IMR Trail Boss Powder ?

**jaybm** · 11-02-2009, 10:43 AM

Anyone have any experience with this powder ?

I'm currently using IMR 700 X for both 158 gr plated .38sp and 95 gr .380.

I'm looking at Trail Boss for added volume in the case for the .38 sp and
possibly some improvement in accuracy but that's probably more me with the lil snubby than the powder.

I'll stick with the 700 X for the .380.

Some one was mentioning primers ... LGS just raised their min to 500 per purchase and had a good quantity on their shelf of several brands. I picked up the limit of CCI small pistol primers @ $3.30 / hundred. He advised to get them while they were available.

Thanks for any advice on the Trail Boss ... jaybm

**bluedlightning** · 11-04-2009, 09:48 AM

Heres a link to Trail Boss loads from the IMR site. www.imrpowder.com/data/handgun/trailboss-feb2005.php

**jaybm** · 01-07-2010, 06:36 AM

Finally got some Trail Boss and went to the range yesterday.

Charged 2.7g, 158g fmj .38 sp. In my opinion it seemed to be less harsh on the recoil.
Results were pretty good ( for me ) , DW revolver w/ 4 in barrel patterned all within the four inch ring at ~ 30 feet. The S&W snubby didn't do as well but hey it's a belly gun.

Was pleasantly suprised at how clean this powder burned, first swab with Hoppe's #9 came out much cleaner as compared to the IMR 700X.

Trail Boss is a keeper for the .38 sp loads. Have some 125g fmj enroute, anxious to see how that works out. Can't find any load data for the .380, might overflow the case ?

Jaybm

**weaverrick** · 01-07-2010, 03:46 PM

I've been using trail boss for about 5 handgun calibres and it works great. I'm using between 3.0 and 3.5 grains under a 146 grain wadcutter in my 38's. Like you I wanted a more bulky powder to take up more space in the case. Trail Boss also meters well through my old "Uniflow"

**jaybm** · 01-08-2010, 07:02 PM

loaded some today, 3gr recommended charge, that's about
half full case. Hope these will reduce the bite from the snubby.

Won't get to the range till possibly next Wednesday, won't go
then if this weather stays below freezing.

Will report back ... Jaybm

**bluedlightning** · 01-08-2010, 08:30 PM

Has anyone tried trail boss in the big 45 colt case? Might have too look into that myself when the weather warms up a bit.

**weaverrick** · 01-09-2010, 05:33 PM

Use it almost exclusively in my 45 colts and 44 specials and even in my 45acp's. Great powder!

**saaman** · 01-11-2010, 04:24 PM

I like it for light plinking loads in 30-30 rifle--nearly fills the case so there is no problem with powder position.

**weaverrick** · 01-11-2010, 04:56 PM

I haven't tried it yet in .30-30 but have used it in .45/70's to good effect. As saaman said it is bulky (not heavy) and takes up a lot of space in the case, reducing problems with low loading density and powder position.

**jaybm** · 01-12-2010, 06:11 AM

Recently read another piece on the trail boss ...

Fill the cartridge case full ...

Weigh the powder ...

Multiply by 0.7 ...

That result is a reasonable starting charge ...

No mention of any specific cal. or bullet weight so
I don't know if I would put much stock in this formula ?

Your thoughts ?

Jaybm

**stump** · 01-12-2010, 02:29 PM

I reload .45 Colt with Trailboss. Never had any problems.

**bluedlightning** · 03-08-2010, 07:45 PM

Picked up some Trail Boss powder from a local gun show. IMR shows a starting load for the 45 Colt with a 250 gr. LRNFP boolit at 4.5 grains and max of 5.8 grains. There is not double charging with this powder. A load of 5.8 grains just about fills the case with just enough room left over to seat the boolit without compressing the powder. Going to work up some loads starting at 4.5 and going to 5.8 and give em a try with and IF it ever stops raining here. More to come.

**stump** · 05-12-2010, 08:40 PM

I currently use Trailboss in my .45 Colt loads. I've recently picked up a couple of old Winchester lever guns; 1892, .25-20 (1915), and 1894 .32 Winchester Special (1905). I'd like to load both of those with T/B also. I see where it's been tried in a .30-30 with success. Can anyone recommend a starting formula for these calibers? I only intend plinking with these loads...

Thanks,
Gary

**weaverrick** · 05-13-2010, 11:13 AM

I use trailboss in most of my handgun calibres, including 45 Colt, 44 Special, 45 ACP, 45/70, and 38 Special. It meters well through my uniflow and as others have noted, double charges are virtually impossible. I love the stuff.

