 80% of a one lb can for a 9 oz can and more per load to get an equal or lower velocity. I understand the theory of not being able to over charge but I also learned to set a measure.

[mr surveyor]

Trail Boss "fills" the case better, thus gives much better consistency in ignition than light loads of more dense powders.... and very low standard deviation in velocities.

jd

[wquiles]

Trail Boss "fills" the case better, thus gives much better consistency in ignition than light loads of more dense powders.... and very low standard deviation in velocities.

jd

Agreed, and that is why I like TB in my much larger 45/70 cases. But with this "heavy" revolver, I want a little more "power" than what TB can give me.

[krag35]

I have been loading Trail Boss (7.0 gr) under Lyman's 429667 in R-P cases. I really like it out of my 4" Redhawk for play loads.

[Iowa Fox]

Thanks. Over where I live in the Dallas area, powder is still not easy to come by, but I will try to see if I can find some Red/Green dot :)

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Unique. I have used Red Dot, Green Dot, Blue Dot, 700x, Bullseye, Herco, SR4756, and AL8 in my 44 mag loads. For a 1100 FPS load I haven't found anything that out performs Unique in the 44 Mag for accuracy and mild recoil. One thing about Unique is it can be used in almost anything, rifle, shotgun, or pistol so if it doesn't work in one thing it will work in something else. I hear its been hard to come by lately just like everything else. Recoil from 296 or H110 just about does me in anymore.

[375supermag]

"I'm surprised no one has mentioned Unique."

I use Unique in several different handgun calibers including .44Mag.

IIRC, my best general purpose load for the .44Mag is 10.0gr of Unique under a 240gr LSWC. It is accurate out of several different .44Mag handguns, pleasant to shoot and doesn't pound my hands and wrists like full-power loads of W296/H110.

I dislike the small window of weights using W296/H110 and reserve it for serious hunting loads in magnum handguns. I am much happier shooting Unique, 2400 and Blue Dot in magnum handguns at less than full-power levels.

I have managed to acquire several different powders to test this coming shooting season in reduced loads in my Magnums including Red Dot, Green Dot and H4227 and IMR4227. I also still have an unopened container of Herco that I intend to test as well.

I have heard some complain that Unique is dirty but, it works well for me. I do tend to clean my guns after shooting, so maybe I just don't notice any perceived higher level of grime when using Unique.

[tward]

1+with 375supermag. Unique is my go to powder for pistol, light cb rifle. Unique seems to cover the mid level bullseye to mid level 2400 range of velocities, love it! Tim:p

[Bongo Boy]

I had a pound of TB and used it in an attempt to get some light fun loads in 45ACP. It was a hoot. Brass would land on my shoes, but the gun did cycle. I've just loaded my first 44 Mag cartridges today, in fact, using 800X (finally found a way to get rid of that stuff effectively), and I have to say I've had a few real eye openers looking through my new Hornady load manual. To see folks loading Unique and Bullseye in the big case was certainly a surprise, but Clays and Solo 1000 blew me away. Not sure why anyone would even get the idea "Hey, let's work up a load of Solo 1000 in 44 Mag", but apparently it 'works'. Trail Boss seems quite a bit more reasonable to me, given you want a 45 Colt black powder simulation, which I see nothing wrong with at all. It was a fun powder--can't say the same for 800X, which I would describe as 'a PITA'.


I have 5lbs of TrailBoss and 1/2 lb of 2400. So do I waste my 2400 for plinking of use up the trailboss? Cant find either powder right now.

Yup, that says it all. A couple of years ago--when we thought there was no powder to be had, unlike now where there REALLY isn't any to be had--I was able to get a bunch of Nitro 100 and couple of other obscure shotgun powders. Nitro 100 at the time was clearly labeled "Not for use in handguns', which of course I ignored. I worked up very nice loads for 45 ACP and 40SW, and was very happy with it. Now, of course, there are an increasing number of published handgun loads each year for Nitro 100, with 9mm being a big one. So, careful experimentation outside the box can often uncover useful results. Go for it.

[robg]

ive switched from unique to ramshot true blue for my lighter loads in 357mag ,meters better & cleaner