I would like to use this thread to gather all the info any or all of you have on using trail boss. Sounds like the ideal powder to use in my Vetterli! roger

Currently, I'm doing a study using Trail Boss in my 458 Lott using cast bullets. I'll publish the data in a few weeks when I am done.

I'm not real happy with the preliminary data, though. Shot to shot velocity variation is unusually high with some loads.

Hi Roger,

I've used it 45 Colt, 45-70, and 43 Mauser. Works very well. Never tried it in a Vetterli, but I'm thinkin' 45-70 load data would get you pretty close. FWIW, I've found that load data for the 45-70 (Trapdoor pressures) and 43 Mauser are, for all practical purposes, interchangeable.

Here's some load data that might help:
http://www.imrpowder.com/data/...railboss-oct2005.php

Roger,

when it came out, I contacted Hodgdon on its use in rifles..

their response was that if used in a rifle, as long as the load was not compressed, it would be safe and there was no way of over pressuring a rifle cartridge..

he also added it's target market was cowboy action shooting, and MV in rifles was to be between 900 to 1100 fps on average..

it is very very bulky. Like 15 grains Fills an 06 case!

pistol primers or rifle primers can ignite it and I was told NOT to use magnum primers..

I've played with in calibers from 223 to 444 Marlin..

Maybe this will help.

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

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
I would like to use this thread to gather all the info any or all of you have on using trail boss. Sounds like the ideal powder to use in my Vetterli! roger

Trail Boss should be ideal for your Vetterli!

Just don't use magnum primers!

Here`s a link to an older post.
http://forums.accuratereloadin...891014321#1891014321
Recently loaded 7.62x54R and 8x57.Both with 15gr which nearly filled the case.Used SKS bullets in the 7.62x54R and Turk pulldown bullets in 8x57.It worked very well with very light recoil.Very happy with TrailBoss.A good summertime powder for a cool barrel.

Thanks guys! Really good info.Right now in the vetterli I'm driving a 310gr.cast bullet at 1250 fps. From all the information you've given me it would appear that Trail Boss might not be able to push that bullet near that velocity from a case of that capacity. I'll get some and see. I find that if I use 44 magnum data of the slower powders it gives the desired performance. If anyone finds Trail Boss data for the 44mag please pass it on. roger

I can't speak for a Vetterli, but I do enjoy the following article from surplusrifle.com:
http://surplusrifle.com/articl...ilbosskiss/index.asp

As mentioned above, I see four loads on the Hodgdon website...
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

You may have to fill in the boxes to get the page I'm looking at...simply choose 44 Rem Magnum and Trail Boss powder.

I use it in the 45-70, somehwat similar case shape, but long cartridge with decent results. Hodgdon max listed load for the 45-70 and 405 gr bullet is 13 grains. 16-17 grains will fill the case without any pressure problems

all my hodgdon manuals show trail boss loads only up to 240 gr bullet for the 44 mag
it gives:
6.0 gr for 828 fps
7.3 gr for 917 fps at 21,600 PSI.

One of the neat things about trail boss, is you have some room to play around with it outside of listed loads.