Trail Boss Load for 38 Special in Reloading and Ammunition Forum

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Trail Boss Load for 38 Special

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archeomania

Trail Boss Load for 38 Special

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Posts: 1209

May 13 09 4:57 PM

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I recently acquired a S&W 66-no dash and wanted to try reloading 125 gr and 158 gr LSWC with Trail Boss. Does anybody have a pet load using Trail Boss with a 125 gr or 158 gr LSWC?

Thanks

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Thor96

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Posts: 7823

May 14 09 10:05 AM

MODERATOR

S&W 66, as in service revolver? Had a Magnum several years ago. Heavy gun. Can't help you on loads but since you struck my interest in the other thread, thought I would look at it.

Coastie

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Posts: 103

May 14 09 11:46 PM

I am also interested in using Trail Boss in the 38 Special. The IMR website has this imformation listed.

125 gr. - LRNFP - 3.0 gr. - 753 - 11,600 CUP
125 gr. - LRNFP - 5.3 gr. - 952 - 13,700 CUP

158 gr. - LSWC - 2.7 gr. - 661 - 11,400 PSI
158 gr. - LSWC - 4.2 gr. - 804 - 13,700 CUP

Other misc. info: a note from Handloads.com states: 8.0 grains of Trail Boss fills a 38 Special case ( I haven't check this.)

archeomania

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Posts: 1209

May 15 09 7:20 AM

Thanks coastie. I saw that information online but was wondering if anybody here has actually reloaded with it in 38 special. I will be trying it out fairly soon.

Thor96

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Posts: 7823

May 15 09 3:29 PM

MODERATOR

I just looked at IMR's description.

Trail Boss was designed specifically for low velocity lead bullets suitable for Cowboy Action shooting. It is primarily a pistol powder but has some application in rifles. It is based on a whole new technology that allows very high loading density, good flow through powder measures, stability in severe temperature variation, and, most importantly, additional safety to the handloader.

I'm wondering about the statement that has some applications in rifles. What I'm thinking is, would it work for a powderpuff load for training youth. I'm wondering if I can use it to acclamate my granddaughter to the 6mm she will someday acquire. She's 7 now, would like to have her used to it by 12 to hunt with.

archeomania

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Posts: 1209

May 16 09 2:37 PM

It is used primarily for cartridges that were loaded with black powder back in the day. Therefore I would think that it would not be appropriate for modern cartridges unless you see it specifically mentioned in a reloading book.

Safety First especially when the little ones are involved!

Thor96

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Posts: 7823

May 16 09 3:59 PM

MODERATOR

So then their statement

"has some application in rifles"

would apply to guns and rifles from black powder era.

But wait a minute. Ballistics is ballistics and science is science. Some of our "modern" chambers predate nitrocellusose based powders. In fact the 38 Special one of the most popular chambers around.

Yes, safety first, and I'll let IMR do the testing, but I suspect Trail Boss may prove to have many applications. Key is its high loading density which means you can fill the case. A full case is central to my "Thor-ology". I for one will be watching this one closely.

archeomania

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Posts: 1209

May 17 09 12:13 AM

Thor I agree with your load density philosophy. If I didn't agree I would not have purchased the powder. I will report back on results in 7-10 days.

Coastie: I filled a 38 special case with Trail Boss and it weighed 7.5 grains.

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Abe Normal

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Posts: 182

May 22 09 9:13 AM

Gentlemen, I recommend some light reading regarding Trail Boss...
For the full article, follow the link below.

http://www.surplusrifle.c...8/trailbosskiss/index.asp

TrailBoss
K.I.S.S.

Article by J. Simon and R. Ted Jeo

Forgive me father, for I have sinned. I have strayed from the gospel of published load data and delved into the dark side of trying things out for myself. What led to my fall from grace? Blame it on Charles E. Petty. In the 2007 Hodgdon Annual Manual, he penned an article entitled, "Trail Boss- It's Not Just for Cowboy Action Shooting". The article delves into developing home brew plinker loads using cast bullets and IMR's innovative Trail Boss powder. Well, if a powder company is basically going to endorse at home load development of this type….we're game.

We set out to make this an article on keeping things as simple as possible (hence the title). Our goals were several:

1. Look at several different calibers of mil-surp rifles in/around the .30 cal size.

2. Use ONE load of ONE powder keeping velocities down below 1400 fps

3. Use what we had on hand for bullets/bullet moulds

4. Make a good enough plinker round without optimizing for any one rifle or load

5. Save time and money...

Abe

If everyone thought like me, I'd be a fool to think any differently!

Thor96

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Posts: 7823

May 22 09 11:45 AM

MODERATOR

Abe, I read hurriedly as I have time constraints today, but that article looks encouraging. Maybe it would work for powder puff loads to train youth. I'd still like to talk to IMR about it though before pursuing it.

Coastie

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Posts: 103

May 25 09 11:45 PM

Arch: Thanks for the Trail Boss info. I'll post my Trail Boss "research" when I get some range time. I'm in the middle of a construction project and got back into coaching basketball, so limited time for my special interests.

archeomania

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Posts: 1209

May 26 09 8:54 PM

I got to test the trail boss loads this past weekend. My S&W 66 with a four inch barrel shot best with 3.3 grains of trail boss with 158 gr. LSWC. The 3.3 grain load shot a ragged hole at 30 feet. It had very little recoil and it was very clean. If you are interested I can post some chrono data nesxt week as I am planning to run various trail boss loads over the chronograph this coming weekend.

Thor96

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Posts: 7823

May 26 09 9:41 PM

MODERATOR

Ragged hole? Not bad Arch. I could never do it with my S&W66, but my Ruger 90 - 45ACP is dead accurate. Perpetrator beware.

Abe Normal

Trail Boss...

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Posts: 182

Jun 6 09 7:15 AM

Thor,

Below is my standard Trail Boss load for around the farm. This is what I keep loaded for the little Taurus five shot as I'm bush-hogging or working where vermin may pop up unexpectedly. Their reasonably mild and not so loud that firing them out of the little snub nose revolver is going to leave your ears ringing for days, yet they still have enough punch to take care of business.

Trail Boss at 6.5g with a Berry's 125g Conical Flat Point Lead bullet, a Winchester Primer and Star brand brass this produced 1.37" (extreme spread measurement) 5shot group at 11 yards. The chronograph said I was pushing them at 777fps out of my 4" barreled Colt PP.

Abe

If everyone thought like me, I'd be a fool to think any differently!

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Trail Boss Load for 38 Special

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