Fluffy Trail Boss

[Ojaileveraction]

One of the common comments about TB is that 9oz come in a 16 oz bottle.

Its kind of slow so I did a Volume comparison between TB and four pistol powder, HP-38, H110, Tite Group and A2400.

I measured 5 grains (the max I measured for 158 plated) of Trail Boss into a 38sp case. Settled it and measured using a mark on a case that fits into the 38sp case.
So this is not exact but more of a relative comparison?
Prices are with tax

Trail Boss............5g, $20

HP-38...................12.5g, $26

H110.....................17.0g, $28

Tide Group............13.5g, $25

A2400....................14.5g, $28

Hope this is a help.

[CT_Shooter]

I'm not sure what your comparison tells us, Tim. Am I missing something? Reloading data relies on the weight of an appropriate powder, not its volume.

So, 7000 grains of TrailBoss = one pound of H110 or one pound of HP-38, or one pound of TiteGroup, or one pound of A2400. 7000 grains of feathers also equals one pound of lead.

[BigAl52]

Ive never used it and havent even come close to trying it. We all have our preferences. I know alot of people like Trail Boss because it fills more of the case in the larger volume cases. I just have not ever decided I would try it.

[Ojaileveraction]

I'm not sure what your comparison tells us, Tim. Am I missing something? Reloading data relies on the weight of an appropriate powder, not its volume.

There are those that believe a powder's volume is just as important as it's weight.
You will notice that Nosler gives fill percentage as part of their load data.
As does the bullet company that makes the A frame. Swift.

One of the first words of rifle reloading advice I got was, "Look for a load that is at least 70% full for a consistent powder burn."

Kind of stuck with me.

[CT_Shooter]

I'm not at all familiar with Nosler's data and have never reloaded a rifle cartridge or anything other than .357 magnum and .38 special, which I guess is obvious. Thanks for the info.

There are those that believe a powder's volume is just as important as it's weight.
You will notice that Nosler gives fill percentage as part of their load data.
As does the bullet company that makes the A frame. Swift.

One of the first words of rifle reloading advice I got was, "Look for a load that is at least 70% full for a consistent powder burn."

Kind of stuck with me.

[Ojaileveraction]

One more powder.

Unique.......... 9.7gr., $30

[Ojaileveraction]

I just now realized that I could have just filled a 38cal case to the top and leved it off for each powder. Would have been a lot easier.
I've been working on a 38sp TB load so the 5gr stuck in my head.

[Mistered]

There are those that believe a powder's volume is just as important as it's weight.

This is true with some powders but not all. Many powders (typically faster burning) are less position and volume sensitive as others.

Take Bullseye for example. A .38 Special load with it maxes out at about 4 grains - but hardly fills the case. Unique is similar in that certain loads with it do not even fill the case to 50 % - but are to be considered maximum for that load.

An example are my .30-30 loads that use 12 grains of Unique and only fill the case about 1/3.

While it is advantageous to find a load with a powder that provides maximum or close to a full case capacity it is not always possible especially with lighter loads using faster burning powders.

This is one of the reasons Unique has been around since 1898. It is one of the most stable powders there is, is NOT position sensitive and has a wide range of charge weights that are not affected by its burn rate as some other powders are.

[Travlin]

Trail Boss was designed for mostly cowboy action loads in big handgun cases . The amount of this powder used for those loads makes it impossible to double charge the case.

[Ojaileveraction]

This all comes from my pursuit of subsonic rifle loads.
I've found I am a better shooter with subsonic loads and I'd I can get the job done with subsonic loads that's what I use.
I find knocking down a 200 meter Ram with a 350g bullet going 1150fps, mv, more satisfying than rubbing my shoulder after knocking it down with a 350g bullet going 1800fps, mv.
When loading at lower velocities the inconsistentcys seem to show themselves.
Weather you call it position sesitivity or pressure seitivity,
I would only suggest that you test your low fill rifle loads.
Useing a chronometer , purposely point the rifle straight up then aim and fire , the point the rifle straight down the aim and fire. Moving the powder to the back of the case then to the front of the case.

