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I used to use it for indoor ranges as an easy way to download my rifle cartridges and, as a beginner, it was almost impossible to overcharge a case with Trailboss due to its volume.

Now just load with Unique when I want to shoot indoors and pad with cotton wool if required to hold th powder in place.

Heard it was mildly corrosive, so cleaned religiously after sessions, but not found any hard evidence of this.

Regards

Mark

I can not find any load information for 38 special using trailboss. in fact I'm struggling to find any load data at all for this powder.

Hi. Try this link. http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf.

Hodgdon has it on its online facility.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

Click onto Hodgdon powders, not IMR.

Mail2pete wrote:Hi. Try this link. http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf.

I tried using this formula in my opinion this is a very dodgy way to work out how to use a powder. I followed the recommendations.
My numbers came out at Max case capacity 5.3 grains this gives me a starting load of 3.7 grains yet Hodgdon load data recommends for 38 special using a 158 grain cast bullet a starting load of 2.7grains and a maximum of 4.2grains. Clearly not a good way to start load development with this powder. So the tub is there whether it ever gets opened is a different matter. If any one has any load data for a 158 grain cast semi wad cutter for the 38 special I would appreciate it. As I said before I am struggling to find any load data for this powder they say its ideal for cowboy action in I assume under levers and pistol calibers. If so were is the load data.

Alpha1 wrote:

Mail2pete wrote:Hi. Try this link. http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf.

I tried using this formula in my opinion this is a very dodgy way to work out how to use a powder. I followed the recommendations.
My numbers came out at Max case capacity 5.3 grains this gives me a starting load of 3.7 grains yet Hodgdon load data recommends for 38 special using a 158 grain cast bullet a starting load of 2.7grains and a maximum of 4.2grains. Clearly not a good way to start load development with this powder. So the tub is there whether it ever gets opened is a different matter. If any one has any load data for a 158 grain cast semi wad cutter for the 38 special I would appreciate it. As I said before I am struggling to find any load data for this powder they say its ideal for cowboy action in I assume under levers and pistol calibers. If so were is the load data.

Remember that the Hodgdon online Reloading Center data I referred you to in my Saturday afternoon posting is marked 'Cowboy Action'. For safety reasons, there are strict MV/ME limits on competitors' ammunition in SASS regulated Cowboy Action comps, also 100% lead alloy bullets only, not even gas-checks allowed, ... and more. So, the maximum load listed on the Hodgdon pistol section is almost certainly not SAAMI pressure limited rather by SASS velocity / energy rules which are lower even in the 38 Special.

That's why Trail Boss and one or two other Cowboy Action propellants were introduced. A major safety issue was the inadvertent double-charge on progressive press loading of conventional higher density pistol powders which although still safe in a good strong revolver breached maximum allowable MVs for 38/357 by a large margin. It is impossible to double-charge Trail Boss.

I am 99% confident too that you can load the 38 and 357 with as much Trail Boss as you can find room for under a 158gn SWC and yet not exceed the SAAMI MAP pressure value. The only danger is to use such a light charge that you don't guarantee the bullet leaving the barrel, so in this case, the key safety charge weight is the starting load which will be set high enough to ensure all bullets will exit the barrel.

I must of missed that were is your cowboy action posting I can not find any reference to cow boy action loads for 38 special in under lever rifles any were. Due to lack of data this is not a powder I am likely to use.

I can not find any reference to cow boy action loads for 38 special in under lever rifles any were.

suggest you look in hodgons manual you can pick one up for free from kranks

greenshoots

also the imr manual from kranks has loads of loads for 38spl and cowboy action


greenshoots

Mail2pete wrote:Hi. Try this link. http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf.

Interesting

I'm using it for 45-70 at 13grains

Seems if I used that method it would be probably 18-20 ish that's a big old case to fill.