Any problems loading TrailBoss too lightly?

[Buck Rawhide]

Howdy,
I'm looking to load some 357 brass with the minimum charge of Trailboss for 38 special.
Hodgdons site shows 2.7gr as minimum load in 38 special brass for a 158 LRN and 3.2 as minimum load for 357 Magnum using same bullet.

The local guys say to drop down to a 125gr LRN but I have a stockpile of 158gr and like the ability to make more full house loads as necessary.

The obvious problem is a squib load, I realize that, my concern is more pressure related as some powders don't react well to being under loaded.

My current loading is 3.0 Trailboss in 38 Special brass pushing a 158LRN at 668fps (PF106).  I wanted to put the same load +/- in 357 brass to keep the cylinder chambers clean so I can drop 357 defense ammo in when I get home.

Thanks,
Buck

[Delmonico]

There is a reason they show minimum loads, they know more about the powder than any of us here on this board except Birdshot who works for Hodgdon.

If a loading manual prepared by a ballistics lab told me to stand on my head when dropping a charge of type X powder, I'd do it.  Much safer to play with a rattlesanake with rabies than to doubt what the powder company tells you.

SOunds a bit harsh, but they go to all that work to test and put out proper data for a reason.

[Buck Rawhide]

Thanks for the speedy reply.  I appreciate your response.  I did some more research and will probably call IMR tomorrow and run it by one of their guys and see what they have to say. 

As a side note, on Hodgdon's reloading center, they do show the same Max charge of 4.2gr on both 38 Special and 357 Mag.

Take care,
Buck

[Fairshake]

I'm in full agreement with Delmonico. I will say that when I loaded TB that I had flattened primers at a load that was listed as being 2 10thys lighter than max. Been loading for the better part of 40 years and that worried me. I've heard of some people blowing a gun by trying to go too low with TB. There is such a thing and even the experts can't explain why this happens. When loading for plinking I've always picked a middle of the road load to be safe. Now if you want to make all your loading easy, come over to the "DARK SIDE" and just fill the case until the seated bullet presses down on it a mite and start shooting. So much more fun than using them heathern powders.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I also agree with Del. Stay with what the manufacturers say and you should stay healthy. I find TB gives the best accuracy in my .38's somewhere in the mid-range of the data with 158gr RNFP's. I have several boxes of 125gr FP bullets I'll never use. The lighter bullets don't do as well in my guns. You may want to re-visit that with some serious range testing before switching.

[Delmonico]

BW, save the call, they will tell you to stick with the data they provide.  If they felt it was safe to go lower, they would have put the minimum lower.

BTW, IMR and Winchester powders are both now owned by Hodgdon.

[Buck Rawhide]

Got it.