45ACP Trialboss

robctwo · April 8, 2008, 08:51 AM

I had some Trailboss sitting around for over a year from an earlier idea that I was going to shoot a lot of 45LC. Looking at the Hodgdon reloading tables I decided to load some 45ACP.

I had some Bear Creek 230 gr LRN on the shelf. Loaded them up to the max 4.5 gr over 1.25OAL. These shot well. very accurate, nice recoil and litle smoke. The trailboss was very visible in the cases. My pistol micrometer on the LnL did not like the stuff, but the regular micrometer worked great.

I also loaded up some 200 gr Precision SWC over 5.2 gr Trailboss at 1.25 OAL. These cycled the guns well, very accurate and little smoke. The cases were full enough that a flake or two might pop out from the advancing of the progressive press, and the loads were slightly compressed.

I doubt that I'll be buying more of this powder simply because I get such good results from Clays and W231 in 45ACP, but it is an interesting choice for those who are worried about double charges. he bulk will prevent that possibility. The performance was good. I didn't chrono the loads, but have no reason to doubt the speeds listed on Hodgdon's site.

I was shooting Baer PII, Brown Exec Target and SA Loaded, all with brand new 18lb recoil springs.

My old load of 5.2 W231 under 200 gr SWC was not hot enough to reliably cycle these guns with new springs. have not tried the 4.0 Clays under 200 gr SWC to see how it works on them.

Nekron · April 9, 2008, 09:40 AM

Thanks for a very interesting post, Rob. I've always wondered how Trail Boss would behave in .45 acp.

MaineColt · April 10, 2008, 08:33 AM

Very interesting. Nice that it fills the case.

Have you ever tried AA#5 in the 45ACP? I load 8.3 grains of AA#5 under 200 grain LSWC. VERY accurate and clean out of my Kimber Gold Match.

Kev

April 8, 2008, 08:51 AM	#1
robctwo Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2002 Location: Albany, Oregon Posts: 644	45ACP Trialboss I had some Trailboss sitting around for over a year from an earlier idea that I was going to shoot a lot of 45LC. Looking at the Hodgdon reloading tables I decided to load some 45ACP. I had some Bear Creek 230 gr LRN on the shelf. Loaded them up to the max 4.5 gr over 1.25OAL. These shot well. very accurate, nice recoil and litle smoke. The trailboss was very visible in the cases. My pistol micrometer on the LnL did not like the stuff, but the regular micrometer worked great. I also loaded up some 200 gr Precision SWC over 5.2 gr Trailboss at 1.25 OAL. These cycled the guns well, very accurate and little smoke. The cases were full enough that a flake or two might pop out from the advancing of the progressive press, and the loads were slightly compressed. I doubt that I'll be buying more of this powder simply because I get such good results from Clays and W231 in 45ACP, but it is an interesting choice for those who are worried about double charges. he bulk will prevent that possibility. The performance was good. I didn't chrono the loads, but have no reason to doubt the speeds listed on Hodgdon's site. I was shooting Baer PII, Brown Exec Target and SA Loaded, all with brand new 18lb recoil springs. My old load of 5.2 W231 under 200 gr SWC was not hot enough to reliably cycle these guns with new springs. have not tried the 4.0 Clays under 200 gr SWC to see how it works on them.

April 9, 2008, 09:40 AM	#2
Nekron Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 1999 Location: Kansas Posts: 139	Thanks for a very interesting post, Rob. I've always wondered how Trail Boss would behave in .45 acp.

April 10, 2008, 08:33 AM	#3
MaineColt Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 222	Very interesting. Nice that it fills the case. Have you ever tried AA#5 in the 45ACP? I load 8.3 grains of AA#5 under 200 grain LSWC. VERY accurate and clean out of my Kimber Gold Match. Kev