Finally shot some Trail Boss reloads...

**Mike Irwin** · July 11, 2006, 09:19 AM

in my .44 Special.

All I can say is wow, this is an EXCELLENT powder!

Very, very consistent sounding from shot to shot (I didn't have a chronograph, unfortunately, so I don't know the velocity) and VERY accurate.

Shooting off hand at about 10 yards I was easily keeping all my shots in a 2" circle.

I'll have to see what it can do off the bench.

Jim Watson · July 11, 2006, 09:57 AM

Me, too.
I loaded some .44 WCF with Trail Boss. Bulky enough to see as I set the bullet on the D550, uniform velocity, good accuracy.
The only drawback is changing out powder bars, they recommend the Dillon rifle bar for anything over 5 grains and .44 WCF takes up to 6.5. If I loaded a lot of .44 WCF, I'd get a dedicated powder measure, but I don't so I will just try to build up enough inventory to carry me through the rest of the year's CAS.

**Mike Irwin** · July 11, 2006, 10:26 AM

I used the adjustable charge bar on my Lee powder measure. The stuff meters amazingly consistently given its relatively large size and flat flake shape.

redhawk41 · July 12, 2006, 07:51 PM

I would like to try Trail Boss for .41 Magnum target loads.

Not having seen the powder yet, what kind of load density am I looking at with around 5 grains? Have you tried it in .41 yet?

Peter M. Eick · July 12, 2006, 09:19 PM

I agree with the above, accurate, reliable and easy to load. I am on a major campaign to get rid of all of my fast powders for 38 special and for 357 mag wimp loads. I can rapidly see the trailboss will become a staple powder replacing bullseye, titegroup, 231 and aa2.

Great stuff!

Bullet94 · July 12, 2006, 09:42 PM

Are there any listed loads for bullets other than lead?

**Mike Irwin** · July 13, 2006, 12:06 AM

I think Trail Boss was designed specifically for lead bullets in mind. I've not seen any jacketed loading data for it yets.

I've not tried TB in my .41 Mag. yet, but I suspect that 5 grains would come very close to talking up half, or more, of the case.

July 11, 2006, 09:19 AM	#1
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Finally shot some Trail Boss reloads... in my .44 Special. All I can say is wow, this is an EXCELLENT powder! Very, very consistent sounding from shot to shot (I didn't have a chronograph, unfortunately, so I don't know the velocity) and VERY accurate. Shooting off hand at about 10 yards I was easily keeping all my shots in a 2" circle. I'll have to see what it can do off the bench. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 11, 2006, 10:26 AM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I used the adjustable charge bar on my Lee powder measure. The stuff meters amazingly consistently given its relatively large size and flat flake shape. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 12, 2006, 07:51 PM	#4
redhawk41 Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2005 Location: Red Desert Posts: 819	I would like to try Trail Boss for .41 Magnum target loads. Not having seen the powder yet, what kind of load density am I looking at with around 5 grains? Have you tried it in .41 yet? __________________ {empty thought cloud}

July 12, 2006, 09:19 PM	#5
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	I agree with the above, accurate, reliable and easy to load. I am on a major campaign to get rid of all of my fast powders for 38 special and for 357 mag wimp loads. I can rapidly see the trailboss will become a staple powder replacing bullseye, titegroup, 231 and aa2. Great stuff! __________________ 10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super!

July 12, 2006, 09:42 PM	#6
Bullet94 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 723	Are there any listed loads for bullets other than lead? __________________ PRO-SECOND AMENDMENT - Live Free or Die

July 11, 2006, 09:57 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Me, too. I loaded some .44 WCF with Trail Boss. Bulky enough to see as I set the bullet on the D550, uniform velocity, good accuracy. The only drawback is changing out powder bars, they recommend the Dillon rifle bar for anything over 5 grains and .44 WCF takes up to 6.5. If I loaded a lot of .44 WCF, I'd get a dedicated powder measure, but I don't so I will just try to build up enough inventory to carry me through the rest of the year's CAS.

July 13, 2006, 12:06 AM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I think Trail Boss was designed specifically for lead bullets in mind. I've not seen any jacketed loading data for it yets. I've not tried TB in my .41 Mag. yet, but I suspect that 5 grains would come very close to talking up half, or more, of the case. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.