hambone Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I visited my local gun store today and he had a new powder out that I am not familiar with. It's a IMR powder called Trailboss and it's touted for CAS shooters. I bought a bottle to try out. Does anyone here have any experience with this powder? All comments and suggestions are welcome. Hambone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pit Bull Tex Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Trailboss is all I have used for my 38s.I love it because of the volume in the cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Trailboss has been out a long time and is very popular with SASS shooters. You can go to Hodgdon's or IMR's websites, there is plenty of loading data. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rance - SASS # 54090 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I started using it when it first came out fer my rifle and pistol loads.. You won't dislike it.. tight crimp.. Rance Thinkin' it's been out fer about 7-8 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 It's been out a few years now and is well liked for cowboy shooting and general use. Loads are included in the Hodgdon web site. http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp In the loading data, you will notice that it is not a high pressure load, so i recommend that you NOT load at the lowest level. Go up about 1/3 of the way in the recommended range and it is great. Essentially cannot make the mistake of a double load for our cartridges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Christian Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Love Trailboss for CAS. I use it in 38 Special pistol and 45 LC rifle. It burns clean and meters well through the measure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StirrupTrouble Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 That is my favorite powder for my 45 Colts. Nothing is more consistent or reliable for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I use for everything from .32 S&W to .45-70 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Bullweed Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Trailboss is likely shot by over a third of CAS shooters (based on informal observations of mine). I tried it but prefer RedDot for 20-th century cartridges and W-231 for .38WCF and .32WCF for CAS due to costs. My local dealers are either very CAS knowledgeable and are constantly out of Trailboss, or price the 12-ounce can like a pound at $20-plus. The advice above looks pretty good. Many of your local cowboys will be very familiar with this powder and loads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace_of_Hearts Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Trailboss works well for light loads in almost any firearm. (Semi auto exempted) Many cowboys reload it in all rifle/pistol calibers they load. I load it in my 32 S & W all the way up to 45-70 with equally good results. As has been noted, due not go below recommended MINIMUMS unless you like squibs and the dreaded posse giggling "mouse fart". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boulder Canyon Bob# 32052L Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I've used it for several years in 44 Russian, 45 Schofield and 44-40. I like it because it's durn near impossible to get a double charge be cause it fills up the case so much. Some folks that use a Dillon 550 say you have to use the large powder bar to measure consistently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsbunnyshooter Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Trailboss is all I use also. Fills the cases very well. I load all my .45LC with it and now my .357 rounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ T. Sites Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Been using it for 3 years no complaints Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richie reno Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 love it but hard to come by here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painted Mohawk SASS 77785 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I use trail boss exclusively...'the only complaint I have is it's an Aussie powder yet can be purchased for less in the USA than here in Australia !!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles B. Gatewood SASS #48517 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I've used it for several years in 44 Russian, 45 Schofield and 44-40. I like it because it's durn near impossible to get a double charge be cause it fills up the case so much. Some folks that use a Dillon 550 say you have to use the large powder bar to measure consistently. Been using it for 4 years and have been pleased. I used Clays for several years and still do at times. I also use the large bar in my 550 as those little donuts meter better through it. As has been said, load above the minimum for best performance and use a tight crimp. CBG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eamon Chute Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Another Trailboss fan here. EC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidd Krystin Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Ray Davis Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Use it in .45LC for the rifle and the handguns. It's all I've ever used. When I started reloading, using TB, I started at the minumum. I've incresed to te middle of the recommended range. Works well, measures well in the Lee powder measure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B. T. Blade, SASS #35685Life Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Love it, but like most other powders it's difficult to find these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Art Tillery Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I use trail boss exclusively...'the only complaint I have is it's an Aussie powder yet can be purchased for less in the USA than here in Australia !!!!!! Now that just sucks pardner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Art Tillery Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 All I use.. Love the stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Trailboss is wonderful powder. The only downside is cost. It is an expensive powder. A lot of people buy a bottle for $16.00 or $17.00 dollars thinking the price isn't to bad and thinking they have a "pound" of powder. However, those bottles are only 9 ounces. So a pound costs almost twice the price. The best way to buy it is by the keg. If you buy a five pound keg, there are five pounds in there. When you do the math that equates to 8.9 bottles of Trailboss. That brings the price down a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Solo Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I use Trailboss for 38 special, 45 Colt, 45 CBS and 45 ACP. When loading for 45 ACP I load toward the top of the Hodgdon loading chart and reach the Wild Bunch power factor pretty easily. It is a struggle to reach the USPSA major power factor using Trailboss. While most everybody can tell you about Trailboss' bottom end performance, you don't want to overload Trailboss. It doesn't compress well at all and will "explode if you overload." The powder is designed for volume reloaders and action shooters, ie CAS participants. If you stay between the lines it is an outstanding powder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blasted Cap Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Like it in my 357's and 45's. Kids and I both love in my 25-06 with lead bullets for popping critters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombstone Tex Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I am thrilled that this thread came up, I was actually looking at trail boss information online yesterday thinking about making the switch. I just got off the phone with a local shop, when I asked him if he had any Trail Boss, he says "yes I do, you a Cowboy shooter?". I said not yet but I will be soon! Great information folks! I am gonna grab some of this and give it a shot (pun intended) on Friday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 As has been mentioned, Trailboss also works well with .45 ACP. I can tell you from experience that it does not work with the following calibers... .30 Carbine 9mm .38 Super HOWEVER.... If you wanted a nice low power .30 Carbine load for use in a revolver, it would be great for that. It *almost* works in .38 Super. It might work quite well in an older .38 ACP gun. Many "auto pistol" cartridges did have revolvers built for them. Trail Boss could work just find in those, if you have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Dog, SASS #20401 Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 They were giving it away at the first FR EOT. When was that, 2003 or so? So it has been around for about a decade or better now. May not seem like it but time flies when we're having fun... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PECOS PETE, SASS#16437 Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 smells bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rio Brazos Kid Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Much prefer Clays to Trail Boss. Far more economical and does the job with excellence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hashknife Cowboy Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Been using this powder for quite some time. from .38 spcl to .45-70. Its good stuff, especially in .45 Colt and .44 spcl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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