Please Post Your Successes with Trail Boss!

[Professor Marvel]

As the subject says, I am interested in getting some positive results that folks have had using TB in ANY caliber!

I realize it is supposedly simple to load for, no compression, etc.
but I would love to see Actual load data , and as much detailed info as you,ay have, especially target groups, distance, etc.

Also especially, info for more obscure cartridges. As always remembering that this IS a smokeless powder and not a sub for BP cartridges. We want to keep those ancient cylinders intact ... 

Yhs
Prof Marvel

[Abilene]

Howdy Perfesser,
Seems there was a discussion on Trailboss recently, but I don't recall exactly.  My current 44-40 smokeless load is 6.0gr TB with a 200gr bullet, 32-20 is 2.7gr TB with a 115gr bullet.  And my current 44 Spcl pistol load is 4.5gr TB with a 180gr bullet.  These are CAS loads that I've never put on paper or chrono'd so can't tell you much more about them except they have performed well enough for me to keep using them.  I load all these with dippers since the powder is so flaky I would not trust my Lee auto-disk measure to be consistent.

[DeaconKC]

Abilene I will try out that .44-40 load, thankee!
Professor, I discovered using Trail Boss on my Dillon 550 to give a couple extra seconds to make sure the powder dispenser had dumped the full charge, as this stuff loves to bridge if you let it. Both Dillon and Lee powder dispensers exhibit this.

[Slamfire]

 Hey Professor ,, I shoot a 76 Chappie in 40/60 & a 92 Rossi in 44-40 ,, 7gr. max in 44-40 w/ 200gr. cast, and 14gr. ( + or - ) in my 40-60 217gr. cast ,, no problems , both will shoot out 50 to 75 yds. ( far as I can see ) very accurately . ( sorry no chrno. )

coffee's ready ,, Hootmix.

[Professor Marvel]

Greetings Gents -
Thanks for the replies so far,
how much space are you all using? any cards, wads, fluffy foam, or just airspace?
what do each of you consider "accurate" ?

yhs
prof making a list....

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hello Professor,

PM sent.

AntiqueSledMan.

[Major 2]

Prof...

We have already discussed , my adventure with my new to me Mk VI Webley

Using 3.5 grains of TB under a .454 hollow base @ 260 grain bullet

I also found a satisficing load @ 50 yds. for my 03 Springfield & SMLE Mk III*

[Coffinmaker]

  Hi Perfesser   

Trail Boss Sucks.  I don't/won't use it in anything unless I need a fertilizer sprinkle.

I realize this missive has no real intrinsic value except to occupy some esoteric model of Band Width, so should you elect to ignore it, I shan't be at all upset.  Nor insulted.  Nor insulated.  Nor insinuated.  Feel free to peruse something else of greater interest with perhaps more meaningful content.  Or Not.

Hide and Watch

[River City John]

I have used Trail Boss exclusively for many years now, - in .38 Long Colt, .38spcl, 8mm Lebel pistol, 6.5 Mauser and 10.4 X 38 Swiss Vetterli.

I have never loaded a cartridge up to the base of a bullet, although load data says it would be safe. It is the powder I feel comfortable using in antique firearms if not using black powder for safe pressure.
I load it in pistol using one .7 dipper-full in .38spcl and 8mm Lebel, which seems adequate for the target distances we typically shoot. I believe .3 for .38LC. The Vetterli, without referring to notes, took three .7 dipper-fulls, but I could have gone a tad stouter in hindsight, and I believe about the same in the 6.5 Mauser. Again, seemed to be enough to get bullets out to the targets.
I use a single stage loader and hand fill cases by Lee dipper, so no experience in metering to relate.

I like the simplicity of using that one powder to cover all shooting situations. No need to store a lot of different powders. Granted, I am not the type of shooter who experiments with trying to discover just that right combination of powder, bullet, primer etc. to fine tune performance.
I bought a 5 lb. canister right before the big drought several years ago when Trail Boss was not to be had. It has stored well in the basement and seems to have kept its potency.

