The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Alpha1 wrote: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.

Part of the the problem is that Trail boss is regarded as a pistol powder (albeit a multi-purpose one) by Hodgdon so the majority of loads are listed under pistol reloading data.

Hodgdon recommend using the formula only if there isn't a published load, in your case there is, so use that data

Alpha1 wrote: 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.

Also, if you are using 357 brass instead of 38 Spl then there is also published loads for that brass as well. Finally, as you have pointed out the formula gives you a higher max load which will give you a little flexibility as long as you don't compress the powder - apparently Trail boss doesn't like it...

Basically the data is there (you quoted it!) and relatively easy to find.

Alpha1 wrote:
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.

I guess I will have to go with that then as its the only info i can find.

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


use 70% as starting point

greenshoots

The Lord Flashheart wrote:I've not used it in a lever action rifle but I have for various centrefire calibres.

I find extremely useful and I think it has created a niche for itself that it's closest rivals in terms of burn rate and bulk density (Clays and 5744) can't match.

I have an excellent subsonic load for my 308 and a nice reduced load for the 3006 with 125 gr SP which just about makes the legal ME level and is the best load for slightly built or otherwise recoil shy newbies to deerstalking.

Interested that you have a good subsonic load for your .308. I've tried this a bit and my results were less than impressinve. What load did you end up with?

An old thread, but worth responding to :)

I love this stuff for low velocity gallery rifle loads - particularly in .45 Colt and .44 Mag. In my experience, using "normal" pistol powders for this use case leads to significant velocity variation due to inconsistent powder placement in the case and hence inconsistent ignition. Trail Boss fixes this nicely by filling the case well.

Shame it will no longer be imported due to the new EU regulations :(

Vihtavuori TIN STAR (N32C) may be a good replacement. I'm trying to get hold of some to test with.

ATB,
Kev.

I use it in my.444 marlin for indoor plinking and in my 9.3mm for practice loads
Instead of my 2400 Powder as I could not get any 2400 for a while.
It is good for sudsonic loads in 308 as well

mowdy wrote: It is good for sudsonic loads in 308 as well

As are all fast pistol powders, Trail Boss is no different and has no magical properties other than being slightly bulkier than others.

dromia wrote:

mowdy wrote: It is good for sudsonic loads in 308 as well

As are all fast pistol powders, Trail Boss is no different and has no magical properties other than being slightly bulkier than others.

a lot bulkier than others, makes it less easy to accidently double charge a cartridge when your basic load is 70+% of cartridge capacity, and yes I know precautions should be taken to ensure that doesn't happen, but safe processes that eliminate points of failure are always preferable to safe processes that allow them.

Seconded. Really bulky donut powder, great in 45 colt and I’m going back to it for 308 subsonic too after some healthy youtubeing.

I give up on it and went back to bullseye and Vitavouri fast pistol powders.