Anybody have...

[Pitspitr]

..a good Trailboss recipe for 56-50?

[Two Flints]

Hi Pitspitr,

Do a search on SSS.  Just type in Trailboss, too many hits to post here . . . but here is one:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,5487.0.html

. . . is the recipe for an original or reproduction Spencer  You never mentioned which one

Two Flints

[Pitspitr]

Thanks Two Flints.

Yeah, sorry. It's an original.

What I've found is in a range from 9.2 to 12gr. I'm planning to stay closer to the 9.2 than to the 12 but I'm hoping to get other folks experience from the guys here before I start working on my own.

[PvtGreg]

Ok - here's my standard Trail Boss diatribe:

I would STRONGLY suggest you NOT use Trail Boss in an original.  Just because it has a light recoil many believe it is a gentle powder and useful as a BP substitute.  It is not.  The chamber pressure for a Trail Boss load is considerable and I think becomes almost a power curve over 8 or so grains.

Use BP for your gun.  Its made for it and its a lot more fun to shoot.

Pvt Greg

[ndnchf]

In an original, it would be far safer and more prudent to stay with BP or a sub.  If you are looking for a clean burning powder, than APP would be a good choice.  It leaves no appreciable fouling.  While they claim it makes its own lube too, I would still lube bullets as normal.

If you do some research on pressures, you see that Trailboss has a higher pressure curve than most other smokeless rifle powders.  Not a problem with moderate loads in modern steel barrels and actions, but not a good idea in 150 year old guns. If you insist on smokelss powders, perhaps consider a light load of 2400 or 5744.  Be safe. Just my 2 cents....

[Pitspitr]

Thanks

So what's your BP recipe? I have Starline brass and a 315gr Rapine mold.

[Two Flints]

Pitspitr,

Please, check out the SORI Thread for BP recipes there are quite a few listed there instead of waiitng for a reply , , , if you're in a hurry to load that Spencer

Two Flints

[Pitspitr]

Thanks Two Flints
I don't spend enough time in the SSS board. My mother (maiden name Spencer) would be so ashamed

Anyway I wasn't aware of the SORI thread. There's some great info in there. Thanks for the heads up on it.

[ndnchf]

My BP load probably won't work in your Spencer, only because my rifle has a longer than normal chamber and I make brass to match it.  But it shoots VERY well, around 1.25" at 50 yards.  Its all here in this thread:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,49533.0.html