Trailboss & the .45 Colt
- Thread starter Bowdog
- Start date
Mike Irwin
Staff
What exactly do you mean by "would work."
Are you afraid that the bullet won't exit the barrel? Or that the powder won't ignite?
Not sure what you're asking, really.
Are you afraid that the bullet won't exit the barrel? Or that the powder won't ignite?
Not sure what you're asking, really.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Given that you're getting the loading data from a reputable source and are intending to load within the parameters listed by that source, I would say you're not going to have a problem.
I've not used Trail Boss in my .45, but I have used it extensively in my 6.5" Model 24 in .44 Special. My standard load is a 240 gr. lead bullet and near the bottom of the load data, and I've never had a problem.
In fact, my gun likes that load so much that the bullets tend to want to seek the same hole in the paper.
I've not used Trail Boss in my .45, but I have used it extensively in my 6.5" Model 24 in .44 Special. My standard load is a 240 gr. lead bullet and near the bottom of the load data, and I've never had a problem.
In fact, my gun likes that load so much that the bullets tend to want to seek the same hole in the paper.
You can load TB down until the bullet sticks in the barrel. Try and see, and have a rod handy.... Ie, you don't have to worry about the 'powder' being the problem. Have you tried 5.5? Might meet your needs. It is 'really' light 
. I don't load light weight 200g bullets. A 250g RNFP and 5.5g of TB gave me 700fps out of 5 1/2" barrel.
Doesn't CAS have a minimum power level??
. I don't load light weight 200g bullets. A 250g RNFP and 5.5g of TB gave me 700fps out of 5 1/2" barrel. Doesn't CAS have a minimum power level??
You're welcome. One other thing I learned about TB that may save you some grief. Those big light flakes can lead to bridging in some powder measures. I use the measure that came with my Hornady LnL progressive and initially had all kinds of bridging problems with the small-diameter cavity pistol rotor, which resulted in some stuck bullets due to undercharging (no damage done, thankfully). I've since switched to the rifle rotor when I work with TB (and also refined my loading techniques a bit), and have had no further issues.
bedbugbilly
New member
I just wished I could find some Trail Boss to try! Around here, there isn't any and no one seems to know when they'll get more in - they say it leaves the shelves as soon as they put it out. Let us know how it works for you and what uyou think of it. It looks and sounds like it would be a good powder.
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
I use 5.5 grains Trailboss under a 250 grain for CAS, works in both my revolvers & my lever gun...
Went to the range with my .45 loaded with 4.5 gr. of Trailboss. Shot well in both my Rugers and 66 lever. But it left a lot of residue in cases. 5 gr worked better for me. No where near the residue. Next would be trying 4.5 -5gr in my new Taylor & Co. 3&1/2 in. Running Irons. But will have to wait to they get to the FFL.
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
I find a good crimp can help some with the ashing... but Trailboss, by nature of the shape of the granule & design of the powder, is a bit ashy... always soft residue though...
but my 5.5 grain loads with a good crimp are pretty clean shooting
but my 5.5 grain loads with a good crimp are pretty clean shooting
The expensive powder
I have used this Cheerios looking powder in several loads including 45 long colt.
What got me started using it was a Pietta conversion. I was having problems getting smokeless powders to burn up totally using the conversion Cylinder with CA loads. This powder worked,but my accuracy was bad..I then realized that was caused by the 452 bullet and 454 bore and WW lead not. This didn't let the bullet arbitrate the bore. I loaded it with a Keith Bullet, Mixed my WW lead 50-50 with pure lead and wa-la. 1" groups at 25 yards. During this venture I used the same recipe -.1 gr in question with this Thread. Worked fine. I did however ran the load too light once and had to grab the old wooden dowel and pound the bullet out of the barrel..
PROS- 1.The nice this about this powder is the fact that is very very bulky and it's obvious if you double charge it because it overflows the case and makes a mess.
2. It burns pretty clean at low pressure charges compared to standard powders.
CONS- 1. It's more expensive than other powders because it's so bulky and you don't even get a whole pound in the container of powder.
2. DO NOT COMPRESS THIS POWDER AT ALL-- FROM ALL TEST INFO SHOWN THIS STUFF WILL SPIKE BIG TIME
I have used this Cheerios looking powder in several loads including 45 long colt.
What got me started using it was a Pietta conversion. I was having problems getting smokeless powders to burn up totally using the conversion Cylinder with CA loads. This powder worked,but my accuracy was bad..I then realized that was caused by the 452 bullet and 454 bore and WW lead not. This didn't let the bullet arbitrate the bore. I loaded it with a Keith Bullet, Mixed my WW lead 50-50 with pure lead and wa-la. 1" groups at 25 yards. During this venture I used the same recipe -.1 gr in question with this Thread. Worked fine. I did however ran the load too light once and had to grab the old wooden dowel and pound the bullet out of the barrel..
PROS- 1.The nice this about this powder is the fact that is very very bulky and it's obvious if you double charge it because it overflows the case and makes a mess.
2. It burns pretty clean at low pressure charges compared to standard powders.
CONS- 1. It's more expensive than other powders because it's so bulky and you don't even get a whole pound in the container of powder.
2. DO NOT COMPRESS THIS POWDER AT ALL-- FROM ALL TEST INFO SHOWN THIS STUFF WILL SPIKE BIG TIME
45long I also found that I need soft lead bullets for accuracy in my bp revolvers. Problem is I have a ton of hard lead 250 gr RNFP bullets to use up. Fortunate that they shoot real well with TB in my carbine. Don't mean to hijack the thread, but wherein SW MO are you? I'm from Bolivar originally.
Actually you can.... The max .44Mag load for example almost fills the case to the brim before putting a 240g bullet on top. My test results for .44Mag and several other calibers are in this thread as well. But if you don't have any 'data' to go by, the rule of thumb though is still "you'll be fine pressure wise with the powder as long as you don't compress it". One of the nice qualities of the powder. Great for beginner reloaders.
Mike Irwin
Staff
As we've learned more about this powder over the years, it would seem that the pressure spikes that people have experienced came with OVER compression that resulted in the donuts starting to break into multiple pieces, which can increase the burning rate.
So, I'm thinking that the best rule of thumb is low to moderate low compression only.
If you're getting to the point where you're having to really compress your loads, it might be time to pull out the drop tube or a powder vibrator to see if you can get the powder to settle into the case better.
Trail Boss is an absolutely brilliant powder for those of us who like the old, BIG cartridges like .44 Special and .45 Colt (although I use Universal for my .45 Colt).
So, I'm thinking that the best rule of thumb is low to moderate low compression only.
If you're getting to the point where you're having to really compress your loads, it might be time to pull out the drop tube or a powder vibrator to see if you can get the powder to settle into the case better.
Trail Boss is an absolutely brilliant powder for those of us who like the old, BIG cartridges like .44 Special and .45 Colt (although I use Universal for my .45 Colt).
+1 I agree. Like filling the case, then taking a dowel and mashing it down to the bottom. Fill some more .... Big trouble! Don't do it..... The .44Mag load I mention is the powder is just 'dumped' in the case and the bullet itself compresses it, so it is only 'minor' compression as the powder is so so so 'fluffy'.