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38-72
01-26-2021, 10:52 PM
Anyone tried Trail Boss to fire-form?

I’ve got some new Starline 40-65 brass that I have annealed and I want to fire form them to better fit my rifle’s chamber.

I got a pound or 2 of Trail Boss that I won’t be using for anything else. So, I’m thinking of going with maybe 6 or 7 grains of TB and then fill the case with cream of wheat.

Which Primers should I use? I got lots of LR primers I would like to use.

Your thoughts???

abunaitoo
01-27-2021, 03:42 AM
It would probably work, but Trail Boss is kind of expensive to be using for fire forming.
Plus I'd have no idea was charge to use.
Were you still going to use a filler?????
I'd stick to Red Dot and trade the Trail Boss for something you use.

Winger Ed.
01-27-2021, 03:51 AM
My world is a very simple place, without a lot of over thinking going on:

I'd just load 'em up like you normally would, and use them for practice and target shooting.
They'll fire form nicely for the next time you load 'em.

Trail Boss is a favorite, and should be easy to sell or trade off.
Or better yet, get a gun it works well in.:bigsmyl2:

farmbif
01-27-2021, 02:29 PM
I'm with ed on this, just load em and fire away if they are going in a winchester or marlin chambered in 40-65.
that's one caliber still on my wish list

Chill Wills
01-27-2021, 04:16 PM
Anyone tried Trail Boss to fire-form?

I’ve got some new Starline 40-65 brass that I have annealed and I want to fire form them to better fit my rifle’s chamber.

I got a pound or 2 of Trail Boss that I won’t be using for anything else. So, I’m thinking of going with maybe 6 or 7 grains of TB and then fill the case with cream of wheat.

Which Primers should I use? I got lots of LR primers I would like to use.

Your thoughts???

Here is my unrequested opinion.
Speaking from experience, I doubt you will get a better fit with what you outlined. The cornmeal load just does not blow out the case enough to mater. I use that method to convert 30-40 Krag cases to 40-60 Maynard. My first loads with BP are generally as accurate as my second, which is match level. It is the full house, bullet and powder charge that fully forms the case.
The Starline cases are the equal of a full length sized case and should give you very good load data if working up a load. Here is a data point; the most successful longrange competitor I know, Dave Gullo, loads all his match loads using full length sized brass. It is hard to imagine he would do that if he found FL sizing was hurting accuracy. I use FL sized cases too and seem to place well at national matches too.

My two cents worth of advice is save the powder. Save the primers. Load, go and shoot some practice or a match and have fun. That would be time better spent.
Michael Rix