Trail Boss for rifle loads

jephthai · December 20, 2011, 07:47 PM

I found some references online to an IMR publication that describes using Trail Boss for light loads in rifles. At first I was skeptical, but then I found a PDF on IMR's site here: http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf.

What are your thoughts? Is this enough validation to go ahead and play with it myself? I'm still a pretty inexperienced reloader, and I'm paranoid about making mistakes.

Brian Pfleuger · December 20, 2011, 07:55 PM

Yes, that's validation. I've used Trail Boss for case forming loads in 7mm-08 and 204 Ruger.

They are quiet and have very little recoil.

The 204 literally sounds like a cap gun.

The proper loads are exactly as the PDF from IMR describes it. Start at 70% below the base of the bullet, work up to 100% if you desire. Never compress Trail Boss loads.

Enjoy.

Major Dave (retired) · December 20, 2011, 08:01 PM

with Trail Boss recently.

My purpose was to download some 90 grain FMJ so that I could shoot turkeys without blowing them to smithereens.

What I got was about 1500 fps MV, and 1/2 MOA accuracy.

Just what I needed.

Then, my access to hunt Rio Grande's fell thru. Maybe next year.

But, an unexpected benefit was that I now have a low recoil load I can use to teach my 9 year old grandson to shoot.

I might even download some .270 WSM so I can shoot it cheaper, and with less recoil, for practice between seasons.

What, specifically, are you worried about, as regards Trail Boss hand loads?

jephthai · December 20, 2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

What, specifically, are you worried about, as regards Trail Boss hand loads?

Like I said, I'm paranoid

. It's not in my manuals, and IMR doesn't list it in the loading recipes in the info for Trail Boss in the "normal" web site (e.g., here). Instead, this is a completely plain-looking PDF buried in their web site. No logo or anything -- though it is their URL. I wanted to get some confirmation that it's OK.

BTW, you made me wonder if I just missed the loads on their site somehow. So, I just realized that their "reloading data center" has a lot more data than the powder "info" pages that Google indexes. If they have old/incomplete content on the web site, they should get rid of it.

December 20, 2011, 07:47 PM	#1
jephthai Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Posts: 463	Trail Boss for rifle loads I found some references online to an IMR publication that describes using Trail Boss for light loads in rifles. At first I was skeptical, but then I found a PDF on IMR's site here: http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf. What are your thoughts? Is this enough validation to go ahead and play with it myself? I'm still a pretty inexperienced reloader, and I'm paranoid about making mistakes.

December 20, 2011, 07:55 PM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Yes, that's validation. I've used Trail Boss for case forming loads in 7mm-08 and 204 Ruger. They are quiet and have very little recoil. The 204 literally sounds like a cap gun. The proper loads are exactly as the PDF from IMR describes it. Start at 70% below the base of the bullet, work up to 100% if you desire. Never compress Trail Boss loads. Enjoy. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

December 20, 2011, 08:01 PM	#3
Major Dave (retired) Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2008 Location: Between Dallas and Shreveport, LA Posts: 569	I loaded some .243 Win with Trail Boss recently. My purpose was to download some 90 grain FMJ so that I could shoot turkeys without blowing them to smithereens. What I got was about 1500 fps MV, and 1/2 MOA accuracy. Just what I needed. Then, my access to hunt Rio Grande's fell thru. Maybe next year. But, an unexpected benefit was that I now have a low recoil load I can use to teach my 9 year old grandson to shoot. I might even download some .270 WSM so I can shoot it cheaper, and with less recoil, for practice between seasons. What, specifically, are you worried about, as regards Trail Boss hand loads? __________________ Artillery lends dignity to what would otherwise be but a vulgar brawl.