Trail boss in old spencer

[pakm]

what does any one think of using Trail boss in an old spencer??? I'm tried of cleaning up the BP in a 1865 spencer, I load 10.5gr.s of TB with a 360 gr. Accurate arms bullet for a new model spencer(ok,ok, they are both 56-50.  with starline brass this load shoots fine in my modern rifle. but it's not supersonic(probible about 900 to 1,000 FPS. , No Crack as it goes off)
"O" I got my conversion from .44 Russian to 56-50 working just find. it evens feeds from the mag. now. anyone got a old >44 Russian spencer as a parts gun for sale?
Dirty McPill(pat)

[Blair]

pakm,

I can't speak for the use of any modern powder in any antique firearm.
BP is the only powder that was available in the time period. That is the only powder I would recommend in any antique firearm.
My best,
Blair

[PvtGreg]

Please don't use any modern powder in a Spencer or any weapon not made for it.  NM Spencers are rare beasts, I'd hate to see one get damaged.

Trailboss in particular is a super bad powder for old BP rifles.  The CUP on Trailboss is high at light loads and goes up rapidly as you increase loads.  Just because it seems gentle, its NOT.

For example in my Armisport (modern smokeless) 56-50 I do 8.5 gr TB with starline brass & a .350 gr flat nose heavy crimp.  The FPS is chrono average of 915 or so and its seems gentle as a kitten.  BUT the est. CUP is >18,000.

If you look here: http://www.imrpowder.com/data/handgun/trailboss.php - Notice the 38 Special loads. A 158 GR. LSWC with 5.3 grains of TB has an FPS of 804.  The CUP however is 13,700 - too high for black powder barrels 

My advice - worth what you paid for it.

Pvt Greg

[ndnchf]

I agree with what has been previously said. These original barrels are soft steel and TB would not be safe. For your own safety and that of others on the firing line,  use real black powder (it can be mail ordered if not available locally) or Pyrdoex which is readily available. 

[Arizona Trooper]

I'll pile on too. The Spencer frame has sharp corners at the back of the cut for the breech blocks. I have seen originals crack there. M-1865s are thinner in the frame sides than M-1860s. They seem more susceptible to the problem. Stick with BP.