**jaybirdjtski** · 08-16-2010, 11:47 AM

It's "claim to fame" is that it is so bulky you can load for cowboy or plinking loads and it fills the case or alot of the case. This avoids the problems you see with light loads of many powders getting improper ignition due to erractic location of the powder charge in the case. Partial ignition = stuck bullet, maybe! One stuck bullet can ruin your day. However, I've used Bullseye for decades for light loads and have never had a problem. I will say that I've never done competition involving rapid fire sequences with any Bullseye loads so if I ever did get a stuck bullet I'd know....I hope, anyway.
Hey! I also eyeball a 50 case tray every time I load with Bullseye before seating bullets just to be sure that I didn't double charge. I think with Trail Boss this would be impossible to do. The only downside to TB is that it seems expensive and I'm cheap! If I shot cowboy competition I would definitely use TB, however!

**jaybirdjtski** · 08-16-2010, 11:59 AM

this link is from www.imrpowder.com

Reduced loads using TB.

http://imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

**weaverrick** · 08-16-2010, 03:04 PM

I've revised my thinking in ONE area. I no longer use it in my 45 ACPs as they seem to need a faster impulse to operate more reliably. It works just great in everything else.

**StrawHat** · 08-23-2010, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weaverrick

I've revised my thinking in ONE area. I no longer use it in my 45 ACPs as they seem to need a faster impulse to operate more reliably. It works just great in everything else.

Rick, just get a real 45 ACP, TrailBoss should work with no problem.

11-02-2009, 10:43 AM	#1
jaybm Join Date: October 26 2009 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 36	IMR Trail Boss Powder ? Anyone have any experience with this powder ? I'm currently using IMR 700 X for both 158 gr plated .38sp and 95 gr .380. I'm looking at Trail Boss for added volume in the case for the .38 sp and possibly some improvement in accuracy but that's probably more me with the lil snubby than the powder. I'll stick with the 700 X for the .380. Some one was mentioning primers ... LGS just raised their min to 500 per purchase and had a good quantity on their shelf of several brands. I picked up the limit of CCI small pistol primers @ $3.30 / hundred. He advised to get them while they were available. Thanks for any advice on the Trail Boss ... jaybm

11-04-2009, 09:48 AM	#2
bluedlightning Join Date: July 9 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,523	Heres a link to Trail Boss loads from the IMR site. www.imrpowder.com/data/handgun/trailboss-feb2005.php I would never invade the United States. There would be a gun behind every blade of grass. Isoroku Yamamoto. When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability. Proverbs 28:2 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer peresecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:12-13 KJV

01-07-2010, 03:46 PM	#4
weaverrick Join Date: August 26 2005 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 8,665	I've been using trail boss for about 5 handgun calibres and it works great. I'm using between 3.0 and 3.5 grains under a 146 grain wadcutter in my 38's. Like you I wanted a more bulky powder to take up more space in the case. Trail Boss also meters well through my old "Uniflow" Arizona: "Doing the job that the American government just won't do"! "Lifes journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a wlll preserved body, but to skid in sideways screaming holy crap what a ride!

01-08-2010, 07:02 PM	#5
jaybm Join Date: October 26 2009 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 36	125 gr bullets delivered ! loaded some today, 3gr recommended charge, that's about half full case. Hope these will reduce the bite from the snubby. Won't get to the range till possibly next Wednesday, won't go then if this weather stays below freezing. Will report back ... Jaybm

01-08-2010, 08:30 PM	#6
bluedlightning Join Date: July 9 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,523	Has anyone tried trail boss in the big 45 colt case? Might have too look into that myself when the weather warms up a bit. I would never invade the United States. There would be a gun behind every blade of grass. Isoroku Yamamoto. When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability. Proverbs 28:2 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer peresecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:12-13 KJV

01-07-2010, 06:36 AM	#3
jaybm Join Date: October 26 2009 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 36	Finally got some Trail Boss and went to the range yesterday. Charged 2.7g, 158g fmj .38 sp. In my opinion it seemed to be less harsh on the recoil. Results were pretty good ( for me ) , DW revolver w/ 4 in barrel patterned all within the four inch ring at ~ 30 feet. The S&W snubby didn't do as well but hey it's a belly gun. Was pleasantly suprised at how clean this powder burned, first swab with Hoppe's #9 came out much cleaner as compared to the IMR 700X. Trail Boss is a keeper for the .38 sp loads. Have some 125g fmj enroute, anxious to see how that works out. Can't find any load data for the .380, might overflow the case ? Jaybm

01-09-2010, 05:33 PM	#7
weaverrick Join Date: August 26 2005 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 8,665	Use it almost exclusively in my 45 colts and 44 specials and even in my 45acp's. Great powder! Arizona: "Doing the job that the American government just won't do"! "Lifes journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a wlll preserved body, but to skid in sideways screaming holy crap what a ride!