RCJ

[Major 2]

Ditto to RCJ experience....  TB is forgiving and almost dummy proof ( almost  stupid in,  nets stupid outcome as Murphy's equation is always in effect.

The 3.5 grain is actually a 45ACP case cut off and with a short handle affixed...it throws 3.5 grains by my scale
In the 45 Auto Rim and the .454  seated,  the powder is 10 thousands below the base + the hollow base cavity ( it is not compressed )
I'm seeing  635 FPS average.  It is the only case I load to near the base of the bullet (early 3.2 Grain or .7 cc Dipper clocked at 530 FPS )

With the 30 Cals.  I use  80%  ( I had started @ 70% ). 

[Niederlander]

I use 13.0 grains in .30 Army, .303 British, .45-60, .45-70, and .50-70, all with complete satisfaction.  I also use it in .30 WCF and .38-55, and very happy with it there, too.  (I'd have to look up the load data for the last two.)  It makes the .30 WCF Saddle Ring Carbine into a pussycat, instead of the fairly healthy recoil it has in full house loads.

[Major 2]

Posted by: Niederlander ... " I use 13.0 grains in .30 Army, .303 British " 

as do I , also 30/06  and  11.5 grains in my 308 chambered Mauser. @ 1232 FPS 

[Professor Marvel]

Thank You Gents!

Yes even you, Coffin 

Thanks for your load info!
Since there is almost NO load data on TB, (sort of like "no data" on the BP Subs )
I am trying to build a little chart like the load books have.

I appreciate all data I can get, as some of the "old load books" also included useful but subjective notes like
"most accurate"
"least accurate"
"soft recoil"
"hard hitting"
etc.


best
prof marvel

[Niederlander]

Posted by: Niederlander ... " I use 13.0 grains in .30 Army, .303 British " 

as do I , also 30/06  and  11.5 grains in my 308 chambered Mauser. @ 1232 FPS

I forgot the .30-06, but I use that, too!

[David Battersby]

With an 1892 Japchester , 24in barrel in 44WCF , Marbles tang sight. 
200 Yards shooting Standing with a post for support.
220 grain bullet (Accurate 43-220C) new Starline Brass , CCI#300 Primers and 6.4 grains of Trailboss.

[Cliff Fendley]

5.7 TB under a 200 grain bullet in 44-40 or 45 Colt.

[Crow Choker]

I've used Trailboss in 45 Colt (EMF Colt 73 copy and Ruger Vaquero) and 44 Special in Uberti Open Top and Richards II. Worked allright, can't think of anything that made it stand out from Red Dot, Win 231, or Titegroup that I used prior to Trailboss and still do. Still have several cans full of TB, haven't loaded any with it for awhile, maybe will just have to do. The case filling feature is probably the biggest attribute going for it.

[Professor Marvel]

Thanks Gents..
building a little spreadheet chart thingy 
Dave , those are some great groups, I am not sure I can even see those steel creatures that far away!

yhs
prof going blind

[swhiplash]

I only shot factory cowboy .44 Magnum and .44 Special ammo in SASS matches until Obama's nomination forced me to take up reloading. I had been saving my cases (mostly Starline) so I started reloading with Trail Boss, using 5.5 grains of Trail Boss with 200 grain RNFP .429 diameter bullets, and a variety of primer brands using a Dillon 550B reloading press.

Out of my Ruger old model Bisley pistols, the load has been chronographed  at averages  of 737fps and 794 fps (different locations and times of the year), and once out of my Marlin Cowboy 94 at an average of 932 fps. I like having one load for all 3 guns, and I've picked up a few clean match coins since I started aiming first and then pulling the trigger, so the load is accurate at SASS target distances (including bonus targets out to @50 yards).

Snidely Whiplash

[1961MJS]

Hi
I really hate Trail Boss.  I love the concept of a powder that fills our cases.  I hate the way that Trail Boss doesn't weigh accurately.  I hate the way that it floats around the room when I'm metering it or weighing it.
Sold my keg to a friend who actually likes it.  I use Titegroup for it's supposed independence of position in the case.  I can generally hit a 25 yard target with 250 grain round nose.
Later