Trail Boss Loads

[1Shirt]

Has anyone worked up any cast loads for cases other than the ones listed in the manual for cowboy action loads? I would be interested in any results for any other ridle ctgs. loaded with cast and this powder. Seems like it would be a natural for a number of rifle ctgs and also for plain base loads. That said, I am very reluctant to work up any powder for any ctg. that does not have published data, or the experiance of those who have tried and worked up without data, and their results.

I thank in advance all who respond to this thread.
1Shirt!

[Bob Krack]

I just loaded some .308 Winchester rounds for use in a Ruger M77. RCBS 150 grain Louvrin(sp) boolit, 15 grains of Trail Boss. Will be shooting em in the next day or three. I got no chrono, but I am able to read pressure signs very well. I AM expecting around 1300-1500 FPS by interpolating Trail Boss published data for a Nosler 150 gr slug (1457FPS published by Trail Boss manual).

If this appears flippant, I studied various manuals and reviews before arriving at my decision. I've had super good luck using 9 to 15 grains of Unique in this rifle with this boolit.

Bob

[1Shirt]

Am interested in your results!
1Shirt!

[James C. Snodgrass]

I've used it in a 458 Lott and /06 and 30/30 . I have read a bit about it and it seems to be very predictable I do chrono but more out of curiosity than concern . There is a fair bit of data for it and to extrapolate it to other cases is pretty straight forward, it is a fairly safe powder if there is such a thing . James

[peter nap]

I was going to work some up for the 45/70 but I've read several things that state it does not work well with the 350gr bullets.

I'm interested in the .308 results.

[johnny356ER]

I spoke on the phone with 2 different Hodgdon/IMR techs to double check on the data they gave me.
Trail Boss can be used safely in any centerfire cartridge if you follow these rules:
1) Mark the outside of a primed case where the bottom of the boolit will be seated.(not compressed)
2) fill said case up with Trailboss up to this line.
3) weigh this charge on your scale.
4) this is your 100% max load.
5) multiply the weight of this charge by 70%
6) this will be your starting minimum load.

You can multiply by increments of 75,80,85,90,&95%, or by whatever increments you like as long as you stay between 70 and 100%

I have tried this method with the following cartridges;
25-20, 257 Roberts, 35 Rem, 356 Win, 350 Rem Mag, 35 Whelen, and 45-70, all with Ranch dog moulds with excellent results.

This is a 257 Roberts target that I shot today @100 yds with a prototype Ranchdog mould and made a small elevation adjustment halfway through the group. 80gr RD.258 TL 12grs TrailBoss 10 shot 2-1/4" group.



Hope this helps, and like I said I double checked this info to make sure someone wasn't makling a mistake.

johnny

[Dframe]

I've been using trail boss to good effect in my 45 ACPs with a 200 grain RNFP bullet.

[peter nap]

I spoke on the phone with 2 different Hodgdon/IMR techs to double check on the data they gave me.
Trail Boss can be used safely in any centerfire cartridge if you follow these rules:
1) Mark the outside of a primed case where the bottom of the boolit will be seated.(not compressed)
2) fill said case up with Trailboss up to this line.
3) weigh this charge on your scale.
4) this is your 100% max load.
5) multiply the weight of this charge by 70%
6) this will be your starting minimum load.

You can multiply by increments of 75,80,85,90,&95%, or by whatever increments you like as long as you stay between 70 and 100%

I have tried this method with the following cartridges;
25-20, 257 Roberts, 35 Rem, 356 Win, 350 Rem Mag, 35 Whelen, and 45-70, all with Ranch dog moulds with excellent results.

This is a 257 Roberts target that I shot today @100 yds with a prototype Ranchdog mould and made a small elevation adjustment halfway through the group. 80gr RD.258 TL 12grs TrailBoss 10 shot 2-1/4" group.



Hope this helps, and like I said I double checked this info to make sure someone wasn't makling a mistake.

johnny

That's good information Johnny !

[Jaybird62]

RCBS 200 gr. Silhouette (actual cast wt. is approx 210 gr.) with 9.2 gr of Trail Boss stays subsonic out of my 16-inch .308 Encore.

[peter nap]

Not that I didn't trust you Johnny, but I did cal;l Hodgdon and got the same answer.

[johnny356ER]

That's why I had to call twice!!! I wanted to make sure for myself.

johnny

[hugh]

I have 2lbs. of trail boss bought awhile back .just have not got around to it.
I think it was mike venturinos article that perked my interest. thanks for the post
1Shirt.

[Bob Krack]

Am interested in your results!
1Shirt!

We shot the Trail Boss loads today.

3 shot group less than 1/2 inch at 60 yards. 2 shots touching.

Load as follows.
LC89 brass
CCI 250 primers
150 grain (+- 1/2 grain) RCBS boolits - Louvrin(sp) style, GC version, no gas check used, water cooled WW.
15 grains Trail Boss (+- 1/10 grain)
Lube - 50/50 candle wax/canola oil
Ruger M77 Mark II, stainless
Scope - United 3x7 set at 3x
Report near 80% of factory load
Recoil near 25-33% factory load
Bare sign of lube "star" at muzzle
NO signs of leading

Recoil shy boy (26 year old step-son, big boy) wants more, more, more!

I suspect I loaded to 95% or so of available case capacity.

I intend to try 11, 12, 13, 14 grains and will have results in a week or so.

Hodgdon manual shows 11gr minimum, 15gr maximum using 150gr Nosler bullet.

His powder, his gun, his shoulder, I'm happy for him.

Bob

[1Shirt]

Super Bob, Great report!
1Shirt!