01-11-2010, 04:24 PM	#8
saaman Join Date: January 14 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 8	I like it for light plinking loads in 30-30 rifle--nearly fills the case so there is no problem with powder position.

01-11-2010, 04:56 PM	#9
weaverrick Join Date: August 26 2005 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 8,665	I haven't tried it yet in .30-30 but have used it in .45/70's to good effect. As saaman said it is bulky (not heavy) and takes up a lot of space in the case, reducing problems with low loading density and powder position. Arizona: "Doing the job that the American government just won't do"! "Lifes journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a wlll preserved body, but to skid in sideways screaming holy crap what a ride!

01-12-2010, 06:11 AM	#10
jaybm Join Date: October 26 2009 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 36	For What It's Worth ... Recently read another piece on the trail boss ... Fill the cartridge case full ... Weigh the powder ... Multiply by 0.7 ... That result is a reasonable starting charge ... No mention of any specific cal. or bullet weight so I don't know if I would put much stock in this formula ? Your thoughts ? Jaybm

01-12-2010, 02:29 PM	#11
stump Join Date: September 8 2007 Location: NC Posts: 96	I reload .45 Colt with Trailboss. Never had any problems.

03-08-2010, 07:45 PM	#12
bluedlightning Join Date: July 9 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,523	Picked up some Trail Boss powder from a local gun show. IMR shows a starting load for the 45 Colt with a 250 gr. LRNFP boolit at 4.5 grains and max of 5.8 grains. There is not double charging with this powder. A load of 5.8 grains just about fills the case with just enough room left over to seat the boolit without compressing the powder. Going to work up some loads starting at 4.5 and going to 5.8 and give em a try with and IF it ever stops raining here. More to come. I would never invade the United States. There would be a gun behind every blade of grass. Isoroku Yamamoto. When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability. Proverbs 28:2 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer peresecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:12-13 KJV

05-12-2010, 08:40 PM	#13
stump Join Date: September 8 2007 Location: NC Posts: 96	I currently use Trailboss in my .45 Colt loads. I've recently picked up a couple of old Winchester lever guns; 1892, .25-20 (1915), and 1894 .32 Winchester Special (1905). I'd like to load both of those with T/B also. I see where it's been tried in a .30-30 with success. Can anyone recommend a starting formula for these calibers? I only intend plinking with these loads... Thanks, Gary

05-13-2010, 11:13 AM	#14
weaverrick Join Date: August 26 2005 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 8,665	I use trailboss in most of my handgun calibres, including 45 Colt, 44 Special, 45 ACP, 45/70, and 38 Special. It meters well through my uniflow and as others have noted, double charges are virtually impossible. I love the stuff. Arizona: "Doing the job that the American government just won't do"! "Lifes journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a wlll preserved body, but to skid in sideways screaming holy crap what a ride!

08-16-2010, 11:47 AM	#15
jaybirdjtski Join Date: August 16 2010 Posts: 15	It's "claim to fame" is that it is so bulky you can load for cowboy or plinking loads and it fills the case or alot of the case. This avoids the problems you see with light loads of many powders getting improper ignition due to erractic location of the powder charge in the case. Partial ignition = stuck bullet, maybe! One stuck bullet can ruin your day. However, I've used Bullseye for decades for light loads and have never had a problem. I will say that I've never done competition involving rapid fire sequences with any Bullseye loads so if I ever did get a stuck bullet I'd know....I hope, anyway. Hey! I also eyeball a 50 case tray every time I load with Bullseye before seating bullets just to be sure that I didn't double charge. I think with Trail Boss this would be impossible to do. The only downside to TB is that it seems expensive and I'm cheap! If I shot cowboy competition I would definitely use TB, however!

08-16-2010, 11:59 AM	#16
jaybirdjtski Join Date: August 16 2010 Posts: 15	this link is from www.imrpowder.com Reduced loads using TB. http://imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

08-16-2010, 03:04 PM	#17
weaverrick Join Date: August 26 2005 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 8,665	I've revised my thinking in ONE area. I no longer use it in my 45 ACPs as they seem to need a faster impulse to operate more reliably. It works just great in everything else. Arizona: "Doing the job that the American government just won't do"! "Lifes journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a wlll preserved body, but to skid in sideways screaming holy crap what a ride!

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