[Mistered]

Using a chronometer

I think you meant to say chronograph!

When loading at lower velocities the inconsistentcys seem to show themselves.

Sometimes buf not always.

In the case of one of my loads, 12 grains of Unique with a 100 or 110 grain bullet in .30-30
The accuracy is phenomenal - and this is with only about 1/3 of the case capacity used.

As long as a one is following established data or safely experimenting with lower pressure powders (and knowing the characteristics of the particular powder) And keeping an eye out for pressure indicators (very important) then reduced, low powder capacity loads are entirely safe.

Now if I were loading something that did in fact show inconsistencies immediately - such as poor accuracy, incomplete powder burn or over pressure indications I would certainly stop shooting that load however in all my years of reloading I have never experienced anything to this degree.

[Ojaileveraction]

Would that be easier to use?

Using a chronometer

I think you meant to say chronograph!

Thanks Ed.

[clovishound]

Perhaps a better comparison would be cost per example loads.

148 grain wadcutter in .38 spcl max load

Trail Boss 2.3 grains 1.17 cents per round

Titegroup 3.3 grains 1.22 cents per round

HP38 4.0 grains 1.49 cents per round

Universal 3.8 grains 1.41 cents per round

I like Trail Boss. It is a great powder for target loads using cast and coated bullets. I use it for accurate, low recoil loads for revolvers and .45 ACP. 148 grain wadcutters in .38 spcl out of a full sized revolver have ridiculously little recoil.

Some folks think it is an expensive powder to use, because it comes in nearly half pound canisters instead of full lbs. However, it costs less than a full pound canister, and normally uses less by weight than most pistol powders. Not recommended for high pressure cartridges like 9mm, .40 etc.

[Mistered]

Trail Boss 2.3 grains 1.17 cents per round

Titegroup 3.3 grains 1.22 cents per round

HP38 4.0 grains 1.49 cents per round

Universal 3.8 grains 1.41 cents per round

Are your per round prices accurate ? Because you are depicting a dollar point X amount of cents per round.

I load .38 Special a lot cheaper than this!

[clovishound]

Well, it all depends on how much you pay for powder. In this case, I choose to use the price at my local gun store. I can get it a little cheaper on my common powders at another local outlet, but I know the prices better at the LGS around the corner. I don't order hazmat items on the internet. I've always preferred to get them from local sources without paying the extra delivery fees. The one local outlet is pretty close to, or below internet prices, once shipping and fees are included, unless you order larger amounts. In the past I have not had the on hand funds to easily order $400 or $500 worth of powder and primers. I may start buying jugs of my two common powders once things get back to normal.

As to the accuracy, here is my methodology. 3938 grains in a bottle divided by 2.3 grains per load. This equals 1712 loads per canister. The canister runs me $20 at LGS. Divide that by 1712 and you get .011682, rounded off to 1.17 cents. If I were to buy my Trailboss in larger containers, at an outlet that gave more of a discount, then I could probably reduce that somewhat. Plugging in the cheaper local outlet price, I came in at just under a penny per round. Cutting it in half would result in a savings of less than 30 cents per box of 50. A 25% savings would be more realistic with a 15 cent savings. Powder is the cheapest component in most pistol caliber loads.

Cents per round are a convenient figure IMO. Easy to upscale to 50, 100 or 1000 rounds.

[Rifletom]

I have thought about trying TB, but, can't seem to change from Unique or Universal. Good reason for that. This is out of lever rifles. Might work pretty good in a revolver?

[CT_Shooter]

I only reload .357s and 38 specials with JHP/JSP/FMJ bullets and I have more H110, HP-38, Unique, and Universal powders than I will ever use up in my lifetime. Otherwise, TrailBoss sounds like a good choice for mild loads to me, too. I'd love to try 2400 as well, but I just don't need more powder in the cabinet. Not a bad problem to have, I suppose.