Trailboss 1st... PB next ??? others ??? low pressure handgun loads...

Magnum Wheel Man · February 18, 2010, 05:27 PM

been loading alot of 32 & 38 S&W for my old top breaks lately... started with round ball loads & I've been getting exceptional accuracy with the Trailboss... but am looking at switching to light bullets on my stronger shooters, & on the 32's I'm running out of case capacity with the Trailboss, & was considering other less bulky powders,( like 231 ) but low chamber pressures on these orginal black powder guns is of the most importance... been looking at IMR PB after a recommendation from my loading buddy / mentor... a quick check of the burn rate chart shows it similar to Trailboss, & well known for low chamber pessures... anyone else loading similar cartridges with a different powder, with good results, to give me a couple options to look at ???

feel free to express your expiriences & or concerns...

Peter M. Eick · February 20, 2010, 04:59 PM

I have been thinking the same way. Trailboss and Unique are my go to low pressure powders for things like 44/40 and 38 special. Very accurate, but you just run out of capacity with Trailboss and Unique is just a touch to jumpy.

I have not messed much with PB so I am curious to hear your results.

Experiment and let us know.

I would also email IMR and suggest they make more trailboss like powders.

Stumper · February 20, 2010, 05:11 PM

I can't give you a lot of help but can confirm that PB has given me good results in very mild .38 special loads.

zippy13 · February 20, 2010, 05:35 PM

There's always the old standard mid-range .38 Spcl WC load of 148 gr cast over 2.7 gr of Bullseye. This is an exceptionally accurate load and will function the action of the S&W Master match pistol. Since you're not concerned about cycling an auto, even lighter charges will give satisfactory results. Of course, when working with reduced loads be mindful of the possibility of squibs. The worst condition being when the forcing cone isn't cleared and the cylinder is involved -- thank goodness for top breaks.

bluetopper · February 20, 2010, 09:10 PM

Clays, American Select, or Bullseye are great low pressure calibers, very accurate, and you won't run out of case space.

zxcvbob · February 20, 2010, 09:21 PM

International Clays is good (but good luck finding load data for it.) I use it for my .380 practice ammo when I don't want full-power knucklebusters.

I think Herco would be good for loading old cartridges to their full potential. It will give a lot slower pressure rise time than faster powders; might not stress the old guns as much as a sharp impulse from fast powder. It's just a theory tho', no experience with it (yet)

Magnum Wheel Man · February 20, 2010, 10:53 PM

Thanks for the comments & suggestions... I'm getting a canister of P.B. 1st & will do some expiriementing with some light 32 cast bullets in the 32 S&W, & will look at your suggestions if the P.B. does not get me where I want to go... I had heard that Clays is supposed to be a good powder for this use, but don't own any of it yet either...

It'll be spring before I can run any extensive accuracy & chrony tests, but it has been fun doing the round balls with with the 32's & the chrony off the tailgate of my truck, using the mountain of snow piled up beside the driveway for a target backer & backstop... if the weather holds, I think I'll do some 38 S&W round ball chrony & target work tomorrow...

February 18, 2010, 05:27 PM	#1
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	Trailboss 1st... PB next ??? others ??? low pressure handgun loads... been loading alot of 32 & 38 S&W for my old top breaks lately... started with round ball loads & I've been getting exceptional accuracy with the Trailboss... but am looking at switching to light bullets on my stronger shooters, & on the 32's I'm running out of case capacity with the Trailboss, & was considering other less bulky powders,( like 231 ) but low chamber pressures on these orginal black powder guns is of the most importance... been looking at IMR PB after a recommendation from my loading buddy / mentor... a quick check of the burn rate chart shows it similar to Trailboss, & well known for low chamber pessures... anyone else loading similar cartridges with a different powder, with good results, to give me a couple options to look at ??? feel free to express your expiriences & or concerns... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

February 20, 2010, 04:59 PM	#2
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	I have been thinking the same way. Trailboss and Unique are my go to low pressure powders for things like 44/40 and 38 special. Very accurate, but you just run out of capacity with Trailboss and Unique is just a touch to jumpy. I have not messed much with PB so I am curious to hear your results. Experiment and let us know. I would also email IMR and suggest they make more trailboss like powders. __________________ 10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super!

February 20, 2010, 05:11 PM	#3
Stumper Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 438	I can't give you a lot of help but can confirm that PB has given me good results in very mild .38 special loads. __________________ "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt "If only God has magic, how does Santa get down the chimney?" Natalie Peters age 4

February 20, 2010, 09:21 PM	#6
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	International Clays is good (but good luck finding load data for it.) I use it for my .380 practice ammo when I don't want full-power knucklebusters. I think Herco would be good for loading old cartridges to their full potential. It will give a lot slower pressure rise time than faster powders; might not stress the old guns as much as a sharp impulse from fast powder. It's just a theory tho', no experience with it (yet) __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

February 20, 2010, 10:53 PM	#7
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	Thanks for the comments & suggestions... I'm getting a canister of P.B. 1st & will do some expiriementing with some light 32 cast bullets in the 32 S&W, & will look at your suggestions if the P.B. does not get me where I want to go... I had heard that Clays is supposed to be a good powder for this use, but don't own any of it yet either... It'll be spring before I can run any extensive accuracy & chrony tests, but it has been fun doing the round balls with with the 32's & the chrony off the tailgate of my truck, using the mountain of snow piled up beside the driveway for a target backer & backstop... if the weather holds, I think I'll do some 38 S&W round ball chrony & target work tomorrow... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

February 20, 2010, 05:35 PM	#4
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	There's always the old standard mid-range .38 Spcl WC load of 148 gr cast over 2.7 gr of Bullseye. This is an exceptionally accurate load and will function the action of the S&W Master match pistol. Since you're not concerned about cycling an auto, even lighter charges will give satisfactory results. Of course, when working with reduced loads be mindful of the possibility of squibs. The worst condition being when the forcing cone isn't cleared and the cylinder is involved -- thank goodness for top breaks.

February 20, 2010, 09:10 PM	#5
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	Clays, American Select, or Bullseye are great low pressure calibers, very accurate, and you won't run out of case space.